mav1234

I will say on the investing in the offense bit - I really think we need to invest far more in our defense this offseason, to the point that I don't want to ignore our offense but feel if must be treated basically like we treated our defense last year. We are clearly losing games because of our D now. And some of that is because, yes, I think we invested a ton in the offense this year and whomever is our QB needs to be able to run a functioning offense with what we have and a minor upgrade or two.

I think his wrist injury is impacting his play. He ability to catch the ball declined thru the season from what I recall, tho maybe I'm wrong. Like every rookie he deserves a second year. And this hasn't even been a BAD year for a rookie receiver, just a disappointment for what we hoped he'd be (and tbh for what he was midway thru the year). We've had plenty of guys basically be unable to get on the field at all. I am concerned about our ability to develop receivers, though. We shall see how that goes...

So I agree the OL has mattered to more. Stroud is being knocked around as much or more than BY last year, minus the sack numbers since he doesn't just call over. And he's still performing better than BY last year and overall on the season better this year. Stroud is being pressured hit, etc more often than Bryce was last year. He's taken less sacks but still a ton. For instance he's pressured on a higher percent of plays (27% of snaps vs 24.2% last year for BY). Hurried 65 times and hit 51, vs 38 and 50. Despite this Stroud's bad throw % is only 16.7% (Bryce is over 21 this year and last). He's throwing fewer INTs as a percent (2.3 vs 2.8) and more TDs (3.6 vs 3.1) than Bryce this year, let alone last year... So yes he's not playing as well cause of his OL and that certainly was a big contributor for Bryce last year but even in CJs bad year he is overall having a better year than Bryce in either year. And his receivers have missed TONS of games, so that isn't some huge defense of him. But yes he has more weapons than Bryce, especially last year. Important to note Nico Collins wasn't much of a weapon before Stroud tho. Anyway I'm excited to see how both their careers goes. I'm not throwing either of them out.

On the sobbing - I think they all knew how serious an injury it was so I don't see it that way. But he was unusually inaccurate lately. Sophomore slumps are real things, it could just be that.

CJ was pressured often last year, only barely less than Bryce, tho (2% less of his dropbacks). So he performed well under pressure then. This year has been different. I think it's probably a combination of things including a sophomore slump and his OL being even worse. CJ definitely ate some sacks he shouldn't have vs the Ravens, but just like Bryce last year, he's also getting decked because of completely unblocked rushers. And like Bryce last year CJ is flat out missing dudes when he has time sometimes. And yet this season of his is eons better than Bryce's was last year... We'll see what they both do going forward, still entire careers to go.

Given our defense it feels that is far more pressing. We could use a better couple receivers.

Stroud not looking great so far

Geno was a seasoned veteran that had never really looked particularly respectable as a starter. Bryce has basically one decent game in a sea of putrid awfulness. He was on his way out of the league - and imo, Canales role in his improvement is even more clear given the start of the season. I'd say that Canales helped them both a lot. Baker is harder to say all things considered.

Wow. Pittsburgh just gives up and punts on a 4th and 2 down 3 scores. What a weird decision.

Yeah I agree. He's just not it for them.

Their DL is dominating

Wilson looks pretty bad this game.

. I mean I'm not surprised given he was just picked up, but you love to see it...

Amusingly we are getting essentially no commercials outside the US. Instead we get Drew Brees commenting every 3 minutes haha

We're 23rd in yards per passing attempt against our defense tho. Teams just don't need to pass much against us.

He's fun to watch - so is Coker, but for different reasons. I think some fans seriously underestimate how important Thielen is to this offense.

Goddamn that's horrendous. I hope he can recover completely

Thielen has been excellent this year. Defenses know that he's Bryce's first read on any critical conversion and they still aren't usually able to stop it.

Hahaha okay the nickname needs to stick now. Carolina Reaper...

I think that if we can pair him with a good change of pace back and get our passing game going a little more, he'll start to have even bigger chunk games. The crazy thing is he's putting these numbers up against teams that are expecting it.

I'm in Calgary and he's from Edmonton so that may be some of it, lol. The CFL fans know him but it's mostly NHL here.

There's a ton to be excited for. A lot of us are hesitant, but it's hard to ignore the enthusiasm around the team the last month. Yes, we had a setback vs Dallas, but 4 competitive games against bubble / playoff teams is a good indication for what had been a perennial loser like us.

I need to pick up his jersey and start wearing it out. I live in Alberta now (where he's from) and a lot of people don't even know who he is.

Same... I do think we should add a WR but I just think the greatest need is along the DL, which coincidentally we should be in perfect position to hopefully address.

Good game from Bryce. I'm glad Bryce trusts Thielen so much but he needs to see cases where there's easier throws to Sanders