3 hours ago, ManuManu said:

Agreed 100 percent. We’re fortunate to have the group we do covering the team.

And ESP!!!

Churning at PS is deliberate, for sure. It helps to have more fringe players available to come in when needed. But the constant in-and-out would not be helpful for their developments, IMHO. Maybe the churning will slow down or stop after they figure out whom are more important to keep around.

1 hour ago, austinfan said:

Howie obviously reworked the scouting department, because since that draft, he's got one of the best draft records in the NFL.

2021: D Smith (10), Dickerson (37), Williams (73), Gainwell (150), P Johnson (234)

2022: Davis (13), Jurgens (51), Dean (83), Calcaterra (198)

2023: Carter (9), N Smith (30), Steen (65) S Brown (66), McKee (188), Ojomo (249)

2024: Mitchell (22), Cooper (40), Hunt (94), Shipley (127), Trotter (155), Wilson (185)

I think Howie also developed a better working relationship with the coaches...and, for whatever reason, seems to have a better one with Siri and Vic than he ever has with prior coaches. At least half of busts, probably more, come from bad fits instead of bad scouting and bad selections.

Even good picks used to take YEARS to carve out roles on the team and get non-injury forced playing time.

They are by no means drafting for need, but every draft pick in the first 2 rounds feels like they have an action plan to get on the field and help the team immediately...with a defined and digestible role. In round 3, they consistently go for players with upside who are available because they aren't ready to contribute as rookies. And, in round 3, ultimately, those players are going to have a more reliable path to the field than lower upside higher fit/finish ones...because at least we know they can physically slot into the NFL.

And the coaches buy into these plans for each player. We once had Chip refusing to dress Marcus Smith (although he did suck) out of spite. Or drafting a possession WR in JJAW when the offense already had multiple of that and the coaches had no idea how to use him.

52 minutes ago, just relax said:

2-4-5 or 3-4-4

Given how much Nickel we play, I think 2-4-5 is the Base and 3-4-4 is a variant.

JMO

42 minutes ago, Alphagrand said:

Only going on Week 1 snaps, they show the following:

DT -- Ojomo 90%, Davis 87%

EDGE -- N.Smith 85%, Hunt 64%

LB -- Baun 100%, Campbell 92%

CB -- Mitchell 100%, Jackson 69%

NCB -- DeJean 100%

S -- Blankenship 100%, Mukuba 84%

For those 11 players Hunt is the lowest at 64%, meaning roughly 2/3 of the time this is the base defense. There would need to be a more nuanced discussion around how often Smith and Hunt dropped into coverage, but I would "label" both of them as edge rushers and call it a 4-2-5.

Thoughtful answer. It prompts a follow up question. In the Giants’ 3-4, LT was one of the 4. How often did he rush the passer?

28 minutes ago, Alphagrand said:

Again, I didn't mind Patullo's game plan as much as some in here did. The Eagles scored TDs on 3 early possessions so what they were doing was working, IMO. This illustrates how the Eagles relied on the short passing game other than the one deep throw to Dotson. It doesn't resemble any other passing chart from Week 1.

It will be interesting to compare their strategy used against the Chiefs defense this weekend:

I have heard that Patullo did not use a script at the beginning of the game. Has anyone else heard about that? If yes, any input as to why he didn’t use a script?

On this day of remembrance, gonna share a Schulz joke that relates to both 9/11 and football

30 minutes ago, Alphagrand said:

Again, I didn't mind Patullo's game plan as much as some in here did. The Eagles scored TDs on 3 early possessions so what they were doing was working, IMO. This illustrates how the Eagles relied on the short passing game other than the one deep throw to Dotson. It doesn't resemble any other passing chart from Week 1.

It will be interesting to compare their strategy used against the Chiefs defense this weekend:

Remember when he was focused on one side of the field? Impressive how he's using everything. His growth from day 1 is great

25 minutes ago, Connecticut Eagle said:

IMO, if Dallas had rush-lane discipline, like they did in the second half, Hurt's drive-sustaining scrambles wouldn't have been available. We would be having a very different conversation.

