My plan to fix our run defense

[Commander]

1) Cut Tim Anderson

2) Cut Takeo Spikes

3) Let London Fletcher walk

4) Sign Adalius Thomas, LB, Baltimore Ravens, to replace Fletcher 6'2", 270 lbs, runs a 4.53 forty, replaced Ray Lewis last year at MLB when he was injured and played sensationally. 20 sacks, 165+ tackles over the last two seasons. He's a beast. Wouldn't cost much more than it would take to re-sign Fletcher.

5) Sign Lance Briggs, LB, Chicago Bears Wouldn't cost much more than we're paying Spikes.

6) Sign Ian Scott, DT, Chicago Bears The best run-stuffing DT on the market.

7) Franchise Nate Clements, trade him and our first round pick to Washington for their first and second round picks. I know about the alleged "promise" Marv made -- I think it's a bunch of BS. He probably promised not to use the "exclusive rights" franchise tag, but not the "non-exclusive rights" franchise tag that TD used to trade Peerless to the Falcons. See Wikapedia for more on the franchise tag: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Franchise_Tag

8) Use Washington's first round pick to draft Frank Okam, DT, Texas 6'5", 315 lbs, an immoveable force inside. The next Kevin Williams.

9) Use the off-season program to bulk up John McCargo

10) Move Larry Triplett to backup DE and situational pass rusher

11) Move Anthony Hargrove to outside LB -- 6'3", 273 lbs, runs a 4.63 forty, plays very well in space.

 

I'd also re-sign Chris Kelsay if he doesn't cost too much. I've got no issues with our DE's.

 

With this plan, we'd have one of the most intimidating defenses in the league. Get 'r done Marv!

[MrLocke]

Chemistry has to count for something. It is difficult to just bring in a bunch of players and have them playing together as a cohesive unit. That being said some real work needs to be done to improve the run defense. Lets hope McCargo will step it up next year.

[Dr. Fong]

If half of that stuff happened it'd likely be a vast improvement.

[Mikie2times]

1) Cut Tim Anderson

2) Cut Takeo Spikes

3) Let London Fletcher walk

4) Sign Adalius Thomas, LB, Baltimore Ravens, to replace Fletcher 6'2", 270 lbs, runs a 4.53 forty, replaced Ray Lewis last year at MLB when he was injured and played sensationally. 20 sacks, 165+ tackles over the last two seasons. He's a beast. Wouldn't cost much more than it would take to re-sign Fletcher.

5) Sign Lance Briggs, LB, Chicago Bears Wouldn't cost much more than we're paying Spikes.

6) Sign Ian Scott, DT, Chicago Bears The best run-stuffing DT on the market.

7) Franchise Nate Clements, trade him and our first round pick to Washington for their first and second round picks. I know about the alleged "promise" Marv made -- I think it's a bunch of BS. He probably promised not to use the "exclusive rights" franchise tag, but not the "non-exclusive rights" franchise tag that TD used to trade Peerless to the Falcons. See Wikapedia for more on the franchise tag: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Franchise_Tag

8) Use Washington's first round pick to draft Frank Okam, DT, Texas 6'5", 315 lbs, an immoveable force inside. The next Kevin Williams.

9) Use the off-season program to bulk up John McCargo

10) Move Larry Triplett to backup DE and situational pass rusher

11) Move Anthony Hargrove to outside LB -- 6'3", 273 lbs, runs a 4.63 forty, plays very well in space.

 

I'd also re-sign Chris Kelsay if he doesn't cost too much. I've got no issues with our DE's.

 

With this plan, we'd have one of the most intimidating defenses in the league. Get 'r done Marv!

1) Fine

2) Not Fine. (Copied from another thread). Julian Peterson set a career high in sacks with one game to play. Above average year in tackles, passes defended. Year two off an Achilles tendon tear. Why are so many people looking to get rid of TKO? Peterson was 28 this year; Spikes will be 31 in the second year of his recovery. Does the body's ability to recover wilt at the age of 30? TKO is the gold standard of who we want on this football team. If we let him go now we might as well have let him go when he tore it last year. No LB is going to return to form the first year from an Achilles.

3) Fine if 4) is true.

5) If you cut TKO it has to come with a cap hit. His original contract was also signed under the old collective bargaining agreement. So it wouldn't be a clean swap. Briggs will demand much more then what Spikes is making.

