1 minute ago, ManuManu said:

I know Nolan Smith has two sacks in the preseason, but he just doesn’t look like a player. His sacks weren’t really off skill. He was basically unblocked on the first one and the second was assisted by the RB chip. 

Nope, unblocked against the 3rd string isn't moving the needle at all.

Huff had 4 tackles in 12 snaps against the Patriots starting offense. Seems like any concerns anyone would have about him should be considerably abated.

2 minutes ago, bpac55 said:

- Nakobe Dean and Nolan Smith are frustrating. Neither are consistent but both make plays once in a while. Not ideal.

I'm just not understanding the anti-Dean campaign. He was terrific last week, having one of the best PFF grades and will likely do that again after tonight's game. He's playing fast. He's doing what's expected in coverage, blitzing great, hustling. It's obvious there are some people that went into this season expecting him to fail and voicing as much. He's been outstanding for the last two weeks (in practice as well) and some people refuse to acknowledge it and continue to downplay what is currently happening.

As for Smith, he's learning to play edge in the NFL and has 2 sacks through two preseason games. Unlike you, I see that as encouraging. 

So far, I'd label that as Ideal. 

 

In 2 preseason games, we have barely allowed over 200 passing yards combined and around a total of 150 yards rushing at somewhere around 3.3 or 3.4 ypc --- and this is mostly without starters playing. 

1 minute ago, brkmsn said:

I'm just not understanding the anti-Dean campaign. He was terrific last week, having one of the best PFF grades and will likely do that again after tonight's game. He's playing fast. He's doing what's expected in coverage, blitzing great, hustling. It's obvious there are some people that went into this season expecting him to fail and voicing as much. He's been outstanding for the last two weeks (in practice as well) and some people refuse to acknowledge it and continue to downplay what is currently happening.

As for Smith, he's learning to play edge in the NFL and has 2 sacks through two preseason games. Unlike you, I see that as encouraging. 

So far, I'd label that as Ideal. 

 

In 2 preseason games, we have barely allowed over 200 passing yards combined and around a total of 150 yards rushing at somewhere around 3.3 or 3.4 ypc --- and this is mostly without starters playing. 

I've just had high expectations for both players based on their pedigree. I said both made some plays, but both are equally as frustrating. Dean made a fantastic play on the screen pass. Nolan Smith had an unblocked sack, but also had a roughing the passer. IMO, both should be playing better. Yes, they are both still learning but Dean is in year 3. He's gotta be there. Smith was a 1st rounder. He should DOMINATE 3rd stringers, not just get unblocked sacks. 

8 minutes ago, Utebird said:

They missed a few, I just watched the highlights and its about 9 minutes long and I counted at least 3 Holds on Dean alone and im not sure how the refs missed in in the pats long KR as well that was blatantly obvious

Guess its ore seasin for refs or goodell has told the refs to chill on the holding cuz it stops big plays😒 

I'm sure they're just "letting them play" in the preseason, but you do need to call some things or the players won't learn. I think when a guy is sacking a QB and an offensive lineman hugs him from behind and pulls him away, tackling him to the ground, you need to throw the flag. Johnson is definitely a bubble player. He had the big play last week (strip sack, setting up the winning FG) and should have had a sack here too to put on his resume. 

4 minutes ago, bpac55 said:

I've just had high expectations for both players based on their pedigree. I said both made some plays, but both are equally as frustrating. Dean made a fantastic play on the screen pass. Nolan Smith had an unblocked sack, but also had a roughing the passer. IMO, both should be playing better. Yes, they are both still learning but Dean is in year 3. He's gotta be there. Smith was a 1st rounder. He should DOMINATE 3rd stringers, not just get unblocked sacks. 

How is this "unblocked?"

 

13 minutes ago, HazletonEagle said:

He appears to be the new Derek Barnett. He will get fluky sacks. At least he doesnt get stupid penalties though. I suppose we have upgraded there.

Did you miss the RTP?

3 minutes ago, brkmsn said:

How is this "unblocked?"

 

You're right, I'm remembering it wrong. Maybe the roughing the passer was the unblocked play. Either way, that play is late in the 3rd quarter against reserves. I need to see him make plays against starters. 

2 minutes ago, bpac55 said:

You're right, I'm remembering it wrong. Maybe the roughing the passer was the unblocked play. Either way, that play is late in the 3rd quarter against reserves. I need to see him make plays against starters. 

Your probably thinking of last week when he was lined up like a NCB

6 minutes ago, bpac55 said:

You're right, I'm remembering it wrong. Maybe the roughing the passer was the unblocked play. Either way, that play is late in the 3rd quarter against reserves. I need to see him make plays against starters. 

Lowe (#59) started 8 games for the Patriots last season. 

1 hour ago, RememberTheKoy said:

Spadaro declaring Pickett as the unquestioned #2.  

 

Gotta boost that trade value for when a starter goes down

 

31 minutes ago, LeanMeanGM said:

Did you miss the RTP?

I forgot about it.  I didn't think it was bad.  Correct call but don't like the call. 

