NFC Team Needs Curtis Popejoy

2007-02-17

OT DB LB This team has been searching for great O-line play for years. They have their franchise under center, they need to protect him. At DB, whether it's a safety to groom and replace Robert Griffith, or a cornerback to add to a mix of questionable depth, help in the secondary is needed. The Cardinals have some nice young players all over the roster, but adding a playmaker at LB would really improve an underachieving defense. DB DT OL The secondary has been a position of weakness for some time. Yes, DeAngelo Hall is good, and Jimmy Williams might be, but other than that, there isn't much back there. The Falcons have several serviceable defensive linemen on the roster, but it’s an undersized group that got pushed around. They need a big fat body in there to eat up space. Atlanta’s new head coach wants a bigger, more physical O-line, and that means any spot along that line can be upgraded. LB TE QB The Panthers just keep losing players, and while Dan Morgan has been great, he just can't stay on the field. Thomas Davis would be better served to stay at safety, if LB can be upgraded. Steve Smith is working alone out there. A big target in the middle of the field would do Smith, and Delhomme, a lot of good. Jake's a good/not great player, but the depth behind him is dreadful -- draft early for that depth now/starter later. TE QB DT Rex needs all the help he can get, and a great pass catching TE, is one more red zone target. But if Rex can't get better, you should have a replacement in place. Sorry Bears fans, but that Super Bowl loss was on your QB. This defense really took a hit when Tommie Harris went down with injury. That's a sign of a serious lack of depth. FS OL WR How long has Roy Williams’ counterpart been an issue? Is Pat Watkins the answer? I doubt it. This team needs a playmaker, to keep Williams out of those pesky coverage situations. Parcells is gone, so the idea of getting a day one lineman, probably a guard, playing early seems more likely, and would certainly help. Terry Glenn seems ageless, but he isn't. On the other hand, has TO grown up? They have a couple of youngsters, but with Romo's development so important, any shortage of targets would be a problem. QB OL DE Jon Kitna is certainly serviceable, but does anyone really think that the Lions will win a Super Bowl, or even make the playoffs, with him as the starter? They are in a position to draft a franchise QB this year – a guy to throw it to all those picks spent on catching it. The Lions O-line is a big-time underachieving group. There’s really no spot that secure in the starting lineup. If they pass on QB in the first, adding a franchise OT, would be a prudent move. There's a gaping hole opposite James Hall. The defense really struggled to get any pressure this past season, so a big-time rush end would help immensely. CB WR DL Charles Woodson is looking more like a FS at this point, so adding some depth at CB would make sense by really being a fix to another problem in the secondary. Greg Jennings really came on strong this year and Driver is solid, but with Favre coming back, get him, and the next guy, more weapons. Aaron Kampman is one of the most underrated players in the NFL, but he doesn't get any help. Either a complimentary player on the other side or a big wide body in the middle would really help. WR DE OL Even though they drafted Troy Williamson just a couple of seasons ago, he's not the answer. The rest of the Vikings WRs are just OK. They have a young QB in place and he needs some weapons. Did anyone underachieve more than Kenechi Udeze last year? If they don’t bring in some players to get sacks and pressures, this defense will continue to rank high against the run and stink against the pass. The right side of this O-line was hammered last year with injuries and poor play. Both positions could use some big-time upgrades. DT LB DB This defense overachieved all year, but it could certainly stand to get a real big-time playmaker in the middle of the D-line. The linebackers are a group mostly made up of journeymen and underachieving youngsters. Like DT, a playmaker is needed. Fred Thomas got picked on last season. The problem was that there was no one to replace him. CB OT RB There’s little or no youth in the defensive backfield, and they got picked on this past season. They need a starter and depth at the tackle position, along with depth all across the rest of the O-line. Brandon Jacobs is a more than capable player, but getting a complementary player for him will make the post-Tiki transition easier. S WR OLB What has happened to Michael Lewis? There’s no one on the roster to really replace him, so they have to look to the draft. Reggie Brown is a great young player, but if Donté Stallworth leaves, they have to get someone in there, to replace him. The Eagles already have some young players on defense, but if they can get someone who can come in, start and make an impact at LB, then they have to get them. WR DL CB Antonio Bryant is OK, and Vernon Davis has shown a lot of promise at TE, but a field-stretching WR would really help that offense…an offense that leans so heavily on Frank Gore. There are holes and aging players all along this D-line. Whether it's DE or NT, there are at least 2 of 3 spots that could be up for grabs for the right rookie. Other than Shawnte Spencer, there’s nothing at all to get excited about at CB on the depth chart. OL TE S They lost the best guard in the game last year, and Walter Jones can't play forever. The investment in upgrading that group should start now. At TE, Jerramy Stevens is not the answer, and he could be gone anyway. Any team that runs the west coast offense needs a good receiving threat at tight end. In a secondary that already has depth concerns, Ken Hamlin is a free agent. If Hamlin walks, there’s a huge opening in that defensive secondary. OLB DT DB Among the Rams OLBs, there’s really no one on the roster that stands out. Jon Alston has promise, but nothing is certain, especially on the strong side. The middle of this D-line was horrible last year, especially against the run. They need to get someone who can stiffen up against the run. Victor Adeyanju looked solid last year, and should be able to start full-time, but looking ahead, the depth behind him and Leonard Little are questionable. DL S CB It doesn't matter if it's at DE or DT, this team is thin and getting thinner across their defensive front. At safety, there’s very little in the way of starter caliber quality, and there are certainly no premier players poised to emerge from the depth chart. At least one new starter could be drafted. At corner Rondé Barber still plays at a very high level, but there’s definitely room for improvement across from him and in terms of depth. DL CB WR Improving a stagnant pass rush has to be a top priority. DE is more important than tackle at this point, but if they could add an elite player on the inside, they should. Shawn Springs is getting older and Carlos Rogers has been their best starter, so upgrading the depth here will be crucial. Beyond Santana Moss, it's really no better than just a bunch of role players, so with a young QB under center, they could really stand to get him another big-play weapon.