6) Fine so long as he is a run stuffer.

7) I hope so. If not Marv really fouled up by promising not to franchise Nate. Why would you give the chips back to the player when you’re already holding them? He was never going to hold out and could have easily gotten us a 1st round pick.

8) Fine

9) Fine

10) Whose going to rush the passer at DT? Even if he's not the best he is the best fit for being a pass rush specialist at DT.

11) This would help solve our running problems because every down would turn into a passing situation. He has a good top gear but he doesn't have the lateral speed or acceleration to play OLB.

12) (Kelsey) Fine

[Commander]

1) Fine

2) Not Fine. (Copied from another thread). Julian Peterson set a career high in sacks with one game to play. Above average year in tackles, passes defended. Year two off an Achilles tendon tear. Why are so many people looking to get rid of TKO? Peterson was 28 this year; Spikes will be 31 in the second year of his recovery. Does the body's ability to recover wilt at the age of 30? TKO is the gold standard of who we want on this football team. If we let him go now we might as well have let him go when he tore it last year. No LB is going to return to form the first year from an Achilles.

3) Fine if 4) is true.

5) If you cut TKO it has to come with a cap hit. His original contract was also signed under the old collective bargaining agreement. So it wouldn't be a clean swap. Briggs will demand much more then what Spikes is making.

6) Fine so long as he is a run stuffer.

7) I hope so. If not Marv really fouled up by promising not to franchise Nate. Why would you give the chips back to the player when you’re already holding them? He was never going to hold out and could have easily gotten us a 1st round pick.

8) Fine

9) Fine

10) Whose going to rush the passer at DT? Even if he's not the best he is the best fit for being a pass rush specialist at DT.

11) This would help solve our running problems because every down would turn into a passing situation. He has a good top gear but he doesn't have the lateral speed or acceleration to play OLB.

12) (Kelsey) Fine

 

I'm not hard over on cutting Spikes IF he shows he can return to full health in the off-season.

As for who will rush the passer at DT, I'd use Triplett as a pass rush specialist at DT, plus McCargo and whatever rookie we draft (hopefully Okam...he can really collapse the pocket).

[bizell]

didn't washington already trade their first rounder?

[Commander]

didn't washington already trade their first rounder?

 

No, that was two years ago when they traded their 2006 first rounder for the opportunity to get QB Jason Campbell. Coincidentally, Sporting New's mock draft has Washington drafting DT Frank Okam, the player I want to draft.

 

Washington trading for Clements is not a reach...according to the Washington Post, he's the one they're targeting the most in Free Agency.

[Lori]

...except 4) is not true. Thomas might have lined up inside (or even DE or safety) from time to time, but he started all sixteen games at LOLB; Tommy Polley and Bart Scott started at ILB after Lewis was injured. And since the secret is out vis-a-vis Thomas - he was just selected for his first Pro Bowl on defense (after going as the AFC STs player in 2003) - I'm guessing "wouldn't cost much more than Fletcher" might no longer be true, either.

[Commander]

...except 4) is not true. Thomas might have lined up inside (or even DE or safety) from time to time, but he started all sixteen games at LOLB; Tommy Polley and Bart Scott started at ILB after Lewis was injured. And since the secret is out vis-a-vis Thomas - he was just selected for his first Pro Bowl on defense (after going as the AFC STs player in 2003) - I'm guessing "wouldn't cost much more than Fletcher" might no longer be true, either.

 

Actually, he's played all over the field, including Middle Linebacker. Check out this SI link:

 

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2006/writers/the_bonus/11/21/thomas/index.html

 

You may be right on how much it would cost to sign him, but he'd be worth every penny.

[Lori]

Actually, he's played all over the field, including Middle Linebacker. Check out this SI link:

 

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2006/writers/the_bonus/11/21/thomas/index.html

 

You may be right on how much it would cost to sign him, but he'd be worth every penny.

Oh, I'm not denying the fact that Thomas has come on like gangbusters... just the idea that he, not Bart Scott, moved into Lewis' starting slot last season. I'm a pain in the *** that way, especially when I've just spent the last couple of days immersed in the cRavens' media guide...

The SI article was a good find. Here's a clickable link to same for anyone too lazy (like me) to cut/paste into the address box in your Web browser...

