10 thoughts - Falcons game

[Gandhi]

1 - Brissett is not exactly a world-beater, but I dare to go into next season with him and an upgraded team around him, and then have a rookie behind him. Say he starts half the season and goes 4-4. You can work with that going forward.

By the way, did you guys see Ty Simpson in the college game against Oklahoma? Leading his team back from a major deficit, with the season on the line, against a very good defense, in a hostile environment, and with average (at best) talent around him? Oh yeah, I am down with picking that guy.

By far the most interesting NFL stuff these days is which quarterbacks come out for the draft.

2 - I am so impressed with Will Johnson’s technique. Very advanced for a rookie.

3 - During the week I was listening to (I think it was) Rob Fredrickson praising Jon Gaines against Houston, so I focused a lot on him. He was okay. Nothing special.

4 - Let’s give credit where it’s due: Darius Robinson has consistently played better and better throughout the season, so far culminating with his best game this week.

5 - I have always had the opinion that injuries are not an excuse, but I must admit that it has started to become a thing. It is crazy how many they have. Like the announcer (forgot the name) said: “You can’t really talk about Next Man Up-mentality anymore, because who is the next man?”

6 - There are several reasons why they should draft RB Jeremiah Love with their first pick, if they don’t go quarterback. One of them is Bijan Robinson.

7 - Denzel Burke is the first rookie to have at least three picks since Patrick Peterson. I am proud of him. #DraftCrush

8- I think that Gannon’s dream is to bring in his old friend, Kevin Stefanski, as an OC for next season. Of course, that requires that the Browns fire him, and that no one brings him in as their new head coach. It also requires that Gannon stays, but getting fired is probably not part of his dream. The first seems likely. That middle not so much. The latter, who knows?

9 - I feel bad for Garrett Williams, but truth be told, he has been very underwhelming this season. Even on the play he got injured he had gotten beaten.

10 - I am actually less critical of Ossenfort than many on this board. Except for Darius Robinson and Elijah Jones, he has consistently brought in players that fit what the coaches want to do. Now, you could obviously argue that most of those players are just not good enough, but I would instead argue that this mess is on the coaching staff.

 

[Oklahoma Card]

10 - I am actually less critical of Ossenfort than many on this board. Except for Darius Robinson and Elijah Jones, he has consistently brought in players that fit what the coaches want to do. Now, you could obviously argue that most of those players are just not good enough, but I would instead argue that this mess is on the coaching staff.

This. Ossenfort has put players in place and is also building depth. Can't help that half the roster literally broke this season. I'm excited to see what happens this offseason.

 

[NWMike]

6 - There are several reasons why they should draft RB Jeremiah Love with their first pick, if they don’t go quarterback. One of them is Bijan Robinson.

Given the average shelf life of rb's in this league I don't think it would make sense to do this given the amount of needs this team has right now. You can find a guy in the 4th or 5th round that can be productive with a good scheme. If we aren't high enough to get Moore/Mendoza we have to go oline and get the right side tackle shored up.

 

[Dback Jon]

1) Nothing this season, or in his career would indicate that JB could lead any team to a 500 record
6) After watching Robinson, agree

 

[slanidrac16]

1 - Brissett is not exactly a world-beater, but I dare to go into next season with him and an upgraded team around him, and then have a rookie behind him. Say he starts half the season and goes 4-4. You can work with that going forward.

This is what’s going to happen unless, and it’s not impossible Murray returns.

By the way, did you guys see Ty Simpson in the college game against Oklahoma? Leading his team back from a major deficit, with the season on the line, against a very good defense, in a hostile environment, and with average (at best) talent around him? Oh yeah, I am down with picking that guy.

By far the most interesting NFL stuff these days is which quarterbacks come out for the draft.

2 - I am so impressed with Will Johnson’s technique. Very advanced for a rookie.

There are players on this team, WJ is one of them, that if coach right and the system is right is going to be a star.

3 - During the week I was listening to (I think it was) Rob Fredrickson praising Jon Gaines against Houston, so I focused a lot on him. He was okay. Nothing special.

4 - Let’s give credit where it’s due: Darius Robinson has consistently played better and better throughout the season, so far culminating with his best game this week.

5 - I have always had the opinion that injuries are not an excuse, but I must admit that it has started to become a thing. It is crazy how many they have. Like the announcer (forgot the name) said: “You can’t really talk about Next Man Up-mentality anymore, because who is the next man?”

6 - There are several reasons why they should draft RB Jeremiah Love with their first pick, if they don’t go quarterback. One of them is Bijan Robinson.

When I watched Gibbs he had “ it”. I might be in the minority but I don’t see “ it” in Love.

7 - Denzel Burke is the first rookie to have at least three picks since Patrick Peterson. I am proud of him. #DraftCrush

8- I think that Gannon’s dream is to bring in his old friend, Kevin Stefanski, as an OC for next season. Of course, that requires that the Browns fire him, and that no one brings him in as their new head coach. It also requires that Gannon stays, but getting fired is probably not part of his dream. The first seems likely. That middle not so much. The latter, who knows?

Great. Another Cleveland guy.

