JaxJoe

Interesting that Del Rio asked Collins to get lighter. I wonder why.

There’s another aspect of bringing in veteran FA’s at this point and that’s competition and depth. Too much focus seems to be on ‘starter’. Competition is key in that players practice harder, study harder, etc. when there’s competition pushing them from behind; especially in positions that have questionable starter / depth ability. Two positions on the defense I think could use more competition / depth is safety and linebacker. I was a little uneasy when I heard Del Rio say he didn’t have a ‘set’ position for Jamin Davis. That tells me the LB position is still in flux from last year. Safety, we have some good try-hard guys but who will nail down the free safety spot? Will Landon Collins return to form from his injury? He’s pretty pricey too and is sounding like he’s telling coaches what to do and not the other way around. I think another vet in both of those positions is warranted. Two positions on offense that could use competition / depth is TE and RB. Is Gibson fully healed? Do we want another Gibson prototype back-up? Can we improve our goal line running game? TE is also an area that could use depth. What if Logan Thomas gets injured and Bates isn’t ready? Also, we have a lot of youth and inexperience at TE as LT is the oldest with 7 years exp. and he has really only had one good year of production. His 72 receptions in 2020 was really phenomenal but he had only 35 receptions the previous 6 seasons. The remaining six players on our roster that make up our TE corps have a combined career total of just 4 receptions. Maybe we have to bring in another vet?

I can see why folks make this comparison as both receivers did well in run support whether it’s a receiver or a RB play to his side. He makes his blocks and holds it until the whistle. He’s not as physical as McLaurin but at least he sustains his blocks. One example is against Va Tech where Dyami Brown sustains his block which allows Michael Carter significant extra yards at about the 5:00 min mark. It’s something that doesn’t make the highlight reel but these little things help set up for much bigger plays. Watch from about 3:30 where there’s a series of plays where Dyami is at the left wide out spot and he breaks his route for a 1st down. A couple other times, he breaks his route at the same spot then quickly turns to block the DB on a running play. The run blocking isn’t really impactful to the play but that doesn't matter because the DB has to respect it. Then at 4:00 is the knockout punch. Dyami makes his move at the same place where the DB pauses to the inside, then it’s off to the races. The move isn’t a great one but DB has to honor it. The QB should've thrown a bit quicker when Dyami had better separation but what is impressive is Dyami is able to keep his balance despite the contact in the endzone and make the TD catch. The announcers rightfully praise the TD catch but miss that the success of that play was four or five previous plays that helped set it up. A coach cannot set up a play like that unless his WR sells it with solid effort each snap. I think we drafted a good one!

The good news is that there’s not a great deal of difference between a jack and a master. I suggest a lot of six minute workouts to achieve greatness.

Reyes did say he had several other offers from other teams and that he chose Washington. So it’s not impossible someone plucks him off our PS as he is already on other teams’ radars.

I wouldn't doubt that at all as 11 TE’s ranked higher than Bates went undrafted. It’s obvious there’s a crap ton more relevant evaluation that coaches and scouts do than watch highlights and cut-ups and that’s why guys like Dylan Moses goes undrafted, and why consensus top ranked safety Trevon Moehrig slips to the 2nd round and was actually the third safety selected., etc.. Bates clearly was liked enough by our staff so much that they didn’t want to risk losing him in the later rounds. What I initially want to see out of him is stellar blocking. With Fitzpatrick and his gutsy throws downfield, he’ll need a half second or more throwing time. I know a lot of us want a pass catching TE in case Logan Thomas goes down and our TE production grinds to a halt similar to when RB Gibson was out. We’ll just have to wait and see.

I take it he’s more of a Mazda guy than a Bentley guy.

Thank you very very much. I like that you included the number of players in parentheses. Would it be possible to also show the expected number of roster spots too, maybe in brackets next to the parentheses? That way, one could get a sense of the roster trimming that is forthcoming. Maybe the numbers from the first roster of 2020.

