NYCoug":2uch0ilp said:
Sometimes, in the right system and if he's talented enough, you don't have to wait for excellent production from a rookie. We saw that with Bobby Wagner and Russell Wilson, especially Wagner, this season. This is a very talented defense, and if someone like Richardson fell or if the Hawks traded up for him, he might be able to have a Wagner like season from the DT spot. Sure, there'll be rookie mistakes along the way, but the rest of the talent on D should be able to hide them.
I kind of agree with you, but I do think D-Line is different than the LB, or even DB position. Very few lineman can come right into the league and excel, because so much of line play is predicated on leverage, technique and mastery of schemes.
LB's and DB's also need good technique, but they can get away with more because they have the space to use their athleticism and speed. Not so on the line, you HAVE TO be sound with technique and scheme............Irvin is a perfect example of that. All the athletic talent and speed in the world, but struggled 75% of the time because of his poor technique and understanding of scheme.
Anyway, I'm not saying don't draft lineman. Just saying I'd be more excited with us going out and getting one of the top lineman free agents than drafting a lineman because I know it'll probably be a few years before they're starting (if at all on this team).