davos

"Alright boys, we did our piggyback move for a title, now go do whatever"

I'm trying to parse this out because I find it rather interesting considering our future, as Rhule's job is now on the line (if he doesn't dart to college with a miracle out) I doubt he and McAdoo are confident in rolling Darnold out as their last stand. Furthermore, with how trades are being structured these days, and contracts renegotiated, there could be a way to take on a new starter salary. Nothing astronomical, but I can't fully remove Cousins for example (Although am not a fan of that move and will explain why). So...Who's Out: Derek Carr - It sounds like McDaniels pitch to LVR was base around building an offense for Derek Carr+Darren Waller. TE focus, much like Brady+Gronk. Don't see him on the trade block Aaron Rodgers - There's no way in hell he's coming here Russell Wilson - Same as Rodgers, there's no pull or incentive to join this organization -- Who's a Reach: Kirk Cousins - $35 mil guaranteed in 2022. We're sitting at around $24 mil right now. Can realistically make moves and restructures to get to $35 mil, but 10 of that would go to the rookie class and the rest ~$25m to FA. It would be a tough fit, needing to offload Darnold in the trade somehow. This would be an extremely tough sell and other teams can offer MIN a much better package. Deshaun Watson - Nothing more needs to be said at this point. If we give up the farm, we give up the farm and it's what Tepper wanted all along. If not, a lot of discussion for nothing. Carson Strong & Brock Purdy - If we are trying to save this ship, I don't see either as viable. Immobile and low ceilings. Jacob Eason/Ryan Mallett/Drew Lock territory. Desmond Ridder - He leaves a lot to be desired the more you look at him and I don't think he'll be ranked highly on team boards. Mechanics and general movement in the pocket are two immediate concerns. He's awkward and not a worthy investment to broker our future with. Could end up a 3rd rounder or beyond in my opinion. -- Who could be IN: 1A/B. Malik Willis/Matt Corral (Draft R1) - I put both of them #1 because of the modern mold and potential. Willis definitely brings the most interest, upside, and potential. Built like more like a RB than a scrambler, rocket arm. Corral hits a lot of marks you look for and showed a lot of promise. Not the usual top picks, but are high up for a reason. 2. Sam Howell (Draft R1) - He could be the one to hedge our bets on if we want someone more pro-ready and won't have NFL "shock" syndrome. He's been battle tested with really poor teams and I think could be a sneaky great draft pick. 3. Kenny Pickett (Draft R1) - There's a few things I've grown not to like but I can't discount until we see him checked out. This is a kid who will be under a large microscope for many reasons. Still, he does have a beautiful pass at times rolling out and can work the field well. 4. Jimmy Garappolo (Trade) - He's going to be overvalued and is not really THAT high level of a QB. Would be a $25.6 mil hit towards 2022. I don't know about this one and what realistically he adds to us. Would be a bit silly to build a team for a 30 year old guy who's never quite hit the mark. An investment in Jimmy G is almost worse than simply wasting 2022's 1st rounder on a QB. If a draftee sucks, we get a high pick and new coach in 2023..and miss out on a stud OL talent (which we're used to at this point) 5. Bailey Zappe (Draft R2-3) - A bit of bias here, but Bailey is a prospect that scouts are pegging a lot higher than online experts/sites are right now and he could be ahead of Ridder, Strong, etc. on team boards. We could target him in a trade scenario (whether down or up) 6. Jameis Winston (FA) - This would at least become a bit entertaining to watch. 7. Marcus Mariota (FA) - A projected contract being 1 year, $8million. Another near 30 y/o who never hit his potential that's found a role as a backup on a middle-tier team. This however could be more digestible for a season if we are to land a QB in 2022 or 23. Is he a guy you could see Rhule getting all mushy for no reason for? Possibly? Meh 8. Mitch Trubisky (FA) - A similar scenario to a Mariota signing except younger and more longterm backup potential. Although I don't see McAdoo wanting him. Next. 9. Jacoby Brissett (FA) - Again, another similar situation to Mariota. He's proven he can manage and win at times, but not a guy to build around. Don't see this appealing at all to Rhule who's trying to save his job. 10. Andy Dalton (FA) - No -- Sleepers (Don't like either): Carson Wentz (Trade) - Why? Irsay may not see a future with him and it's a QB I could see Rhule thinking could help save him (which he won't) Daniel Jones (Trade) - Reclamation Project Version 3.0. Considering the market and how many teams are looking, I can see Jones starting outside of NYG next year. -- Overall, this is why my prediction is ultimately drafting a Quarterback this year whether be it trade-down, at pick 6, or trade player/up. My guess is going to ultimately be Willis or Corral at this point. Cheers

It's going to be a crapshoot. Literally crap in a shooter. I do know, there should be no excuse for us to go anything less than 3-3 in it. All depends on the QB shuffle at this point. Every team in our division could draft, sign or trade for a QB.

