Several friends have told me that my blog has being trending negative lately. I have been focused on what the Rams should not do, rather than stating any positive program for rebuilding the team. Sounds like Democrats complaining. I thought I had been clear earlier about what I believe we should do. Evidentially, these friends either have not read that program, or they have forgotten it.
Some tell me you constantly need to proclaim your program because folks believe it will change all the time. Perish the thought! If you are that wishy washy, end it now by kindly putting a gun to your head. Have a plan, stick to it.
On the off chance I have not been clear about this thing, I felt I would draft a comprehensive and clear statement about the direction I hope Bill Devaney and Steve Spagnuolo will go this off season.
Trades
We need to cloture arguments about drafting Sam Bradford by closing a deal for Michael Vick. It is better to do it earlier rather than later, as the Eagles will know they have us over a barrel if we pass on a QB in the draft before working a deal.
Why? We have a dogshit offensive line that needs three good new players. It is extremely unlikely that we can acquire 3 solid and make the 5 of them play as a unit in 2010. I am convinced that there is only one QB in the NFL, and available, who can survive and prosper behind the dogshit offensive line we are likely to field in 2010. That man is Michael Vick.
Will Vick be any good? As Dukes says: He knows this is the absolute last stop for him if he fails. I am convinced that Vick is a penitent man... for ruining his career if not killing the dogs. He strikes me as a guy who is desperate for second chance. Every thing he has said is pointed sharply at the fact that he laments destroying his career. It is always good to acquire a man desperate for a second chance. These guys usually explode.
Vick makes sense for other reason. As I have said so many hundreds of times, I believe the Rams should draft Tim Tebow at the top of the 2nd round if he is there for us to take. He will need one or two redshirt years to get ready. Vick blazes a trail for Tebow, setting up a Tebow era. Both are mobile, athletic Southpaw QBs who like to be in the Shotgun, and who like to run. Although it is hard to find two more radically different men, they have more in common on the field than you might think.
Free Agency
This is not a good time to be a have-not. The termination of the CBA favors the strong. New Orleans is in a sweet spot, not needing to franchise Jayri Evans. Most of the good prospects I had wanted for our team are now unavailable as restricted free agents. With that said there are still two worthwhile acquisitions we should make. A pair of guards named Stephen Neil (Patriots #61) and Bobby Williams (Bengals #63) have a reputation for being solid. They are both in their early 30s. If we get them, we will have a fighting chance. We will still need to draft at least one solid prospect, and hopefully gain another through releases.
It is also very important that we resign Daniel Fells. He was one of the few bright spots for us last season, and showed some real play-making ability. He's a keeper.
While on the subject of tight ends, Ben Watson of the Patriots is a free agent, and he is a dude who is rumored to have scored a 48 on his Wonderlic test. He can also play. He would be a marvelous acquisition for a football teams that needs to get smarter.
The Draft
Now we come to the all-important draft, my burning obsession and constant worry. We need to understand that most great teams build first and foremost through the draft. Free agents, trades, and cut-rehabs don't get it done.
- Ndamukong Suh DT Nebraska: Forget about drafting a QB in the first round. This is the prospect. There are only a few mega-stupid things you can do in this life to really destroy yourself. Swimming with sharks, whilst bleeding is stupid. Playing Russian Roulette with 6 bullets in the revolver is stupid. Starting a conventional infantry war in China is stupid. Trying to suntan inside an industrial microwave oven is stupid. However, selecting a QB in the first round of the 2010 draft is most incredibly stupid and self-destructive thing you can do.
- Tim Tebow QB Florida: Provided that J. Wayne Weaver isn't successful in convincing his cadre to select Tebow in the 1st, we should take him in the 2nd and develop him. 20 years hence, people will laugh at the fact that scouts didn't think he was a prospect. He will be another bullet in Kiper's arse. The alternate here is Dan LeFevour. I would also be welcoming of Colt McCoy. Incidentally, did you see Tebow run the 4.7 40 yard dash? Did you see him broad jump 9.7? Did you see him spring 38.5? There is a lot of material there to work with.
- Dexter McCluster WR/RB Ole Miss: Presupposing that he does not go in the 2nd round. I think this is a safe bet. A explosive play maker. The perfect lightning to Steve Jackson's thunder. He will kill people in the slot.
- Myron Rolle SS Florida State: Supposing that he is there for us to take. We need a super-smart safety to call our adjustments.
- Seyi Ajiratutu WR Fresno State: Supposing that he is there for us to take.
It is a bit foolish to project 4th and 5th picks. I won't predict or project 6th and 7th. So many chaos moments strike in the later rounds that you cannot predict (with any degree of confidence) who will be there and who will not. I think I have reason to believe that all of these players will be available when we draft.
Bear in mind that we select first in each and every round.
The objective of this draft is to get athletic playmakers with great good character, high intelligence, and excellent leadership qualities. Picks 1 through 4 have that in spades. I am not certain of my homeboy Seyi, but he strikes me as a good guy.
