HailtotheClarets

I still think that the age difference between Maye and Daniels is being underplayed by some as a factor. There are lots of articles with analysis showing how younger draftees tend to fare better in their careers than older prospects, and it's even more clear at QB in particular. I don't have the stats but it always felt to me like Ron did the opposite and leaned more towards older prospects (often quoting their "character"), maybe favoring older players who he felt he could more relate to. Whilst it's obviously hard to predict growth, you can't ignore the fact that the younger players are, the more opportunity there is for growth and development as a player both mentally and physically. I like both QB prospects we are likely choosing between, and scheme fit may trump everything, but consider me in the Maye camp based on that additional growth potential, as well as my fear around Daniels surviving as a long term QB (the RG3 experience has scarred me, but there are plenty of running QB's who didn't have longevity in the NFL). Here's an older article on the subject, but it highlights the QB impact of drafting younger age versus older: https://fivethirtyeight.com/features/age-played-a-bigger-role-in-the-nfl-draft-its-about-time/

I may be off the mark but this delay suggests to me that they may have offered Weaver after Johnson, but he's holding out to see if he's in line for the DC position vacated by Macdonald. Either Quinn or Glenn then may be the fall back option if Weaver stays in Baltimore.

Whilst I think we'll go QB, I was thinking about whether Harris might surprise us and go against against the NFL grain. He's talked about long term focus, so I was thinking how he may do something very different in the draft, especially if the new brain trust has some reservations about the top QB's this year. One idea I had was to consider a long term strategy of trading a high pick or two every year, with the main aim of adding picks in the following year in a higher round (an alternative could've just adding extra picks to increase your chances of hitting). Teams obviously trade down or out now, but I'm talking about doing this every season, with maybe the odd year whey you just love a prospect, and can trade up taking advantage of your extra capital. By doing this season after season, the big hit on high picks is in the first year you do it, but that aside you should benefit in the long term from the move up in rounds, and occasionally you may get very lucky like the Bears have this year with the No. 1 pick. It's probably pie in the sky, but it's doing something other teams don't to your benefit, similar to the teams like the Ravens who play the compensation picks game. It also makes sense for us to start this year as we've got a competent QB with some upside on a cheap deal, a very high draft pick which could garner us some serious draft capital, a very poor roster with many holes, and money to burn in FA. If they don't love any of the top QB's, there are a number of intriguing second tier QB's we could select to compete with Howell as well. It's probably not going to happen, but with Harris having a background in other sports, and specifically talking about the long term, it just got me thinking about whether he might do something completely different than we've seen before, in an effort to reboot this franchise. It's an exciting time for fans regardless.

Wonder if Ron's still not 100% happy with the culture in the locker room (see Mills vs the Greek), so bringing in a bunch of guys he knows and trusts (whether they be starter or backup) would be a way of increasing compliance, or just sway the balance more towards what he demands. I suspect there is a certain level of paranoia in such a testosterone filled environment, so the more guys you trust to tow the line and keep everyone else in check, means you can focus on the stuff that actually matters. He also believes in drafting leaders which would lend itself to that too. I've never really understood the confusion or anger towards bringing in familiar faces, especially from a Coaching perspective. You have to get everyone pulling in the same direction to be successful, so why waste a year or two educating or battling against people you don't know, when you can hire people who you know will buy in from day 1.

I don't mind these releases as it starts to redress the historical imbalance where we've had far too much cap in the DL & OG positions, these were always bonkers. I would extend Payne who is still young, pick up some cheaper Guards (less premium position), and roll with draft picks and cheaper backups behind them. I think it's smart to enquire if they would extend, and then cut them if they say no and they are overpaid for what they offer. Sends out a message that you are in longer term or you can underperform elsewhere. I also don't mind JD going, I'd get a bruiser RB and use Gibson in a hybrid role (a mix of traditional and pass-catching RB), with some Samuel sprinkled in. Kyle Allen leaving tells me they want a young QB at 3rd string which also makes far more sense. For me it's about establishing a decent, logical plan and sticking to it long term (Ravens) : - 1. Only target cuts from other teams to protect any decent comp picks (lots of cuts coming this year) 2. Adopt the idea of targeting FA only in years where you have no chance of decent comp picks 3. Hold tight as long as you can until the prices get reasonable, there will always be good enough players, especially for non-premium positions or rotational guys 4. Target 1 year prove it deals that light a fire under the players - they may result in comp picks the following year if they pan out, or extend if become core 5. If not in Blue Chipper territory, trade back as often as possible in the draft to load up picks, to fill depth or even add more next year (Patriots method) 6. Focus on logic based decisions rather than "looking after our own" - it's quite clear that loyalty doesn't exist in Washington right now on the player side, bar a few players like Allen (and hopefully Terry) Obviously you need to draft well too and hope the QB you acquired doesn't suck! ***Took that long to write, JD came back - haha!***