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There was mixed reaction today in Fargo, when the announcement came that the Spirit have traded away their first pick in the draft.
Fans were dreaming of a WR named Halbert, and have been disappointed in Dakota's ability to acquire Ostrowski or Bailey in the Free agent market. But with the retirement of Rabideau at weak side linebacker, the defensive minded GM for the Spirit pulled the trigger on a deal acquiring Basil Neace from the Texas Hellraisers.
"Basil is exactly what we wanted to help our linebacking corps. He should help McCourt tremendously against the run, and has great pass rushing technique. He's an every down type of player. We just didn't see anything that would compare to him at the #6 spot, although we looked very hard at Chelius and Barber."
Neace has led the Hellraisers in tackles and sacks, and has been a fan favorite in his homestate of Texas. The downside is that Neace is starting his 7th season in the league, and some wonder just how long he will stay around. Neace is only signed through the end of the year, and if the Spirit don't want to lose their investment, will have to pony up some dough to re-sign him.
But the Spirit couldn't wait for a rookie to devleop. The problem was that the Spirit have been decimated at linebacker with the retirement of Rabideau and Soler being lost to free agency. "In hind sight we might have franchised Soler, we just weren't expecting his value to skyrocket. It certainly was the first in many more mistakes we may make down the road, but hopefully we learned our lesson."
Dakota continues to pursue Olin Kao in the free agent market, but may move the developing Tommy Smith from the weak side.
Dakota continues to believe that there will be plenty of good WR's left at the start of the second round. At least they better hope so.
Texas also received Dakota's sixth round pick (6.6) but has a pick later in the round as well. Dakota has already traded away their fourth round pick for the Fullback from Houston, but was surprised to realize that it has two third round picks.
Fans were dreaming of a WR named Halbert, and have been disappointed in Dakota's ability to acquire Ostrowski or Bailey in the Free agent market. But with the retirement of Rabideau at weak side linebacker, the defensive minded GM for the Spirit pulled the trigger on a deal acquiring Basil Neace from the Texas Hellraisers.
"Basil is exactly what we wanted to help our linebacking corps. He should help McCourt tremendously against the run, and has great pass rushing technique. He's an every down type of player. We just didn't see anything that would compare to him at the #6 spot, although we looked very hard at Chelius and Barber."
Neace has led the Hellraisers in tackles and sacks, and has been a fan favorite in his homestate of Texas. The downside is that Neace is starting his 7th season in the league, and some wonder just how long he will stay around. Neace is only signed through the end of the year, and if the Spirit don't want to lose their investment, will have to pony up some dough to re-sign him.
But the Spirit couldn't wait for a rookie to devleop. The problem was that the Spirit have been decimated at linebacker with the retirement of Rabideau and Soler being lost to free agency. "In hind sight we might have franchised Soler, we just weren't expecting his value to skyrocket. It certainly was the first in many more mistakes we may make down the road, but hopefully we learned our lesson."
Dakota continues to pursue Olin Kao in the free agent market, but may move the developing Tommy Smith from the weak side.
Dakota continues to believe that there will be plenty of good WR's left at the start of the second round. At least they better hope so.
Texas also received Dakota's sixth round pick (6.6) but has a pick later in the round as well. Dakota has already traded away their fourth round pick for the Fullback from Houston, but was surprised to realize that it has two third round picks.