EMB Blog: 2021 Offseason

[rambo]

11 hours ago, Wentz_Era said:

I just moved to the Springs not too long ago...this place reminds me of Vegas.  You have 2 seasons...winter/summer and construction season.

Gonna be camping out in royal Gorge this summer.  Can't wait.

[BigEFly]

41 minutes ago, Iggles_Phan said:

If that can be corrected, he turns into Reno Mahe, as his ceiling, that's not good enough either.  

Reagor should have been given much more of a chance than he was, especially since Ward also showed an inability to recognize when to catch the ball.  Yes, Reagor had a few drops in his extremely limited opportunities.  But, he also showed explosiveness.    Reagor would need to work on his ball security in catching the ball before I'd be very comfortable with him back there, but at least he forces the opponent to think about directional kicking or keeping the ball away from him a little.  

 

"A few drops in his extremely limited opportunities ".  I would rather Mahe 2.0 and Reagor as that occasional, let’s put DJax on this PR than Reagor as the regular PR.  

[Wentz_Era]

27 minutes ago, rambo said:

Gonna be camping out in royal Gorge this summer.  Can't wait.

If I ever get off this night shift schedule that's one of the places near the top of my list for an extended trip.

[Alphagrand]

24 minutes ago, BigEFly said:

"A few drops in his extremely limited opportunities ".  I would rather Mahe 2.0 and Reagor as that occasional, let’s put DJax on this PR than Reagor as the regular PR.  

Doug’s (or maybe Fipp’s) strategy was to put Reagor back for PR only in positive field position situations, and have Ward back there to return punts that were likely to land inside the Eagles 20 for ball security purposes.  Never liked that strategy as it showed a cautious (maybe even scared) mindset.  It didn’t do much for Reagor’s development, either.  
 

You’ve got to live with the mistakes a young player is going to make.  Yes, Reagor would likely have put one on the ground — but you’re going to get the best out of a player by showing confidence in him.  Maybe in the 4th quarter that strategy is prudent but not as a 60-minute rule.

[rambo]

1 minute ago, Wentz_Era said:

If I ever get off this night shift schedule that's one of the places near the top of my list for an extended trip.

Family trip to Estes and RMNP then headed south from there to Royal Gorge to camp with my cousin and his family.  Spending a night in Springs before heading back to the airport.  I love CO.  Want my kids now that they're old enough to appreciate it to see first hand the beauty of it in person since pictures rarely do it justice. 

[Wentz_Era]

40 minutes ago, rambo said:

Family trip to Estes and RMNP then headed south from there to Royal Gorge to camp with my cousin and his family.  Spending a night in Springs before heading back to the airport.  I love CO.  Want my kids now that they're old enough to appreciate it to see first hand the beauty of it in person since pictures rarely do it justice. 

Ya it's amazing out here.  I work at the AF Academy and the saying is 'if you're ever having a bad day just look west'. 

Had an awesome drive into work last night.  It's all rainy here and there was a sunny patch right over Pikes Peak with the rest of the backdrop overcast.  Was pretty amazing looking.

[rambo]

1 hour ago, Wentz_Era said:

Ya it's amazing out here.  I work at the AF Academy and the saying is 'if you're ever having a bad day just look west'. 

Had an awesome drive into work last night.  It's all rainy here and there was a sunny patch right over Pikes Peak with the rest of the backdrop overcast.  Was pretty amazing looking.

I did cog railway up pikes peak many years ago.  90 at the bottom sleet and freezing rain at the top.  Nerve wracking to drive up some of those mountains.  You go off the road and it's hundreds of feet straight down the switch back.  Mt Evans had me leaning into the middle of the car a few times when I was a passenger.  Looking out the window and nothing but shear cliffs is a bit unnerving.  Had mountain goats right next to us at some points which was cool.  I've been up a few 14ers in my many trips and it is truly breath taking. 

[Iggles_Phan]

2 hours ago, BigEFly said:

"A few drops in his extremely limited opportunities ".  I would rather Mahe 2.0 and Reagor as that occasional, let’s put DJax on this PR than Reagor as the regular PR.  

Well, I'd rather they had Reagor working on punt returning in Practice, which I don't believe they did... which I think would make drops more likely.