 

Read on another (non-Bills) board: Oz Newsome is already talking to Thomas' agent, so I dunno if he'll even hit the market. If he does, though, I'll join you on that bandwagon. (Like the idea of Briggs and/or Scott, too.)

[Kipers Hair]

1) Cut Tim Anderson

2) Cut Takeo Spikes

3) Let London Fletcher walk

4) Sign Adalius Thomas, LB, Baltimore Ravens, to replace Fletcher 6'2", 270 lbs, runs a 4.53 forty, replaced Ray Lewis last year at MLB when he was injured and played sensationally. 20 sacks, 165+ tackles over the last two seasons. He's a beast. Wouldn't cost much more than it would take to re-sign Fletcher.

5) Sign Lance Briggs, LB, Chicago Bears Wouldn't cost much more than we're paying Spikes.

6) Sign Ian Scott, DT, Chicago Bears The best run-stuffing DT on the market.

7) Franchise Nate Clements, trade him and our first round pick to Washington for their first and second round picks. I know about the alleged "promise" Marv made -- I think it's a bunch of BS. He probably promised not to use the "exclusive rights" franchise tag, but not the "non-exclusive rights" franchise tag that TD used to trade Peerless to the Falcons. See Wikapedia for more on the franchise tag: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Franchise_Tag

8) Use Washington's first round pick to draft Frank Okam, DT, Texas 6'5", 315 lbs, an immoveable force inside. The next Kevin Williams.

9) Use the off-season program to bulk up John McCargo

10) Move Larry Triplett to backup DE and situational pass rusher

11) Move Anthony Hargrove to outside LB -- 6'3", 273 lbs, runs a 4.63 forty, plays very well in space.

 

I'd also re-sign Chris Kelsay if he doesn't cost too much. I've got no issues with our DE's.

 

With this plan, we'd have one of the most intimidating defenses in the league. Get 'r done Marv!

 

Danial Snyder...Is that you? I think if we work it right, we might be able to fix the passing game in a foul swoop too - move Willis to the Raiders for Justin Fargus, (good compliment to the A Train) and Randy Moss - that big target we have been dying for. Now we fixed the run defense and the passing game...high five!

[Bills Fan888]

If we did bring in a lot of new players then it would take another season for them to learn the system.

1. Cut him

2.Don't cut him

3. Keep Fletcher

4.No

5. I would like him on the team but we have enough good linebackers. To much money.

6.Sign Ian Scott. He is a great player and would be a much better replacement to Tim Anderson.

7.Keep Nate.

8.I would love to have him but we already have enough DTs

9.Yes

10.Keep triplett at DT

11.Keep Hargrove where he is

Keep Kelsay

[Koufax]

Some good ideas, but master plans like this have too many moving parts to come together. Creativity is important, and our goal is to find the best football players at the best value, and a bunch of the points are worth considering.

 

I still think TKO will be much better in 2007, and I think that Fletcher will move his tackles from 5-10 yards downfield to 0-5 with better help. Larry is a DT, plays well there, and needs to stay there. We are going to have a rotation of Larry, McCargo, Kyle, and somebody new, so let's hope we get a somebody new that is good.

 

I don't know if it would be possible, but I like Hargrove a lot, and if he could be a good LB that would be nice, although I'm interested in seeing him as DE more too.

[/dev/null]

1) Cut Tim Anderson

2) Cut Takeo Spikes

3) Let London Fletcher walk

4) Sign Adalius Thomas, LB, Baltimore Ravens, to replace Fletcher 6'2", 270 lbs, runs a 4.53 forty, replaced Ray Lewis last year at MLB when he was injured and played sensationally. 20 sacks, 165+ tackles over the last two seasons. He's a beast. Wouldn't cost much more than it would take to re-sign Fletcher.

5) Sign Lance Briggs, LB, Chicago Bears Wouldn't cost much more than we're paying Spikes.

6) Sign Ian Scott, DT, Chicago Bears The best run-stuffing DT on the market.

7) Franchise Nate Clements, trade him and our first round pick to Washington for their first and second round picks. I know about the alleged "promise" Marv made -- I think it's a bunch of BS. He probably promised not to use the "exclusive rights" franchise tag, but not the "non-exclusive rights" franchise tag that TD used to trade Peerless to the Falcons. See Wikapedia for more on the franchise tag: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Franchise_Tag

8) Use Washington's first round pick to draft Frank Okam, DT, Texas 6'5", 315 lbs, an immoveable force inside. The next Kevin Williams.

