Way-too-early Monti Ossenfort Performance Review

[Harry]

Who chose the coach?

Likely Ossenfort, but until I know who else they could have gotten it’s hard to render a verdict.

 

[Harry]

The owner is the ultimate decider in every major football decision in most NFL organizations. But go back and read the tick-tocks on Gannon’s selection and you’ll get a pretty clear picture that’s Monti’s guy.

Why would Monti come here if he didn’t get to choose the QB or HC? Why would anyone stand by such a beta cuck if he has no influence on major decisions?

There are only 32 jobs. Unless you’re going to college or have previously been an NFL HC, you take the job if it’s offered.

 

[Cardiac]

Having 42 players miss games this season in only 15 games.

This is the only reason I don't hate JG or Monti. Still want JG fired and I'm on the fence with Monti.

 

[Chopper0080]

There are only 32 jobs. Unless you’re going to college or have previously been an NFL HC, you take the job if it’s offered.

And you can't use your desperation as an excuse. He is accountable regardless of what power he has or doesn't have. He hasn't delivered an improved product, he needs to go.

 

[Harry]

And you can't use your desperation as an excuse. He is accountable regardless of what power he has or doesn't have. He hasn't delivered an improved product, he needs to go.

Agree to disagree. I think the roster is better.

 

[Mulli]

Likely Ossenfort, but until I know who else they could have gotten it’s hard to render a verdict.

How is it hard to render a verdict?

You play to win the game.

 

[TheCardFan]

He hasn't delivered an improved product, he needs to go.

That would be comparing the talent from the 2022 team to 2025.

Hard to argue that he hasn't improved the talent on this team.

Again, I blame the coaching. We had the talent to win several of the first 8 games.

 

[Harry]

How is it hard to render a verdict?

You play to win the game.

I was speaking of this being the decisive issue.

 

[Chopper0080]

Agree to disagree. I think the roster is better.

It's been discussed, but it is marginally better mostly because it is younger. I am curious where you feel it is better.

DL - Not significantly. No player on defense is as good as Zach Allen was. Watt and CC cancel each other out. Maybe you give a slight edge to Dalvin Tomlinson.

EDGE - Yes. Sweat is a good player. The rest are slight differences.

CB - Not really. They are younger. But none outside of GWill have really made an impact. Do I think Will Johnson will be better than Marco Wilson? Yes. Did Will play significantly better this year...maybe a little but he has recently shown a similar lack of effort at times.

S - Same but with no real future prospect.

QB - Same and with no real future prospect.

RB - Same and with no real future prospect.

TE - Better depth but the same guy who is just better now.

WR - Younger, but with same production questions marks.

OL - Same but younger.

 

[Chopper0080]

That would be comparing the talent from the 2022 team to 2025.

Hard to argue that he hasn't improved the talent on this team.

Again, I blame the coaching. We had the talent to win several of the first 8 games.

Disagree. I think it is very easy to argue that the team is only slightly better and mostly due to just being younger. See above.

 

[kerouac9]

Having 42 players miss games this season in only 15 games.

Yeah this is falling for ownership’s excuses. Zay Jones will have missed 9 games; Greg Dortch will have missed 5 games; Travis Vokolek will have missed 10 games. None of them make a difference because they’re all replacement level players.

Agree to disagree. I think the roster is better.

3-14 vs 4-13 doesn’t make much of an argument for you.

That would be comparing the talent from the 2022 team to 2025.

Hard to argue that he hasn't improved the talent on this team.

Again, I blame the coaching. We had the talent to win several of the first 8 games.

Really? Im pretty sure JJ Watt, DHop, and Hollywood Brown were all on that 2022 team.

 

[Harry]

It's been discussed, but it is marginally better mostly because it is younger. I am curious where you feel it is better.

DL - Not significantly. No player on defense is as good as Zach Allen was. Watt and CC cancel each other out. Maybe you give a slight edge to Dalvin Tomlinson.

EDGE - Yes. Sweat is a good player. The rest are slight differences.

CB - Not really. They are younger. But none outside of GWill have really made an impact. Do I think Will Johnson will be better than Marco Wilson? Yes. Did Will play significantly better this year...maybe a little but he has recently shown a similar lack of effort at times.

S - Same but with no real future prospect.

QB - Same and with no real future prospect.

RB - Same and with no real future prospect.

TE - Better depth but the same guy who is just better now.

WR - Younger, but with same production questions marks.

