Before we discard Kelly and Smith, consider…

[Kray007]

The state of the roster.

Resigning Fries is a priority, but it’s no slam dunk. If he walks and we cut ties with Smith and Kelly, we are staring into an abyss if injury strikes. Depth would consist of Glowinski, Freeland, Pinter, Tucker, French, and Coll. Pinter, French, Coll, and Glowinski are all free agents, but…

Even if they weren’t, there isn’t a single player among the backups that I’d trust to play OL in a Saturday afternoon flag football league.

Two years ago, Ballard was virtually crucified because he left the cupboard bare of quality backups on the line. He can’t make the same mistake again. It’s that simple.

Do we really want to go into free agency needing to spend half of our cap space on the line? Do we want to spend 2nd and 3rd round draft picks filling holes we ourselves dug?

When morning breaks on free agency, do we want to face a choice between signing a cover Corner or a Right Tackle, a Linebacker who can cover or a guy who can snap the ball?

On Monday morning, after the draft, do we really want to listen while bozos like Kevin Bowen take to the airwaves complaining about how Ballard passed on an “impact” player in order to take a Guard?

Don’t get me wrong. I recognize that Kelly and Smith are nearing the end. I just think that it makes sense to wring out whatever is left of their ability for another year while we address other needs.