I still have some (perhaps unfounded) sense of optimism that they will figure out the safety situation. They have a really good track record of getting by with middling talent at safety. Blankenship was a special player in that he really wasn't very good but his presence out there was a stabilizing, cohesive asset to the secondary. Jeez...for a disgruntled, angry, departing CJGJ 2 years ago to say the secondary was in good hands with Blankenship...there is some serious respect for what he brought despite not being that good.

Once they get over that, maybe they will settle down.

Blankenship and Mukuba were fine last year. Epps and Blankenship were fine last year. Blankenship really isn't that good...so why can't Mukuba and Epps be fine?

I have lost hope that we will ever look back on Mukuba as some nice draft pick, but I don't see why he can't reach Nate Allen status as a guy that you can get by with back there. I do think they'll settle down at safety. It may require first trying Michael Carter II (Can we call him MC2 if he sticks?) over Epps. I preferred him from the beginning and he has been a good player in this league before.

17 minutes ago, NCiggles said:

Here is the Rule:

ARTICLE 3. SPEAKERS IN HELMETS. The Coach-to-Player system allows a member of the coaching staff in the bench area

or the coaches’ booth to communicate to a designated offensive or defensive player with a speaker in his helmet. The

communication begins once a game official has signaled a down to be over and is cut off when the play clock reaches 15 seconds

or the ball is snapped, whichever occurs first.

Each offensive and defensive team is permitted no more than one player on the field with a speaker in his helmet. Each team is

permitted to have a maximum of three active radio receivers to be used on offense by its quarterbacks, and a maximum of three

active radio receivers to be used on defense by players who have been designated as primary and backup users.

Clubs that have a player whose principal position is as a non-quarterback (e.g., wide receiver, running back) and who also is used

as a quarterback from time to time must have two helmets for that player—one with and one without radio components.

When a quarterback enters the game for the first time or re-enters the game if he has previously been in the game and removed,

he must report to the Referee.

Whenever the backup defensive user enters or re-enters the game wearing a helmet with a speaker, he must report to the Umpire.

If the primary defensive user subsequently re-enters the game wearing a helmet with a speaker, he must report to the Umpire. If

the primary and backup players have been removed from the game, no other player may wear the radio speaker in his helmet.

Teams must use other methods to communicate signals to their players.

It is not necessary that the offensive player with the speaker in his helmet receive the snap.

For special teams’ plays, only one player per team with a receiver will be permitted on the field.

All players that have radio components in their helmet must have a decal, supplied by the League, displayed on the midline of the

rear of the helmet. Players who have speakers in their helmets must be identified in the Communication System section of the

Game Day Administration Report that is submitted to the Referee or a member of his crew no later than one hour and 30 minutes

prior to kickoff.

For additional requirements and policies pertaining to the system, including regulations for the storage of a backup helmet for a

non-quarterback who is used as a quarterback, or for the backup defensive player’s helmet, please refer to the Policy Manual for

Member Clubs/Game Operations.

So - it is one-way communication from one coach either in the booth or on the field to one player on the field.

That's interesting. So it's very possible then that he chose it so he's not getting the sideline distractions

6 minutes ago, eagle45 said:

I still have some (perhaps unfounded) sense of optimism that they will figure out the safety situation. They have a really good track record of getting by with middling talent at safety. Blankenship was a special player in that he really wasn't very good but his presence out there was a stabilizing, cohesive asset to the secondary. Jeez...for a disgruntled, angry, departing CJGJ 2 years ago to say the secondary was in good hands with Blankenship...there is some serious respect for what he brought despite not being that good.

Once they get over that, maybe they will settle down.

Blankenship and Mukuba were fine last year. Epps and Blankenship were fine last year. Blankenship really isn't that good...so why can't Mukuba and Epps be fine?

I have lost hope that we will ever look back on Mukuba as some nice draft pick, but I don't see why he can't reach Nate Allen status as a guy that you can get by with back there. I do think they'll settle down at safety. It may require first trying Michael Carter II (Can we call him MC2 if he sticks?) over Epps. I preferred him from the beginning and he has been a good player in this league before.

I bet Moore and Carter can make a nice tandem.

I was concerned bout losing BOTH communicators on the defense. Wasnt so much about how we would replace the talent. Thought we had that in place. Looks like we dont. But the bigger issue seems to be that we lost the guys who make sure everyone is alright. Because its not just their replacements struggling. The entire back 7 isnt looking great.