That was 2013? Damn

It's that or the sleeper is still Harbaugh. I guess their new GM was also with him in their SF days and there was some confirmed call between MIN & Harbaugh's camp.

I wasn't paying much attention to Zappe at first because I thought it was just a small school kid that was being talked up because of how meh this class is. Gotta say, I'm impressed. He just drops dimes all over. Again, it's the great intermediate throws and great accuracy deep. He just doesn't have a bomb. He's not a Pennington/Ponder arm strength but more of an average starter level I.E. the Delhommes, Eli Mannings of the world. He knows how to chuck that deep ball placement wise. If James Morgan was a 4th rounder, Zappe is easily a 3rd in my book and his stock could rise. Mix that with better mobility than those types, I can see him being pretty successful. Mechanically sound, clean, mobile, question being, how does he translate with the leap from Western KY to the big leagues. Could see him being ahead of Purdy, Ridder, & maybe Strong on a lot of team boards.

So it's looking like: LV Raiders: Josh McDaniels (Should be announced today, Monday latest) NY Giants: Brian Daboll Miami Dolphins: Mike McDaniel Denver Broncos: Nathanial Hackett NO Saints: Dennis Allen Chicago Bears: Matt Eferblus HOU: LOL Jax Jaguars: Byron Leftwich MIN Vikings: Surprisingly haven't got a clue... -- Lots of top names gone for when we fire Rhule.

I was liking Ridder and the more I saw, I just see an awkwardness to his game that is a turn off. Big stride type runner, slow mechanics, good arm but his throws don't have zip/can float. Just don't think he will translate off the bat. Kind of like Josh Dobbs if that makes sense. Zappe has all the time in the world and wide-open receivers in his games. It's like open season for him to do whatever the heck he wants and that's where his numbers came from. Their team was way above their comp level. However, what I am really digging is how crystal clean his footwork is and he is just super accurate with his intermediate placement. His rhythm and feet with his throwing mechanics is just great. Then with that, hitting guys in the right spot on those intermediate throws is the thing I think can really make a rookie successful. His biggest strike is he doesn't have the 50+ yard bomb in his arsenal when he's rushed/off balanced. But he still routinely hit guys in stride 20+ yards downfield with zip and had some nice deep balls.

You could say he'd be the one prospect who wouldn't be shell-shocked coming into our OL.

Tried to keep an open mind and I'm honestly coming around a bit. I've kept wanting to love at least one of these QBs and I just can't. HOWEVER, Howell was viewed so highly going in for a reason and his stock drop was a bit of a farce. I'm really trying to like either Corral or Willis, love their upside, but they both have big question marks. I still see a lot to like about both. Then Pickett has the hands deal and rather iffy decision-making issues that he got lucky with a lot. Still, he balled out and has a pretty pass on the run. He could still be something pending Senior Bowl & combine. But overall, Howell really is the most SOUND prospect. Like a mini-Big Ben fused with a Baker Mayfield but with a good personality and potato head. Accurate, good on the run, mobile but not gadgety, goes through progressions, and had to succeed behind an awful, maybe the worst OL in ACC history. I'm a Hokie alum so have no dog in the fight college-wise. My rankings are changing but still give Corral/Willis 1A/1B designation due to sheer upside. And have cooled on Ridder after a deeper dive. Same with Strong. 1A. Matt Corral 1B. Malik Willis 2. Sam Howell 3. Kenny Pickett 4. Bailey Zappe 5A. Carson Strong 5B. Brock Purdy

Yep. The staff is acting like we’re in a Rams type situation.

Tepper has wanted Watson this entire time once he clears. That’s really it. And it’s still likely not to happen and he wants a QB so now we’re looking at a lot of pretty meh options. We’ve got the Saints, Steelers, Broncos, Packers, Giants, Falcons, WFT all looking for QBs, we’ve got our work cut out. a trade especially for Jimmy is going to be super overvalued and we’ll be wasting so much to get a game manager. I’m meh on Pickett, Strong, Willis, somewhat interested in Corral or Ridder but this rookie class just ain’t it. I just wish he put as much desire for greatness at HC as he apparently does at QB. I see no good options with a ton of storied franchises and teams in much better spots needing QBs.

