-Truth-

Official Trade: Seattle - 2nd (64) & 5th (158) round selections New York Jets - 2nd (49) round selection

Fair enough. I'm glad that we agree on that sentiment. I disagree with the notion of Peko has ever played at a high level. I have personally yet to see over the several years that I've observed their Defensive Line. Based on his longevity despite what have been arguably average to below average performances, he has been the A.J. Hawk of Defensive Tackles. If it's a matter of starting experience, then I understand. But then there's the matter of future upside, which clearly swings in McLendon's favor. How was it odd? If we're leaning purely on team stats, then they faced the Cincinnati and Baltimore rushing attacks that we're in the Bottom 5 in YPC, with 3.6 and 3.1, respectively. And the opposing RBs only had 17 and 21 carries. Woods was the only player of the two to replace McLendon. The fact that you're willing to state that Hood strongly suggests that you didn't watch a down of their front seven extensively, as Hood was always at the DE position. Your entire assessment of McLendon is based on the performance of his team. Yet you speak and imply with enough confidence about him as if you've adequately observed him this season. Quite honestly, all it seems like is an attempt to defend the move rather than judge the scenario objectively. I strongly stand by my comment that it is a lazy individual evaluation method. And with regards to Peko, he's switched from a team where he was the fourth best Lineman and played at a marginal, uninspired level, to where he's now expected to be a difference maker, and the first or second option on the defensive front. Not to mention that he'll be asked to do even more physically. I obviously have my questions. If you're still confident in the move, then we can leave it at that, as I doubt anything I have to say will change your mind.

Considering that the first several points go hand-in-hand with my argument, I obviously agree. However, I remain where I stand in that it's silly to automatically appropriate blame to every member of a single unit based on the overall performance of that unit. In doing so, it utterly ignores the fact that a player can be a consistent, positive contributor despite the downfall of his peers. McLendon carved out a starting spot after 2012 because of his abilities against the run, a trend he continued in 2013. It's hypocritical to imply that in 25 snaps per contest, he had lapses against the run in equal measure to the ones Gradkowski had in his campaign, after we both mutually agreed to McLendon being solid this season. And the uncertain assessment very much seems like a presumption based almost exclusively on how their defense fared as a whole, which is a lazy method of individual evaluation.

That's certainly an opinion that you're entitled to have. We obviously differ on where we stand, as I would choose McLendon without so much as a second thought. I can't comment on who is grittier between the two. Being a Captain is underrated, in my mind. A high character locker room presence is an asset of its own. However, the second part I strongly disagree with. It implies that a single player isn't able to maintain a solid performance throughout the season despite woes of his teammates, which is erroneous. For example, most would concede to the fact that Eugene Monroe played at a very high level in 2013. That aside, our Offensive Line was porous and our offense was inconsistent. With that in mind, using that same argument, the same tag that applies to other under-performing members of that unit should probably apply to Monroe, which would be illogical. You state that McLendon performance likely played a role because of solely the YAC the entire defense allowed. What individual shred of evidence is this based upon? This point is almost entirely unsubstantiated. The following is a highly exaggerated example, but the sentiment still applies. Josh Gordon was the league's leading WR in receiving yardage. Yet their offense averaged the 4th worst yards per pass. By that same logic, Gordon then likely had something to do with the struggles of their passing game. This notion completely ignores the fact that each team is capable of having players who either significantly outperforming or fare notably worse than their teammates. Instead, it unfairly appropriates blame upon the entire unit without considering the circumstances. And while the the attributes you mentioned are typically a plus, neither grittiness nor aggressive have much to do with having the physical ability to take on and occupy multiple blockers, especially when the player has shown noticeable difficulties with handling a singled up interior Lineman.

