34 minutes ago, LeanMeanGM said:

Tom Brady retires, Bucs trade for Rodgers. 

 

1 hour ago, justrelax said:

I've been chewing on the type of center we want after Kelce. A lot of that is dictated by the approach defenses are taking these days and I want to get into that. Those of you who pay attention to defensive alignments have probably noticed the terms 2i and 4i frequently. Georgia plays it. Alabama plays it. The Bucs play it. And...the Eagles play it, though not all the time.

What it is is a 3-4 defense with a nose tackle and two defensive linemen with their hands down. The NT plays head up on the center (0 Technique) and the two DL play on the inside shoulders of the OT. Head-up on the OT would be the 4 technique, hence the term 4i for 4 technique shaded inside the OT.

Here we go.

First off, this is not really new. Buddy Ryan used this a lot in his so-called Bear Defense and his 46 Defense, essentially covering the interior OL.

There are a lot of parts to this. Note that we stack our MLB directly behind the NT. This gives him a 2-way go. Depending on which way the play goes he can scrape off the NT. The other LB plays strong side. Because the NT is directly over the C, the C cannot climb to the second level to block the MLB. Also, because the NT covers him, it is extremely difficult for the C to double-team with either of his guards. He's got the NT in his face and the other DLs are two steps away. If he does go for the double-team, the backside G has to make an extremely difficult scoop block on the NT. Then there's the Power, a play we run a lot. It basically involves the C and one G to block down and the offside G to pull around and lead the RB into the B gap (between G and T). This is tough duty for the playside T because the DL across from his inside shoulder has the B gap covered and the MLB is stacked behind him to clean up. It can be done but it takes mobile linemen to do it.

Before I get back to blocking patterns I want to add that this defensive alignment is really designed to clog the middle with only four guys against five offensive linemen. If you can stymie the opponent's inside run game with just four guys you have an extra defender to handle outside runs and to drop in coverage. Think of how the Bucs handled our OZ a couple of weeks ago. Their LBs were clean to get outside and they're so fast that we couldn't outflank them. There are basically four gaps on the OL - the two A gaps and the two B gaps. The DTs cover the B gaps, the NT and the MLB cover the A gaps. For the most part, Kelce couldn't get out to the edge because he had Vea in his face. This defensive front reduced his mobility.

This is not to say that this front is a be-all and end-all. If you can block the NT with your C the whole thing falls apart. Another play that really works is the split zone, where your TE (or FB if you have one) can lead the RB around the edge and, because the DT is on the inside shoulder of the OT, the OT has natural leverage on him. Further, if you have OTs who can run, you can pull them across the formation since the G on their inside shoulder has natural leverage on the DT playing the 4i.

That bolded comment brings me back to Kelce's replacement. If we have a C who can block Vita Vea or Jordan Davis or whoever, we can handle this front. It's why I have second thoughts about Linderbaum. It's why Dickerson does make sense at C. Of course, if you do move Dickerson to C you sacrifice that massive left side.

My personal preference after Kelce retires is to have a bigger C. He doesn't have to be huge but I do want one who won't always need help against bigger NTs. The smaller he is, the bigger the Gs have to be. There's a trade-off between size and mobility. I'd love to see Kenyon Green at RG with Seumalo at C. That would be a helluva line.

Thank you. That was well presented and insightful.

1 hour ago, LeanMeanGM said:

 

Who?

1 hour ago, BigEFly said:

With Hurts and his tendencies in the pocket, I think that is habit.  Problem with halo in practice is breaking that habit.  Not sure he can.  But I think he will do as the team rebuilds.  This team is nowhere close to rebuilt. I wish I trusted Howie in his talent selection.  I don’t.  But I do believe the team will do their due diligence on QBs until they find a QB.  I think Hurts may well be the 2022 placeholder.  Not much out there available at QB to build a team around. Team is to hole riddled for Wilson or Rodgers to be a good investment.

