Proudiddy

He's scouting for Buffalo!

Valid counterpoints, but I disagree with you. On the first point, I did initially say that it appeared we approached the goalline situation how we did bc they didn't trust Darnold. It was short-sighted and said in frustration of the moment. But, I also have cited since TC how the best coaches use preseason for situational evaluation and execution rather than final outcomes. I even cited that here as we got further into the discussion. I also think I read after the fact, that Rhule wanted us to use that situation to execute on the line and see if we could pound the ball in. Ok, thats fine... but, I stand by my assertion that the fact that they limited his reps and snaps in the games has to do with them feeling uneasy about his readiness. I do think they are trying to protect him mentally, as well as physically. No, coaches shouldn't be making decisions based off public perception, but it matters. The top coaches in the league have held joint practices AND played their starters in both games so far. Rhule has his own style, but I legitimately think they were trying to limit Sam's exposure. And to your second point, I agree that more trust usually results in less preseason snaps, but again, as I mentioned in my previous posts here, that couldn't be further from the truth in Sam's case, and that is fairly obvious. They might trust him to some degree, but it's because they have to... they have no other option they believe can legitimately take them where they want to go on the roster. But he hasn't earned that trust yet. A new guy, on a new team, in a new offense after pretty much being considered a bust three years into his career - that guy isn't sitting because his reputation speaks for itself. Again, I believe it was to limit his exposure while trying to give him the entirety of TC and the first two weeks of preseason to hopefully get more comfortable in what he was doing before the final game. And I maintain that you're better off giving him more reps in live games, but this is the approach Rhule has chosen.

To your first quote, my bad... didn't see the "not." But the point remains the same in regards to CMC. You were presenting that simply as an argument to further your opinion about Darnold not playing, and it doesn't work for all of the reasons I previously mentioned. I've also mentioned earlier in TC elsewhere on the forums that the best coaches (i.e. Belichick) use the preseason to practice situational football and give their guys reps, especially in different circumstances. They use it less as a gauge of how good their team is with less concern about the outcome, and more as an opportunity to see how they handle those situations, while giving them more chances to evaluate talent. I didnt say play Darnold because preseason football outcomes matter or because it's important for that reason. It's important because it's more reps than he would otherwise get in just joint practices, in different situations... and as the new guy leading this offense, more reps do indeed matter. And they may run more of a base scheme in preseason, but the throws, and the routes, the timing obviously all translate. And yes, I as a fan, would love to have seen more of that instead of relying on the 10 tweets a day we got with very little detail each day of TC. And again, as CRA pointed out previously in this thread, Belichick just did exactly what I'm advocating for with his team... but if you want to trust Rhule's approach over Belichick's, then more power to you. And again, saying he'd be throwing to 5th and 6th stringers is you just being purpose obtuse to obfuscate the whole point I was making to begin with, which was a very simple one... More reps matter. Period.

Santoso is interesting. He is HUGE stature-wise. He's built like Gronk or Kelce , and he has plenty of experience kicking and punting. I looked up more on Verity too (the backup K from ECU with the Ravens), and he had a couple of college seasons over 80%, but I think was sub 70 in his senior year. But, seems like overall he is more accurate than Slye has been. He also apparently kicked a 63 yards in high school, so there's that.

Wasn't our grass/field considered among the worst kept in the league at some point in recent years? I'm with whoever said it above, I didnt think it would bother me much, but for some reason it does. That being said, supposedly turf does play faster, so I'm hoping we get that benefit from it... but it just hasn't made much sense to me to put in an open/outdoor stadium. And Tepper has the money that cost of maintenance on natural grass is like one of us accounting for our yearly spending on our candy bars.

Thank you for your valuable contribution. Even in that post, you conflated the points I was making so you could serve up some more heaping helpings of "gotcha!" rebuttals to poo I wasn't even saying or debating. I said nothing of chemistry. You brought that up yourself. I never said whether you did or didn't want CMC to play. But now that you have said that you did, then why are you haggling me so much over me wanting to see Darnold play? Yes, I want to see him play myself with a new team and in this offense. And I already acknowledged they're running dumbed down, vanilla versions of plays and schemes in preseason before you typed that up in your most recent reply. But, even with those generic versions of playcalling, you still gain experience and a feel for everything with new teammates. And if I'm not mistaken, many of the ones stayed out there for the next series after Darnold sat. Would you now like to argue that there's no point in the joint practices bc they don't want to show them their "real" playbook then either? Seems like you have the time on your hands and could get some mileage out of it. So again, what are you arguing? You're not... You're just simply arguing for the sake of arguing.

I'm not entertaining nonsense. You know the difference between CMC and Darnold. One is proven in this league and is with the same team he was drafted by, in his second year in this offense. One has been a bust, in a new offense, with a new team. One has nothing to prove, unless you're trying to create something for the sake of arguing. The other has everything to prove. I think its pretty clear what you've done in that regard here. I never used a triple negative in a sentence or statement nor was I unclear about the point I was making, so it's clear you're just being purposely obtuse, especially after I clarified it a second time. The end. Have fun with your strawman.

