Our D-Line as is...

im anxious to see what jacob ford can do

 

We just need people to stay healthy. If KVB, LaBoy, and Odom all stay on the field, they should have the depth to have a solid DE production. And Ford has a lot of upside, but we'll have to see if his skills translate from Central Arkansas to the NFL.

At DT, Haynesworth needs to live up to expectations and be consistently good. And the young DTs around him simply need to develop (and Long needs to be healthy after the Achilles tear).

 

I agree, if this group can stay healthy they can be pretty good.

 

I wouldn't call Laboy or Odom "good".

 

They should be great, I was shocked last year, but injuries really have bitten us. Glad to hear several seem to be losing some weight to try to find their optimum playing weight. As much as I would have liked to see the D-line addressed this offseason there really wasn't much available there. We did pick up a DE and DT though. As we've seen it's a little tough to make the transition from a good college lineman to the pros... I think if we've got talent that struggled last year it's worth sticking with the group we have.

 

I'm high on Ford I think he will provide us with somegood pass rush as a situational guy this year. Next year and the year after that I expect to see him take considerable strides and playing tie until he becomes a force at DE. Wishful thinking yes but I think he will do it with some added weight and strength.

Antonio Johnson is a solid run stuffer who has a hig ceiling. If he learns the finer things on being a DT and works on his technique he should turn out very well since he already has an explosive first stepand can occupy multiple blockers.

Mahelona needs to step up and be the sparkplug DT expected. I thought he was an absolute steal where we drafted him now he needs to show the explosiveness at college and motor.

Long was decent when here and healthy but an achilles injury spells disaster for his career in Tennessee and the league and his rehab was halted by a staph infection that almost cost him his leg. CUT.

Tony Brown was a solid find this year he was a solid player vs the run and pass and made some nice plays hopefully he keeps improving.

Laboy and Odom neither have been impressive thus far in their careers and this year is their last chance so show up or get out.

Starks needs to show up this year as well he's still young but he needs to produce or might not be coming back. Hopefully he plays up to his potential.

Big Al needs to step up and play like a pro-bowler like he says he always will and never fully does. Is said to be in top shape so this could be his year.

KVB a very solid player vs. the pass and above average vs.the run but needs some help.

Adibi, McElveen, Conover, Savage, and like I said Long will be cut.

DE's - Laboy, Odom, Ford, KVB. Hopefully we can add KGB to that.

DT's - Haynesworth, Starks, Brown, Johnson, Mahelona.

 

If the D-Line can stay healthy they will be pretty good. As long as Haynesworth can step up though. We need someone other than KVB to have a good year.

 

LaBoy was a good pass rusher 2 years ago. Last year he just was forced to play too much (and as the Tennessean said today, he added too much weight for his role). If Odom can stay in the lineup and keep LaBoy from being overworked, he'll be effective again.

As for Odom, we've never really seen what he is capable of. He needs to be healthy and maybe he'll surprise us.

 

Yeah it used to be that Laboy was like the 3rd down rusher but now that he has gained weight his role might be changed.