hagan714

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

Rugby Saint II

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

halloween 65

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

triman

I feel that NT is paramount to success of the 34

lumm0x

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.

papz

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.

Everyone is entitled to be stupid, but some abuse the privilege.

All little common sense goes a long way.

lee909

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

papz

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'.

Everyone is entitled to be stupid, but some abuse the privilege.

All little common sense goes a long way.

hagan714

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

triman

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