OL - Same but younger.

Some of it would be depth. I’d take Bissett over McCoy(close), Benson over Benjamin & Wilson over Green. Starter-wise Johnson over Humphries/Jones, Froholdt over Price/Hudson, Tomlinson over Fotu, DTD over Banjo, Wilson over Simmons & Sweat over Golden. DL is tricky because of Nolen. Getting Ertz out of the way was critical for McBride to blossom. Murphy didn’t have a great year, but you could make a case for him over Williams to boost the 2022 roster. I know some will argue Benson.

 

[Chopper0080]

Some of it would be depth. I’d take Bissett over McCoy(close), Benson over Benjamin & Wilson over Green. Starter-wise Johnson over Humphries/Jones, Froholdt over Price/Hudson, Tomlinson over Fotu, DTD over Banjo, Wilson over Simmons & Sweat over Golden. DL is tricky because of Nolen. Getting Ertz out of the way was critical for McBride to blossom. Murphy didn’t have a great year, but you could make a case for him over Williams to boost the 2022 roster. I know some will argue Benson.

Ok. I will pick some nits here.

1. I think the improvement at backup QB is a minimal thing so impact is negligible.

2 - Eno Benjamin over his first two seasons was more productive in terms of yards than Benson has been over his first two years. So while I may be in the Benson has more potential camp, potential is something that hasn't happened yet.

3 - It's not Wilson vs Green. It's Hopkins, Marquise Brown and Green vs MHJ, Wilson and Zay Jones. Again, one group is younger but, IMO, not better at this point in time.

4 - I think PJJ and Hump is a push. Hump was a pro bowler at that point. PJJ isn't one yet.

5 - Agree on Fro vs Hudson but even you have commented on Fro's limitations. So, minimal.

6 - Agree on Tomlinson over Fotu.

7 - IMO, DTD is hopes and dreams at this point. Both were/are primarily special teamers.

8 - Agree Mack Wilson over Simmons.

9 - Agree Sweat over Golden.

So in 3 seasons, Monti has upgraded Golden to Sweat, Fotu to Tomlinson, Hudson to Fro, Simmons to Wilson. I guess the question comes down to "do you believe that is significant roster improvement over a three year span"? I would argue it isn't.

 

[Harry]

Ok. I will pick some nits here.

1. I think the improvement at backup QB is a minimal thing so impact is negligible.

2 - Eno Benjamin over his first two seasons was more productive in terms of yards than Benson has been over his first two years. So while I may be in the Benson has more potential camp, potential is something that hasn't happened yet.

3 - It's not Wilson vs Green. It's Hopkins, Marquise Brown and Green vs MHJ, Wilson and Zay Jones. Again, one group is younger but, IMO, not better at this point in time.

4 - I think PJJ and Hump is a push. Hump was a pro bowler at that point. PJJ isn't one yet.

5 - Agree on Fro vs Hudson but even you have commented on Fro's limitations. So, minimal.

6 - Agree on Tomlinson over Fotu.

7 - IMO, DTD is hopes and dreams at this point. Both were/are primarily special teamers.

8 - Agree Mack Wilson over Simmons.

9 - Agree Sweat over Golden.

So in 3 seasons, Monti has upgraded Golden to Sweat, Fotu to Tomlinson, Hudson to Fro, Simmons to Wilson. I guess the question comes down to "do you believe that is significant roster improvement over a three year span"? I would argue it isn't.

It’s not a prelude to a Super Bowl that’s for sure. That said with fewer injuries and better coaching I think they could have contended for the playoffs. I’m just not ready to give up on him yet. This is a tough team to move forward. I want to look at one more season. I think his FAs improved. Injuries killed his draft, but long term it looks good to me. I’m just not certain there’s some great GM candidate is willing to come to this team. Your opinion is not majorly off base. It’s a close call.

 

[krazy2k]

The suckicity factor is high with both Monti and JG. Period. On a bright note, with a loss in the last week of the season (a virtual lock), the Cards can pick no worse than 5th in the draft. Yippee!

 

[Chopper0080]

It’s not a prelude to a Super Bowl that’s for sure. That said with fewer injuries and better coaching I think they could have contended for the playoffs. I’m just not ready to give up on him yet. This is a tough team to move forward. I want to look at one more season. I think his FAs improved. Injuries killed his draft, but long term it looks good to me. I’m just not certain there’s some great GM candidate is willing to come to this team. Your opinion is not majorly off base. It’s a close call.