Never as good as it seems, never as bad as it seems.

Right now, the team is hemorrhaging because of a brutal liability in the level of play from 3 areas: the entire interior OL, Campbell at LB, and both safeties.

While it's certainly fair to point some fingers at Lane for regressing, Barkley for being mediocre with tough yards, the edges for their lack of pressure, the DTs for not playing up to their contracts, Coop and Woolen for not being more reliable....it's hard for these guys to shine when players they need to work cohesively with are absolutely trashing their assignments and matchups.

I really do think the safety play will settle down. I really do think they'll get more reliable play out of the second LB position, either from Campbell getting himself right or a replacement doing it (Campbell wasn't this bad last year in the opening games of his rookie freaking season...and Trott Jr could easily step in and be better than we saw from Campbell on Monday). Just getting those positions to serviceable will be transformative for the defense.

The OL? That's a more daunting task. I don't think this offense can reliably go anywhere with either Dickerson or Jurgens at LG. A horrendous LG, a still-developing Kendall at C, and a very light-anchor poor leverage Steen at RG is just a pocket collapsing sieve. Steen can get by if you have 4 other solid OL. Kendall can probably get by at center and continue to improve. But you need something else at LG to stabilize this picture. And I'm really tired of hearing about Lampkin. Maybe Fred Johnson. Morris is probably so green he doesn't know the snap count, but I bet he's not going to get pushed around. A trade feels appealing, but they don't have a 3rd round pick next year and this offense needs to prove something before draft picks get thrown away stabilizing them for 2026 only.

I think that 12 play 95 yard drive right before the Dalton interception is exactly how this offense is supposed to be operated in a perfect world. The run game sets everything else up seamlessly, you take some intermediate shots downfield, but you stay ahead of the chains. The problem comes when they stay committed to that same script when they fall behind the chains with a penalty or negative play.

It does still feel like a training wheel offense to a degree where they are afraid to open up the passing game. Hurts has shown a few times this season that he can push the ball downfield to DeVonta and Wicks. But they're still content getting 3, 4, 5, and 6 yards at a time which is what makes the offense painful to watch when they have to convert a 3rd and 4 every time. Not aggressive enough on first and second downs.

2 minutes ago, HazletonEagle said:

I bet Moore and Carter can make a nice tandem.

I was concerned bout losing BOTH communicators on the defense. Wasnt so much about how we would replace the talent. Thought we had that in place. Looks like we dont. But the bigger issue seems to be that we lost the guys who make sure everyone is alright. Because its not just their replacements struggling. The entire back 7 isnt looking great.

Monday night is probably exhibit A for your argument. I haven't watched the all-22, but everyone that did seems to be bemoaning blown coverages, guys being in the wrong place, passing players off to no one, etc, etc. It does feel a little bit like some of these guys just have no idea what they are doing.

3 minutes ago, HazletonEagle said:

I bet Moore and Carter can make a nice tandem.

I was concerned bout losing BOTH communicators on the defense. Wasnt so much about how we would replace the talent. Thought we had that in place. Looks like we dont. But the bigger issue seems to be that we lost the guys who make sure everyone is alright. Because its not just their replacements struggling. The entire back 7 isnt looking great.

I think losing Blankenship as just the stabilizing presence back there has been under discussed. The talent is still there, but the breakdowns (especially against the Bears) were all mental. 2 guys covering the same receiver, someone else running wide open. I also think adding safety to Coop's plate in base has him thinking too much right now.

The good news is Woolen is a massive upgrade from Adoree - don't need to hide CB2 on the wide side every snap.

I have faith the defense will improve with time.

15 minutes ago, eagle45 said:

I still have some (perhaps unfounded) sense of optimism that they will figure out the safety situation. They have a really good track record of getting by with middling talent at safety. Blankenship was a special player in that he really wasn't very good but his presence out there was a stabilizing, cohesive asset to the secondary. Jeez...for a disgruntled, angry, departing CJGJ 2 years ago to say the secondary was in good hands with Blankenship...there is some serious respect for what he brought despite not being that good.

Once they get over that, maybe they will settle down.

