I wouldn’t be all that disappointed if Igor didn’t come back.

Cromartie – too inconsistent
Merriman – too expensive (wouldn’t be enough money left to be strong at each position)
Chambers – kindof old, kindof inconsistent
Gates & Jackson – seems like Naanee could replace either of these without a catastrophic result

I personally like Igor. Not a game-changer, but he’s been more consistent than Castillo and has gotten better each year.

I picked McNeill but I think both him and Gates should be very high priorities. There are TONS of teams that would kill for a young left tackle like McNeil and a TE of Gates’ build. We can’t just let them walk away. Merriman seems to be gone anyway so I wouldn’t try too hard to keep him, which is a real shame.

A “heart and soul of the defense” guy like Merriman doesn’t come along every day, but his necessity will be better evaluated at the end of this year. McNeil was a close second.

I, too, like Igor, and I think he’s underrated.

Antonio Gates second. Everyone else on the list could be replaced.
The disappointment here, to me , is Cromartie. Like Broncoman said, He has got to get his mind in the game and not comcentrate on breaking the single season interception record.

was my pick. I don’t think he is inconsistent at all. Aside from maybe a game or two he has been an absolute menace. He is by far, the most talented DB I’ve ever seen play. He is only in his 2nd year so his upside is still mind blowing.

You guys rag on the fact that he is trying to intercept the ball to much, (if there even is such a thing) rather than play softer and keep the defender in front of him. He does have a tendency to over commit, however once he learns when and where to take that chance, his side of the field will be closed for business. More than any other DB in the NFL, Cromartie has the ability to intercept and return for 6.

You guys have short memories, or a strong “what have you done for me lately” mentality.

but I’ll wait until the post goes up.

when healthy, he’s the best tight end in the league. a super underrated position, but in our offense, a vastly important one.

i think our team runs best when we’re running a quick pass, 10 yd completion offense. it opens up the run game by occupying the LBs and allows for the random deep ball when their corners press.

Gates is vital to this gameplan, and our offenses inconsistency coinciding with his injury i dont think is a coincidence.

The cost of replacing a Pro Bowl left tackle is so high. Most good left tackles have to be top of the first round picks since their freakish physique and athleticism is so easy to spot. We only got McNeill because we gambled in the second round that he had recovered from his college injuries. Pass rushing OLBs, pro bowl corners, run stuffing DEs, kicking returning 3rd down backs, and above average QBs are more likely to be found elsewhere in the draft. Although, I wouldn’t let Rivers walk without being sure of who his replacement would be and as of right now, there is no adequate replacement on our roster.