14 minutes ago, LeanMeanGM said:

 

That’s the official reason. 

5 hours ago, LeanMeanGM said:

@vikas83

I bid on that last year. Stayed with it up to like 22k, then switched to the one with Nick. Last year it went for $30,000 IIRC. 

My two cents:

QB: Hard to judge Pickett, with no protection and no WRs who can separate, hard to make plays. McKee looks better, but against worse competition. Should start McKee the third game and see how he looks against better defenders.

RB:  Gainwell is fine, he's a backup RB, Career 4.4 YPC, POs, 5.0 YPC. Good receiver and decent blocker. Really, stop complaining. Shipley is probably a year in the weight room from taking his job. TDP can run, but can he block and catch?

WR:  Ross would be a candidate if he was 22 instead of 28, that is, he shows flashes, but too old for flashes, needs to consistently perform. Ngata has good hands, but no separation. Covey can be a role player, Wilson can block, the rest . . .

TE:  Jenkins had a nice game but got injured, Uzomah blew a block, not good when blocking is your forte.

OL:  Fred Johnson is the top OT backup, nothing changed in this game. Keegan was solid, he's made the team. Toth started at C then moved to RT, versatile, but not that good at any spot, see him as the veteran on the PS. Steen was up and down then got hurt, may just not be a starting OG. Kinnard struggled a little, probably on the bubble. Scharping cut himself, Gates did nothing to earn a job. McMahon showed the movement skills they love, but probably needs to "red shirt" for a year.

DL:  Tuipulato struggled to anchor and while Mustipher played better, neither seems NT material. Ojomo played well and was pulled early, he's made the team. Booker had a strong showing, he may beat out those two.

ILB:  Dean and Trotter showed their strengths and weaknesses, both are smart, downhill players, Trotter plays bigger, neither has the speed and agility to excel in space. VanSumeran shows enough to keep him on the roster for STs and let him continue to learn.

OLB: Hunt didn't flash as much, Smith makes plays but not as consistently as someone with that talent - but I think he's still learning how to play in space, but if you just want him to run fast off the edge, Patrick Johnson can do that as well.

CB:  Ringo got beat a couple times but not badly, but Jet QBs couldn't take advantage. Hall made a really nice play. Jobe and Ricks aren't making the team, they're not awful, just too deep at CB.

S:  Maddox is simply better than Bradberry. And there's no way they're exposing McCollum. So it's obvious who's the odd man out. They'll take their time with Brown coming off the PUP.

Howie is looking for a WR3, TE3, RG and NT. Won't break the bank but will add a couple veterans and load up the PS.

3 hours ago, Connecticut Eagle said:

After seeing 2017, I'd do the same ish every year.

I should’ve specified that he invests in bad QBs of late - Nick was a home run 

10 minutes ago, Texas Eagle said:

I should’ve specified that he invests in bad QBs of late - Nick was a home run 

Do you think Gardner Minshew was a bad backup quarterback?

4 hours ago, brkmsn said:

How is this "unblocked?"

 

It's not, it's a great pass rush snap, his closing speed might be the best in the league.

Both Nolan and Dean have impressed so far.

4 hours ago, austinfan said:

My two cents:

QB: Hard to judge Pickett, with no protection and no WRs who can separate, hard to make plays. McKee looks better, but against worse competition. Should start McKee the third game and see how he looks against better defenders.

 

 

The only thing that's hard to judge about Pickett is whether his reluctance to air it out is a lack of arm, lack of balls or both, either way it will hobble our offense if he ever sees the field beyond clock chewing duty in blowouts.

1 hour ago, D-Shiznit said:

his closing speed might be the best in the league.

Come on, man.

I liked the Nolan Smith pick (a lot) and I liked the Nakobe Dean pick.  So I’m not part of any negativity campaign there.  I’ve also barely watched or paid attention to anything this preseason.

Ill just say 1 thing…it’s clear neither one is developing as Howie had hoped when he drafted both high.

Smith is going to have to fight for snaps by showing out in the regular season as one of the depth guys in a rotation.  He might succeed in doing that…but if he’s quiet, you won’t see his number on the field much all year.  They are prepared for him to not play much.

And Dean…he’s a 3rd round pick in year 3 whose name is being used interchangeably with Trotter Jr, a 21 year old 5th round rookie.

Safe to say things are not going according to plan with those two bulldogs,  

8 hours ago, LeanMeanGM said:

Did you miss the RTP?

Yep. Textbook Barnett. 

A look at Hunt's tackles from last night.

Not a bad night at the office, especially since he faced Okorafor, who has 60 career starts. He was pretty clearly held on a pass rush, and was getting around TEs pretty easily. Considering he is a perfect fit for this defense, I think he is going to get on the field sooner rather than later. 

In draft order, when teams finish with the same record, I think the tie breaker should be preseason record.  Teams with the better preseason record get the better pick as tie breaker.  
 

It’s just a tie breaker rather than strength of schedule…but could be a fun little reason to win a preseason game.  Make it more watchable.