Dawgbeat 07/14/2007: Random Thoughts
R A N D O M T H O U G H T S
by Eric Brown
07/14/2007
Without a 2008 first round pick, Phil Savage may be banking on some lower round draft choices and free agents to step up their play and prove they can be solid, legitimate NFL players. This may give Savage some breathing room in moving some veterans who are solid, but not spectacular players for draft picks in the middle rounds. At the top of the list may be Andra Davis. Davis is a solid linebacker, but seems to make tackles three to five yards past the line of scrimmage. Leon Williams showed alot of promise in spot duty in 2006 and is more aggressive than Davis, and a physically impressive specimen. His play in 2006 reminded me of Ray Lewis. If he can step up in training camp, Davis may become expendable if a team would offer a third round pick or higher. Kelly Butler is another player who may be able to step up and become a solid right tackle. With he and Ryan Tucker manning the right tackle position, the team would be free to move Kevin Shaffer for the right price. Nat Dorsey is another mammoth tackle that would fit into Butler's category, but I don't see as much potential in Dorsey. Butler, along with Isaac Sowells may be just what the doctor ordered on the right side of the line for the future. Both are considered strong drive blockers that excel in the running game. Savage may be able to gain a few extra picks in the third of fourth round for Davis and Shaffer, or if a team is desperate because of injury even higher. If I were Savage I would make some phone calls but would only do something if I was getting above the market value, as we have seen in the past depth is valuable. Some other players that may have some value in the 2008 off-season are Gary Baxter and Hank Fraley. If Baxter can prove he is healthy and have a strong 2007 season he could be expendable in 2008 as I see Eric Wright, Leigh Bodden, Daven Holly, DeMario Minter , Brandon McDonald, and Jereme Perry becoming a solid if not spectacular defensive back unit. The unlikely, but now possible return of LeCharles Bentley makes Fraley expendable if Bentley returns to his old pro bowl form. Both of these situations are highly improbable, but we didn't expect what we got from Kellen Winslow and Braylon Edwards in 2006 either. Chaun Thompson is the last individual that may be wearing new colors soon. Thompson just doesn't seem to fit in to the 3-4 defense and never proved that he was worthy of second round pick status. Thompson may have some value to a team that employs a 4-3 defense, but I wouldn't expect anything more than a sixth round pick for him, especially with his contract expiring after this season.
The Cavs sure are moving slowly to better themselves during the off-season. I hope Danny Ferry knows what he is doing. Mike Bibby would be a nice addition but Kevin Garnett would be better. It was clear in the finals that Lebron James needed another guy that was capable of taking over a game when he was being over-defensed. Which brings me to another point, It's a long, grueling season LeBron, do you really need to go play for another all-star team. Take some time off and rest and get ready for another run at the championship.
So the Indians gave Travis Hafner a four year extension worth 60 million dollars. While I'm happy that Larry Dolan decided to give some money to one of our own, I'm a little puzzled by the decision on where he spent the money. Mark Shapiro focused building the team around pitching and the most important player in Shapiro's plan remains unsigned past 2008. C.C. Sabathia is still a young pitcher, yet it seems as though he's been around, winning games for awhile. The experience he has gained at a young age is invaluable and he will only become better. I hope the Tribe decides to shell it out for Sabathia too. Two names: Bobby Jenks and Brad Lidge. Please Shapiro, don't rely on Joe Borowski to close baseball games in October or we'll never see October baseball.