top dawg

Franchise QBs don't fall off trees. The best way to get them is to draft them. Take as many shots as you can in the draft, and give the players time to develop before discarding them prematurely. The cream will rise to the top, and you won't have to spend excessive millions to boot.

For those that have watched film and/or really know or have interest in the position, can Giovanni Ricci block effectively? I would think not, or why else hasn't he gotten a more significant role in the offense? Was it Rhule, or is it McAdoodoo---my nickname for him until he and his players proves otherwise---holding him back, or is Ricci simply JAG? Look, regardless of getting a good payday, Ian Thomas hasn't even been pedestrian since he's been here in my estimation. He seems to be OK at blocking, but his hands are quite suspect, and for all the draft profiles and analysts exclaiming his athleticism, he looks slow to me--like he's running in sand. He certainly takes some time to get going and has appeared fairly easy to tackle from what I've seen. To be fair, I'm not suggesting that there isn't a place in the league for him, but I just haven't seen anythimg from him that screams "starter!" Tell me. Maybe I've missed something. Just from a distant observation, in my eyes, it seems like Ricci just brings more spark and a sense of urgency to the position. Since asking about Ricci and discussing Thomas, I might as well throw Tommy Tremble in the mix; How's his blocking? Is that not supposed to be his thing? I am always skeptical when a coach comes in suggesting that players (even the unheralded ones) will get a real opportunity to get some appreciable time on the field, as it always turns out to be rhetoric---coach-speak! But, I can't help but take a cat like Wilks at his word. In my mind, it's time to let one of these TEs to shine if they are able. So, you tell me if you believe that Ricci, Tremble, Thomas or the other guy can do it. I know that we'd all prefer the next Antonio Gates, and I'm hoping that we can draft a stud, but who (if any) can at least be above average on this team? Or, are we destined for a rotation of JAGs because no one is complete enough to credibly take the reins?

Kurt Warner told everyone that he didn't think Baker was a franchise QB, and advised of his limitations, but plenty of Huddlers simply glossed over it in their zeal to place Mayfield on the Panthers franchise QB pedestal. You have to simplify things for Baker by essentially taking one side of the field away and allow him to play under center. His mechanics have always been suspect, if not sloppy. His accuracy in college was markedly better than what he's shown since being in the NFL, especially those midrange, second-level passes that require touch. That was pre-injury. Now? His ceiling looks pedestrian at best--backup level. I brought up the point a few weeks ago that perhaps Baker's injury has affected him more than we know, perhaps irrevocably.

You guys are hilarious today.

Got him!

Maybe not, but that's because the management is not as enlightened as the Bills'. You even said yourself that Allen sucked his first year, and yet the Pegulas nor Beane were knee-jerk in their assessment of McDermott. And, honestly, Kingsberry's seat is warm (if not hot) for a reason.

It's not about carrying water, it's about forming an opinion based on a body of work, while also taking context into account. That's what analysis is all about. You can have whatever opinion you like, but be accurate on your information; Wilks didn't pass on anyone. He had no power. If he had had power, the Cards would've moved up and taken Josh Allen. Keim wanted the other Josh, Wilks wanted Allen. Also, if Tepper "laughed", it wasn't really about Wilks, it was about the current state of the team and someone asking a crazy question.

Well, in fairness, Tepper said that we needed to make good moves.

Not quite understanding what you're saying, but Wilks rightfully wanted to draft Allen. https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.sportskeeda.com/amp/nfl/news-former-arizona-cardinals-hc-reveals-wanted-draft-josh-allen-ended-josh-rosen "Steve Wilks claims that Arizona hired him as a 'bridge' for the next head coach. While he wanted the team to trade up for Allen, Wilks was never given any real power over the team's future, and Keim decided to draft Josh Rosen."

I still like Tepper, and I think that he'll get it done. He pushed his chips in on the wrong guy. Well, sh¡t happens. Tepper has more chips, is a fan at his heart, but is still willing to learn and grow as an owner.

Not a Harbaugh fan, I see. Asshole, he may be, but he can coach his ass off.

I wanted Harbaugh last time. He's quirky, and maybe an ass, but he's a proven pro. And perhaps he's learned some humility since San Fran. I just think that Jim Harbaugh has some unfinished business in this league, and I want him on our side when he decides to finish it.

I mean, I don't know what you expected. He answered everything that was pertinent to us moving forward. Everyone knows Rhule sucked. Tepper told you that Rhule was not getting it done. We weren't winning. Tepper told you that it's too early to formulate a definitive plan as far as an HC moving forward. He wants to see how the remainder of this season goes. He also basically told you that he feels that we have enough to win some games He told you that better decisions must be made with the allocation of resources. He also told you that he's still learning. He told you that he he didn't want to be knee-jerk about Rhule's firing, and that he wanted to give Rhule a fair shot by letting things play out in order to see some progress. He also told you that after Sunday, he had seen enough. Sure, his attitude was a little defensive, but you could still see some humility. The guy is about moving forward, as he should be. If you wanted him to waddle in humiliation and obvious past failure (however recent), you're barking up the wrong tree.

Yes, I know now, but there was little difference between McDermott's 2016 squad and Wilks' 2017 squad as far as the on-field product.

He'd be a safe pick that may end up getting canned in a few years once we prove to be mediocre across the board.

Perhaps, but I think it's a little presumptive to base whether or not he'd be a good head coach on that. Look, I'm not beating the drum for Wilks, but I'm also not going to dismiss him out of hand without context and before we can see more. Chances are, just the fact that he temporarily inherits this mess, he'll be sent packing in January.

If he has more control, as in the more traditional role of a GM, he's going to have to make decisions that lead to winning. Tepper sounded like he wasn't necessarily in love with the handling of the resources, specifically drawing the short stick in drafts because of overspending with draft capital (and perhaps real capital), leaving us ass-out on the draft picks--as in not having enough. So, I'd suspect that Fitt is a little more thoughtful and frugal in free agency. Looking at this past offseason, learning from past mistakes seemed like a priority. Well, it sounds like it's going to need to be even more of a priority to keep--err, make Tepper happy.

Well, I think we already figured this from yesterday. He was a control freak and micromanager. Perhaps with the new HC, the franchise will loosen up the training camp experience a little, and maybe Igo and others will get a little more leeway to report some fun things again. It has morphed into the No Fun League to some extent, but a man can wish.

I would love Harbaugh to be our next HC, but that doesn't mean that others wouldn't be better. There is nothing akin to the laws of physics when trying to say just because that blonde-haired coach didn't work out, that the next one want. Or just because that 300 pound defensive coordinator worked out, that the next one will also. You MUST look at each coach/assistant on their own merits.

I don't believe we're really in a position to be drawing hard lines about high first rounders and low first rounders. If they want to give any first rounder, I'd consider it.

I'd consider it, depending on the payment. If the price is right, let CMC go win a Super Bowl.

I mean, I hear what you guys are saying, but when I compare 2016 to 2017, I see that we were ranked the same in scoring defense. Sure, in 2017 we had the 22nd ranked rushing defense, but it was only 21st in 2016. The passing defense was the same at 21. I just don't see the difference. I think there's some splitting of hairs going on for whatever reason.

I'd take Jim Harbaugh in a second.

Neither you nor anyone else really knows that.