I don't think it's really necessary. Coples is getting the job done on his side and Pace is having a career year although I'm sure 90% of it is because of the dline. I'd rather take a cheap shot on Barnes coming back strong and deal with another year of Pace if it doesn't work out again, then use the defensive pick or FA money on a good safety.
I would love a young OLB but I think we absolutely have to go 1 2 3 3 all on offense. WRs TEs and OL. Our O stinks and has such little talent. Rex can get by with Barnes, Pace, whoever again. If there is someone that the coaching staff really likes with a 3rd or higher Im fine with going OLB but 1 and 2 especially need to be offensive picks.
We have to address the need before it bites us in the ass. I think if we add Maclin and Pettigrew. To go along with Kerley and a 1st round receiver I think that would be enough IMO. Plus you still have Nelson and Hill for depth.
If we could snag Jason worilds from the steelers in FA, that would be huge. The light switch has come on for this kid. Wouldn't be too expensive either
That isn't going to be next year though. Barnes looked very useful before he got injured, and that can happen to anyone including whoever you'd advocate bringing in. If Barnes stays healthy the front 7 will be airtight for at least a year or two and if not Pace will also be cheap and unlikely to be way below average based on his play this year. Landry on the other hand is useless in coverage, Ed Reed probably doesn't last one more year, and I don't feel like going into the laundry list on offense. At most the team can bring in one difference maker on defense, and that needs to go to safety especially when there are 2 cheap options to hold the fort well enough at OLB for at least a year.
That mentality is why we have the mess we have on offense right now. Yes Barnes can play and he probably will be back next year. But we need to address the need before it becomes dire. You have Coples getting comfortable playing OLB, you have Barnes and even McIntyre, you draft a stud OLB and have him develop and play in passing downs. You never know what might happen down the road.
Yeah I was going to post about him. He wouldn't be expensive, and I doubt he stays with the Steelers knowing that he probably won't start. Don't know how well he is against the run though.
You're ignoring the fact that Pace has 8 sacks this year. Do you not see Coples+Barnes+Pace as a stronger unit than the safeties that are currently on the roster? Is your plan to ignore safety, or address both and completely ignore several holes on offense?
I would address safety with one of the 3rd round picks. I'd keep Reed and Landry around for another year while the rookie develops. I'd get rid of Pace and have Barnes in that role. The rookie would be a pass rush specialist.
You can see plays that he still half-asses it sometimes, which is frustrating to watch, but overall, I'm really digging Coples and his role in this D.
I understand a 2nd round OLB would be great, but do we really want to spend a top pick on defense next year? Honestly I feel that we should spent the first 3 picks (at the very least) on offense. One of the 3rd rounders can go to a safety or OLB. Obviously we should probably take BPA (to an extent), but in terms of need I wouldn't put OLB up there like it has been in the past.
I would address offense in free agency. Sign Maclin and Pettigrew, and an olineman. In round 1 draft a receiver. Round 2 OLB, round 3 Safety and oline. Next year you have Maclin, round 1 WR, Kerley, Holmes, Hill, Nelson. That's not bad. OLB is a need that should be addressed before it becomes like what receiver and TE is right now.
Reed will likely either retire or lose another step and become unuseful. Even if he produces around the same level as the past few weeks he isn't as good at his job at this point as Coples is at his. Barnes would certainly be better than Landry also, although I still think it's a mistake to not be developing Allen more than they are as he has more upside. Still that's 2 out of the top 4 picks going to defense with no guarantee that a 2nd and 3rd round rookie comes in and bumps the production as a starter in year one. I guess if both picks do exactly what they need to combined with bringing in Asamoah and a WR/TE from FA it could work out well but I think that the resources would be better allocated focusing exclusively on safety and offense this offseason. With 10 or 11 picks I'd much rather take a flyer or two on a passrushing OLB in rounds 5-7, hope someone sticks, and if not bring in a real long term answer the year after.
Reed has value due to his experience and he can mentor whichever young FS we draft. Having him here for one more year is worth it IMO. If anything you keep Reed and let go Landry. Drafting a receiver in round 1, OLB in round 2 and safety and oline in round 3 is addressing needs. You're addressing your need for a receiver, OLB, safety and oline. I see no problem with that. Plus free agency would play a part in addressing the need for a WR.
You do realize how old and slow Pace is don't you? Hopefully, you also realize how old Barnes is and that the lack of a true pass rusher at OLB has hurt this team time and again since Abe left. The pass-rushing OLB is THE most important position in a 3-4 D alignment. It is the key playmaking position in the front 7 and NOT a luxury item. The pass rush has been greatly improved this year, but there's still way too many times when they don't even get near the opposing QB. The Jets don't need to use 10-11 picks on offense to greatly improve the offense. With the signing of a FA WR (possibly 2) and TE, and an OG, plus using 4 of their first 5 picks on offense, they should be vastly improved if Idzik makes the right moves. If he trades down once in the first two rounds, he'd even have another fairly high pick to use on offense. He may even be able to sign a S or OLB in FA. If Idzik ignores the OLB spot in FA and the draft in 2014, I hope he's fired.
