First, Frostee Rucker wasn't released because he couldn't play DE in a 3-4. He needed to be about ten pounds heavier to be ideal, but had all the other tools.
I believe Horton and co. simply felt that they had other guys who fit better, and just didn't want to pay him that 2.25 million.
I'd like to thank a certain analyst for alerting me to Jarvis Jones, but I can't find him. Thanks to this article, I scoured the internet on information on this freak, and watched some tape of him. WOW.
Yes, he's relentless, but I was shocked by his speed. Running down backs and recievers from behind, exploding out of ninety degree turns, blitzing inside and outside. This dude is just awesome.
But he's the one with spinal stenosis. I wasn't able to get specs on his condition, but did research spinal stenosis in general. As most of us know, it's a congenital narrowing of the spinal canal which contains the nerve-bundle. There are two types. One is in the lumbar region, and the other at or near the neck area.
Per a couple interviews of surgeons, it does NOT make a player more susceptable to paralysis. Instead, it makes "stinger" symptoms worse.
Instead of numbness in one arm, for example, a guy with spinal stenosis can get it in both arms. Probably (this is me guessing), it also takes longer to heal, and happens more often to players with this condition.
There are clinics which actually specialize in the treatment of spinal stenosis, but I couldn't find out exactly what they did. I'm guessing that they treat the symptoms of more severe cases.
The Browns will have to consider him at #6, because he's a perfect 3-4 OLB. I'm sure the medical staff is all over him.
Joe Flacco is backing up his Brinks truck as I write this, and Ozzie Newsome will have to pay the man. It's possible that Paul Kruger will fall off that tree.
Kruger is a 2009 second round pick converted from defensive end to OLB. He was a raw, unpolished player at that time who projected to be either a 4-3 DE or 3-4 OLB.
In reality, he's spent more time with his hand on the ground for the Ravens in their hybrid defense. He has a sweet combination of speed and size (over 260). He's become a very good 3-4 OLB with some upside remaining, and he's 27.
This is why I was rooting for the Ravens.
Mike Wallace may be the fastest reciever in the NFL, and is one veteran who would be welcome. He is still young, and a perfect fit for Turner's offense.
Unless he's changed his tune, however, he'll want to be the highest paid reciever in the NFL. Considering the bidding war, he might get that. We'll have to see how high Banner wants to bid, if Wallace would come here.
Keenan Lewis is a massively underrated Steeler's cornerback who could also shake loose in free agency. He would instantly elevate this secondary, starting opposite Joe Haden, and he could possibly even come at a reasonable price.
The Steeler's secondary ranked first last season, and Lewis was the most targetted cornerback. In fact, he was one of the most targetted corners in the league. That's why all the passes defensed. He's great against the run, and played the same coverage schemes the Browns will run here.
It would be great if he got more interceptions, but hey--last year was his first as a full-time starter. Put him on the jugs machine!
Oh yeah--the top two division rivals will have trouble re-signing some of their best players. I feel their pain, and am enjoying it immensely. I'm sure Joe Banner feels the same.
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