Blankenship and Mukuba were fine last year. Epps and Blankenship were fine last year. Blankenship really isn't that good...so why can't Mukuba and Epps be fine?

I have lost hope that we will ever look back on Mukuba as some nice draft pick, but I don't see why he can't reach Nate Allen status as a guy that you can get by with back there. I do think they'll settle down at safety. It may require first trying Michael Carter II (Can we call him MC2 if he sticks?) over Epps. I preferred him from the beginning and he has been a good player in this league before.

Coop needs to be at Strong Safety. Just make it happen. Whoever the best center fielder is between Makuba and Epps just put back there.

Then put Moore or Carter as the nickel. They’ll be fine there.

9 minutes ago, vikas83 said:

I think losing Blankenship as just the stabilizing presence back there has been under discussed. The talent is still there, but the breakdowns (especially against the Bears) were all mental. 2 guys covering the same receiver, someone else running wide open. I also think adding safety to Coop's plate in base has him thinking too much right now.

The good news is Woolen is a massive upgrade from Adoree - don't need to hide CB2 on the wide side every snap.

I have faith the defense will improve with time.

I brought up during the game too- we may be feeling the loss of Christian Parker more than we expected.

Felt like as long as Fangio was here the defense would be good. But, now you have no leader in the backfield (blankenship), and we lost our excellent DBs coach.

It should have come as no surprise that we would be seeing so much confusion back there but I think we took it for granted.

Now, we are right back to the days where the back end cant do their job well enough for the DL to do theirs. We get picked apart in coverage so quickly, our DL who really isnt playing that poorly are not getting home and its making them look worse. Its Gannon and Desai all over again.

6 minutes ago, HazletonEagle said:

I brought up during the game too- we may be feeling the loss of Christian Parker more than we expected.

Felt like as long as Fangio was here the defense would be good. But, now you have no leader in the backfield (blankenship), and we lost our excellent DBs coach.

It should have come as no surprise that we would be seeing so much confusion back there but I think we took it for granted.

Now, we are right back to the days where the back end cant do their job well enough for the DL to do theirs. We get picked apart in coverage so quickly, our DL who really isnt playing that poorly are not getting home and its making them look worse. Its Gannon and Desai all over again.

Yeah, my hope is the massive upgrade in talent (Q + Riq + Coop >>>> Slay + Bradberry + Maddox) from 2023 means this will get figured out.

The best way forward at safety internally is to start out with Coop and Carter at safety. Moore and Carter is a little too light for me. And both are just learning NFL safety. Coop has already played some there. Put Moore in the slot and he can tackle well from there. Maybe not as good as Cooper, but he's a known ballhawk there and blitzes very well there. We need big play ability in this defense and he offers that potential there.

4 minutes ago, HazletonEagle said:

I brought up during the game too- we may be feeling the loss of Christian Parker more than we expected.

Felt like as long as Fangio was here the defense would be good. But, now you have no leader in the backfield (blankenship), and we lost our excellent DBs coach.

It should have come as no surprise that we would be seeing so much confusion back there but I think we took it for granted.

Now, we are right back to the days where the back end cant do their job well enough for the DL to do theirs. We get picked apart in coverage so quickly, our DL who really isnt playing that poorly are not getting home and its making them look worse. Its Gannon and Desai all over again.

If the front-end can firm up against the run and cutdown on the need to blitz, that might simplify the decision making on the back-end. We shouldn't have safeties playing in the box, and with more confidence that the DL can handle the run perhaps sang froid versus play action.

Question: Nolan Smith had a huge brace on his left arm on Monday. He wasn't on the injured list. Is that legal and any word on what the injury is? He clearly was impacted by it.

19 hours ago, Swoop said:

I think if we unravel, Sirianni might be gone. I wouldn't be surprised if they give him another year though. He's never missed the playoffs, has won a SB and has been to two. Typically you don't let that go after one horrible season.

Though Lurie gave Dougie P the axe fast

As I recall, Doug didn't want to make changes that Lurie wanted made so there was a reason for that. There have been no reports like that about Sirianni.

The backup qb situation perfectly illustrates how much of a disorganized mess this team is this year

3 minutes ago, jojodancer said:

The best way forward at safety internally is to start out with Coop and Carter at safety. Moore and Carter is a little too light for me. And both are just learning NFL safety. Coop has already played some there. Put Moore in the slot and he can tackle well from there. Maybe not as good as Cooper, but he's a known ballhawk there and blitzes very well there. We need big play ability in this defense and he offers that potential there.

