Idea for the offseason

[nero THE zero]

A while back, Lance Zierlein said that he thought Lawrence Maroney would be a good fit for our offense and that he would be a good trade target.

I think that is more apt now than ever.
1. He's a big back at 5'11" 220lbs. He could be the thunder to our newly found lightning (Slaton)
2. He has extensive experience with the ZBS at Minnesota (averaged 6YPC and had 32 TD in 3 seasons)
3. He should be fairly cheap. NE has seemingly given up on him; they have drafted and signed a glut of RB to play behind/around him, seemed to shy from giving him a heavy workload (averaging a meager 12 touches per game,) and were supposedly trigger happy on IR'ing him this year.
4. He is signed through 2010 at very reasonable price (2009: $600,000, 2010: $825,000)

I would be very interested to see what it would take to get him. He is a great fit for us and could be a paragon low risk, high reward candidate.

[NBT]

Don't let the stars get in your eyes. We would be better off seeing what is available in the draft. If Maroney is on IR, there is a pretty good reason, IMO.

[coloradodude]

NE hasn't really given up on him. He's on IR with a shoulder injury...done for the season.

We'll do pretty good in the draft this year, what with a top 5 pick and all. Already talking about next year.

Crap!

[NBT]

Could this be the reason for all the recent suckitude? Naahh! Couldn't be. We're not trying to get a lower place in the Draft.

[Keith]

I'm trying hard not to turn this into a draft thread, but I'd be up for going high in the draft for RB next April. The success of young QBs like Ryan and of otherwise mediocre offenses like the Titans is because they have multiple good backs. We have Slaton, add a high pick stud, and suddenly this offense goes off.

I think needs-wise this offseason, the list is pretty easy to form, and most of them are on defense (um, linebacker and safety, please?). But those are positions that can be filled with vets in free agency (assuming our pro scouting department is overhauled).

The Falcons went all in to get that RB in free agency (Turner), and so far so good for them I suppose, but signing a FA RB (or trading for a hurt one like Maroney) just scares the hell out of me.

[NBT]

While I agree with you Keith, I don't think you went far enough. If the present administration is still standing watch next year,(and McNair says he still has full confidence in Kubiak), then I think we have to have better linebacking and safeties, but I also would keep a sharp eye out for a DE, and maybe another DT. In any case i would go real hard for defense. RB? Depends on what is available, but I don't think I would give it a first round priority. TE's are going to be real good for a change, as will OT & MLB. As always, the Jrs. that come out will change the complexion entirely, I suppose.

[nero THE zero]

I would give DT, DE, LB, and QB all priority to RB in the first round.

It's a huge need and I was a huge proponent of RB in the first rd last year (I wish Stewart would have fallen to us) But, our defense and QB takes precedent this year for me. That's why I think we need to find another route (Maroney, FA, later rounds, etc.) for a RB this offseason.

But, I agree, RB is definitely a huge need for us.

[NBT]

Schaub is a younger version of Kerry Collins, the erstwhile QB for the undefeated Tacks. Both are immobile in the pocket. The reason Collins is doing so well finally, is that he has got a dominating Oline. If we get to the point that Schaub has the time to setup and make his progressions, he will be an undefeated QB too. We need to keep improving with the Oline we have by grabbing a guard somewhere, and maybe an OC. Otherwise, it is defense for me all the way.

[nero THE zero]

We need a QB that can play well for us for 16 games.

That's what we need.