I know talking about your Defensive Line after playing the Taxans is a bit like bragging about your driving distance after playing a whole round from the Women's tees, but is DE a priority for us this offseason, given that we had 6 sacks today?
Two years ago, we drafted 3 DEs to address the loss of Kearse and the impending loss of Carter, and this offseason we added a free-agent who is leading the league in sacks. But, presuming we resign KVB, are our DEs strong enough to get us back to the playoffs?
Two years ago, we drafted 3 DEs to address the loss of Kearse and the impending loss of Carter, and this offseason we added a free-agent who is leading the league in sacks. But, presuming we resign KVB, are our DEs strong enough to get us back to the playoffs?
I'm not impressed wit Odom, I thought he'd have a monster year. But Travis is playing pretty good. I think were OK at DE.
If KVB stays, I'd look elsewhere in the draft and free agency....but if he goes....yikes :hmm:
LaBoy has definitely stepped up the last few weeks...not only has he been getting consistent pressure on the QB, but he's made a number of solid stops against the run, also. He's a keeper.
After his amazing preseason, I figured Odom would have a huge year...alas, 'twas not to be. However, it's not unusual for DE's to need a couple of years to develop. He's looked a lot stronger this year than he did as a rookie...if he can just step it up again next year, he could be quite a presence. (Look at Rien Long...he was absolutely dismal as a rookie, improved somewhat last year, and has been very solid this year. Hopefully we'll see Odom follow suit.)
Honestly, I expected a lot more from Schobel this year. I seem to recall he had some injury issues early in the season...not sure if he's still playing hurt, but he's been inactive for much of the year, and when he did get onto the field, he was largely invisible.
I think the Titans will make every attempt to lock down KVB before they even look at anyone else on the FA market. Vanden Bosch is definitely a difference maker, and his style of play inspires the rest of the line to play harder just to keep up with him. I can't see them letting him go in free agency unless another team is willing to overpay badly.
After his amazing preseason, I figured Odom would have a huge year...alas, 'twas not to be. However, it's not unusual for DE's to need a couple of years to develop. He's looked a lot stronger this year than he did as a rookie...if he can just step it up again next year, he could be quite a presence. (Look at Rien Long...he was absolutely dismal as a rookie, improved somewhat last year, and has been very solid this year. Hopefully we'll see Odom follow suit.)
Honestly, I expected a lot more from Schobel this year. I seem to recall he had some injury issues early in the season...not sure if he's still playing hurt, but he's been inactive for much of the year, and when he did get onto the field, he was largely invisible.
I think the Titans will make every attempt to lock down KVB before they even look at anyone else on the FA market. Vanden Bosch is definitely a difference maker, and his style of play inspires the rest of the line to play harder just to keep up with him. I can't see them letting him go in free agency unless another team is willing to overpay badly.
I have a feeling that KVB will stick around, he comes off as a guy who wont bite the hand that feeds him. As for the others, LaBoy has been okay as a situational guy and Odom hasn't impressed like we all thought he would. By the way, whats up with Bo Shobel? I havn't heard his name called in ages, I guess they gave up? Anyways, I think we'll probably grab a DE in the middle rounds. Regarding your question on if they're strong enough to get us back to the play-offs, sure, but someone has to step up along side KVB.
We had better hope that the Titans step up to the plate and re-sign KVB. Without KVB back, the Titans will be in a world of trouble on defense.
Odom has run out of gas midway through the season, two years in a row. I would hope the Titans rework his workout regimen to build up his stamina.
Odom has run out of gas midway through the season, two years in a row. I would hope the Titans rework his workout regimen to build up his stamina.
"but is DE a priority for us this offseason, given that we had 6 sacks today?"
I would be happy if it was a team that had over 1 win in the entire season (including pre-season) It is any given Sunday, but It was the Texans!
I would be happy if it was a team that had over 1 win in the entire season (including pre-season) It is any given Sunday, but It was the Texans!
No DE is not a priority IF we can keep KVB. If not there are a couple of real good looking DEs we need to consider drafting with our #1 pick. Thats what makes keeping KVB such a priority. We can spend the draft pick on another position like Hawk.
Think about the positive side if we can keep KVB. Right now we have a pro-bowl caliber DT in Haynesworth, a pro-bowl caliber OLB in Bulluck and a pro-bowl caliber DE in KVB. Our CBs are starting to look real solid and they are only rookies. By signing KVB and shoring up our LBs and Ss we could be have a pretty stout defense next year.
Think about the positive side if we can keep KVB. Right now we have a pro-bowl caliber DT in Haynesworth, a pro-bowl caliber OLB in Bulluck and a pro-bowl caliber DE in KVB. Our CBs are starting to look real solid and they are only rookies. By signing KVB and shoring up our LBs and Ss we could be have a pretty stout defense next year.
