Last year, everyone was pissed at Ted Thompson because he didn't sign free agents: Chris Canty or Igor Olshansky. In '08, the D-line had injuries to Cullen Jenkins, Johnny Jolly, and Ryan Pickett. Yet in '09 they remained pretty healthy and played at a high level.
So this year everyone is probably going to be pissed if Ted Thompson doesn't shore up the D-backfield, but I think Ted Thompson needs to do the opposite. He needs to shore up the D-line. The D-backfield will get guys back from injuries, so we'll be okay. But next year how can we expect Jenkins, Jolly, and Pickett to remain healthy after staying relatively healthy this year.
When you look at the free agent D-lineman that will be free agents... a few names jump out.
Richard Seymour
Vince Wilfork
Aubrayo Franklin
If Ted Thompson signed one of these 3 guys and with Raji having a year of experience, I think we'll again have a dominate D-line that can compete with the likes of the Vikings D-line.
So this year everyone is probably going to be pissed if Ted Thompson doesn't shore up the D-backfield, but I think Ted Thompson needs to do the opposite. He needs to shore up the D-line. The D-backfield will get guys back from injuries, so we'll be okay. But next year how can we expect Jenkins, Jolly, and Pickett to remain healthy after staying relatively healthy this year.
When you look at the free agent D-lineman that will be free agents... a few names jump out.
Richard Seymour
Vince Wilfork
Aubrayo Franklin
If Ted Thompson signed one of these 3 guys and with Raji having a year of experience, I think we'll again have a dominate D-line that can compete with the likes of the Vikings D-line.