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Originally Posted by garymarvin
Alan Faneca should be our top prioritiy at OG. We need to protect Bulger and open some running lanes as Job One!!.
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Whilst I agree, it's job one, i think from a fiscal standpoint, you can get much better value for a younger player than Faneca, who can do just as good a job. Jacob Bell from Tennesee and Stacy Andrews from Cincinatti could provide excelent value for money as younger guards for les cost.
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Karlos Dansby would be a nice upgrade to Chillar at LB.
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Again, money talks. Chillar will be cheaper to re-sign and has been one of the most consistent Rams on defense this year. Dansby will demand top dollar. Why break the bank to fix what ain't broke?
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Then, we need Jake Long with our first round pick to shore up OT. Pace has been injury prone the last two years. Could we get a late first round choice for him?
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No to Pace. Too high a salary figure, and who wants spend a first round pick on a 32 y.o. player who, as you say, is so injury prone? Most of the teams at the back end of the draft have very solid offensive lines.
As to Jake Long, better value can be had in a later round. Again, money talks. You may be spending some $50 million on a player who may not see the field for two years. We don't know if Pace will get hurt again. There is (arguably) better depth at OT than there is at DE in this class, and you may find a Chris Williams, Godser Cherilus, Jeff Otah etc. available in round 2. It's better to have a $4 Million player who's similar in ability, sitting on the bench and learning behind Pace than a $50 million player.
We have needs along the DL. Chris Long should be available at pick 2, and he's a player who will find his way onto the field because we have such needs along the DL. He's great against the run and against the pass, and with two 30something, mediocore starters, he'll be difficult to pass up as a dominant DE who will see the field.
IMO that's the main difference. Chris Long has the immediate chance to see the field right away. Jake Long (and his huge salary) could be rested on the bench; it all depends on Pace's injury status. And for that reason, it's safer to invest in a player of similar ability, who'll be available much later due to the great depth in this class, than to rob Peter to (potentially) pay Paul. You're sacrificing an asset on the DL for a potential asset at OL.
Baring in mind, I'm wincing as I use the term 'asset.' Nobody in a draft is a sure thing.[/quote]