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Subject: Blame Game, NY Giants, NFL Draft, Loose Ends
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Author:
TANK
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Date Posted: 16:57:02 01/03/03 Fri
BLAME GAME: I agree with those who would argue that Garcia isn't THE problem, just like I agree with those who have concluded that Mariucci isn't THE problem. It is far more complex than that. This is not to say that both men haven't made some mistakes. Garcia has made some bad decisions this year. He has slipped off, not in one game, but ALL season except for a game or two. He is the first to admit as much. And, Mooch's clock management and play calling was flawed at times (every coach, even Bill Walsh, can be second guessed). The problem with focusing on these two men is that it ignores two or three BIGGER issues:
1. nickel defense (#5CB AND pass rush);
2. special teams (kickoffs, punts, covereage, and missed FG's);
3. insufficient offensive personnel (#2WR, #2TE, OL).
These three issues were far greater impediments to the team's success and affected Garcia's play and the coaches decision making. I always like to point out Mariucci's success when he first inherited far better offensive talent. I think it is fair to point out Garcia's success when he had Rice opposite Owens, Ray Brown and Dave Fiore. Greg's post showed the decline in Garcia's numbers after Rice left. This year every defense he faced knew the key to winning was shutting down Owens. Garcia AND Mariucci will perform much better with a dynamic, impact stud opposite Owens. Teams won't be as likely to blitz...Garcia will feel safer...the offense will open up. Everybody will be happy!
With a first rate kicker, we beat San Diego and Oakland in regulation.
With a first rate nickel defense, we beat New Orleans, route Washington, Kansas City, Seattle, Arizona and St. Louis.
With an offensive line that can control the line of scrimmage, we battle Denver, Philadelphia and beat the Packers with first and goal at the end of the game.
NY GIANTS: They are a far better team than we we met in the first week of the season. Shockey has emerged. Collins is confident. Barber is healthier. The key to this game will be the line of scrimmage (isn't it always?). Many of the 49ers' offensive linemen got much of the Rams game off. I hope they utilize that break to recharge their batteries and mend. Ron Stone and Scott Gragg have to be at their best. Deese has to be sharp. Heitmann? Just don't make any mistakes, and ewberry has to keep a level head...no Kyle Turley outbusrts.
On defense, Stubblefield and Young have to take away the middle. Okeafor has to wrap up. Carter has to be huge. Oh yeah...Derek Smith needs to be consistant. I wish Parrish had full use of his arm. Rumph will be all right against Ron Dixon.
NFL DRAFT: I like Cory Redding and Michel Haynes as FIRST ROUND investment to shore up the LDE and add an impact. I agree with an earlier post that Donahue should sign a veteran CB, but if he opts for more speed in the defensive backfield, I like CB Terrance Newman or Marcus Trufant. Andre Woolfolks is talented but inexperienced. He won't help much next year. If Donahue finally chooses to invest in the offense, I like OT Kwame Harris and WR Rashaun Woods. I would be most inclined to go the LDE route with the 26th pick.
In the second round, I would almost certainly draft Kelly Washington (if medically cleared) or Central Florida's Doug Gabriel. Washington sounds like Terrell reincarnated: 6'4, 225 pounds, ran a 4.38, while doing 28 reps of 225 pounds...and he "runs his mouth way too much...he points the finger so much," according to Pro Football Weekly, 12/05/02. So why does Kelly fall to the second round? Buschbaum and Pasquarelli say Washington lacks great speed (despite the reported 4.38), has just average change of direction, is a 24 year old, former minor league pitcher who has only played two injury shortened college football seasons and has missed games with (1) a partial tear to the lateral collateral ligament in his right knee, (2) a concussion/whiplash that required spinal fusion surgery, (3) a sore heel, and (4) concerns about narrowing of his spinal canal (see Junior Bryant). Does that adequately explain the risk? Gabriel (6'2, 205, 4.5), on the other hand, is a small school, JUCO transfer who is described as "a game-impacting receiver...big, strong yet fast and a deep threat that stretches the defense...able to make the difficult catch in a crowd...who needs to improve his route running skills and overall focus," by TFY. OT's Tony Pashos and Brett Williams may also slip down well into the second round. On defense, I like the potential of Auburn's DT DeMarco McNeil (6'1, 305) who may be short but explosive. He stuffs the run and rushes the passer (TFY alternately compares him to Casey Hampton, Gerrad Warren and Anthony McFarland), but he drops due to the fact he hasn't played to the level of his redshirt freshman year because of a leg injury in 2001.
I would: sign a veteran CB, draft LDE Haynes/Redding (R1) and WR Washington/Gabriel (R2), look for line help with (R3), draft UCLA's tight end (R4), and fish with all the other picks. Any leftover FA money/salary cap space should shore up the lines and/or special teams.
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