Nose tackle
 

Hate to say it, but I don't think Brodrick Bunkley can play nose tackle. Looking through some cheap available NT, I would like to see us go after Alan Branch(28 years old) and Sione Pouha(34 years old). Both have size and experience in a 34 defense. Any thoughts on why they haven't been pursued? Or is it better for us to address this in the draft?

Re: Nose tackle
 

Bunkley graded out one of the best 3-4 NT in the Nfl two years ago, and #18 in the NFL versus the run this year in Spags 4-3.

We probably do need some depth behind him though.

I do wonder if Star Lutulolei(?) falls to us in the draft if they will be tempted.
I'd rather pick up one of the NT in rounds 4/5 personally.
Bunkley will do the job anyway IMO.

Re: Nose tackle
 

Honestly, there's going to be some shifting on the D-line to get the 3-4 working properly. Draft may not be an option, we may have to expolore free agency because the Saints do not have "years of time" available to them to rebuild this defense into a competitor.

From KFFL
I think the "Price is Right" tag is the same for New Orleans, but New Orleans is more attractive as the Saints are trying to assemble a Superbowl team. The Jags are trying to have a winning season.

I read where Pouha had a back injury in 2011. Don't know if that required surgery last offseason. He was a BIG hit against the Jets cap so they released him. Wonder what the asking price is.

Again, all has to do with if players are willing to make a fair and modest contract in the hopes of making it with a potential Superbowl team.

Re: Nose tackle
 

I bet he will be a solid 3-4 NT and I bet Hicks will be as well.

Re: Nose tackle
 

This. Please stop the NT discussions.

Re: Nose tackle
 

Brodrick was doing really well in Philly as a 3-4 NT before his injury, and had one of his best seasons with Denver before we got him. Last year we moved him into a 4-3, where he did a lot more in the passing game than he usually does, but was clearly out of place most of the time. Getting back to a 3-4 will be awesome for him.

Re: Nose tackle
 

The further the free agency process goes along the better it would be to get branch on the cheap, waiting on nnamdi to see where our money is?

Great points being brought up. Since we don't know where Hicks will play, Bunkley's size is the only thing I am debating. Depth wouldn't hurt either at a vet minimum for Pouha. Thanks for all the added info provided in the post.

Re: Nose tackle
 

NT is the foundation of a34 . You need a rotation at this position. It takes a special type of player to play NT. Forty % of NT picked in the 1 to 20 range of the draft were busts. So I think that we should look for a vet that has proven capable . This draft is loaded with players at DT. I would like to see us pick two players at this position in the draft. J. Jenkins GA, Jesse Williams AL, Star Lotuileilei Utah state,Brandon Williams
.Missouri Southern, Montorio Hughes TN Tech. IMHO the draft will be a failure if we don't get at least one contributor at. NT.

Re: Nose tackle
 

Where'd that stat come from?

What are they considering busts?

Re: Nose tackle
 

McShay gave that Stat on podcast . Any player picked in first rd not starting is a bust.

Re: Nose tackle
 

It is getting kinda irritating that a number of people keep saying that Bunkley can't play NT.

Can everyone who feels this way please just go watch some footage of his play in Denver. While you are watching this footage grab a pencil and paper and write down the position that he lined up in EVERY SINGLE PLAY.

Re: Nose tackle
 

Bunkley still needs someone to rotate with him. Walterfootball says that the failure rate of DTs is 46%. That is a scary failure rate. NT is even harder to fill than. 43 DT. We have been trying to fill that position for several years. Ellis, Franklin, Rodgers etc...

Re: Nose tackle
 

No excuse for Ellis but Rodgers and Franklyn were both good 3-4 Nose tackles that just didnt pan out in our 4-3 system

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next year is a feel it out as you go time on defense i guess. thats how i am approaching it. i am sure another player or two will be added to NT as to other areas of the defense.

hang onto your seats it is going to be a wild ride on defense in 2013

Re: Nose tackle
 

Hicks could probably man the NT position, but I believe that he will have more of an impact from the DE position.

