Starry Plough

4 hours ago, SkinsFTW said:

The fact that most believe that the DL is fine without CY, and all the other starters were already here when he was drafted, just shows that they should have drafted a QB, and/or traded down etc 

It’s so easy to say this now, but at the time Chase was seen as a “can’t miss” prospect who the draft community and the majority of fans were unanimous in stating he should be the #2 overall pick. Heck, I recall hearing McShay on the Rich Eisen show (I believe 🤔) even saying Cincinnati has a decision to make as he was so good that he’s one of those rare talents that you take #1 overall, *ahead* of a QB. I watched as much Chase propaganda as possible going into that draft and some of the tape reviews like Brett Kollman (who provides good analysis to someone like me 😆) were practically gushing about him as a complete game-wrecker. 

I get that he hasn’t become the transcendent player we hoped for going into things, but some players work out, some don’t. There are multiple variables for that which applies to every team, with no guarantees and that draft is a perfect example of what I mean with “safe” but Uber talented guys like Okudah getting injured, just like Chase (albeit immediately) and never getting momentum before being traded for very little. Simmons was seen as a “unicorn” who never worked out due to seemingly not finding a position and again, traded for peanuts (and I hope doesn’t flourish in NY this season). Just outside the top 10 Mekhi Becton is seen to be in a make-or-break year not just to stay in NY but the league itself such are his self-discipline and work ethic issues apparently whilst Henry Ruggs killed a person and threw his life away.

Look, the reports about Chase are disappointing, I’ll agree. And if he fails to live up to his potential that’s unfortunate. But Andrew Thomas, who was another from that draft mentioned above labelled a bust after his rookie year but who has since become one of the better tackles in the league - the circumstances are different, of course (with durability being a big factor) - is an example that it does happen. Let’s just see how it plays out though with Chase and not rewrite history about what we should or shouldn’t have done, because it’s easy to do that when you have the kind of evidence that only becomes available as time passes and events unfold.  

6 minutes ago, mojo said:

I miss the good old days when Training Camp was empty, our O-line wore button down shirts and ties to practice, and Bruce was slinging Coors Lights gearing for the afternoon putt putt game with Dan

Don’t forget Jay getting his nipple tweaked by (name that player). 

27 minutes ago, Chris 44 said:

If it helps him focus more on his job as Head Football Coach then only good things can come from it. Not saying it is to blame for the gaffes he has made over the past couple of years but maybe not having everything else going on will make his football decision making better?

The ownership situation finally being resolved must be huge for Ron. Bieniemy’s energy (not to mention his role as assistant HC), however, you have to imagine will be equally huge as I’m sure Ron felt everything was on him. I like that he’s finally got the opportunity to do what he was primarily brought in for, as whilst he’s not always handled things perfectly as you say, he’s now getting arguably the fairest crack of the whip of his tenure with the team. 

Great to see next year looking strong at OL. Only I enjoy when a draft offers quality Re ‘in-the-trenches’ prospects and given we may be just good enough to get around 8 wins the top QB prospects will likely be out of range (if Howell isn’t seen as the future, of course), unless it’s an aggressive move up, which I’d be all for if the circumstances called upon it. If, however, Howell establishes himself as a quality starter then the timing couldn’t be better if value meets BPA regards a tackle prospect. 

6 hours ago, RabidFan said:

Love your usage of "journo", now I have to go watch Greenstreet Hooligans again.....which is a great sleeper flick.  Thanks

Hmm, we’ll have to disagree on the “great sleeper flick” I’m afraid. 😅 That said, seeing a Geordie (Newcastle Upon Tyne in the North of England for those unfamiliar) do an atrocious ‘****ney geezah’ accent whilst looking about as intimidating as Dan is good for a laugh. You’re welcome, btw. 😁

13 hours ago, Skinsinparadise said:

The vibe Ron gave to me is almost like he wasn't sure he belonged on that stage with that group.  Maybe he wanted to purposely come off a bit toned down because it was Harris' day.  Ron was OK but I've seen him speak a zillion times, and he seemed a bit off his game energy wise.   But maybe i am reading too much into it.

That’s a good shout that he maybe just felt the stage was set for Harris et al. Regards the energy observation then, I’d hope with everything the guy has been through from a health perspective this gives him a lift and I mean that even beyond the football side of things. Only it’s been rightly acknowledged since yesterday how much it clearly means to existing players like Jon Allen and Terry, to the point they physically look to have a weight lifted off their shoulders and can focus on doing what they love, and they’re obviously much younger than Ron.

Was just watching Finlay and a pair of other guys discussing the presser and the energy from yesterday is just so clearly infectious, with each looking like kids in a toy store -  hearing them talk about how big of a pop they’re expecting on week 1 makes me wish I could be there for it. 
 

It’s also so satisfying seeing Dan get completely eviscerated without reservation. Only I know shots were rightly taken before, but I always felt some in the media weren’t prepared to really unload, whereas now it’s yet another example of how truly significant him going is. Almost like the last of the poison is finally being extracted and feeling not just normal again but actually rediscovering a positivity. 

