blueandblackattack

Wanted to riff off of @hepcat post but didn't want to derail it. I'll say upfront I don't have a horse in this race, I think any of the top 4 would fit. Realistically it'll probably be down to Fields or Lance even if we do trade up. Ever since he beat Clemson and showed that toughness, I've wanted Justin Fields. But right now I'm leaning more towards Trey Lance. Here's why. Early yesterday I started doing my own video research, but from a different angle. Sometimes you can tell a lot about someone by what they project out to the world. How they walk, and especially how they talk. So instead of highlight reels, I started watching their press conferences and interviews. Take a look at these Justin Fields press conferences: Slouching, disinterest, defensive, and trying to answer with the bare minimum of effort. But okay, sure, it was a loss. After winning the Sugar Bowl: A little more open, but still looks and talks like he's uncomfortable in the spotlight. No eye contact(even if its a vid conference), Doesn't smile, just stands like a statue. When asked football questions, just going with generic platitudes without going any deeper. When I see these press conferences, you know who he reminds me of? Cam. Before you say it, this is not me hating on Cam, I appreciated everything he did for us, and that magical 2015 season. But at the end of the day, the teams emotional swings don't just come from the coaches, moreso it comes from player leadership, aka the quarterback. Cam ran very hot and cold with his emotions, and our team echoed that in our play. When he stopped trying in a game, they stopped trying. When he's feeling good, they're playing harder. Now take a look at a Patrick Mahomes press conference from college: Right off the bat he comes off as comfortable in his own skin, confident, eye contact, is able to talk in complete sentences and at length about football while pivoting to anecdotes without being prompted. Even keeled that seems like someone you can rely on when things get tough. What about someone Fitts helped draft: Even keeled, able to communicate clearly, comfortable in his own skin. You can look up more, but their attitude and presence is consistent. Bottom line: they sound and act like pro's before they've even been in the NFL. Now look at Trey Lance (at the 8:00 mark): Even keeled, comfortable in his own skin, communicates clearly and able to riff off anecdotes and details without being prompted. Looks familiar yet? He looks and sounds pro ready. Like the kindof leader that will stay even keeled when the games on the line and things arent going your way. Like someone the team will be able to feed off that energy and be able to fight back without letting the lows get too low, like we used to do. So for me, I think a year behind Teddy, like Alex Smith and Mahomes, or Matt Flynn and Wilson, and this guy could be something. He seems ready upstairs. And based on Fields press conferences, I'm not sure he's that guy, or can become that guy. Being a QB is more than just statistics, it's about being a pro, win or lose. Anyway, just my 2 cents and just thought it was interesting to share.

...and yet the Bucs are going to the Superbowl with Brady, when they had no shot beforehand. Favre spent a full season with the Falcons before being traded, so I wouldn't count him as being "drafted" by the Packers. I think if you look at it from a different perspective, say the 2nd (aka big) contract of QB's, then Drew Brees falls right into that category. Stafford is on or going on his 3rd contract, so he'd be a short-term plan. But Watson is just beginning his 2nd contract term, aka the prime years. Like Brees. Like Favre. Like Warner. Granted, I just don't think we have the space or capital to give up what they'd want for Watson, so this is all speculation. But for me, I'd put Watson in the Brees/Favre/Warner category.

Because at the end of the day, it's all circumstantial. CMC absolutely did nothing wrong, but in this league there's very few QB's you can call elite or 'franchise', and those are the ones that get you a championship. Julio Jones can't carry the Falcons, Ezekiel Elliot can't carry the Cowboys, it just is what it is. It all starts at quarterback. I would love to keep him and hate to see him ever leave, but if that's the price for a guaranteed franchise quarterback just coming into his prime, it's about bringing a Lombardi to the Carolina's.

Because Black Monday for scouts and personnel is the day after the Draft. Thats the end of the 'season' for them. Right now they're knee deep in their teams scouting so it'd be a hard ask to have one jump to another team while they're so busy getting ready for the draft. Only reason why GM's are the exception is because they set the standard, and they're needed to make decisions and plan for free agency as well.

Right? It's like if the Spiderverse was the Pantherverse! I hadn't considered it either because I thought Directors and Assistant GM's were kinda along the same level, so it wouldn't be a bump up for him. But if it does, then come on down!

Will our two (out of 3) greatest middle linebackers join forces in the front office?? I'm all for it!

Nice! A friend of mine runs his own box breaking business @ http://www.mojobreak.com/ if your looking to do something like that to get some more autos.