Free Agent Targets: DT Rocky Bernard and DT Jovan Haye

by Brandon on Feb 25, 2009 1:38 AM CST Comment 9 comments

Commentator justinlewis asks a good question to my post yesterday about Dallas' DE Chris Canty:

so far it seems that the mid-level potential front 7 free agents that we could possibly pick up are igor, canty, and weaver. How do you guys rank the 3 and is there potentially anyone else? And how do theses guys compare to chillar and poppinga?

I'd rank those three in that order 1)Igor, 2)Canty, and then 3)Weaver. But they don't compare at all to LB Brandon Chillar or LB Brady Poppinga because the first three are true defensive lineman, all playing at close to 300 lbs., while Chillar and Poppinga are closer to 240 lbs. and true linebackers. They won't be competing against each other.

But the Packers shouldn't necessarily pursue any of them. Since most teams still play a 4-3 defense, most of the players listed around the league at defensive end are undersized. They wouldn't be a good fit at defensive end in the Packers' 3-4 scheme. But a number of undersized defensive tackles could make a good 3-4 defensive end.

This old list from Scouts.com lists two players in the top 30 free agents who might be a good fit for the Packers. Both players have been playing at defensive tacke, but would play at end in Green Bay.

DT Rocky Bernard. He might have regressed last season, but he has shown some pass rush ability with 29 career sacks. I don't know the whole story, but it appears unlikely Seattle will resign him. He's only turning 30 next season and apperently avoided any major injuries in his seven year career. He's around 290 lbs. and should be able to hold up fine as he tries to occupy two blockers.

DT Jovan Haye. He was very good in 2007 with 6 sacks, but struggled with injuries in 2008. With a change in defensive scheme and coaches in Tampa, he might not be in their plans. But he's even younger (he'll be 27 next season) and at 284 lbs. has the size to play at end.

My point is that there are a lot of players available who could fill out the defensive line. The Packers don't need to overpay. Maybe the best thing would be to wait a couple weeks for the market to cool off then target a quality middle class free agent, like they did last season with Chillar, and sign him to a reasonable contract.

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thanks

yeh thanks for your opinions. I was pretty sure the two were better than weaver, but didn’t know how they matched up against each other. Dallas’ front seven has been a lot more consistent over the past few years than San Diego’s so I thought Canty might have been the better option. All had ever heard about Igor the past few years was guaranteeing a win against the undefeated Patriots two seasons ago the day his wife gave birth. Also, I’m almost positive the Seahawk’s aren’t resigning Bernard. We definitely need an upgrade at the DE across from Cullen Jenkins over Montgomery.

by justinlewis on Feb 25, 2009 2:26 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

also...

I just saw Derek Brooks and Donnie Edwards were released. Any sense in going after these guys in hope of improving our linebacking core or are they washed up???

by justinlewis on Feb 25, 2009 2:36 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Don't fit the scheme

I believe Edwards has played inside LB during his career, he did in San Diego but he might have been weak side in Kansas City. Brooks played weak side in a cover 2 scheme. Basically they do the same things as Barnett and Hawk, and Chillar who should return as the primary backup. I can’t imagine them demoting Barnett or Hawk for Brooks or Edwards.

by Brandon on Feb 26, 2009 1:37 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

and what about Grady Jackson from the Falcons. He’s a free agent and 345 lbs.

by justinlewis on Feb 25, 2009 4:15 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

I thought about him

Even if GM Ted Thompson was interested, I don’t expect Jackson would be interested. With Pickett and Jolly already on the roster, I think Jackson would see too much competition. I expect he’ll want to be paid like a starter, and not a backup.

by Brandon on Feb 26, 2009 1:39 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

i could be mistaken but i thought that i saw somewhere that jolly is going to be rotated in at the DE positions. i dont think it makes much sense to go after a DT unless its a top notch guy like haynesworth or rogers, or raji in the draft. pickett is a good 330 lbs. and is capable of getting good penetration. when watching the games last year it seemed that he was be doubled alot of the time too and really never got pushed backwards. i think people are sleeping on pickett a little bit

by packallday555 on Feb 26, 2009 12:34 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

jolly

MM said as of right now Jolly would be the other starting DE.

by bizzle4 on Feb 26, 2009 6:11 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

He's listed at 320 lbs.

Which would be huge for a defensive end. Plus there is no one to rotate at nose tackle behind Ryan Pickett if Jolly moves to end. Obviously that can change in free agency and in the draft. But I expect Jolly to stay inside and they’ll find other candidates for defensive end.

by Brandon on Feb 26, 2009 11:45 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

well as of now jolly is slotted to be LDE and their gonna rotate cole in at nose. Which is probably why MM finds it so important to sign him. but i hope we get an end in FA b/c i dont know how good jolly would be at that position

by packallday555 on Feb 27, 2009 11:16 AM CST reply actions 0 recs