Re: Nose tackle
 

I still want a big, big DT with Bunkley, one as good if not better, picked up in the draft. Youngblood on the line.

Re: Nose tackle
 

I feel that NT is paramount to success of the 34

Re: Nose tackle
 

Bunkley is a fine NT in a 3-4 and he's proven that but it is also a position where you need rotation and depth. I too like Hicks as a 3-4 DE. He isn't stout enough to be an NT in my opinion. I wouldn't mind bringing Casey Hampton in as Bunkley's back up. Sure he's 35 years old but I think he could be had very cheap, he's been one of the best at the position over his career and I think he has 20 solid snaps in him a game.

Another guy I wouldn't mind seeing us spend one of our late round picks on would be Steelers RFA Steve McLendon. I believe he's tendered at $1.3M which is affordable and he's been apprenticing a 3-4 NT position for a few years.

Either one would address the depth and rotation issues at this position with experience in my opinion.

Re: Nose tackle
 

We could use a nose tackle for depth... that's a given. But this isn't a pressing issue some are making it out to be. On 3rd and long, move Hicks inside and rotate Will Smith in. Problem solved. If Hicks isn't starting, he can back up both NT and DE. The only 3 down DL will be Jordan. For the most part, the rotation is already there.

So we have to draft a NT in the mid rounds or go sign a middling NT for depth. It's not that serious... we'll get it done before camp.

Isn't Franklin a free agent again?
It could be worth bringing him in and actually playing him as a NT instead of DT.

Re: Nose tackle
 

Any first round pick not starting is a bust...

Re: Nose tackle
 

So Aaron Rodgers was a bust for 3 years?

There are numerous rookies who don't start but get significant playing time that are not busts.

Re: Nose tackle
 

Add this to the list of "Things That McShady and I Disagree On"

Re: Nose tackle
 

Fine - when Brett Favre is starting and you're drafted in the first round, you may have to wait (Exception F1)...

But first round picks should be starting and having an impact in their first season...

Re: Nose tackle
 

So do you think that if you're a 1st round pick at any position other than QB, and you don't start or have an impact in your 1st year, you're a bust?

Re: Nose tackle
 

I think that if you aren't having a significant impact by game 10 of your rookie season, something is seriously wrong with either the front office to picking the loser or the player for mailing it in.

You get half a season to make the transition and learn the speed of the game. For the money a 1st rounder gets, the team should justifiably expect the player to deliver.

Re: Nose tackle
 

I read somewhere that after taxes, the difference in money between a lower round first round pick compared to a lower round pick isn't that significant. Hence so many under developed players leaving early.

All players have different development rates. I don't agree with the notion that a player is a bust if he doesn't make a significant impact right away. I think it's short sighted to look at it that way.

But anyhow, just wanted to throw in my two cents. It's something we've discussed plenty of times of the years(been down this road many times with jp). If one already feels that way, there's really no point in trying to change their mind. It hasn't and still ain't happenin'.

Re: Nose tackle
 

it will interesting to watch Bunk and see how he plays NT when he is not in a contract year. much of the season will revolve on his play. NT is the key to a 34

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Yes.

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I'm okay with shared time for a couple of years, but by year three they need to be kicking ass or bust. I bet a bunch more make it into the bust category even with my forgiving definition. That's just the nature of the beast.

Re: Nose tackle
 

I may have been mistaken about saying any 1st rd pick who does not start is a bust. I do think that it is reasonable to expect to contribute early and often

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The higher you go in the draft, the better contract you get. I think it's reasonable to expect a first-rounder to be a starter & contribute immediately to a team or be considered a bust, considering the money it cost to draft said first-rounder; unless of course, the plan is to groom a player behind a superstar, ie Aaron Rodgers ... and the higher you go in the first round, the more should be expected.

Re: Nose tackle
 

I think the term "bust" is used much too freely when talking about draft picks who don't live up to the high expectations people have for them for a reason or another, but to me most of those "bust" players are just disappointments and possibly mistakenly scouted to begin with.

I'd reserve the harsh designation of a true "bust" to players like Jamarcus Russell, who deserves it both from a business and performance standpoint.