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Re: Free-agent spotlight: C Brian de la Puente

In the rush to throw away Strief and DLP like they were yesterday's stale chicken nuggets people are missing the big picture. If we go into next season with two new starters on the o-line it's going to be a mess again and we'll be waiting half the season for them to finally gel as a unit (which took a good 10-11 weeks to happen this year).

Keep those 5 guys together. It can be done.

Re: Free-agent spotlight: C Brian de la Puente

Quote:

Originally Posted by papz (Post 578518)

I'm sorry I cannot agree with this statement. Ben Grubbs was a Pro Bowl guard in the prime of his career when we gave him that contract. He's 29 so technically, he still is. We have had for years, one of the better lines in the league... not much as changed even with the constant changing of tackles. And while the Pro Bowl has taken it's lumps as far as credibility is concerned, he still is a Pro Bowler on a back loaded affordable contract. Quite frankly, considering inflation among salary for interior lineman in the league now, he contract is very fair. If we need the extra cap room, restructing his contract shouldn't be an issue either.

As good as a player that Alex Mack is, I just don't think it's smart money to shell out 8+ million dollars a year to a center.

Grubbs reputation may say he's a Pro Bowler and a 9 million dollar player. His performance however does not. He stunk out loud for 3/4ths of last year.

Re: Free-agent spotlight: C Brian de la Puente

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jack Vegas (Post 578530)

I do not disagree but there is an omitted caveat. We were sh1tty run blocking in a season which we changed the way we run block from man to zone. Changing to a scheme that doesn't fit our personnel is exactly what happened to our defense in 2012.

So while it isn't preferred to swap 1/2 the line in one season, it isn't going to be as bad as you think.

Re: Free-agent spotlight: C Brian de la Puente

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jack Vegas (Post 578531)

Grubbs reputation may say he's a Pro Bowler and a 9 million dollar player. His performance however does not. He stunk out loud for 3/4ths of last year.

I can name a handful of players that struggled for parts of last season. What's your point? He's not really a Pro Bowler or has been multiple times? Because he has and still is. He's not worth 9 million dollars? Well he isn't. He's getting paid 6 million this year and his contract averages out to about 7 million throughout the life on the contract.

Did you know that Ben Grubbs was ranked 10th overall out of 81 guards graded this year by PFF? Jahari Evans was 18th. So if you're going to say Grubbs stunk for the majority of last season, Evans must have been garbage then.

Re: Free-agent spotlight: C Brian de la Puente

Quote:

Originally Posted by papz (Post 578539)

I would definatly keep the gaurds, my issue is C where DLP gets pushed into Brees lane, if we find a C that doesn't get pushed so deep in the pocket and is a stud in the run game thats 4 out of 5 linemen solved. RT should be adressed also because Strief might want to get paid and leave for the money. I really don't know if the depth behind Strief can do what he does but if not a cheaper FA might if Strief leaves for the money and if I were a betting man Kromer will want him in Chicago.

Re: Free-agent spotlight: C Brian de la Puente

dlp is constantly in Brees throwing lane. He can't step up and deliver the ball if the center has been pushed in Drew's face. We need a road grader.

Re: Free-agent spotlight: C Brian de la Puente

If DLP gets an offer for the money Triplett is predicting, we shouldn't even be in the conversation.