Joe Burrow

Arthur Smith is about to take control with a properly groomed QB behind Melted Matty Ice

Yeah he really seems to be holding this line that that he can be successful with some athletic JOAT team with a manager at QB. Yet execute it with one of the blandest offensive schemes we’ve possibly ever seen.

That’s what we need to do as a franchise, but with a HC running the show on his last leg with ownership? He’s going QB this year as a final save. Picked a bad year to be knee deep in this. Could be rough roads ahead.

Yep, and now Rhule has backed himself into a corner without enough draft picks and no leverage to trade for a good QB, basically needing to draft one to save any chance he has to stay longer or make himself not look completely bogus.

I don’t think he was really bad or anything. Sacked like 7 times, Cinci’s line got dominated but managed to not make mistakes although couldn’t make anything really happen. If the talent surrounding him argument comes into play with Willis (IE when he played Corral and was lost), he still had games against UL Monroe and even the Raging Cajuns where he was just downright bad. I guess the rocket arm and upside factors in THAT much nowadays. I’m just surprised.

Does your connection have any intel on Ridder’s stock? Willis I can see why looking at the greater body of work and the kid himself. He had some pretty bad moments this year with the whole players around him and comp level factors. Just a lot of unknowns. His size also bothers me but I see a bit of Kordell Stewart when watching him.

I mean if we don’t go draft and are ditching the Sam experience (somehow, please figure it out Sal/Fit), then the options get pretty hilarious. Trubisky, Foles, Winston, Dalton, Mullens, Kyle Allen, Brandon Allen..it’s absurdly bad. It would suck to strap cap to Jimmy, Cousins or Carr (although do like him). We are in quite the pickle and I don’t trust these dudes one but minus maybe Sal figuring out contracts while weighing appropriate future capital. And this is why we cycle through all these names. Rummaging the league litter. Its why I keep thinking we bite it and draft a QB because there really is limited options at this point. That’s a better path for these guys to save face over another retread (fans may hate it though but we hate most things haha)

Those best immobile guys are elusive. Efficient presnap & quick with the subtleties, pump fakes, misdirects. I see that Strong has the presnap adjustments and on-field communication down well which is rarer these days, but it’s the momentary moves you need to make with confidence under duress that make up for that immobility. Similar to what you’re saying. I was a bit blind at first but you can see it watching the vids that show every pass attempt on the video internet box. Put him on the right team and he’s Matt Ryan+ with a bit of Stafford. Could have a few years where he pops but then games where he goes pedestrian. Definitely that type ceiling. Floor though, yup..Eason. Hopefully not Mallett.

I see Denver as the only non-GB/retirement Rodgers' option. If that doesn't happen, they are the team to trade with as they're getting anxious about their situation. WAS possibly but DEN has the capital. They've got (2) 2nds and (2) 3rds. Get Pick 9, Pick 63 (Their 2-2), and maybe a late rounder 5-6th. Gonna be hard to trade IMO.

Yep. I like Fox here and YGM can develop into a really solid core piece. On passing downs, his pressure numbers when in were great. If he develops, it just really helps things out in the trenches. I'm confident D. Brown can still be a great player for us as well. He just goes through stretches where he looks pedestrian when I think a lot of us were expecting this guy that warranted double teams and clog the middle. Really thought the run defense would be better with Jones & Brown. Jones is a guy who really underwhelmed.

YGM developing into a 3-down DE is critical to bolstering the run defense and letting Reddick walk. When he and/or Fox were on the field, the run defense seemed to be much more effective. YGM, Brown, Burns & Chinn are the 4 that need to take the next step and become guys that can overcome sh*t coaching and lead this defense.

I've come to the conclusion that Brady's best role may be a guy who isn't starting and he's a top swing lineman, first depth piece to fill in at T or G. I know we all want him to desperately become this long-term starter, mainly because he was the first legit OL we've taken in forever, but he may not be the right piece. Charles Cross or Ekwonu are upgrades that could be top-10-15 LT types their rookie year. Not worth thinking LT is filled because it may be Brady Christensen's best position in the NFL. And who knows, maybe he plays LG better with a better tackle to his left and center to his right. If he's sitting between Charles Cross and let's say Bozeman or Ben Jones, then all of a sudden we may have something.