Off-Season Moves: Defense

It was fun being GM for a little while.  Mixed reviews on my last post. 

Without further ado, here is my GM for the day on Defense:

Defensive Tackle:

• Jay Ratliff – No changes
• Junior Siavii – Offer 2nd round tender.
• Draft – Find someone in the lower rounds or UDFA to develop to become in the rotation in the next 2-3 years.

Defensive Ends:

• Igor Olshansky – No changes
• Marcus Spears – Sign him to a 3-5yr contract.
• Jason Hatcher – Offer a 2nd round tender.
• Stephen Bowen – Sign him to a 3-5yr contract.
• Marcus Dixon (Practice Squad) – Continue to develop him, possibly push Jason Hatcher for a roster spot.
• Draft – No reason to draft here unless Best Available.

Inside Linebacker:

• Keith Brooking – I really like Keith, but he was really exposed in the Minnesota game.  If he is willing to compete for his position, and be okay if he gets beat, then I think he should stay.  Otherwise, he becomes a progress stopper and needs to be cut (1 million max).  I hope he is willing to set an example of work ethic for our young defensive players.
• Bradie James – No changes
• Bobby Carpenter – No changes.  He is in the last year of his contract, and really he becomes an insurance policy in the event that our other younger players do not work out.
• Jason Williams – No changes.  Should hopefully push for the starting position, or at least primary backup.
• Curtis Johnson – Haven’t heard much from him, but he is cheap and young, so bring him into training camp to compete for depth.
• Stephen Hodge (IR) – Hopefully is healthy for training camp, and will push Bobby for the nickel linebacker.
• Donovan Woods (Practice Squad) – Bring to training camp.
• Draft - No reason to draft here unless Best Available.

Outside Linebacker:

• DeMarcus Ware – No changes.
• Anthony Spencer – No changes.
• Victor Butler – Keep learning from DeMarcus / Spencer.
• Steve Octavien – Sign him to a 2-3yr deal.  He is an ERFA, so he won’t be going anywhere.
• Brandon Williams (IR) – Keep learning from DeMarcus / Spencer.
• Leon Williams (Practice Squad) – Bring to training camp to compete.
• Draft – No reason to draft here unless Best Available.

Cornerback:

• Terence Newman – No changes.
• Mike Jenkins – No changes.
• Orlando Scandrick – No changes.
• Alan Ball – Sign him to a 2-3yr deal.  He is an ERFA, so he won’t be going anywhere. Possibly officially move him to FS.
• Cletis Gordon – Offer original tender for him.  If he can’t compete with Alan Ball and/or Draft picks/Practice Squad, then cut him (cost of the tender)
• Marquis Floyd (Practice Squad) – Bring back to compete in training camp.
• Draft – I really feel we should look for a solid corner in rounds 3-5 to come in and push Alan Ball / Cletis Gordon for their spot.

Safety:

• Ken Hamlin – He needs to be cut (6 million).  He doesn’t have the range we need on the field to free up Sensabaugh to engage in more TE coverage & run support.  With Alan Ball able to fill in here as well, we should be fine.
• Gerald Sensabaugh – Sign him to a 2-3yr deal.  He did a great job, and is a huge upgrade over what we have had.
• Patrick Watkins – Sign him to a 2-3yr deal.  He is an excellent backup, and great special team player.
• Michael Hamlin – Not sure if he is the solution, but hopefully he can compete with Alan Ball for the FS starter.
• Draft – Spend a quality pick (first three rounds) on a FS, and a lower round 4-7 on a SS.

So on the Defensive Side of the ball, looking to cut at least one person on the 53 man roster, possibly two more depending on quality and attitude.   We would be getting Brandon Williams back from the IR, so not much space for Draft picks on Defense.