Originally Posted by VeveJones007 (Post 112072)

Ballard won’t take those snaps away from Turay, Lewis, and whatever EDGE they draft early.

Originally Posted by Coltsalr (Post 112077)

Did Turay or Lewis really show you that much to justify passing on edge rushers in free agency?

Or is this just a Justin Houston thing and not necessarily all Edge free agents? (Honest question)

Also to what Dewey5 said, bringing in an Edge defender from your former team REEKS of something that Grigson would do. In fact, it IS something that Grigson did do when he brought in Trent Cole’s rotting corpse.

That said, Justin Houston is not out of gas like Cole was when he arrived here (he was more effective in 2018 in KC than Cole was in Philly in 2014). That said, Houston COULD absolutely fall flat on his face at any given time and given the scheme difference, I’m not going to kill Ballard if he doesn’t sign him. I will trust that he knows Houston better than I do and knows his fit here better than I would and roll with whatever he decides.

Originally Posted by rm1369 (Post 112101)

I hate that kind of thinking. I don’t think you look past any possible solutions based on “potential”. Especially when pass rush is such a big need. Remember it was just a year ago that Basham was expected to have that 2nd year leap and be part of the solution. Now he’s a Jet. There may be legit reasons not to sign Houston, but making sure Turay gets more snaps shouldn’t be one of them.

Originally Posted by VeveJones007 (Post 112104)

I literally started my statement with “Ballard won’t.”

It doesn’t matter what I think. It’s what Ballard thinks that matters. And just like when he cut Simon last year, he won’t go get an aging vet who might hurt the development of the guys who he is drafting.

Originally Posted by Coltsalr (Post 112128)

Fair, I missed that part.

Still though, perhaps after a season of seeing that Turay/Lewis weren't quite game-wreckers yet he might be more inclined to bring in a more sure thing?

Originally Posted by VeveJones007 (Post 112129)

I think he'll be interested in younger pass rushers like the Smiths or Barrett, but he won't go crazy on price. He wants 8 guys on the line that he can trust, so that's where the crowding comes in:

Sheard
Autry
Lewis
Turay
Hunt
#26
#34

That's 7 and that doesn't even include anyone to line up at nose (Stewart, +1 vet I would imagine) or guys like Ward. I'm just trying to set your expectations. Ballard isn't going to go crazy trying to add an EDGE like Flowers or Houston. He'll look for a good value and seek to hit in the draft.

Originally Posted by Coltsalr (Post 112130)

I'm baffled/bemused as to why the Colts aren't getting mentioned on Flowers but at this point I do accept that it's not going to happen (I figure the Colts would've been mentioned by now in the rumblings). I am still holding out hope for Landon Collins though.

I will say though that with guys like Hankins/Simon getting cut that Ballard obviously isn't afraid to make vet cuts on guys that obviously still have more to contribute. Though both of those were scheme fits, I wouldn't be surprised if Sheard is a "surprise" cut this year and some of the clutter/crowding is gotten rid of that way.

Originally Posted by Chromeburn (Post 112139)

Because the NE disciples will want him more and drive up the price. Also, Flowers, while a good and versatile all-around end, is not a pass rusher extraordinaire. We have some ends that can play the run for us, we need someone more reliable as a pass rusher.

I think we go after Collins and Smith. Then we slow down and look for bargains and cuts.

Originally Posted by Chromeburn (Post 112139)

Because the NE disciples will want him more and drive up the price. Also, Flowers, while a good and versatile all-around end, is not a pass rusher extraordinaire. We have some ends that can play the run for us, we need someone more reliable as a pass rusher.

I think we go after Collins and Smith. Then we slow down and look for bargains and cuts.