9 - I feel bad for Garrett Williams, but truth be told, he has been very underwhelming this season. Even on the play he got injured he had gotten beaten.

10 - I am actually less critical of Ossenfort than many on this board. Except for Darius Robinson and Elijah Jones, he has consistently brought in players that fit what the coaches want to do. Now, you could obviously argue that most of those players are just not good enough, but I would instead argue that this mess is on the coaching staff.

 

[kerouac9]

This. Ossenfort has put players in place and is also building depth. Can't help that half the roster literally broke this season. I'm excited to see what happens this offseason.

Gotta keep the architect of this 3-14 team

 

[Russ Smith]

6 - There are several reasons why they should draft RB Jeremiah Love with their first pick, if they don’t go quarterback. One of them is Bijan Robinson.

Given the average shelf life of rb's in this league I don't think it would make sense to do this given the amount of needs this team has right now. You can find a guy in the 4th or 5th round that can be productive with a good scheme. If we aren't high enough to get Moore/Mendoza we have to go oline and get the right side tackle shored up.

I didn't know this but a friend who is an ND fan said it's widely believed Love is autistic, just mildly. It apparently has had almost no impact in his career in fact some think it's actually helped him as he is so focused.

he is definitely the highest rated RB in the draft but for me we have bigger needs with the higher picks. RT, ILB, etc.

 

[PJ1]

5) I saw the telecast indicated we led the league in man games missed this season. I honestly don’t recall anything like it as we continued to sustain injuries during the game.

 

[Gandhi]

6 - There are several reasons why they should draft RB Jeremiah Love with their first pick, if they don’t go quarterback. One of them is Bijan Robinson.

Given the average shelf life of rb's in this league I don't think it would make sense to do this given the amount of needs this team has right now. You can find a guy in the 4th or 5th round that can be productive with a good scheme. If we aren't high enough to get Moore/Mendoza we have to go oline and get the right side tackle shored up.

To me, NW, that would be the exact repetition of drafting Levi Brown over Adrian Peterson. I get your point, though.

 

[Gandhi]

1) Nothing this season, or in his career would indicate that JB could lead any team to a 500 record

With a stronger team around him? Depending on the schedule, I could see it happening.

 

[Mulli]

With a stronger team around him? Depending on the schedule, I could see it happening.

I am old enough to remember when the organization’s plan was to build a stronger team around Kyler Murray

 

[Gandhi]

This is what’s going to happen unless, and it’s not impossible Murray returns.

Yes, have you also thought about the scenario where Murray is the starting QB next season? I mean, everyone seems to agree that he will be on another team, but it doesn’t seem like a guarantee to me.

There are players on this team, WJ is one of them, that if coach right and the system is right is going to be a star.

Agreed, but that is not the case right now. Alabama is not what it has been, and I think it is clear that Simpson has been a victim of that. Plus it is clear that he has elevated the offense.

Great. Another Cleveland guy.

Yeah, and the coach Petzing is probably the most inspired by. But I could see Gannon selling that idea to Bidwill. After all, Stefanski is a two time coach of the year, and has repeatedly delivered effective offenses with subpar talent.

 

[slanidrac16]

Yes, have you also thought about the scenario where Murray is the starting QB next season? I mean, everyone seems to agree that he will be on another team, but it doesn’t seem like a guarantee to me.

Agreed, but that is not the case right now. Alabama is not what it has been, and I think it is clear that Simpson has been a victim of that. Plus it is clear that he has elevated the offense.


Yeah, and the coach Petzing is probably the most inspired by. But I could see Gannon selling that idea to Bidwill. After all, Stefanski is a two time coach of the year, and has repeatedly delivered effective offenses with subpar talent.

Yes I have pictured a scenario where Murray stays. It would be right up Bidwill’s alley not to have to pay him to leave.
Here’s what I would do. Hire Klint Kubiak away from Seattle. He is this years Ben Johnson. Fix the o-line. Maybe he brings Kenneth Walker with him. Kubiak has coached and is experievery phase of the offense. Still draft a qb which unfortunately would give Kyler butt pain.

 

[NWMike]

To me, NW, that would be the exact repetition of drafting Levi Brown over Adrian Peterson. I get your point, though.

That's a great counterpoint. I'm not very familiar with Love so I'll have to look him up but if you think he is in the same vein of Peterson/Robinson I'd be on board because there is no guarantee Connor/Benson can be counted on to contribute next year. I'd feel a lot better about it if we went out and got the best right tackle in free agency to give us more options come draft day.

 

[Dback Jon]

With a stronger team around him? Depending on the schedule, I could see it happening.

Sure, and Kyler went 8-9 last year with a weak team around him. JB has started for 5 teams (NE twice) and best record ever is 1-1 his first year. This would be the first time achieving such a lofty position

 

[slanidrac16]

That's a great counterpoint. I'm not very familiar with Love so I'll have to look him up but if you think he is in the same vein of Peterson/Robinson I'd be on board because there is no guarantee Connor/Benson can be counted on to contribute next year. I'd feel a lot better about it if we went out and got the best right tackle in free agency to give us more options come draft day.

There is a great bunch of free agent rbs available. So much so we would be wise to let Connor walk away and sign another one.

