With the recent signings of Wadsworth and Bowens not only does it add depth to our team in the front 7, but all the signings of players for our front 7 help out our team greatly. By signing Coleman, Wadsworth, and Bowens depth is added to the Defensive Line and OLB, allowing players like Ellis and the other starters on the line to get occasional breathers during series in order to keep their stamina up which will benefit us greatly at the end of games. The addition of Wadsworth may puzzle some people but its a player like Wadsworth that is exactly what Mangini would want. I know hes been out of football for 7 years, but this guy is going to bust his ass to get a spot on this team and make the most of every chance he is going to get. Im hoping he has the same impact on the defensive line as Eric Smith had in the secondary by getting chances from the coaching staff to get in the game and make an impact. The additions to the line will create a nice rotation of fresh bodies to constantly get at the passer and also not get pushed around in the run game, especially in the second half of games. But IMO the most important part of these signings is by adding more of a pass rush it helps our cornerbacks out a lot more. There are very few cornerbacks in this league that can be put out on an island and cover their man step for step and shut down their half of the field. Unfortunately we don't have anyone like that. Our secondary is not bad at all but by having more of a pass rush it will lessen the pressure on the secondary and allow Rhodes to step in front of more passes that are going to have to be rushed, and allow average players like Poteat and Coleman to play within themselves and try not to do things they are unable to do. Hopefully an added pass rush helps the development of Justin Miller as a cornerback(I know its scary to say he actually has a position), but we can only dream of that. Also in regards to the draft, I think that picking Blalock would be the best choice we could make in the first round unless there is a premier DT or Olsen that slips down to us. Blalock would immediately add to depth on our line if he doesn't come right in and start which is what he should do. Mangini obviously has the ability to put his rookies in a position to succeed especially on the offensive line. Blalock is a guard with the ability to play tackle so in that respect his presence would work wonders with the right side of our line. If he was on our team, he could replace either Moore or Clement, whoever the coaching staff believes is the weaker link on that side which would hopefully be Moore. Not only would he probably be able to come right in and start, but he would also be valuable for when we are going to have to deal with life after Pete Kendall. The only thing I would be worried about would be when Blalock becomes a RFA and the Bills offer him a 12 year deal for 79 million dollars to be a backup.:rofl:
I like your positive spin on things. Think about how much better it could have been if they could have snagged Adaeleuis Thomas from Baltimore. Our starting LB core would be the amoung the best in the league
Thomas took a substantially smaller contract to go to New England than the one that the 49ers were offering, and he had connections to some of the guys on the coaching staff in San Fran as well. With the Patriots on the scene, we really had no shot unless if they made an insultingly low-ball offer.
yea ok...then there goes all our cap room....and were pretty much in the dumps on signing anyone else....that would help us oh so much....
Solid post. I like your assessment. But I don't see Wadsworth as a potential impact guy. I think he's there because he's smart and Mangini loves having smart guys in the locker room. But, realistically, he probably will see little to no playing time.
I like your insights but Wadsworth will probably be training camp foder. The idea of keeping Ellis and Von Oldhoffen rested is good by me but I think Haynes and Coleman will do that for them... Wadsworth seems to be expendable.
I would be PISSED if Von O is the starter....Coleman better end up winning that spot opposite Ellis or I feel like we overpaid BIGTIME for him....
Just let Kimo ride pine please, I actually see Haynes as having great potential, he was a bust in the 4-3 but in the 3-4 he could make it happen, the guy is strong, just not very fast
