http://www.profootballfocus.com/blo...rs-of-pass-rushing-productivity-edge-rushers/ Wake finished #9 The FA's #2 Charles Johnson #3 Ray Edwards #6 Antwan Barnes #8 Manny Lawson #11 Jason Babin #14 Cliff Avril #16 Raheem Brock #20 Matt Roth Interesting thing is Roth has been on of the best pass rushers for the last 3 seasons. (When I write "are FA's" that means in one form or another and assuming the pre 2010 rules are implemented, 4 yrs to FA etc
Antwan Barnes is the guy I would set my sights on if I were them. I'd be more worried about what Koa Misi gives us on 3rd down in pass rush than what he gives us on 1st/2nd down in run stopping and pass coverage. Even though they were completely new to him, those skills advanced quickly in 2010 to where he was much better at the end of the year than the beginning. Pass rush is something that could take years for Koa to polish to where he can beat NFL left tackles on a consistent basis. He'd be better off going against right tackles but Cam Wake is a left side pass rusher, and likely always will be. Antwan Barnes is a right side pass rusher and he has the quickness and explosion to beat NFL left tackles around the edge, be a pain in the neck for offensive lines. You have to figure that offenses are going to send extra help at Cam Wake when they get into passing situations, and leaving Koa Misi isolated on left tackles. I think Koa can make them pay for that part of the time, but Barnes can make them pay for that way more.
Kind of wonder what he'd look like in space as an OLB in the 3-4. The Chargers grabbed him from Philadelphia but didn't really give him a lot of opportunities that way, mostly just a down pass rusher. That opportunity turned out to be a great thing for Cam Wake and I think they're similar players.
Which is absolutely what they should be looking for in FA, a quality passrusher who can can produce on ST as well, ala Cam Wake in 09. The other thing they should consider is the Defense is a Cam Wake ankle tweak away from Misi playing the Will and Ike Francise playing the Sam, improved depth is crucial, then again this regime can be particularly poor at being foresighted.
And if I recall, Antwan Barnes is no stranger to special teams. Yeah that's the ONE thing that would make me keep thinking about Manny Lawson.
I'am gonna let free agency play out before I make that assessment..year 4 was always the plan for me, and imo, the way this team has been built, it sets up beautifully for me to walk away with a nice combination of offense/defense signings in free agency..If they do walk away with a Bradshaw/Barnes your gonna have to come up with some different adjectives.
Well not holding my breath for Barnes Deej, he will want Starter money, now there will be a nice class of washouts to pick through, D Harvey, T Crowder, Maybin, J Moss (who has the size they like) etc, knowing Irish he will look at washouts from the 07 draft class to be that ST/Passrusher.
