I don't think that Darren Sharper or Fred Robbins will take up the $5.5 million exemption. Sharper'll sign for the $3.3 on a three-year deal, but I wouldn't offer it to him.
Defensive secondary players are only as good as the pass rushers in front of them. Ryan Clark played in one of the best rush defenses in the NFL. Darren Sharper played behind a defense headed by Gregg Williams, one of the best pressure defensive coordinators for a 4-3 defense operating in the NFL. Sharper didn't suddenly go from being used up to being good; the pass rush protecting him got better. I personally would rather have Rolle than either of those players.
That's why the Cards are working so hard to re-sign him. Put a more consistent pass rush in front of Antrel Rolle, and he might earn his way to a Pro Bowl.
Fred Robbins was benched late in the season by the Giants. I believe that he'll be able to operate in a 3-4, and I don't think he'll cost $5.5 million, either. I'd love to bring in him and Jimmy Kennedy to compete with Watson and a draft pick for two or three NT spots in training camp.
If you're not going to listen to Joeshmo tell you that Gary Brackett isn't going to fit into this defense, you're not going to listen to me tell you. But I do think that Scott Fujita has the coverage ability to do what the Cards need to help replace Dansby. The question is whether Fujita can stay healthy. He only has 23 starts the past 2 seasons.
I would throw that $5.5 million at Tully Banta-Cain and if that doesn't work Joey Porter. That figure isn't much more than what we've already spent for less production with Berry and Okeafor.
K-9-----While you and I haven't had a lot to agree upon lately, this is a very solid writeup. I would tend to agree with you that Sharper didn't just get better. You might be correct about Rolle earning his way to the Pro Bowl, but he will have to stop free lancing in order to do that in my opinion. Some of that may have come because he hasn't got a lot of time at FS and was still learning the position though. After all he spent three full years trying to become the corner we thought we had when we drafted him.
As far as nose is concerned, with the attitude that the FO has displayed so far, I almost get the impression that 1. they are sold on Watson's return to complete and full strength, or, 2. they are blowing a lot of smoke, and plan on taking someone like a Fred Robbins in free agency. Either way, I still see them making an effort to take a solid one in the draft if they get the opportunity.
I also believe Brackett is not suited to our defense. Fujita is, but there is the injury possibility. (That is the same with Hayes though), and I still think they are counting on him to start for them at SILB. I see a need to take two quality inside line backers, even it they bring Fujita in to start for them at WILB. With the fact that ILB is probably one of the easier transitions to the NFL, one, (or possibly both), of them might be starter-ready by playoff time, if they get real quality in the draft.
Bringing in either Porter, or Banta-Cain, would solidify the rush backer at starting position even though Haggans is getting up in years. With Cody Brown, Will Davis, and Stevie Baggs already signed there, we should have quality back-up by mid season. That, along with deepening the CB slot, should allow for our new DB's coach work with our Corners and Safeties on getting a little better coverage than we had last year.
Good write-up K-9. You did your homework on this one. Its good to see you join in on the discussion for a change, rather than just using every opportunity to trash someone else's effort. Good Job.