Another great article by Bullock. I’m glad he explained why Cosmi let’s rusher in too close is not because of poor hand use as I observed in my amateur and likely incorrect opinion. But because Cosmi doesn’t kick slide his back foot which keeps the defender out wider. I definitely noticed that despite Cosmi keeping the QB clean, he still allows the defender to get a little too close for my comfort. I have read from other ‘experts’ that Cosmi does have weak use of his hands. I guess everyone has their own opinion. i re-watched two 2020 games against Texas Tech and OK and a 2019 game against National Champs LSU. I’ve come away even more impressed by Cosmi. Like Bullock says, he doesn’t just compete but dominates most of the time. He handles stunts really really well while going up against elite defenders. What’s nice to see too is how he handles speed rushers. At first it looks like they beat him going wide and low but Cosmi’s athleticism and in my opinion awesome foot work, Cosmi swats the defender on the back which sends him to the turf. I’m not exaggerating when I say he does this every single time in the 5 or 6 full games I’ve watched. It’s like he wants them to feel like they have the edge, then wham! Down they go. . I have not seen him get beat but once but the scrambler QB Ehrlinger is already off and running. The 2019 LSU game, he played especially well but seems to struggle with the bull rush move but is still able to keep the defender away from the QB. The 2019 Texas offense looked a bit more pro-like with regards to the amount of time the QB would stay in the pocket although still all shotgun. The 2020 Texas offense looked a lot more like our offense with regards to getting the ball out faster so my thought is Cosmi is a really good fit.

But, Reyes does qualify for the practice squad, right? TC will be more fun keeping an eye out for Reyes but I find it difficult to believe he makes the practice squad much less the 53.

Most mocks for months had Cosmi in the first round Then, like many early 1st round projections, draftniks in the last few weeks find others who move up like the Northwestern guy and Teven Jenkins, who went really early in the 2nd. It’s not because of some flaw or character issue that pushed Cosmi to the 2nd, just that guys like Jenkins and Eichenburg were projected as more ready to be a day-1 starter. But I think Cosmi has a higher ceiling than any one not named Sewell as most draftniks agree he has yet to reach his potential. I’ve read a ton of bio’s on Cosmi and they all seem to disagree with one another as to his technique but they all agree on his athleticism, his success, and his potential. So I spent time watching 4-5 full-game cut-ups and, like @stevemcqueen1said, although with greater expertise than I, Cosmi is really good. In my view he allows defenders too close to his body which is likely due to poor hand technique which many say is due to a lack of upper body strength that also negatively impacts his run blocking. I like his footwork and his core strength looks strong and flexible - probably why he has only allowed, what, only two sacks in two seasons? Something ludicrously low. So, yeah, like every drafted player, he has technique flaws that hopefully can be corrected. How well and how soon no one knows. One thing we all know will help Cosmi is going up against Sweat and Young every day for years. That alone could be the best training exercise. Another ES poster, I think @KDawg, called it baptism by fire.

Too funny! I looked at Dax’s photo and the first thing I thought of was, “OMG. We drafted Opie from Mayberry!”

In those videos I can argue and say Bostic was playing within his assignments; waiting for the cut-back. But I understand that those clips were chosen to make a point. The problem with Bostic and with many poor LBs is taking too long to recognize run vs. pass. And then, of course, finishing the play. That’s the main reason I liked Micah Parsons so much, his play that is. By the time a guard gets to the 2nd level to block, Parsons is at the line to make the tackle. Watching only two full-game cut ups of Jamin Davis, I didn’t get enough of a feeling that he was that type of processor. But if Rivera and Del Rio say he is, that’s good enough for me. Seriously, I’m OK with the pick. For me, the most important trait of a 4-3 Mike is to quickly determine run vs. pass and get to, and through a lane to make a play. The later is the athleticism. If a 4.8 linebacker can process a play a qtr of a sec faster, he instantly becomes a 4.55 LB and more importantly, is there to disrupt the play before it can get set-up.

If Jamin Davis runs a 4.37s 40 then who is that #26 DB who burst into the play from behind? That guy must run a 3.9s 40! UK roster lists #26 as a senior CB, Brandin Echols, 5’11” 178lb. Or, it’s #28 senior DB, Zach Johnson, 5’10” 193lb. We need to draft that player!

I’ll throw my hat in the ring with my favorite names: 1. Washington Marshalls as in George Preston Marshall but could also have a federal law enforcement flair. 2. Washington Monuments. Probably my favorite name. Unoffensive and very representative of our town. Or, 3) The Washington Federal Employees: overpaid and no accountability. Also super fast as a Federal Employee gets off work at 5:00 and is home by 4:30 😃

I think what impressed me most about the goal line stand was Cole Holcomb lining up on the outside shoulder of Steelers backup RT #65, Jerald Hawkin. Pre-snap, Rothlesburger must see the obvious mismatch and has the running back shoot for the hole hopefully created by the two right tackles. This is the Steelers Heavy Jumbo lineup. The RT and RG double team Settle who holds is own and that leaves #65 to simply keep Holecomb to the outside and open up the lane. But Holecomb, who’s 50-60 pounds lighter, not only holds his ground but prevents himself from being turned and in fact, slides #65 into the running lane causing the RB to run into the back of his lineman. This delay allows Chase Young to get A TFL and Bostic the clean-up assist. Just fantastic teamwork.

