fleet wrote:nomorezorro wrote:maybe i was confused about what point you were trying to make then, because in a subsequent post you said you would understand trying to add a 28 year old to this team because we're trying to win something over the next two years
I still would have a conflicting emotional response to making a Sweat deal for the upcoming year. But the logic makes more sense now after the Bears seem to have a squad and quarterback in place that can conceivably win games. Although still a year early if you asked me for a deal like that.
the sweat trade was at least partially motivated by the idea that this was not a compelling draft class for edge rushers. considering that none went off the board between the 27th and 56th picks in the draft, that seems to be an accurate read, and having the 40th overall pick wouldn't have done much to help us address that particular deficiency on the roster
So we draft something else in the second round. Maybe T'Vondre Sweat is wearing Blue n Orange in OTAs this summer instead of Montez Sweat. I don’t know. We don’t HAVE to have the big contract older defensive end right now. I prefer the alternative universe where we have 2 more second round players and cap space instead of jumping at Claypool and Sweat.. I just don’t agree with the narrative that these were must do acquisitions of no other way to be better. Let’s look at what Poles has gotten out of the second round in years One and two. Dexter, Stevenson, Brisker, Gordon. Having some more of that, and the cap space, nothing wrong with that at all.
I'm starting to understand your vision, Fleet. You just want us to stockpile young talent patiently. But remember, skipping the trade for Sweat means we'd be betting on unproven high upside second rounders. As you pointed out, Poles does have an excellent track record in the second round, but every GM misses on picks occasionally, so while the new kids would likely to be talented, there's no guarantee that they would produce the way Sweat does, brother. The defense minus Sweat likely remains a bottom rung unit heading into the draft, with 'Reke's progression largely remaining unrealized. Also, too many kids can be a bit of a burden, Fleet. We need some veterans who can lead by example to keep the locker room focused and positive. Sweat has been an X factor, which makes him a building block that can be conveniently paired up with another star on the defensive line to really wreak havoc against the opposition. That said, the Claypool situation really was a mess.
