Jacabee

Frankly surprised by the amount of people that want to hang Evero. This was a defense that was almost universally considered the bottom of the barrel before this season started. We’ve managed to stat our way to the middle of the pack whatever that means. Those critical of the zone schemes, what do you want? When even JC is getting burnt one on one by Olave you have little choice. There definitely have been moments where the zone blitz stuff has bit us. That said, are the third string linebackers (and nick Scott) covering poo anyway? This unit had only conceded 10 points going into the fourth quarter despite a litany of bullshit penalties on both sides. Them over performing is the biggest reason we are still in playoff contention.

Which means what exactly? I was comparing only to underscore the subjectivity of stats and that even Bryce can accumulate them throwing enough. Maybe this will be meaningful in Shedeur’s overall development? It’s an incredibly small sample size that looked rough before today. There are multiple reasons to question their significance, and there were some major mistakes that factored into the loss.

They lost to the team that was the worst team in the league last year, tied for the worst this year (worst before this win) and traded three defensive starters at the deadline. This stat line is very close to those Bryce had in his game against AZ this year (330yds, 3td, 1 int). Doubt those in this thread were slobbering over it then. Stats tend to accumulate when you throw over 40 times a game. Who cares if you lose. They also blew two key two point conversions.

Extrapolated across a 17 game season: 20.4 tds, 12.75 picks with 68 percent completion and 235 ypg. He’s also 26 years old, has minimal nfl tape and this is a 4 game sample. These are the stats you’re fawning over? They’re ironically Bryce-like. Guess the ypg is the big one (Bryce is like 170-180 ypg). In our game, Jaycee fell down twice. On the long touchdown, was a pretty clear push but yea poo happens. I admittedly have not watched his other three starts so look forward from insight from those who have. I seriously doubt most in any of these threads are tracking the 2-10 saints in their free time. Are we now celebrating the mediocrity of Saints second rounders?

Boundary Corner. Harder Position. You cover less of the field (the shorter side to the “boundary”) but get less safety support so you’re often “on an island”. Asked to help with run support as well.

See a lot of talk about “Bryce or Receivers” on the deep ball question. Seems to me that game planning around our O-line issues has been a quiet but major factor here. The injuries at times have limited our ability to draw up certain plays because the protection won’t be there. Any one paying attention has noticed some of the egregiously blown one on ones from game to game where an otherwise big play was there. Even if it’s not the back up blowing it, the lack of continuity and chemistry can take its toll in picking up assignments along the line. Bryce’s tendency (need?) to drop back a mile factors in as well. It doesn’t help our book ends (one at the end of his career on a questionable knee, the other with this notable weakness since coming into the league) against speed rushes on the outside. Bryce’s health has probably also fed into it. Difference today was deciding it doesn’t matter because this was a must win. Saw a stat last week where we’re at or near the top of the league for least amount of time from snap to pass release. TLDR: Pass protection affects deep ball success as well. We may have been game planning around injuries/weaknesses.

Tepper didn’t have the wisdom to ban the move up for Bryce. Doesn’t matter what you think about Bryce, who can argue that the move at that cost is defensible at this point? It’s a crippling trickle down affect of no top first rounders under 5 year contracts. We then doubled down with leggette after trading up. We’re spiraling debtors. Of course present staff is willing to trade in futures when, if it fails, they’re not going to be around to weather the consequences anyway.

The absolute travesty of this pick was that all you had to do was wait. We had top pick the next day of the draft at top of the second round. Spend the night regrouping. Field trade offers. Consult counter opinions. Do a last minute checklist for Christ’s sake. There were multiple viable prospects there (with McKonkey a clear fit for Bryce’s game). The trade up was just indefensible.

To be fair, things aren’t working out so well for that dude either. Still trying to spot this mythical Bryce fan club everyone keeps mentioning. There were two dudes in Bama Bryce jerseys in front of me at the AZ game. They were real quiet after the first snap

Have there been bad throws? Absolutely. That angle is fair enough for a huddle poster. But fixating on what’s going on around you rather than why you’re where you’re at….at this professional level…is extremely concerning. Hopefully it’s just a misstatement (although the effort in the weeks before does little to dispel that). To have watched the degree of sloppiness in the Pats game and not reflect on the fact that he’s been benched below those guys is a serious problem.

As painful as it might be, you’ve got to ride it out with Canales (and to a lesser extent Bryce) this year. Every other option is worse. Bryce you can bench but only once you’re sure you’re moving on. Canales you have to give enough rope to hang himself as any talented prospective replacement candidate with options will be concerned about job security. That said, Canales has done nothing to earn next year. If things continue to go this way, the biggest bargaining chip you’ll have to entice a new coach is that you will get his guy with a high draft pick. If you’re considering keeping Canales another year, you have to weigh that against (once again) sticking a new coach with a QB he didn’t draft if Canales doesn’t pan out. That also means as CarolinaLivin mentions two different systems in two years for a new qb. That’s repeating the same mistakes.

Sam Darnold does not play for the Raiders. He replaced Geno Smith in Seattle. Geno, coincidentally, is now on the Raiders with Pete Carroll at the helm.

Looking forward to T-Mac’s homecoming.

Seen a lot of talk about “cull everyone, Bryce never was it”. Maybe it’s the inevitable outcome. Maybe let’s play a few more games? The mistakes on Sunday weren’t a result of Bryce’s physical limitations. Bryce’s decision making was a problem which depending on where you sit might be a bigger issue. That’s what the stat sites are meting out. A lot went wrong outside of Bryce. A center that can’t snap. A second year receiver that doesn’t know his routes, can’t manage sidelines and isn’t cutting back to the qb on a scramble (a cardinal sin). Plays not getting in on time, resulting in awkwardly timed snaps. That’s coaching. And before I’m labeled a Bryce apologist for not participating in this circle jerk of misery, the 4th down decision to throw it away and the fumble are inexplicable. Those are unacceptable mistakes for any third year player.

We hate ourselves but we hate others just as vigorously. That’s something.