9) Use the off-season program to bulk up John McCargo

10) Move Larry Triplett to backup DE and situational pass rusher

11) Move Anthony Hargrove to outside LB -- 6'3", 273 lbs, runs a 4.63 forty, plays very well in space.

 

I'd also re-sign Chris Kelsay if he doesn't cost too much. I've got no issues with our DE's.

 

With this plan, we'd have one of the most intimidating defenses in the league. Get 'r done Marv!

 

1. Yes

2. Yes I love the guy but he's done

3. If the plan is to be competative in the near future then keep London. If Marv is thinking long term then let London walk

4. Good idea, but there's going to be several other teams chasing him too

5. Same as #4

6. Same as #4

7. Can't do that. When Nate signed the franchise tender Marv agreed the Bills wouldn't franchise him again. Dunno if its in the contract, but even if its not I don't see Marv breaking his word. Nate's a goner

8. N/A (not getting Washington's 1st for Nate)

9 Agreed

10. Better idea, resign Kelsay. Keep Kelsay/Denney at DE and rotate Triplett, McCargo, and Williams at DT

11. Not a bad idea. If London walks, move Crowell inside and have Hargrove/Ellison outside

[Dibs]

1) Cut Tim Anderson

2) Cut Takeo Spikes

3) Let London Fletcher walk

4) Sign Adalius Thomas, LB, Baltimore Ravens, to replace Fletcher 6'2", 270 lbs, runs a 4.53 forty, replaced Ray Lewis last year at MLB when he was injured and played sensationally. 20 sacks, 165+ tackles over the last two seasons. He's a beast. Wouldn't cost much more than it would take to re-sign Fletcher.

5) Sign Lance Briggs, LB, Chicago Bears Wouldn't cost much more than we're paying Spikes.

6) Sign Ian Scott, DT, Chicago Bears The best run-stuffing DT on the market.

7) Franchise Nate Clements, trade him and our first round pick to Washington for their first and second round picks. I know about the alleged "promise" Marv made -- I think it's a bunch of BS. He probably promised not to use the "exclusive rights" franchise tag, but not the "non-exclusive rights" franchise tag that TD used to trade Peerless to the Falcons. See Wikapedia for more on the franchise tag: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Franchise_Tag

8) Use Washington's first round pick to draft Frank Okam, DT, Texas 6'5", 315 lbs, an immoveable force inside. The next Kevin Williams.

9) Use the off-season program to bulk up John McCargo

10) Move Larry Triplett to backup DE and situational pass rusher

11) Move Anthony Hargrove to outside LB -- 6'3", 273 lbs, runs a 4.63 forty, plays very well in space.

 

I'd also re-sign Chris Kelsay if he doesn't cost too much. I've got no issues with our DE's.

 

With this plan, we'd have one of the most intimidating defenses in the league. Get 'r done Marv!

1. Obviously yes

2. There is a great chance Spikes will get back to at least 'very good' in his second year of recovery from injury(which is quite common). He will also count for about $5mil in dead cap space next year if we cut him. We have pretty decent depth at the position.....why throw away the money(equivalent of 1 star player money).

3&4(5). Sadly I agree. If we could sign Thomas(or Briggs) instead of re-signing Fletcher I would think it the better move for the future. Young up&comer with 'star' potential instead of older 'very good' player likely to be declining mid-way through the contract.....and all for just a few mil. more.

6. I find it interesting how the best run stuffing DT on the market is also only 302lbs.

7&8. I'm fairly certain the new CBA prohibits the concurrent use of the franchise tags anyway. There is virtually no chance we will get any compensation if we let NC go....apart from the 3rd the following year as league compensation. Even if I'm wrong about us being able to tag him again.....do you really want to pay him $8.66mil for a 1 year deal.....which he will obviously be disgruntled.....and face the certainty of the same situation the following season but at a further 120%(10.4mil)?

9. der.

10. nope......he's perfect at DT in this Defence.