[Wentz_Era]

36 minutes ago, rambo said:

I did cog railway up pikes peak many years ago.  90 at the bottom sleet and freezing rain at the top.  Nerve wracking to drive up some of those mountains.  You go off the road and it's hundreds of feet straight down the switch back.  Mt Evans had me leaning into the middle of the car a few times when I was a passenger.  Looking out the window and nothing but shear cliffs is a bit unnerving.  Had mountain goats right next to us at some points which was cool.  I've been up a few 14ers in my many trips and it is truly breath taking. 

That's dope!  There is the potential this could be my last assignment, so I pretty much hit the jackpot with the military assignment gods.  This area def has the allure to stay in once I retire if the opportunity to go back there doesn't arise.

[Wentz_Era]

15 minutes ago, Iggles_Phan said:

Well, I'd rather they had Reagor working on punt returning in Practice, which I don't believe they did... which I think would make drops more likely.

IIRC he muffed one fielding attempt.  Which was after Ward f'd up all game and flipped the field in a negative way refusing to field the punts.  So he probably got told don't f this up or some form of pressure put on him.   Then was put in the doghouse.

[Iggles_Phan]

3 minutes ago, Wentz_Era said:

IIRC he muffed one fielding attempt.  Which was after Ward f'd up all game and flipped the field in a negative way refusing to field the punts.  So he probably got told don't f this up or some form of pressure put on him.   Then was put in the doghouse.

He muffed one in the first game, I think.   And then I think he muffed the one he scored the TD on against GB, as well.  

 

[Wentz_Era]

6 minutes ago, Iggles_Phan said:

He muffed one in the first game, I think.   And then I think he muffed the one he scored the TD on against GB, as well.  

 

I only remembered that first one...but you're probably right.  Last season got to the point where I was forcing myself to try to actually pay attention at a certain point every week.

[BigEFly]

2 hours ago, Alphagrand said:

Doug’s (or maybe Fipp’s) strategy was to put Reagor back for PR only in positive field position situations, and have Ward back there to return punts that were likely to land inside the Eagles 20 for ball security purposes.  Never liked that strategy as it showed a cautious (maybe even scared) mindset.  It didn’t do much for Reagor’s development, either.  
 

You’ve got to live with the mistakes a young player is going to make.  Yes, Reagor would likely have put one on the ground — but you’re going to get the best out of a player by showing confidence in him.  Maybe in the 4th quarter that strategy is prudent but not as a 60-minute rule.

Reagor dropped punts at TCU, during TC and in the regular season.  He needs to put the effort into fixing that.  As a kid, I loved returning punts but you have to discipline yourself not to sneak peaks.  Fielding requires full concentration. And sometimes that means taking a pop or signaling a fair catch too early.  I will also say what Coach Green said, better to regret a fair catch than to get popped and fumble.

[Iggles_Phan]

15 minutes ago, Wentz_Era said:

I only remembered that first one...but you're probably right.  Last season got to the point where I was forcing myself to try to actually pay attention at a certain point every week.

I checked, Reagor did muff the one he took to the house.

[BigEFly]

1 hour ago, rambo said:

I did cog railway up pikes peak many years ago.  90 at the bottom sleet and freezing rain at the top.  Nerve wracking to drive up some of those mountains.  You go off the road and it's hundreds of feet straight down the switch back.  Mt Evans had me leaning into the middle of the car a few times when I was a passenger.  Looking out the window and nothing but shear cliffs is a bit unnerving.  Had mountain goats right next to us at some points which was cool.  I've been up a few 14ers in my many trips and it is truly breath taking. 

Driving the Million Dollar Highway in a few weeks. That can be a bit nerve wracking as can taking 50, which I will in towards Colorado Springs. Wife has never been to CO.  I am covering the southern section this trip along with NM.  I have seen, meaning driven around in, all 48 lower states. My wife has 6 to go and this trip will knock off one of them for her.  We will also be doing AK and HI in the next couple of years so we can scratch those off and I will finish the 50.  Anybody drive to AK?  My folks did when my dad was about my age, so I am considering it. 

[BigEFly]

45 minutes ago, Iggles_Phan said:

He muffed one in the first game, I think.   And then I think he muffed the one he scored the TD on against GB, as well.  

 

He muffed one and got a TD at TCU too.  He also juggled a couple.  T’was the knock on him as a PR coming out of college.  
 