This guy is making a name for himself!

I’ve seen lots of comments about the defensive coaches’ half time adjustments but not much details other than “took Apke off the island” types. Here is a tweet from Kiem that explains more of what the defensive coaches changed the coverages to limit the threats from the Eagles’ TEs. John Keim (@john_keim) Tweeted: This was just one way to combat the Ertz/Goedert combo. See Moreau down low; Collins inside help. See Bostic engage/carry Goedert with Apke over the top. Then the pressure gets home. WFT used more 3 Safety sets & nickel vs two TE looks after early issues in base. https://t.co/Xe0NIlHucI

This is what I’m thinking. I know he’ll get some reps at LT and, frankly, I think the whole team is going to have to earn their positions so it may be possible he can win the role for starting LT. But my money’s on Geron Christian this season. Like you, I think Saahdiq should make an excellent guard because of his physical traits as you have noted. Frankly, if no long-term deal is made with Sherff, I think Saahdiq could be his replacement in 2021. So, my question is: does the team force him into the tackle position where he may never be better than average? Or, does the team play to his natural traits and make him an excellent guard?

So, the 2017 Bryce Love was the runner we had all hoped to see. Trouble is that we ended up with the 2018 RB. 2017 was an incredible season and 2018 was expected to be aa good or better since Love was to take the lions share of snaps as McCaffrey ledt for the NFL, and Stanford returned 4 of their 5 OL. What happened was opponents had 8-9 in the box and Love, who’s on the small side, had to earn every yard. Whereas the year before, he was brought in to relieve McCaffrey and saw huge holes where Love would sprint untouched past the DL. That’s why I’m thinking the above tweet by Mark Bullock is significant regarding Gibson. Love was far more productive when McCaffrey was the main target as the D was likely caught off guard thinking the back may come out into the slot and run a wheel-route. Bryce Love took advantage of that. But when he was the featured back and was not a threat to catch, it became old-school defense and Love faltered. So, as Mark Bullock pointed out, does the safety cheat up thinking Gibson is going to come to the slot? With a split backfield, Sam and Will have to widen their gaps because you don’t know which side is a run or pass. Then, if it’s a wheel, a lagging LB has to trail the RB and the safety has to cover the top of the route. With 3 other receivers on the field, that could cause some major mismatches. it’s like the WCO on steroids. And, with split backs, that can add to better pass protection if the intended targets are the wide outs. Having a 6’0 228lb RB like Gibson should be a better blocker than Love at 5’9” and 205lb. If course, this is all in my imagination. But, our O-line being the way it is, 12- or 22-personnel sets might be a necessity rather than specialty set.

The pick is definitely a tell of what Turner will try to employ as his offense strategy. My uneducated opinion on Turner’s brief time as OC at Carolina looked like a spread concept, maximizing WR routes. Personally, it seemed that McCaffrey’s role diminished somewhat when Turner took over yet that may be due to his injury. So, I’m a bit confused. Since a pass catching TE was not the priority in FA or the draft (not over yet), I’m thinking TE is primarily a blocker and decoy. I can see Gibson as being the X-Factor McCaffrey type with 3-4 receiver sets like Turner did while OC. Shoukd be a lot of open guys in the short / intermediate range and McLauren and Gibson can certainly turn on the jets. Dwayne Haskins has decent mobility and good pocket presence so I’m thinking Turner isn't going to set his offense up to be a classic drop back passing attack. In this sense, OL could be more ZBS and flighty, especially LT. Perhaps that’s why Ron Rivera and Turner see that the x-factor weapon is a higher priority than tackle. I’m probably reaching here while also trying to understand the Gibson pick.

Or, Cincy trades down with Detroit knowing the Skins don’t need a QB and Still get Burrow. Or,they could trade #1 with NYG knowing Tua will be there aa you suggested @Voice of Reaso, they might like him almost as much as Burrow but know adding extra picks helps their team more. I said in another thread that if CY is gone and Burrow lands in our lap, we should draft him only if there are no big offers from other teams; since they may not think we’ll take him. Then try to trade him once we have possession of him and I think the offers go will up.

Maybe a simple trade down 1 spot with Detroit and collect a 3rd rounder or better. But, have signed agreement they won’t draft Chase Young. There’s a lot of good DBs and guards and LBs in the mid rounds I’d like to add.

NFLDraftScout posted some 40 yd dash times: 40 Low: 4.46 40 Time: 4.57 40 High: 4.67