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[Pacersin2007]

Finally, RealGM football! My dreams are complete

On a more football note, what does everyone think about Cato June heading to Tampa? Personally, I think all this losing of marque FA linebackers has to stop somewhere (Marcus Peterson, Washington, Thorton, now June), but is it worth it with all the talent we just keep popping in there?

[Scoot McGroot]

We just can't afford to pay big money to keep linebackers with the offense we have and the playmakers we have at defensive end (Freeney and Mathis), DT (Booger), and safety (Bob Sanders). Something has to give, and in a cover 2 scheme, that seems to be the linebackers. Freddy Keiaho should help this year and take one starting spot. Gary Brackett should get another. Then, Rob Morris and Gilbert Gardner should battle for the 3rd. Plus, we'll probably draft at least 1 or 2 guys in the first day that will end up playing LB this year.

[Pacersin2007]

That I understand.

I just don't get how we keep getting losing big names in FA but manage to plug some 4th round pick into our starting lineup and be fine.

It has to be a mix of the scheme and the drafting, I'd assume, but are we really that good at our scouting, or is it just anyone can be good in the Cover 2?

[PR07]

A Cover 2 system can hide a lot of deficiencies. So while a player may not be a very good overall player in a regular defensive scheme, he can be made into a darn good player if his talents are exploited and his weaknesses are diminished which a Cover 2 tends to do with some players.

[Pacersin2007]

Ah.

So I'd assume that our drafting technique is "perfected", per se.

[pacerfan]

Just a shout out to say congrats on the moderatorship on the Colts board, PacersRule07. Very well deserved and I know you will do well.

[PR07]

Thanks Pacerfan, I got to learn from one of the best on the Pacers' Board.

[A-Town Connection]

Heres to hoping our Cover Two hides a few deficiencies...i.e better run d.

[FreeRon]

Of those names (Peterson, Washington, Thornton), who has done anything outside of the Colts D? Granted, Thornton only had one year, but Peterson is really the only player you hear about now that he's gone. As was already said, our scheme covers LB mistakes to a degree, so I personally think that while June may have success going to another Cover-2 D in Tampa, he's not worth nearly what we would have had to pay for him.

[ajizzle]

^Yeah, I agree w/ Ron... If you remember, Pn07, none of those LBs we lost were 1st-rdrs. I think Peterson was 2nd, Marcus was 5th, DT was 4th, and June was 4th or 5th...

But the other thing that changes everything for our team is really Peyton, which is why he IS the best player in the L right now! Bar none! He changes how teams play us, how we draft, the whole complexion of our situation.

I think LT is very good, but teams don't onside kick b/c they're afraid he may put up 35 that day. Teams don't play their safeties 25 yards off the LOS, then back them up even farther at the snap b/c of Brady or Palmer's ability to go long. Polian can afford to take chances in the draft b/c he knows that our O (w/ Marvin and Reggie) will always be top 3 w/ Manning.

I'll concede that Brady & Manning are Russell & Chamberlain, and that Brady's teams have been better than Manning's. But as far as individuals are concerned, Manning is the best.

P.S. BTW, RIP Coach Robinson... We'll miss you!

[PR07]

Marcus Washington was a second round pick out of Auburn. He made the pro-bowl in 2004 and was named an alternate in 2005 and 2006 with the Redskins. So he is a real solid LB, but it doesn't matter because he was with the Colts before Dungy and the Cover 2 came aboard and never really fit the mold of a Cover 2 LB. He's much better where he can use his size and strength and be able to blitz every now and then which the Colts' rarely ask from their LB's.

[Scoot McGroot]

Congrats on 10,000 posts ther PR07!

[PR07]

Thanks man, it caught up on me faster than I thought.

[pacerman06]

Cato was a sixth round pick.