I am curious about hunting potential dark horses. This is not a great year for it.  Let’s start with Sinnett, since he is on the roster.  Raw coming out of SDSU.  Only a year of starts.  Right size and decent arm.  The later round QBs this year seem to be Zappe and Glass.  Oladokun out of South Dakota State looked decent against lower level competition. Not a fan of his size and he may be more traveled than J T Daniels (another late round flyer - not a fan). There is Dustin Crum, a fifth year guy from Kent State.  Did not look great against larger schools but he does have an arm.   Bit smaller than I like.  We will get to see him in the Shrine game.  He may be my favorite of the late round/UDFA flyers.  

Did Tanner McKee declare does anyone know?

51 minutes ago, Mike030270 said:

 Hurts couldn't throw like Allen even if we literally strapped a rocket to his arm.

49 minutes ago, D-Shiznit said:

Exactly. And what do you do if you can't get a QB in 2023? Waste another year and trade back again so you can try the 2024 draft lottery, hoping the same thing doesn't happen again? This is a vicious cycle to stuck in with little to no control over its outcome.

If you can get a guy like Watson this year, get him no matter what.

If you believe there is a potential franchise QB in the 2022 draft, get him no matter what.

This is what I worry about. They stick with Hurts this year and pass on a Strong, Ridder, etc. Then they go 9-8 again and can't move into a position to get the guy they want next year. Then we're stuck.

49 minutes ago, garingovt2000 said:

What do you expect an Allen Robinson contract to look like?

I much prefer DJ Chark if he shakes free from JAX.

29 minutes ago, NCiggles said:

It seems like that's what Giselle wants him to do. 

I would do whatever that woman told me to.

9 minutes ago, garingovt2000 said:

QB - Hurts 
WR - Smith
WR - Allen Robinson (FA Bears)
WR - Quez 
RB - Sanders 
RB - Jerome Ford (Draft from Cincinnati)
RB - Kenneth Gainwell 
TE - Goedert 
TE -  Cole Turner (Draft from Nevada)
OT - Mailata
LG - Dickerson 
OC - Kelce (one more year)
RG - Darian Kinnard (Draft Kentucky)
RT - Lane

I really think they stick with Hurts (not saying it's the right call) so just basing this mock off-season off of that.  This leaves plenty of draft picks for the Defense.

Is this semi-realistic based on the cap?

 

My rough mock offseason looks similar:

QB- Hurts/Minshew/[DRAFT] Ridder or Strong

RB- Sanders/[DRAFT] Brian Robinson/ [RESIGN] Scott/Gainwell

WR- Smith/[FA]Chark/Watkins/[DRAFT]Pierce/[RESIGN] Ward/Reagor

TE- Goedert/[DRAFT] Turner/Stoll

LT- Mailata

LG- Dickerson

C- [the kegs of beer work] Kelce

RG- [DRAFT] Kenyon Green

RT- Lane

Out of sight, out of mind.

Let me re-introduce you to our own NFL-caliber starting offensive lineman.

 

22 minutes ago, Thing3 said:

Most of radio guys are just looking to get attention and ratings so I don't really trust their opinions. The journalists aren't much better but I do believe there is some honesty in their reporting that goes beyond just generating views. The one person I trust the most is Ray Didinger. He's a very knowledgeable straight shooter. When he talks I listen!

He had one of the most biased Hurts takes I've seen this year. 

9 minutes ago, garingovt2000 said:

QB - Hurts 
WR - Smith
WR - Allen Robinson (FA Bears)
WR - Quez 
RB - Sanders 
RB - Jerome Ford (Draft from Cincinnati)
RB - Kenneth Gainwell 
TE - Goedert 
TE -  Cole Turner (Draft from Nevada)
OT - Mailata
LG - Dickerson 
OC - Kelce (one more year)
RG - Darian Kinnard (Draft Kentucky)
RT - Lane

I really think they stick with Hurts (not saying it's the right call) so just basing this mock off-season off of that.  This leaves plenty of draft picks for the Defense.