We were fortunate to have a QB like Hurts to take advantage of their mistakes.

Orlovsky did a good job of illustrating how undisciplined the Cowboys pass rush was, and how Hurts took advantage of it.

1 hour ago, just relax said:

2-4-5 or 3-4-4

For some reason this popped in my head.

1 hour ago, Mike030270 said:

I missed it. Why would Brown play angrier?

He's moved on from reading Inner Excellence to Outward Anger.

I think the defense will be fine and will probably take 4-5 games to gel like last year. My biggest issue is who steps up from a leadership standpoint to try to curb the stupid penalties we see and keep everyone in check. I’d like for it to be Baun, but I don’t really know who else would have that type of BG/Fletch role.

14 hours ago, bpac55 said:

Who plays an angrier game on Sunday, Jalen Carter or AJ Brown? Excited to see both of these guys come out on fire.

I’d guess this is a Jalen Carter impact game. Don’t think he wants the world to know him as the spitgate guy.

2 minutes ago, BDawk_ASamuel said:

I think the defense will be fine and will probably take 4-5 games to gel like last year. My biggest issue is who steps up from a leadership standpoint to try to curb the stupid penalties we see and keep everyone in check. I’d like for it to be Baun, but I don’t really know who else would have that type of BG/Fletch role.

Not coming from an old dude this year. Dean would be a big add there - but who knows how they’re gonna use him when he’s healthy. Don’t like Baun and Blankenship as wise and/or "whip them into shape” type leaders. Nolan Smith would be my guess. Jihaad Campbell in future years - he was already kinda doing that in the DAL game.

4 minutes ago, Saltpeter said:

I’d guess this is a Jalen Carter impact game. Don’t think he wants the world to know him as the spitgate guy.

I am psyched to watch Carter and Davis out there together.

1 hour ago, LeanMeanGM said:

I was thinking about it the other day and I wonder at what point a guy like Ricks gets tired of being jerked around like this. Credit to Howie for finding ways to get them paid but it’s gotta be hard as a person to do this roster dance every week and have even less stability in an already unstable profession.

Then again if no other team wants them, it’s all a moot point.

He is always free to get on another NFL roster. It's not like Ricks hasn't made money. His career earnings are close to $1.7 million dollars. https://www.spotrac.com/nfl/player/earnings/_/id/82804/eli-ricks I don't think that includes practice squad money. It's also not like there's another option besides the NFL to earn this kind of money. The average salary for a CFL player is closer to $100,000 CAD which is like $70,000 US. He would need 10 weeks of practice squad time to beat that salary. If he gets elevated for one game, does he get his base salary rate? If so, his base is $1.67 million this season. So he would earn more with one active game than he would likely get for a full season in the CFL. I am sure it's an emotional rollercoaster but it's not like the opportunity to earn a significant amount isn't possible.

26 minutes ago, eagle45 said:

I think Howie also developed a better working relationship with the coaches...and, for whatever reason, seems to have a better one with Siri and Vic than he ever has with prior coaches. At least half of busts, probably more, come from bad fits instead of bad scouting and bad selections.

Even good picks used to take YEARS to carve out roles on the team and get non-injury forced playing time.

They are by no means drafting for need, but every draft pick in the first 2 rounds feels like they have an action plan to get on the field and help the team immediately...with a defined and digestible role. In round 3, they consistently go for players with upside who are available because they aren't ready to contribute as rookies. And, in round 3, ultimately, those players are going to have a more reliable path to the field than lower upside higher fit/finish ones...because at least we know they can physically slot into the NFL.

And the coaches buy into these plans for each player. We once had Chip refusing to dress Marcus Smith (although he did suck) out of spite. Or drafting a possession WR in JJAW when the offense already had multiple of that and the coaches had no idea how to use him.

I continue to be amazed by the near-term sustainability of the roster. Only these key contributors are unsigned in 2026...Blankenship, Calcaterra, Dean, Dotson, Goedert, Fred Johnson, Mann, and Pryor - along with all the 1-year DEs they have.