Just finished the presser. Had little interest in Wright (who looks like he’d smile and applaud anyone if it meant keeping his job) and Ron (who seemed a little awkward or something) but real positive vibes from the others.

Harris - I’ve seen the comments that he’s known to be more comfortable behind-the-scenes than front and centre, and I felt you could see that early going. As it went on, however, he appeared more comfortable and even seemed to prefer the journo questions rather than reading from a script.

Rales - Seems a natural speaker who wasn’t overawed and came across like it genuinely matters to him. From memory he used the term “ignite the fan base” which IMO is the kind of term that resonates.

Magic - Clearly an emotional guy who has a real aura about him. Encouraging the standing ovation was a little much for me and I think that’s definitely a US thing (sorry to you all 🤣), but he knows how to rally folk and that’s important.

Beyond that the team name and stadium issues were obviously big topics for the journos as both came up more than once and I imagine will continue to going forward.

What have I missed?…😏

Philly are an example of not just organisational philosophy, but harmonious stability at boardroom/FO *and* personnel level, especially QB where they’ve seemingly always had “the guy” which enables them to be in the luxurious position of moving down the board and acquiring future picks of real value without compromising the immediate present. 
 

Those future picks then have set them up perfectly for those times where “the guy” has flamed out for whatever reason and been in a position to be aggressive should he need replaced ah-La Wentz (although I appreciate Hurts was a 2nd rounder, but the point remains).

Harris is unlikely to be a dummy though on this front and I wouldn’t be surprised if he’s looking at Philly as the perfect template going forward and aiming to replicate what they do as early as possible. 

JESUS, F’ING, WEPT! 🥳
 

Said previously, I’m new to this board and whilst I’ve followed the team a number of years now, I can’t imagine how it must feel for all of you who were actually raised on it, only to see something so beloved and well respected treated so badly.

This truly is a moment to savour, and I hope you all do so as you deserve.

As to Harris, he’s always been the guy I believed provided the best candidate to be invested in the way that was necessary and whilst Bezos would have been interesting, I just feel the franchise is in much safer and stable hands.

As I outlined in my first post, my concern was that whilst we couldn’t have had anyone worse than Dan, we also could have been stuck with someone who wasn’t an appropriate custodian. But again, I truly feel we have exactly that now and am honestly pumped to see how Harris et al begin laying the foundations that enable things to get turned around.

Here’s to respectability and credibility again, all. Have a great day! 🥳🥳🥳

If speaking casually about a geographical location I’ve no issue with someone saying GB. I was, however, retorting more to the comment that “Ireland is part of Great Britain”, which it isn’t. 
 

We’ll leave it at that though as it’s not the thread for it. Regards Dan selling, however, it honestly can’t come soon enough as the process, whilst I appreciate was never going to be an overnight thing, has become tediously drawn out.

Ireland, or The Republic of Ireland, isn’t a part of The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. Northern Ireland (or the 6 occupied counties, depending on who you talk to), as the name suggests, is.

Ireland is part of the British Isles, however. 

Watched the video midweek myself and did the same (Re the title) as Trent he is not. 🤣 Really like this pick all the same, though. 

Dan to a tee, right to the end. The draft is coming at the right time though, with plenty to be discussed as to who is picked etc so the process can play out in the background and edge closer to resolution. 

After trading down on PFN’s simulator to 28 and picking up Anton Harrison I took Jahmyr Gibbs at 47 (and Will McDonald at 54). Now, I doubt he lasts that long tbh, but I’m curious would others take a RB before the 3rd if value like say a Gibbs in the mid 2nd did indeed present itself, with Bienemy’s offence in mind? 

I’ve never believed it was going to be Bezos, and nothing has convinced me otherwise. Only as has been highlighted, the Harris group is believed to already be overpaying as is, and I just don’t see Bezos wanting to be seen as the one who ultimately overpays the most, regardless of how much he’s worth and to ultimately line the pockets of someone it’s known he has bad blood with. Reputation has a tremendous value even amongst the super-rich, after all.
 

As has been rightly pointed out though, nobody should give a frogs fat ass (love me some classic Chevy Chase!) if they’re wrong or right, as the be all is removing Dan for good and something everyone should celebrate when that eventually happens.  

Regards the rebrand, I was never a huge fan of ‘Commanders’, but had it genuinely been the fans choice it would have been much more appropriate. As has been mentioned though, it appears they were hell-bent on a military theme from the get-go and I always felt Ron was involved in that, which given the significance of it an employee should never have been involved. 
 

Going back to the fans choice then, the (seemingly, from what I saw/read on this side of the pond) half-assed “engagement” with that video of folk sitting in an empty Fed-Ex, being presented with mostly poor options and even worse branding imagery, it ticked me off quite a bit as I felt even then it was for show and nothing else. Only they knew Redwolves (which I’m indifferent to, for the record) was (again, seemingly) the favourite amongst *most* of the fan baae very early on, yet announced just prior to the reveal there were always going to be issues with copyrights etc, which is fine, but again just say that from the get-go. 
 

