Quote:
Originally Posted by barrett
34 DE is a different animal than the 43 DE so it is not a given that Mario just goes back to DE if this doesn't work. For proof of the difference look at how disruptive Antonio Smith was in Arizona's 34 and then how mediocre he was here, and how much better he has looked this preseason back in a 34. And Watt looks great there. I think I would honestly rather have an uncomfortable OLB Mario at 50% of what he can be as a 43 DE, than move either of those guys. Not to mention we ran our whole draft on the idea mario was playing OLB. My guess is that a trade is not a possibility, Mario will play 16 games at OLB, will not have the impact of past seasons (and it is not his fault), and he is gone for whatever we can get for him after a franchise tag next fall.
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I think you're exactly right on all of this. I doubt the team would get fair value in a trade right now. These new guys are supposed to be defensive gurus so let's give them a year to let them figure out how to use Mario most effectively and let's give Mario a year to try to make it happen and see where we are after the year's over. I'd rather have an uncomfortable Mario playing outside than have him gum up the DL rotation that appears to be taking shape very nicely.