Is this semi-realistic based on the cap?

 

I am not sure why the team would pay a bunch for a FA WR that's going to be on the downside of his career when we get a decent QB.  Robinson does not make sense for the team.  Also, I think we can agree that the WR position, although it wasn't great and needs to be upgraded, isn't the reason the passing attack was bad.  I have no objection to the team adding a veteran FA WR but it's not worth a significant cap hit.  Also, they are just as likely to be able to upgrade at a lower cost through the draft.  I don't think they need a number 2 TE through the draft.  Stoll was functional and has upside as does Tyree Jackson.  I think if Jackson is healthy he starts as a number 2 TE.  Is Kinnard a OT? Does he have the ability to move inside? He could be a good pick if he has that kind of versatility.  

1 hour ago, Bacarty2 said:

There was also speculation that Rodgers wont bend his next franchise over price tag wise. 

Would Rodgers and Adams go to Pittsburgh on "discount deals" to ring chase. 

If  this makes you finally commit to being a full time Steelers fan then I support Rodgers and Adams decision to do that.

1 minute ago, downundermike said:

If  this makes you finally commit to being a full time Steelers fan then I support Rodgers and Adams decision to do that.

Meanwhile there was also a report the other day coming from the Steelers saying they weren’t willing to give up multiple first round picks for either Wilson or Rogers. So that’s an issue

3 minutes ago, NCiggles said:

I am not sure why the team would pay a bunch for a FA WR that's going to be on the downside of his career when we get a decent QB.  Robinson does not make sense for the team.  Also, I think we can agree that the WR position, although it wasn't great and needs to be upgraded, isn't the reason the passing attack was bad.  I have no objection to the team adding a veteran FA WR but it's not worth a significant cap hit.  Also, they are just as likely to be able to upgrade at a lower cost through the draft.  I don't think they need a number 2 TE through the draft.  Stoll was functional and has upside as does Tyree Jackson.  I think if Jackson is healthy he starts as a number 2 TE.  Is Kinnard a OT? Does he have the ability to move inside? He could be a good pick if he has that kind of versatility.  

Allen Robinson makes no sense, as you've perfectly laid out. I'm not sure why posters continue to bring him up. Then again, some posters insist Hurts is the future....

12 minutes ago, NCiggles said:

I am not sure why the team would pay a bunch for a FA WR that's going to be on the downside of his career when we get a decent QB.  Robinson does not make sense for the team.  Also, I think we can agree that the WR position, although it wasn't great and needs to be upgraded, isn't the reason the passing attack was bad.  I have no objection to the team adding a veteran FA WR but it's not worth a significant cap hit.  Also, they are just as likely to be able to upgrade at a lower cost through the draft.  I don't think they need a number 2 TE through the draft.  Stoll was functional and has upside as does Tyree Jackson.  I think if Jackson is healthy he starts as a number 2 TE.  Is Kinnard a OT? Does he have the ability to move inside? He could be a good pick if he has that kind of versatility.  

There are people that are blaming the WRs on Hurts not so stellar season

1 minute ago, Mike030270 said:

There are people that are blaming the WRs on Hurts not so stellar season

Those people are idiots. 

19 minutes ago, Connecticut Eagle said:

Out of sight, out of mind.

Let me re-introduce you to our own NFL-caliber starting offensive lineman.

 

Green is a huge step up on Seumalo at G. Seumalo stays a backup G, and takes over C when Kelce retires. Mailata-Dickerson-Seumalo-Green-Johnson is still one heck of a line.

Buddy just texted me that Dan Quinn is gonna be the coach of the Bears, but I'm not sure he has accurate info. Take it for what its worth....

4 minutes ago, Bacarty2 said:

All mighty dollar friend. 

Couldnt imagine what we could sell the season tickets for if the Steelers landed both. 

