4 pillars to the test

[39thebeast]

This offseason the four pillars will be put to the test. In an ideal scenario it would be a capped year. IMO it makes no sense to draft another developmental receiver, because we probably aren't going to draft a guy in the first barring a trade up back into the first. Anyways it still makes more sense to add a veteran who really is a number 1 guy instead of trying to develop one since we have a bunch of developing young guys already. Some names that come to mind

1. Brandon Marshall, WR, Broncos- T.O. junior. Mirror image of T.O. in Whiners dominant receiver who makes up for the occasional drops with explosive plays that they make with their elite physical ability. Spags isn't afraid of going toe to toe with his players, could he tame him or at least hold the antics to a minimum who knows, but Marshall is an interesting name none the less.

2. Antonio Bryant, WR, Buccaneers- Has he cleaned up the drug problem. No question he can be a dynamic receiver when he is on the field and healthy, but character concerns are an issue. Haven't heard many problems out of him after his 1 year suspension.

3. Michael Vick, QB, Eagles- I'm going to take alot of heat for this one. With a huge bonus and Phili with Kolb and McNabb, There is close to a zero percent chance he will be back. Everyone makes mistakes all people deserve second chances. Is he the Mike Vick of old? No. Is he a franchise QB? No, but what he does offer is experience and still more running ability than many QB's out there. I think he has put in a serious effort into reforming his image and has changed some of his bad characteristics. Take a look bring him in if you like what you see add him, if you don't move on its that simple.

I left T.O. and Braylon Edwards out mainly because they have hands like feet. Every team is this league has at least one player with at least one guy who's character isn't impeccable rams included with Leonard Little. People reform you don't hear about Little or Rey Lewis problems. Time heals all wounds will it happen for these guys? Only time will tell.

[01d 0rd3r]

Re: 4 pillars to the test

Brandon Marshall has been the epitome of character since Mcdaniels punished him.

[jmk321]

Re: 4 pillars to the test

It seems like Marshall and Vick cleaned up their acts this year but it might still be a risk. I would say the risk would be worth the reward for Marshall since you know his problems don't interfere with his on the field play but Denver will probably franchise him.

I wouldn't call Marshalll a TO junior either. Marshall never destroyed a team's locker room like TO and TO doesn't beat his girlfriend on repeated occasions like Marshall. Both have character problems but different types.

[RockinRam]

Re: 4 pillars to the test

I wouldn't mind taking Marshall. That gives us more to work with come draft day. It fills a hole we would originally have to take care of via the draft.

[Bralidore(RAMMODE)]

Re: 4 pillars to the test

lol are braylon's hands really that bad? i think his play making ability makes up for them personally and would love to add him to the roster. that last play he had where sanchez throws him a perfect ball and it bounces off his helmet can happen to anybody. Just a case of lackof concentration and failure to locate the ball. He's still a great talent

[THOLTFAN81]

Re: 4 pillars to the test

look @ my avatar and you will know where i stand on Vick. There are many connections- Spags to Philly connection if Reid gives him good blessings and Deveney-Vick connection. Personally, the QBs in this draft just arent THAT good for a top 5 pick whereas the other posistion players are great. I would love to see us go elsewhere round one in the draft and sign Vick. Id be ecstatic.

[MauiRam]

Re: 4 pillars to the test

This offseason the four pillars will be put to the test. In an ideal scenario it would be a capped year. IMO it makes no sense to draft another developmental receiver, because we probably aren't going to draft a guy in the first barring a trade up back into the first. Anyways it still makes more sense to add a veteran who really is a number 1 guy instead of trying to develop one since we have a bunch of developing young guys already. Some names that come to mind

1. Brandon Marshall, WR, Broncos- T.O. junior. Mirror image of T.O. in Whiners dominant receiver who makes up for the occasional drops with explosive plays that they make with their elite physical ability. Spags isn't afraid of going toe to toe with his players, could he tame him or at least hold the antics to a minimum who knows, but Marshall is an interesting name none the less.

2. Antonio Bryant, WR, Buccaneers- Has he cleaned up the drug problem. No question he can be a dynamic receiver when he is on the field and healthy, but character concerns are an issue. Haven't heard many problems out of him after his 1 year suspension.

3. Michael Vick, QB, Eagles- I'm going to take alot of heat for this one. With a huge bonus and Phili with Kolb and McNabb, There is close to a zero percent chance he will be back. Everyone makes mistakes all people deserve second chances. Is he the Mike Vick of old? No. Is he a franchise QB? No, but what he does offer is experience and still more running ability than many QB's out there. I think he has put in a serious effort into reforming his image and has changed some of his bad characteristics. Take a look bring him in if you like what you see add him, if you don't move on its that simple.

I left T.O. and Braylon Edwards out mainly because they have hands like feet. Every team is this league has at least one player with at least one guy who's character isn't impeccable rams included with Leonard Little. People reform you don't hear about Little or Rey Lewis problems. Time heals all wounds will it happen for these guys? Only time will tell.

I wouldn't want any of them .. I'm not on a moral pedestal here, rather the two receivers you mention would not come cheaply. I would rather spend the money on defense if we are going after "name guys," or the O-line. Sure we are inexperienced at receiver, and a solid vet would be ok, but I'd rather see us draft someone like Danario Alexander in mid to late rd 2 (via trading up), or in rd 3 if he were miraculously still there, than go on a spending spree for a FA wideout. It isn't likely we'll be in the hunt for a division title next year, so there'd be plenty of time to develop another rookie wideout. Then there's always the possibility one could contribute right from the get go. Either way, it would be more economical in the long run ..

Vick doesn't interest me .. I don't think he's all that great as an NFL Qb, let alone his baggage. Hopefully we'll go Suh, Mcoy or Cody in rd one. (Depending on where we pick in rd one and if we keep our pick). Draft a Qb or receiver in rd 2, or vice a versa in rd 3.

[Nick]

Re: 4 pillars to the test

1) I don't think Marshall makes it out of Denver, so it's probably a moot point. That being said, if he does hit the market, I don't envision the Rams being one of the high bidders for a player that doesn't fit the character profile they're looking for.

2) Bryant's not been the kind of problem he has in the past, but he's still airing his frustrations in the media which probably isn't a good sign. The fact that he's struggled with injury most of this season wouldn't inspire me to shell out big bucks for him, and I doubt he'll want to come cheap. I don't see this match working well.

3) Not interested, and rather than approaching it from the PR side, I'll try another route. Since the end of the 2006 season, Michael Vick has thrown a whopping 11 passes. I don't see how anyone in their right mind could want to hand him the keys to the car here, simply because his body of work since being in prison is so small that it would be too risky to put all your eggs in his basket. He's done nothing in Philly, IMO anyways, that says he's ready to come to another team and be a full time starter.