If Raji was the guy we took at #3, Tank could be a pretty good DE in a 34, couldnt he? He seems like a big strong ****er who can tie up at least 1 blocker, and most likely 2 if he can get into the gap.

Yes.

I don't understand all the crying about total contract dollars. So you spend $100mil on a couple of DTs. Is that a big deal if it's over a four or five years?

I would really like Stafford and I'll embrace Sanchez if we draft him but I can't believe how far the QB or bust crowd will go in finding reasons why we shouldn't draft a position other then QB.

PhilFree:arrow:

Agreed on all counts. For the record, here's Dorsey's contract details, hardly cap busting....

7/26/2008: Signed a five-year, $33 million contract. The deal includes $22.5 million guaranteed. Another $18 million is available through incentives. 2009: $385,000, 2010: $983,500, 2011: $1,582,250, 2012: $2.181 million, 2013: $2.75 million, 2014: Free Agent

slightly over 7' wingspan... freakish since he is 6'1-2".

I remember them talking about that last year a lot. Just read about it a week or 2 ago as well.

I am still trying to wrap my head around the "too short" thing. Since all T's are now 6'5" and taller in the NFL, wouldnt it possibly be beneficial to a DE in the 34 to be shorter? After all they are just trying to tie up the blocker for passing D, and hold the point of attack for the run D, ultimately crashing down the line to the runner.

I would think being short in this instance, and strong, would be good. He would have leverage to get under the pads of the T and hold them up, especially when he has these freakishly long arms.

Nearly 35". One of his stronger points and one of the reasons he's never on the ground. Critical for a 3-4 end who has to fend off the OT and set the edge.

Then factor in the salary caps mandatory growth; isnt it 7% growth in total dollars from the previous year?

With how much cap there is now, and the way contracts are bloating, $50 million contracts are par for starters now, $75 million is for the above average PB players, and $100 million + is reserved for the super stars such as Manning, Brady, *cough* Vick *cough*.... or so it seems.

So compared to that Raji would recieve about a $40mil contract if he were picked 3rd. Hardly a reason to not pick him. I believe that drafting defensive and offensive linemen is the patriots way and will become the Chiefs way.


PhilFree:arrow:

Yes, I would say a 6 year deal for roughly $40 mil.

Height never hampered Curly Culp.

FAX

After they find a Franchise Quarterback.

Or Curly Joe

The Pats have drafted a total of five O and D Lineman in the first round in the nine years that Belchick has been there.

The Patriot way is to draft for value.

And here I thought they only drafted lineman.

With every selection!

Absolutely.

Now herein lies the problem, explaining what "value" means to a fanbase enamored, and for some very good reasons, with Will Shields and Tony Gonzalez.

This entire discussion is very cyclical in nature.

Now let's prepare for the next Curry or RT petition.