The tough part for me is that you can't really do "one more season" unless you keep Gannon. Otherwise you risk the worst thing which is having a lame duck GM hire a new HC and potentially use premium assets to acquire a QB. That is a huge gamble that can have long term, negative impacts.

 

[Ouchie-Z-Clown]

I am 100% for firing Gannon but not there with Monti yet.

Let's not forget that he built solid depth on this team for the first time in a long time.

We have drafted some solid talent and most of the players from the last three drafts are on our team, playing, and contributing.

The problem this year was coaching not talent.

What do you hang his hat on?

What’s solid?

Oline?

Front defensive 7?

Defensive backfield?

Skill positions?

I legit want to hear how you feel after he’s had THREE years to build this team.

 

[Ouchie-Z-Clown]

We had the talent to compete during the first 8 games of the year and lost the majority of those games (5 losses by combined 13 points) due to coaching.
After that, everything fell apart.

I don't think that is a GM issue, that is a coaching issue.

While I disagree with your assessment, that’s at least an arguable position.

 

[Ouchie-Z-Clown]

Disagree. I think it is very easy to argue that the team is only slightly better and mostly due to just being younger. See above.

AFTER THREE YEARS, GOBS OF CAP ROOM, TONS OF DRAFT PICKS. And yes, I’m yelling, so the folks in the back can hear me clearly.

 

[Ouchie-Z-Clown]

The tough part for me is that you can't really do "one more season" unless you keep Gannon. Otherwise you risk the worst thing which is having a lame duck GM hire a new HC and potentially use premium assets to acquire a QB. That is a huge gamble that can have long term, negative impacts.

This. You’re tempting fate to have the guy who you are putting on a tight leash select the next coach and QB. That seems incredibly foolish.

 

[daves]

It's been discussed, but it is marginally better mostly because it is younger. I am curious where you feel it is better.

Agree with all... but in fairness, the salary cap is also in better shape.

 

[slanidrac16]

Something has to change. Either some or all of the coaching staff and/or Monti has to become very aggressive this off season.
The gloves have to come off and we need to seriously address this offense.
The 3 teams in our division are averaging almost 30 pts a game.
Give me an offense that can average 30 pts. A game and I’ll show you an improved defense.

If Gannon stays you have to provide him with everything he needs and he needs to be open to changes in his staff.
1* two top notch free agent o-lineman and a top rookie lineman. I dont mean the Will Hernandez’s of the world. The Bears signed 3 last year and 1 was an all pro. It can be done.
2* Do not count on Connor or Benson to be your #1 back. There are at least 1/2 dozen solid rb’s that could be our starter. Connor can be a part of it in tandem to one of those guys. Benson is a #3 until proven otherwise.
3* Go out and get a #2 Wr. MHJ is a #3 until he proves otherwise. I don’t care when he was drafted or how much he makes.

4* The elephant in the room…qb. Any of the rookies are going to struggle in year one. Would all the additions help out? Yes. But to what degree?
I like Willis. He’s been on the bench sitting behind Love for 2 years. When he has played he has looked good and he’s a duel threat. Brissett stays and we pray we don’t need him for more than 1 or 2 games.

Unfortunately, Bidwill will continue to hold back on the reigns because all the above is going to be full of risks. But hey, we’re 3-13 doing it the conservative way.

 

[GatorAZ]

Petzing lasting three years is the biggest knock on either Gannon and Monti. If they don’t put 47 on the Niners in week 18 last year he’s probably gone but they have no foresight.

 

[Stout]

Having 42 players miss games this season in only 15 games.

I expect Bidwill to use the injury excuse--which is total nonsense because we couldn't win before the injuries--to bring back Gannon. You're better than Bidwill, Harry. Please show it. Monti has not been good.

 

[Stout]

It’s not a prelude to a Super Bowl that’s for sure. That said with fewer injuries and better coaching I think they could have contended for the playoffs. I’m just not ready to give up on him yet. This is a tough team to move forward. I want to look at one more season. I think his FAs improved. Injuries killed his draft, but long term it looks good to me. I’m just not certain there’s some great GM candidate is willing to come to this team. Your opinion is not majorly off base. It’s a close call.

Yeah, except you're not going to see him for "just one more season." Either he gets fired with Gannon, or gets another 3+ years with a new coach. I am absolutely not in on keeping him around that long. If Gannon goes, Monti should go.