Anyway, if we stay as Commanders then due to cost or whatever prohibiting any further rebrand I can absolutely live with that if at the very least there’s a greater effort to engage with the fans, maybe reassuring them that everything to do with the name, logos, uni’s (and in the name of the baby Jesus, mascot!) is being revised by a competent, respectable company rather than the f**king Snyders.    

Possible this is one of those scenarios the draftnik community is overthinking things, McQueen? Only I keep seeing either Darnell Wright or Broderick Jones seemingly locked in as the 3rd tackle (after PJJ and Skoronski) and don’t know if maybe Becton has become a cautionary tale with regards D Jones, whilst Harrison has seemingly failed to pick up any traction despite having a pretty good combine and solid tape (as I understand it) - PFF had him rated #3 tackle since around December, if I recall.
 

Looks like there could also be a run on fallers in positions we either aren’t interested in like WR (JSN) or CB (Witherspoon/Branch *if we opt to select one outside the 1st), which is pushing the tackles being discussed down, some.

Who knows. I do genuinely think we’re well placed to land one of Harrison or Jones if we stay at #16 or move back, though. 

It definitely seems like the consensus among the draft community (at least from what I’ve seen) is the offensive line group is an underwhelming one, which could well work to our advantage with regards a trade down n the 1st and still landing either Harrison or Jones.

Only I’ve just seen Chad Reuters latest 4 round mock and neither of them crack the 1st round, with Jones falling as far as Dallas’ 2nd round pick - D Washington was also picked somewhere in the early 2nd. Again then, this just seems pretty consistent with mocks I’ve seen lately and may be to do with each of Harrison, Jones and Washington being…well, maybe not slept on, but perhaps liked if not loved.

Certainly though, if we come out of the 1st with one of the above mentioned tackles and have the ammo to be aggressive and trade up for Mayer/Washington in the 2nd *and* still land a Ringo or Brents, that’s a hell of a draft in itself. 

You guys are so friggen convincing! I was finally set on Anton Harrison at #16 (and even managed to trade back in a mock simulator yesterday and still get him) only to now have to re-adjust again to Dawand Jones! 😅

Glad to see there’s a lot more optimism for potential tackle picks on the offensive line compared to a little earlier in the college season though, when the cupboard was looking a little bare and especially so given we seem almost locked in on that front (at least according to Keim and possibly a few others.

To clarify some, as my “careful what you wish for” comment perhaps came across as I’m some kind of Danny loyalist when the truth is, I absolutely agree with seemingly every fan on here that even a “bad” owner wouldn’t come close to that absolute POS - I’ll apologise for said comment as I’m a sports fan myself, and thus appreciate how valuable a thing it is to folk.

I guess what I was aiming to say, and maybe didn’t articulate particularly well was  that this franchise post-Dan deserves an owner/ownership who provides reassurance, rather than hope, but to reiterate, it’ll be a truly glorious day when the sale is confirmed, regardless as to who it’s sold to, so here’s to it edging closer when the celebrations can really begin and every fan of this franchise gets to exhale after 20+ years of hurt.

Touché lol.

Greetings one and all on this auspicious of Paddy’s Day, from the Emerald Isle itself - Belfast, to be precise. 

Long-time lurker on this forum after a 15 year fandom of the team, and have enjoyed the exchanges played out across various threads on ES. 

Needless to say then, this one in particular  I’ve monitored very closely, albeit with cautious optimism yet trepidation. Reason being I’m also a Liverpool FC fan of 36 years and still recall the Hicks & Gillett takeover in 2007, with many fans at that stage welcoming it due to the need for the club to be able to better compete, financially - SiP has done a great job of explaining this previously, from recollection, so I won’t bore anyone with details.

What I’d say though is to be careful what we wish for. Only whilst I fully appreciate ‘anyone but Dan’ is a win, and to an extent it is, Fertitta in particular worries me a little. Which, and I hate to be that guy, makes me ask, “would Dan be so spiteful that he’d almost deliberately opt for the worst candidate”? The type where in years to come he can smugly say to himself, “not looking like such a bad guy now, am I?” 

The idea of an actually competent owner/ownership turning things around quickly and making the team sustainably relevant must kill the guy! So would he sabotage that by again, agreeing with ‘the worst option’. 

I guess I just look at Dan the person, who you guys have had to endure much longer than I, needless to say, and between the boo’ing of Tanya and momentum of ‘post-Dan parade’ chat, I can’t shake that feeling his petulant, parting gift would be consistent with his reign.  

But that’s me doom mongering some, when it is of course (a) out of all our hands and (b) a complete unknown how things play out, and to reiterate what many of you have said better than I could, simply removing Dan in itself would put an end to that particular trauma, which the fan base deserves.

Personally speaking, then, I do hope the Harris-Rales group wins out and further, that it gets resolved in the coming days.

But aye, hopefully see some of you at the already mentioned parade when he’s gone. ‘Oh Danny Boy…the pipes, the pipes, are calling…’

Cheers!