11. Why?

[apuszczalowski]

Why would we have to give Washington Nate and our 1st for their first and a second? Nate alone could get us Washingtons 1st (especially since they are known for just tossing picks away every year)

[Whitner20]

1) Cut Tim Anderson

2) Cut Takeo Spikes

3) Let London Fletcher walk

4) Sign Adalius Thomas, LB, Baltimore Ravens, to replace Fletcher 6'2", 270 lbs, runs a 4.53 forty, replaced Ray Lewis last year at MLB when he was injured and played sensationally. 20 sacks, 165+ tackles over the last two seasons. He's a beast. Wouldn't cost much more than it would take to re-sign Fletcher.

5) Sign Lance Briggs, LB, Chicago Bears Wouldn't cost much more than we're paying Spikes.

6) Sign Ian Scott, DT, Chicago Bears The best run-stuffing DT on the market.

7) Franchise Nate Clements, trade him and our first round pick to Washington for their first and second round picks. I know about the alleged "promise" Marv made -- I think it's a bunch of BS. He probably promised not to use the "exclusive rights" franchise tag, but not the "non-exclusive rights" franchise tag that TD used to trade Peerless to the Falcons. See Wikapedia for more on the franchise tag: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Franchise_Tag

8) Use Washington's first round pick to draft Frank Okam, DT, Texas 6'5", 315 lbs, an immoveable force inside. The next Kevin Williams.

9) Use the off-season program to bulk up John McCargo

10) Move Larry Triplett to backup DE and situational pass rusher

11) Move Anthony Hargrove to outside LB -- 6'3", 273 lbs, runs a 4.63 forty, plays very well in space.

 

I'd also re-sign Chris Kelsay if he doesn't cost too much. I've got no issues with our DE's.

 

With this plan, we'd have one of the most intimidating defenses in the league. Get 'r done Marv!

 

Then next New years you can post a similar thread and explaining to us how we are sopposed to fix the pass defense since teams will be passing like crazy on us.

[Miyagi-Do Karate]

1) Cut Tim Anderson

2) Cut Takeo Spikes

3) Let London Fletcher walk

4) Sign Adalius Thomas, LB, Baltimore Ravens, to replace Fletcher 6'2", 270 lbs, runs a 4.53 forty, replaced Ray Lewis last year at MLB when he was injured and played sensationally. 20 sacks, 165+ tackles over the last two seasons. He's a beast. Wouldn't cost much more than it would take to re-sign Fletcher.

5) Sign Lance Briggs, LB, Chicago Bears Wouldn't cost much more than we're paying Spikes.

6) Sign Ian Scott, DT, Chicago Bears The best run-stuffing DT on the market.

7) Franchise Nate Clements, trade him and our first round pick to Washington for their first and second round picks. I know about the alleged "promise" Marv made -- I think it's a bunch of BS. He probably promised not to use the "exclusive rights" franchise tag, but not the "non-exclusive rights" franchise tag that TD used to trade Peerless to the Falcons. See Wikapedia for more on the franchise tag: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Franchise_Tag

8) Use Washington's first round pick to draft Frank Okam, DT, Texas 6'5", 315 lbs, an immoveable force inside. The next Kevin Williams.

9) Use the off-season program to bulk up John McCargo

10) Move Larry Triplett to backup DE and situational pass rusher

11) Move Anthony Hargrove to outside LB -- 6'3", 273 lbs, runs a 4.63 forty, plays very well in space.

 

I'd also re-sign Chris Kelsay if he doesn't cost too much. I've got no issues with our DE's.

 

With this plan, we'd have one of the most intimidating defenses in the league. Get 'r done Marv!

 

I sometimes wonder if these off-season fix-it plans are just wishful thinking or have any basis in reality. What are the odds of us signing the two biggest FA LB's on the market (Thomas and Briggs)?

 

Also, if we were to renege on Clements, which I don't think we can contractually do, what free agents would want to sign with us?

[Captain Hindsight]

I bet if clements agreed to it we could franchise him and trade him. but he would have to agree to go to Washington first. Might happen but i doubt it.

I wouldnt cut spikes. no way hes looking btter each week, plus id hate to see him have success on another team which i think he would.

it would be nice to get all those free agents but dont count on it. if we get ian scott i will be thrilled.

draft a decent lb in the second third and groom him or beef up ellison and wire but hargrove has the potential to be a great pass rusher inside or outside. keep him on the DL