Your statement doesn't explain how that falls on McLendon. I watched the Steelers front seven closely this season given my past drafting of Jarvis Jones, as I have a tendency of avidly following my draftees and FA acquisitions. I personally didn't see any issue with McLendon. I understand that PFF is not the be-all and end-all, but if one concrete statistic can be applied, it is that he played a mere 355 snaps, as is the case with most NTs nowadays. Therefore, the general issues with the DL are far more likely to be placed on the underwhelming performance of Hood and the decline of the aging Keisel. And if you agree that McLendon was solid, then that doesn't constitute as an up and down campaign. That aside, one of my many man crushes in the NFL lays with Carlos Dunlap. Ed_Reed20 can attest to that. Although I have rarely watched Peko exclusively, I've watched Dunlap very extensively over the past few years, and thus have seen quite a bit of Cincinnati's DL. I personally felt that the play of their LB corps was largely responsible for keeping the interior DL afloat after the loss of their world-beater in Geno Atkins. That's only my opinion. To be honest, I still am uncertain of what Peko's specialty is, as he has very seldom stood out when watching the unit as a whole. Assuming that he's played at this level prior to Dunlap's arrival, the most impressive feat of Peko's career thus far has been his over-inflated Madden rating. And that was in star studded front four with a one gap system. He'll now go to a two-gap scheme that will depend on him to be a difference maker up front given the players around him, so his situation is significantly more challenging. In either case, I doubt that this debate will change your opinion of Peko. However, my main reason for commenting was to give credit to McLendon, who I felt was given a disservice in the prior assessment.

I disagree. McClendon had a solid season, similarly to his 2012 campaign. There were little downs in his performance, certainly not enough to classify it as an up and down campaign. He's more than held his own against the run. Peko, on the other hand, has struggled throughout the last several years, and that was before the porous 2013 campaign. And that was in a one gap scheme. It's arguably a downgrade.

I'm looking to move up a little in the 2nd round. Nothing too drastic. If anyone is interested in moving back, I can offer the 2nd and a later pick. Also, I'm still shopping around OG James Carpenter, who was a solid pass blocker in 2013 and a former 1st round pick. PM me if interested in any of the aforementioned deals.

Oh, I got you. I misunderstood it then. I thought you meant that the scheme wasn't suited to his strengths. My mistake.

Thank you. I appreciate that. I understand. Adding to the RB corps was more important, and you have young, talented pieces at WR. Oh, it's not terrible at all. His best grades were from 10+ yards and up.

Tate's success came in significant part due to the amount of constraint plays that Seattle runs, such as bubble screen. Their system helps utilize Tate's past playing history as an RB, and masks any deficiencies as a true WR. It was a perfect match.

Can you please send it to Mt. Crushmore? He's the official Final Five bid handler.

So do I. Ah, I see. And that's definitely fair. That's a solid, solid rotation. You'll be wearing down your opponents, especially if that OL can be retooled.

Likewise. He was an impressive runner in College, and was equally as good in New Orleans. His availability was one of the main reasons I traded away my #2 RB, but then I took a look at the figures and it didn't mesh with the current plan. Very unfortunate. Good pick up.

Yes.

That's a shame. Very rough. I hope that the cap space allows you to address another position to give you flexibility to find a WR in the Draft.

Brown was a steal for 1 Star. So was Rashad Johnson, and so was Khiry Robinson. If I keeping the cap space, I would've made a bid for one of the three.

Just please, for the love of God, don't switch to a zone blocking scheme.

Damn. Sorry to hear that. Who were you targeting?

No, sir. I considered it though. I very much like Hynoski, but I need the cap space. Wow. Ben Tate and Andre Brown. Punishment.

No problem. You have easily one of the most dangerous receiving tandems in the game. Should do wonders for Griffin's bounce back attempt. And it also allows you flexibility in the Draft. Frankly, I'm surprised that the two WRs didn't go for more. I was considering going for Decker, but figured that he would've gotten bid into double digits in the waning minutes. And thank you. Both have been injury prone in their careers, but Nicks has at least been able to stay on the field for the most part, and showed flashes of his 2012 form when not bogged by the groin injury. It's worrisome to have him and Percy Harvin on one roster, but I can always add through the Draft, if needed be. I hope so. A retooled OL and a quality WR aren't enormous improvements, but a wholesale change wasn't necessary.

Exactly right. Two huge bodies, two quick WRs and an all-around RB. Well done.

Seahawks Winners.

Huge upgrade on your 2012 receiving corps.

Pierre Garcon, Eric Decker, Julian Edelman and Jordan Reed with Alfred Morris in the backfield. Scary, scary, scary. Great job there.

Got Hakeem Nicks for 6 Stars. That's pennies on the dollar compared to what I expected to pay. He played through injuries in 2013, and will likely continue to go through his bumps and bruises. But he's still a more than capable starter, and will give Russell Wilson a big target to throw to. Considering that I saved 1.5 Stars when essentially trading Sidney Rice for Nicks, I'm quite pleased with how it turned out.