If you move Coop farther from the LoS he's less of a factor in the run fits, and if the Fangio defense can't stop the run with a light box it tends to completely fall apart.

This team is young on defense and making errors and needs some leadership. If I'm Fangio, I'm looking to calm things down with vets on the backend. Makuba needs to sit and watch. As does Campbell. Not giving up on either. It is possible that they threw these guys to the wolves too early in their careers. Just need to stabilize things for now. Although limited athletically, the loss of Dean and Blankenship in team IQ has not yet been replaced. Trotter and Moore are your remedy. For now....

How TF has this defense not generated any TOs through three weeks?

But Nakobe Dean has forced three himself.

Yuck.

1 minute ago, RememberTheKoy said:

The backup qb situation perfectly illustrates how much of a disorganized mess this team is this year

It'll get answered if Dalton is once again active and Tanner is not. I wouldn't put it past him though to troll everyone have Tanner as active and Dalton inactive and the following week flipped again

2 minutes ago, Waiting4Someday said:

If you move Coop farther from the LoS he's less of a factor in the run fits, and if the Fangio defense can't stop the run with a light box it tends to completely fall apart.

There will be a give and take with these moves. Moore is very good in the box. We have to do something else at this point. Ain't working. May not be permanent. Urgency of this Rams game needs to be heightened.

7 minutes ago, Freshmilk said:

Question: Nolan Smith had a huge brace on his left arm on Monday. He wasn't on the injured list. Is that legal and any word on what the injury is? He clearly was impacted by it.

He's been wearing that since last year I'm pretty sure. Ever since he tore his triceps and then re-aggravated it last year he's had it on.

It's legal. It's like when Josh Sweat would wear that huge knee brace even though he wasn't injured.

This was last year for reference and it's the same arm

Dalton can go be Active at the Senior Center.

He is cooked.

57 minutes ago, NCiggles said:

I am not sure how Sirianni would be communicating with Hurts on the field. Mannion is making the calls which go to Hurts directly. Where would Sirianni be interjecting a play call or suggestion? Sirianni probably does have influence on the game plan and makes suggested plays during the week.

I refuse to believe that Sirianni hasn't interrupted call selection on a few occasions this season, Sirianni can defintely choose plays for Mannion before they are relayed to Hurts (picking plays in advance as the drive takes place) - my claim has no validity, just speculation that was mentioned on a show, but I don't know if Seth would make a claim like that without some truth. He was ultimately saying without saying the persons name. Especially sitting next to DGunn (who has gotten inside information before).

This year our screen plays have resulted in negative yards, are completely predictable and one was called with :13 seconds left and no timeouts on the 8 yard line.........what play was so frustrating to watch get called last year? SCREENS......and who likely called for those screens??

Do we honestly think Mannion is this dumb to call WR screens to Lemon after the first 2-3 were complete failures?

I'll eat crow if Mannion continues to call horrible games, but I'm not so sure the issue is Mannion.

7 minutes ago, Maga301 said:

I refuse to believe that Sirianni hasn't interrupted call selection on a few occasions this season, Sirianni can defintely choose plays for Mannion before they are relayed to Hurts (picking plays in advance as the drive takes place) - my claim has no validity, just speculation that was mentioned on a show, but I don't know if Seth would make a claim like that without some truth. He was ultimately saying without saying the persons name. Especially sitting next to DGunn (who has gotten inside information before).

This year our screen plays have resulted in negative yards, are completely predictable and one was called with :13 seconds left and no timeouts on the 8 yard line.........what play was so frustrating to watch get called last year? SCREENS......and who likely called for those screens??

Do we honestly think Mannion is this dumb to call WR screens to Lemon after the first 2-3 were complete failures?

I'll eat crow if Mannion continues to call horrible games, but I'm not so sure the issue is Mannion.

Mannion is the one that said the screen game is a big part of his offense and he would continue to use them, fwiw

22 minutes ago, Freshmilk said:

Question: Nolan Smith had a huge brace on his left arm on Monday. He wasn't on the injured list. Is that legal and any word on what the injury is? He clearly was impacted by it.

Didn’t notice. Actually I haven’t noticed a whole lot from him this season…