Look around the league at all the teams with continual challenges at QB, OL, DL. We have those covered. The agenda for the next couple years is TE, CB2, maybe S, some more EDGE, and a future RT. That is not a daunting challenge.

6 minutes ago, just relax said:

I am psyched to watch Carter and Davis out there together.

Oh yeah - KC is also playing the rookie OT from Ohio State (Simmons), I like to see Jalyx have a bounce back week as I don't think Guyton is particularly good. ZS should be a handful as well in that match-up.

Tonight Conerly, rookie from Oregon, versus Parsons 😬 . Can the Packers afford to spy with Edgerin Cooper or will the savvy vets play them out of it?

1 hour ago, just relax said:

Here are two consecutive plays against the Turds:

The first is a 2-4-5 or, if you prefer, a 4-2-5. I opt for the former because the outside guys do not line up in a 3-point stance.

The second is, I would argue, a 3-4-4 or, if you prefer a 5-2-4. Again, the two outside guys are in 2-point stances.

I'd call it a 3-4 or 4-2 b//c the ends line up on the LOS, where in a "true" 3-4 they line up a bit more like a LB.

I think it depends a bit on personnel.

With Hunt and Smith, they're true 3-4 OLBs and have no problem dropping into coverage, Uche not so much, Smith is a true DE (like BG) and if he drops into coverage it's basically just to be a body.

This also dicates some other moves, with Hunt and Smith in coverage, Fangio would be more likely to call a "A" gap blitz with Baun and Campbell, than with Uche and Smith

Having the LBs in a 2 point stance makes it easier for them to move pre and post-snap.

It'll be interesting to see if Smith lines up in a 2 or 3 point stance.

So for all the peeps this offseason who said we wouldn't miss a beat with Ojomo replacing Milton Williams. Yes. It's only 1 game. But I think it's a larger gap than you thought, eh? Anyway, I think Booker is the one we will regret most leaving this offseason, because at least he was minimum wage.

2 minutes ago, jojodancer said:

So for all the peeps this offseason who said we wouldn't miss a beat with Ojomo replacing Milton Williams. Yes. It's only 1 game. But I think it's a larger gap than you thought, eh? Anyway, I think Booker is the one we will regret most leaving this offseason, because at least he was minimum wage.

I mean, you can't be serious with this. Jalen Carter didn't play. Changed everything.

I realize you're a blood relative of Milton's, but let's see a game where Ojomo gets to play next to JC like Milt did.

45 minutes ago, mattwill said:

I have heard that Patullo did not use a script at the beginning of the game. Has anyone else heard about that? If yes, any input as to why he didn’t use a script?

Yes, he said he didn’t against Dallas because it was a new defense they haven’t seen on tape before so he was more interested to see how they come out and then counter off that.

3 minutes ago, vikas83 said:

I mean, you can't be serious with this. Jalen Carter didn't play. Changed everything.

I realize you're a blood relative of Milton's, but let's see a game where Ojomo gets to play next to JC like Milt did.

I hear ya. But Milton had a very solid 1st game with Pats and no JC. Everyone was too quick to say he needs JC to be effective. I strongly disagreed with that. He is just a couple tiers better than Ojomo. And is starting now. Also, JD had a great game next to Ojomo. And Ojomo bombed. Still early...

1 hour ago, BDawk_ASamuel said:

I think the defense will be fine and will probably take 4-5 games to gel like last year. My biggest issue is who steps up from a leadership standpoint to try to curb the stupid penalties we see and keep everyone in check. I’d like for it to be Baun, but I don’t really know who else would have that type of BG/Fletch role.

Dean, IMO. He just needs to stay healthy. But he is the leader on the D.

38 minutes ago, jojodancer said:

I hear ya. But Milton had a very solid 1st game with Pats and no JC. Everyone was too quick to say he needs JC to be effective. I strongly disagreed with that. He is just a couple tiers better than Ojomo. And is starting now. Also, JD had a great game next to Ojomo. And Ojomo bombed. Still early...

But.... I heard on one of the pods (from Cosell) that Ojamo played on the opposite side he usually plays the entire game...

Let's see how he looks with Carter wrecking ish.