DeepPost
11-28-2009, 02:08 PM
A quick review of the offseason in Birmingham:
Subtractions:
RT Wayne Jones 43/43 (Starter)
Spending over $3.5m on a guy who gave up 17 sacks last year was not going to happen. He signed with Oakland and dropped 10 points to 33/33 after TC.
FS Anthony Prior 27/27
Only active for 3 games last season.
WILB Thomas Benson 26/26
Started 1 game last season.
QB Raymond Mitchell 18/34
This 6th rd pick never saw the field last season.
G Tom Roth 18/26
QB Vernon McCann 6/33
Draft day gamble in the 5th rd. Crashed after TC.
CB Austin Coffee 23/23
Avergade 9.3 yards as the primary punt returner last year
Additions:
2.1 RT Marcus Spears 28/60; 33/57
We had Spears rated as a mid 1st rounder and we traded up to get him after he fell into the 2nd round. He should start as a rookie and we beleieve he is an upgrade over Wayne Jones.
3.6 TE Bradford Banta 35/54; 39/51
We wanted a 3rd TE and there was good value at this position in the draft. Banta is battling with Kerry Cash for the 2nd TE spot. He shows promise as a blocker and downfield receiver plus he is a strong special teamer.
5.25 QB Vernon McCann 5/46; 6/33
Our scout had him VU, but he has already been cut.
6.1 G Gaven Pollard 14/51; 16/45
May stick as a developmental guard.
FA RB/PR Dave Meggett 31/31
Meggett upgrades our PR game with a career 10.7 average and 3 TD's. He is quickly becoming the leader of our backfield.
FS Devon Mitchell 40/40
He is in the mix at FS
OLB Aaron Wallace 37/37
This pass rushing OLB will provide depth behind Ken Harvey and Gerald Dixon.
DE Robert Harris 30/39
Depth upgrade.
P Punter Paul McJulien 70/70
With our style of offense, hidden yardage in the kicking game is extremely important and McJulien is a big upgrade over Chris Gardocki.
QB Steve Pelleur 38/45
He is a mentor and has some interesting bars, with a lot of green left. Currently locked in a battle with Preston Diaz and Rich Gannon behind Joe Montana.
Overall, we weren't looking for much this offseason (we had 52 players under contract from last year's champoinship team before the draft.) Even though a few key players are getting a little long in the tooth, this is still the 2nd youngest team in the league.
Subtractions:
RT Wayne Jones 43/43 (Starter)
Spending over $3.5m on a guy who gave up 17 sacks last year was not going to happen. He signed with Oakland and dropped 10 points to 33/33 after TC.
FS Anthony Prior 27/27
Only active for 3 games last season.
WILB Thomas Benson 26/26
Started 1 game last season.
QB Raymond Mitchell 18/34
This 6th rd pick never saw the field last season.
G Tom Roth 18/26
QB Vernon McCann 6/33
Draft day gamble in the 5th rd. Crashed after TC.
CB Austin Coffee 23/23
Avergade 9.3 yards as the primary punt returner last year
Additions:
2.1 RT Marcus Spears 28/60; 33/57
We had Spears rated as a mid 1st rounder and we traded up to get him after he fell into the 2nd round. He should start as a rookie and we beleieve he is an upgrade over Wayne Jones.
3.6 TE Bradford Banta 35/54; 39/51
We wanted a 3rd TE and there was good value at this position in the draft. Banta is battling with Kerry Cash for the 2nd TE spot. He shows promise as a blocker and downfield receiver plus he is a strong special teamer.
5.25 QB Vernon McCann 5/46; 6/33
Our scout had him VU, but he has already been cut.
6.1 G Gaven Pollard 14/51; 16/45
May stick as a developmental guard.
FA RB/PR Dave Meggett 31/31
Meggett upgrades our PR game with a career 10.7 average and 3 TD's. He is quickly becoming the leader of our backfield.
FS Devon Mitchell 40/40
He is in the mix at FS
OLB Aaron Wallace 37/37
This pass rushing OLB will provide depth behind Ken Harvey and Gerald Dixon.
DE Robert Harris 30/39
Depth upgrade.
P Punter Paul McJulien 70/70
With our style of offense, hidden yardage in the kicking game is extremely important and McJulien is a big upgrade over Chris Gardocki.
QB Steve Pelleur 38/45
He is a mentor and has some interesting bars, with a lot of green left. Currently locked in a battle with Preston Diaz and Rich Gannon behind Joe Montana.
Overall, we weren't looking for much this offseason (we had 52 players under contract from last year's champoinship team before the draft.) Even though a few key players are getting a little long in the tooth, this is still the 2nd youngest team in the league.