Something to think about
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LAND ROVER LRX
The only reason he is able to get into the back field is because of the double teaming of KVB. If KVB wasn't there, I believe LaBoy would be non exsistant.Nine said:
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LAND ROVER LRX
Right now I hang with Odom till next year. He is very strong and has freakish athleticism. He reminds me of Jovon Kearse, except that he is a bit slower. I say we really focus on his technique, make him do somemore strength training, and try to get him a bit quicker. That in mind we should draft Manny Lawson from N.C. State, he is underrated because he plays on the other side of Mario Williams. But he is a pretty good player, long and athletic some says he is a potential Jason Taylor. He would be a nice backup guy in case Odom doesn't go as planned.
fitantitans said:
I've watched every play on D this year closely from recordings, and KVB isn't always gettin doubled nor is that the reason why LaBoy has had any success. Some of each guys success has been helped by other guys, and that's the case a lot of the time for any team. Al helps make a lot of plays that the stats don't count. Same for bringing more pressure than a team can block for, someone will come away with the credit, but they didn't do it all themselves.
LaBoy has made some plays on his own. He's definitely improved in the run game and has always hussled. He still seems to be slow to react sometimes, like the game is still not coming to him as much on instinct as it should by now. I think he can improve some more. Odom has shown flashes, but has been less consitent. But there's hope for him too.
But if KVB isn't back, DE could be near the top of the needs list.
I like the DE corps for next year if KVB is brought back. I think adding a pass rushing vet or mid round rook to push Odom, Laboy and Schobel could help. Or may be they could just steal a roster spot like KVB did.
Fisher said on his show tonight that they are definately trying to lock KVB up before free agency starts. I hope they do.
I don't think the Titans will be able to keep him unless KVB agrees to something based more on incentives or some kind of two-tiered bonus.
The same issues which surrounded Kearse come into play here. I think KVB would be nuts to not test the market. And who would blame him?
The same issues which surrounded Kearse come into play here. I think KVB would be nuts to not test the market. And who would blame him?
If KVB stays, we're okay on the DL. Odom and Schnobel need to step it up. Both have done very little this year, while LaBoy is looking good and making plays. If we can keep the same line as this year and they improve on their play of this year as well, PacMan and Reynaldo continue to improve, and our safeties and LBs play good, we could have a descent defense next year.
TitanJeff said:
But Kearse was considered an elite DE, KVB can't be after 1 year. What are the same issues? Maybe someone will covet him too much and overpay? We should have more money to tie him up with if they decide to, unlike with Kearse. But I wouldn't blame KVB for taking the bigger paycheck if it's offered elsewhere.
The thing that strikes me about KVB, unlike just about every other good-elite DE in the league, is that he is extremely humble, and takes nothing for granted. I also recall him saying that Wash has been the best coach he's ever had, and helped him fine-tune his overall game and technique.
That's why I like our chances of keeping him; we have more to offer than just a bunch of money. The longer that Washburn coaches him, the better he will get.
That's why I like our chances of keeping him; we have more to offer than just a bunch of money. The longer that Washburn coaches him, the better he will get.
I would hate KVB with a passion if he left for somewhere else to get an insane amount of money that he isn't worth. Without us, he'd be nothing. He still isn't as good as his numbers claim, but he could become great with more time under Washburn, who is arguably the best DLine coach in the NFL. As for who I'd like to pair up with KVB, it'd have to be Elvis Dumervil. Dumervil is a bit of a tweener, but under Washburn and a NFL workout programm, he could be the next Freeney.
He's also already the unquestioned leader of that line. He goes somewhere else, he has to start all over again.
KVB just doesn't seem like the kind of guy who listens to agent speak and goes after the best offer.
KVB just doesn't seem like the kind of guy who listens to agent speak and goes after the best offer.
TitanJeff said:
The difference between KVB and Kearse IMO is that Kearse was paid the big bucks based on what he did before the injury. KVB is performing after the injuries. It is always a risk anytime you open up the pocket book and pay out the big bucks but KVB's best years could easily be ahead of him instead of behind him. Certainly KVB will not command the same kind of money Kearse got with only one good year under his belt but in alot of ways I feel more confident paying him a decent contract. Kearse was never the same after his injury. KVB also plays the run well which Kearse does not.
Reese has to balance the fact that without KVB we still have a sizable hole to fill at DE. If we draft high in the first we use up a draft pick and still have to pay out a decent contract at that position. If we can get KVB for similar money as a first round pick we get a proven player at a critical position for the defense and still have the draft pick to fill another need. The success of this team over the next 4 years could hinge on keeping KVB IMO.
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