 

[NWMike]

There is a great bunch of free agent rbs available. So much so we would be wise to let Connor walk away and sign another one.

Pretty sure they will cut Connor for cap savings ($8M) due to the uncertainty of whether he will be 100% but I would totally bring him back at a reduced rate just for his passion and locker room presence.

 

[Gandhi]

Yes I have pictured a scenario where Murray stays. It would be right up Bidwill’s alley not to have to pay him to leave.
Here’s what I would do. Hire Klint Kubiak away from Seattle. He is this years Ben Johnson. Fix the o-line. Maybe he brings Kenneth Walker with him. Kubiak has coached and is experievery phase of the offense. Still draft a qb which unfortunately would give Kyler butt pain.

In my dream scenario they hire Salah and he then hires Mike McDaniel as his OC. Of course, that requires that McDaniel is fired.

I like the idea of Kubiak. I think he could compete with Shanahan and McVay in offensive creativity, so if he could find a good DC, that could become very interesting.

What about Mike LaFleur, OC with the Rams? It is kind of the same thinking. Sure, he had a catastrophic stint as the OC with the Jets, but because of numerous factors, I think it is a bit difficult to evaluate that correctly. He was Shanahan's passing game coordinator for three years, and McVay's offensive coordinator for three years.

 

[cardpa]

6 - There are several reasons why they should draft RB Jeremiah Love with their first pick, if they don’t go quarterback. One of them is Bijan Robinson.

If you want someone who can replace James Connor then you draft Kaytron Allen out of Penn State and he is probably available in the 3rd. round unless he excels at the combines. Singleton the other RB at PSU is a bit faster and a better receiver but Allen is stronger, can break tackles, has better vision and better decision making when picking holes. Pretty much a Connor clone.

Kaytron Allen

 

[daves]

8- I think that Gannon’s dream is to bring in his old friend, Kevin Stefanski, as an OC for next season.

Makes no sense to me to have Stefanski, a 2-time Coach of the Year dealing with an impossible roster situation in Cleveland, work under Gannon, who has accomplished nothing. Just hire Stefanski as HC and let him keep any of Gannon's staff he deems fit.

Then hope that with Brissett and a rookie QB, Stefanski can show his chops again. Because of the Petzing connection, presumably the offensive personnel in Arizona would already fit Stefanski's preferred style.

 

[kerouac9]

Just hire Stefanski as HC

No thanks

 

[slanidrac16]

In my dream scenario they hire Salah and he then hires Mike McDaniel as his OC. Of course, that requires that McDaniel is fired.

I like the idea of Kubiak. I think he could compete with Shanahan and McVay in offensive creativity, so if he could find a good DC, that could become very interesting.

What about Mike LaFleur, OC with the Rams? It is kind of the same thinking. Sure, he had a catastrophic stint as the OC with the Jets, but because of numerous factors, I think it is a bit difficult to evaluate that correctly. He was Shanahan's passing game coordinator for three years, and McVay's offensive coordinator for three years.

I like Kubiak better. If I’m correct McVay calls the plays.
Kubiak also comes from the Shanahan tree. Added advantage knowing these opponents very well.

 

[Gandhi]

I like Kubiak better. If I’m correct McVay calls the plays.
Kubiak also comes from the Shanahan tree. Added advantage knowing these opponents very well.

Yes, that is true, but both Zac Taylor and Kevin O’Connell went on to be successful head coaches after serving as McVay’s OC, and none of those two guys called plays.

I also prefer Kubiak, by the way. I think he has done wonders, even though the rushing offense could be better. And yes, I think it would be very good to bring in someone from inside the division. Not that it is a requirement, but it just seems like a good idea to me.

 

[Gandhi]

Makes no sense to me to have Stefanski, a 2-time Coach of the Year dealing with an impossible roster situation in Cleveland, work under Gannon, who has accomplished nothing. Just hire Stefanski as HC and let him keep any of Gannon's staff he deems fit.

Then hope that with Brissett and a rookie QB, Stefanski can show his chops again. Because of the Petzing connection, presumably the offensive personnel in Arizona would already fit Stefanski's preferred style.

That’s an interesting thought, Daves, but I will note that it does happen that previously successful head coaches become coordinators under less accomplished head coaches.

Do you think Bidwill would hire a coach that brings in an almost identical offense? I mean, could Bidwill see through that and focus on Stefanski simply being a better coach than the combination of Gannon-Petzing?

As I wrote, I doubt that Stefanski will be without a head coaching job for long. I think he will be attractive to many owners.

 

[daves]

No thanks

I'm not particularly advocating for it, just saying that it makes more sense to hire Stefanski as HC than to keep Gannon as HC with Stefanski as OC, plus the rest of Gannon's weak staff.

I'd rather have a HC who twice won 11 games and made the playoffs, and has at least won one playoff game, than Gannon.

Even then I'm not sold on the Stefanski/Petzing offense. He was only OC of the Vikings for one year, when they were 16th in yards and 8th in points; in six years with the Browns, his offense has ranked between 14th and 30th (yards), (while the defense has ranked between 1st and 19th).