Any quality DEs available out there with their contract about to expire?

Go ahead and sign Schobel. Sounds like Houston offered him a flimsy deal anyway.

Run more 4-3 use your MLB speed to its advantage. Mix in 3-4 too.

How much do we need a guy like Schobel now.. You think we'll pay him because the price of poker just went up.

schobel would be a great signing. however it seems like we might need mankins with kazcur being injured

Gotta keep Mayo and Spikes on the field together. We still have PLENTY of beef on the D line in the other Warren, Lewis,Pryor,Deadrick and I really think Mike Wright fills a Jarvis Green type roll. Losing Warren hurts and I would likt to see us sign Shoebel etc. but I think we will be fine. Everybody seems to underestimate the former 1st rd signings of G Warren and Lewis???

How about this?

russ, why would Oak do that?  I would expect that trade from a troll, but I know u are not one.  Uncle Al is a little lost, but not dead.

Because Seymour will leave after this year and he's not winning a SB this year in Oakland.

Russ, we are not getting Seymour - although I would love that - we SHOULD have NEVER got rid of him in the first place! - Last yr it was Seymour and now this year - Warren. - Wow.  OK, we get Burgess back today - which helps a little.  BUT still doesn't fill the void.....

I still agree that the Pats SHOULD go after SCHOBEL HARD (Especially NOW)!! He is a football Player who can RUSH the Passer in certain situations!  We all know BB can come up with ways to put this guy on the field and make an impact whether they are in the 4-3 3-4 or even 5-2 - 2-5 - doesn't matter - Just BRING him here and give it a SHOT! 

I'd rather take my chances with Schobel (best available out there right NOW!) than anyone ELSE!

Ok, onto Mankins - Wow, this is a mess now it seems - What about Pittsburgh? I know their line stinks - for Woodley?  I have no idea - just guessing....I think he is a FA next yr anyways...but just a thought - if this mankin thing isn't going anywhere!

Dude, no way.  They got a 1st rd pick for Seymour and Seymour is being paid 12 million dollars this year.  That was a fleece job deluxe. By the time 2011 starts, NE will have drafted some kind of a legit Pro Bowler and Seymour will be shopping himself around, overpaid yet again because of past accomplishments.

In Response to Re: Trade Mankins for 3-4 DE:


Agreed, Noise.

I'd give Schobel $8 million in an uncapped year before giving Seymour $12 million. That's far more than the Texans would, or even can, pay him.

Burgess returned.  You don't get it. We don;t need another Schobel/Burgess type unless they were to go full blown 4-3. Burgess is dirt cheap and yes I agree not as productive as Schobel but with Warren's injury, that 3-4 DE position is rugged, meaning this D needs another legit DE body.  Mike Wright and Gerard Warren are your starters. I have no issues with this for performance capability, but they are very thin here because Brace has done nothing and Damione Lewis is also a convert who didn't play much last night.   Sign and trade Mankins with their 2nd 2d rder iin 2011 for Marcus Spears.

In Response to Re: Trade Mankins for 3-4 DE:


Hey Russ,

I do get that Burgess returned, but I don't think he's half the player that Schobel is. And I'm not saying that Schobel is the answer for a full time 3-4 DE; I'm just saying he's a hardnosed football player, so let's grab him and use him in some special way. If someone like Ninkovich loses a spot, so be it. Find another way to replace Warren, but grab Scobel too.

Sure. I am not against it. I'd rather work on solving the 3-4 DE problem for depth v.s. adding another OLB here, though, first and foremost.  Schobel would have been perfect if Ty Warren didn't get hurt and Burgess hadn't of returned.  I think the Ty Warren injury puts them in a tough spot in terms of depth and the 3-4 DE is a grueling position to play.  Both the D Line 3-4 slots are.  Spears is coming off a sprain and I am wondering if Jerry Jones might bite on unloading him to improve his O Line concerns for Mankins.

In Response to Re: Trade Mankins for 3-4 DE:


Has there been talk about Spears being available?

No.   He is coming off a ligament sprain and Dallas's O Line struggled in preseason against Oakland. Flozell Adams was cut so I am not sure if that is having a trigger effect or not.   Dallas plays a 3-4.  I am just trying to figure out who has 3-4 DE personnel available and the pickings are slim and so is the idea of being able to deal Mankins at his desired 8 per season.   That's the real problem.

In Response to Re: Trade Mankins for 3-4 DE:

I'd call Greenbay and starting asking what it would take to get Johnny Jolly. Mankins is getting more and more pretentious by the day. The guy thinks he's a QB, he's not even a tackle, but he thinks he can command a price tag. Talk about a d0uche. 

Also, was it Warren who had the injury or was it both Warren and Kaczur? It seems as the report might have been srcewed up.

I understand where your coming from , but the problem is value. Sure there are a couple guys out there , but we wouldnt get close to fair value for a guy like Mank. Your talking about a top 5-8 G in a league. Seemed like last year there was two camps regarding Big Sey and the type of player he was for us. Some called him overrated that took plays of. IMHO hes a future HOF and still has more than enough left in the tank for 2-3 very good seasons. Theres no chance in hell he's ever coming back here though. Im still not sure if I would have done that deal , it would have been very hard not to. Your talking about a guy that was the absolute best at his position for close to ten years. And was maybe the most important D-player on our last two championship teams. And whether people want to admit it or not losing him last year hurt us really bad. Teams made no secret about the fact that they were going to run and do it on what would have been his side. I really like the 3-4 , but you absolutely need to have the players for it. Theres ways to cover up if you dont in a 4-3 , but not in a 3-4. And the 5 technique is key , especially in the 2 gap system we run. Im just not sure we'd get the value back in return. Im all for trading him , but I want a player back. It looks pretty bad now and getting to the point of no return. If this goes into the season theres no way hes coming back next year , so why not. If we know a player like Mank isnt coming back , we have no chance of signing him , then you have to try and trade. I would be looking for another o-lineman or OLB in return. I love the Woodley proposal , but we would need to throw in a draft pick as well. Woodley would fit in great here and is obviously a position of great need. And we need a player like him as much as Pitt needs someone like Mank. If not Wood then I might stay on the line and try and go for a guy like Steinbach from the Browns. Hes tough , has a mean streak , versatile , so you can move him around a little bit and has great fundamentals , which is essential for all Pats players. I could see this actually happening straight up because of how good both are and where their at in their respected careers. Hey I love me some 5 technique , but wont trade Mank just to do it. Hes too good of a player , again if anything go for another position of need , lol I think theres a few out there. What about trading him for a S , Ive always been a huge of Wilson (Cards) or Griffin (Titans). Id prefer Griffin simply because of his age , but think Wilson would be a better fit. Griffin is a great player and would make this better for years to come. Hes the player everyone thought Merri. would become , who knows maybe he will , but hasnt got there yet.

Im not sure why you would say that about Schobel. Your talking about a guy that has produced much more and played on a much higher level than DB. Let DB retire or keep him , whatever , but if you have a choice between the two its not a debate about who the better player is. From technique and fundamentals , to producing its not close. Plus this is a guy that weve seen play and kill us for years.

http://www.purpleamerican.com/2010/08/afc-east-jets-pats/ take a look at this link. It's why the pats will beat the jets this year.

In Response to Re: Trade Mankins for 3-4 DE:

I thought they can't trade him until he signs his tender, which he hasn't. The team has rights to him but he's not under contract. He's probably not going to play this year for the Pats or anybody else. What a dumb a** he is and his agent is even more stupid, because his rfa will continue for one more year.

Agree, not sold on Shoebel though.