Do you need a link to the Steelers message board if that happens, or am I correct in assuming you have an account already ??

1 minute ago, TorontoEagle said:

Buddy just texted me that Dan Quinn is gonna be the coach of the Bears, but I'm not sure he has accurate info. Take it for what its worth....

Buddy Ryan??!!

2 minutes ago, TorontoEagle said:

Buddy just texted me that Dan Quinn is gonna be the coach of the Bears, but I'm not sure he has accurate info. Take it for what its worth....

Is the front office telling any prospecting HCs that Fields will be the QB of the future?

7 minutes ago, TorontoEagle said:

Allen Robinson makes no sense, as you've perfectly laid out. I'm not sure why posters continue to bring him up. Then again, some posters insist Hurts is the future....

Robinson would be an upgrade over Reagor.  He's going to be a top WR FA.  I think it has more to do with Reagor than Hurts.  It's just a deep draft again at the position.  Unless they plan on trading away the picks, I would think draft a WR to upgrade the position is cheaper.  If they sign a big FA, I hope it's someone like Jessie Bates or maybe Hassan Reddick.  

 

16 minutes ago, TorontoEagle said:

Allen Robinson makes no sense, as you've perfectly laid out. I'm not sure why posters continue to bring him up. Then again, some posters insist Hurts is the future....

With the down year he had and being 28  I'm not sure he will break the bank like Mike Williams,  Adams, etc..  Did you say the same thing when we signed Alshon to the one year deal the year after we went 7-9?

7 minutes ago, TorontoEagle said:

Buddy just texted me that Dan Quinn is gonna be the coach of the Bears, but I'm not sure he has accurate info. Take it for what its worth....

Buddy who? 

7 minutes ago, TorontoEagle said:

Buddy just texted me that Dan Quinn is gonna be the coach of the Bears, but I'm not sure he has accurate info. Take it for what its worth....

Are you friends with Ryan Poles?

50 minutes ago, Ipiggles said:

 

 

Best Eagles this year

1) Kelce
2) Slay
3) Hargrave
4) Johnson (not higher due to missing games)
5) Devonta Smith
6) Mailata

1 minute ago, garingovt2000 said:

With the down year he had and being 28  I'm not sure he will break the bank like Mike Williams,  Adams, etc..  Did you say the same thing when we signed Alshon to the one year deal the year after we went 7-9?

We had a viable QB then. We should prob figure that part out first. And regardless, have you not learned the lesson of signing 29 year old players? Let somebody else do it.

2 hours ago, BigEFly said:

Not disagreeing that Hurts misses some reads, may be secondary reads because we don’t know the call.  Heck, we don’t even know if they ran the correct routes.  That said, his slowness to pull the trigger frustrates all of us. But Watkins being open is because the safety is sneaking on Smith.  Watkins issue that had him so low in the draft is that he basket catches and has inconsistent hands. It could be that Hurts doesn’t yet trust Watkins.  It may be that the coaches don’t yet trust Watkins. 

 I looked at those three "missed touchdowns”.  I agree he was open on the first, but again, I don’t know what the call was.  He really isn’t open on the second film clip until Hurts commits to throwing elsewhere.  On the third, by the time he is open, Hurts is in no position to throw the ball.

Look, Hurts is nowhere close to as good as some suggest but he isn’t as awful as some think he is.  Somewhere in the bottom third.  Better than all the touted QBs in last year’s draft though, at this point.  But replacing Hurts alone, as you suggested yesterday doesn’t immediately make this team a Super Bowl contender. 

Watkins catches pretty well if you ask me. Hurts missed both of them standing in front of him

1 minute ago, ManuManu said:

Are you friends with Ryan Poles?

Haha he texted me that McCaskey picked up Poles from the airport, and Quinn would be named soon....so we'll see

2 minutes ago, ManuManu said:

Are you friends with Ryan Poles?

Heard his mom works with poles…. I kid i kid. Too good of an opportunity to not use it.