Personally, I'm tired of reading reports in the Hometown (STL) newspapers about how talented our DEF lineman are and how they're ready for a breakout year, or how good the coaches feel about them. And how they've really hit the weight room this year or if the injuries are behind them.. They're feel good articles that don't do crap for you on the Field. ON-THE-FIELD is all that matters.
Little is Great, other than that these guys have done nothing. We have so many number 1s and none have really produced. It's time for Kennedy to step up or are we going to wait and watch him played poorly for 5 years (like Damione Lewis) and then still keep him?
Hargrove - Potential is worthless is it's not attained. Sit him down if he doesn't produce in games and play the run better. Of course he's a good athlete.. We want tackles, sacks and hurries and he sorely lacks in that Department.
D. Lewis - should be cut, plain and simple (or possibly be moved to DE). He can't play the run inside and he generates zero pass from inside. Move him to DE or get rid of him, his potential and his salary.
Ryan Pickett - has had plenty of playing time and NFL Experience. There's no excuse for not producing. He had one good year and then regressed. He's another number 1 that has not lived up to expectations. He's not young, not inexperienced, - He needs to show up big THIS YEAR.
Jimmy Kennedy - Injury prone, offended by cursing coaches, likes to set his own pace.
He is younger and more inexperienced than the others and should get chances. He may blossom this year and become the destructive force the Ram's envisioned when they drafted him, OR he may simply be another body on a DEF that sucks against the run and be counted on to give up big runs. Kennedy should get a two-year (this year and next) timetable and it should be communicated to him. If you don't play like the 11th player taken in the draft and live up to your FAT contract in the next two years, you'll be cut and your stuff will be mailed to you.
Leonard Little is worth more than all our DEF Linemen throw together.. Little was drafted in the 3rd round. I can't help but think that Damione Lewis, Jimmy Kennedy, and Ryan Pickett (all first round draft picks) have been living fat and pampered lives, and if these guys would have to fight for roster spots and to sit until they improve - one or two might step up as quality NFL players.
Hargrove - 1 sack last year
D. Lewis - Less than 10 sacks in 4 years
Pickett - 4 sacks in 4 years
Kennedy - 0 sacks in 2 years, 14 tackles in 2 years.
Let's say these guys average 7 million a year.
That's
28 MILLION a year for 4 sacks a year
Total aggregate