Unlike Manu, I believe any player can improve, even Ward.  Reagor needs to work on his concentration, both in fielding punts and making catches and probably some of his discipline.  And Ward needs to work on moving to the ball and trusting himself to catch it on PRs.  We would go from rags to riches on PRs if they each fixed that.  

[Iggles_Phan]

9 minutes ago, BigEFly said:

He muffed one and got a TD at TCU too.  He also juggled a couple.  T’was the knock on him as a PR coming out of college.  
 
Unlike Manu, I believe any player can improve, even Ward.  Reagor needs to work on his concentration, both in fielding punts and making catches and probably some of his discipline.  And Ward needs to work on moving to the ball and trusting himself to catch it on PRs.  We would go from rags to riches on PRs if they each fixed that.  

I think any player can improve, including Ward.  But, I can't see Ward ever being considered 'riches' at PR.  

[olsilverhair]

I am your father

[FranklinFldEBUpper]

9 hours ago, Iggles_Phan said:

Mahe was a better PR than Ward, because he fair caught so much.  Ward lets the ball bounce way too much.

In addition, Mahe almost always made the first defender miss. Ward almost never does.

Incidentally, I was at the casino in Atlantic City today. DeVonta Smith is 15 to 1 to win Offensive Rookie of the Year.

[Michaels maniacs]

They should just have reagor concentrate on wr

For now!

[LeanMeanGM]

48 minutes ago, FranklinFldEBUpper said:

In addition, Mahe almost always made the first defender miss. Ward almost never does.

Incidentally, I was at the casino in Atlantic City today. DeVonta Smith is 15 to 1 to win Offensive Rookie of the Year.

Good odds but I wouldn’t bet on it. Too many first round QB’s, Waddle, Chase, Harris could be strong candidates and the dark horse Pitts. Jefferson had the year he did last year and still lost, I think a QB wins it. 

[Alphagrand]

15 minutes ago, LeanMeanGM said:

Good odds but I wouldn’t bet on it. Too many first round QB’s, Waddle, Chase, Harris could be strong candidates and the dark horse Pitts. Jefferson had the year he did last year and still lost, I think a QB wins it. 

Who has the better 2021 season — Hurts, Tua, or Mac Jones?  How many of the three will have a starting QB job for 2022?

[LeanMeanGM]

10 minutes ago, Alphagrand said:

Who has the better 2021 season — Hurts, Tua, or Mac Jones?  How many of the three will have a starting QB job for 2022?

Good questions. Mac Jones has to be the favorite for starter in 2022. Probably Tua a close second. Better 2021 season is either Hurts or Tua, Mac Jones a distant third. Tua kinda sucks, Hurts is more unknown but probably behind Tua. I think Belichick tries to stick to Newton for half the season. 

[eagle45]

6 hours ago, LeanMeanGM said:

Good questions. Mac Jones has to be the favorite for starter in 2022. Probably Tua a close second. Better 2021 season is either Hurts or Tua, Mac Jones a distant third. Tua kinda sucks, Hurts is more unknown but probably behind Tua. I think Belichick tries to stick to Newton for half the season. 

They were all much better than Hurts on the same team...

[DeathByEagle]

7 hours ago, Alphagrand said:

Who has the better 2021 season — Hurts, Tua, or Mac Jones?  How many of the three will have a starting QB job for 2022?

Tough question to answer.

I guess it depends on what you mean by better season? Best team record or who plays better football? Tua would be the favorite for best record but I don;t believe it will be due to his play. Overall they have the best team out of the 3 and that defense will win them a nice amount of games. If they get that run game going you could see Tua in a limited role throwing to reduce game ending errors. 

Mac Jones should have the best accuracy out of the 3. However with Cam Newton there how much will he see the field in season 1? I think Jones is your lock for a guaranteed starter for 2022 as Cam will more then likely be gone in NE with his 1 year deal. 

In Hurts the issue is we have zero clue what this coaching staff will bring in scheme, play design etc. That alone can make a huge difference in the growth and play for a QB. Using a quick, short route scheme with a read/pass option will be the best for Hurts. Yes adding in some mid/deep options to keep the defense honest but the short/mid level game with a lot of creative concepts to get the recs open quick will be key to Hurts success. He needs to start with max 2 read play design. Option 1, Option 2 or take off. Keep it simple.