No it doesn't. He's a RB. They typically aren't the most durable position to begin with. He's proven. He's unquestioned. Everyone that has seen him in practice has said he is exactly the same as he was before injuries. Now, I'm sure if you ask him, he would want to get some snaps in these games, but again, as a RB and a proven centerpiece in this offense, he has nothing to prove by playing these games. The whole league knows what CMC is capable of. Darnold is new to this offense and team. Playing under the lights against another team when the score is being kept, even as generic and vanilla as the gameplan is, it matters. And I dont feel like multi-quoting, but that statement about them not trusting him wasn't difficult to understand... if it's not fear of him failing or distrust in his ability to perform well in these early games, they aren't doing him any favors by keeping him on the sideline when he should be getting as many reps as possible in a new offense. I'm not saying he should play a full half every game, but a quarter would've been nice to see by now. But, we'll see if their plan pays off. I certainly hope it does.

Yeah, I was thinking we likely have our eye on that ECU kicker after having held joint practices with them and then Slye missing that kick again last night. Also excited about Chubba. He is such a patient runner, low center of gravity, great contact balance, slithery and explosive... and aside from all of that, that pass pro pickup he had last night was absolutely beautiful. That OL Zod listed is the exact combination I want. BC has proven his worth thus far, and Deonte has earned a shot and looked really good... Elflein has looked bad. Flip Moton to the left and Daley has looked great in most of his spot duty over the last couple years on the left, in this case guard. That's a really good combination. I really love the more I'm seeing of Shi Smith. Already loved TMJ. Finally, Tommy Tremble is a beast. very athletic with a nasty streak. He's gonna be fun to watch.

I am frustrated with their lack of live game reps for Darnold. You can say what you want, as can I, but relying on the excuse that he's getting his live reps in non-game conditions in controlled drills during joint practices is just as good as playing in games is a joke. And if it doesn't show a degree of lack of trust in Sam, it certainly isn't doing him any favors even if they do trust him... which they do or did, bc they didn't even bring any competition for him. I just don't agree with saying practices are the same as games, even if it is preseason, especially for a guy who is trying to revamp his career in a new offense with a new team. I just don't agree with it. And you know that comparing that to possibly the best RB in the NFL sitting during preseason who has already proven his worth is absolutely asinine. But, if it makes you feel better about where Darnold is, feel free...

I really liked the mockups i saw for the red wolves awhile back.

TBH, this looked bad. Wasn't encouraged by Darnold at all. He didnt look bad, but the fact we tried to run it twice down at the goalline with Chubba instead of trying to play fake and pass and then sat him tells me how they feel about Sam. I've held onto hope for Slye because of how strong his leg is, but I've had enough. Every kick you hold your breath, not sure whats going to happen, but leaning towards him missing... we gotta find someone to come in now. Having a strong leg doesn't mean poo if you can't kick 70%. Grier looked better, but he still is not an NFL QB. He can make all the NFL throws, but he is just too frail and lacks good enough awareness to be dependable. That being said, PJ looked and played like poo tonight, but it's not on him. After watching both he and Grier play with that 3rd unit the last two weeks, it's clear that that 3rd unit is absolutely dogshit. They are why both QBs looked so horrible in consecutive weeks. This leads me to my last point - the fact we hung in tough with Indy all through a game in which we played zero starters gave me some encouragement that maybe we were much deeper and further along in our rebuild than I initially thought. I was wrong. Our depth fuging sucks. Baltimore proved that. Both offensively and defensively, we are fielding a ton of fat that is begging to be trimmed, which will likely effectively end the most football careers in any singular team's round of cuts. These guys are bad (outside of the obvious, like all of our draft picks). High hopes for Jaycee, Chubba, TMJ, Shi, and all of our picks... that was a killer draft. Interesting Daley got the start tonight and ran with the 1s. I believe in him, and hope that continues. Sounds like Fitt has plans for Christensen and he has looked impressive too. Finally, the DBO sign is worthless and it has to fuging go. It clearly doesn't resonate with this roster bc they all still do the same dumb poo every week. It's embarrassing.

Was hoping DJ was first, but I absolutely love this too... as long as we keep both, I'm ecstatic.

I expect more of what we've heard and seen from training camp so far - a mixed bag, inconsistency, some good, some bad, and a lot left to be desired.

Completely agreed, and they should, bc PJ is a clown and lacks focus.

PJ is getting tf up out of here.

Love to hear about Nixon. He was one of my favorite picks of the draft. Got him in the 5th (iirc) and many analysts said he had 1st or 2nd round talent, but his drop was more over concerns about his dedication to the game/personality. Athletically, he is a beast. And after what we saw from Hoskins last week, I think we are absolutely stacked on that front 4.

Love retaining our talent, and Terry is a flat out dog. Love him. And with the way Mitch has been drafting, I wouldn't fret too much over salary cap stuff... but, if you draft well, eventually you won't have much cap anyway. We are ascending to another level.

As I've been saying for a few weeks now, I'm all for giving Robby an extension, bc again, if TMJ pans out the way we hope, he will be up for one himself by the time Robby's contract would be expiring in 4-5 years, if extended. It's brilliant team building, imo. That being said, DJ has to be the priority to get done first, imo. Fitt is a changing of the guard. The old regimes under Hurnia and Gettledouche squandered away our home grown talent. This FO can't do that. When you draft and identify talent, you have to retain it. DJ's TD issues are no fault of his own... Teddy no doubt cheated DJ out of so many of those opportunities last season. Things will be different this year.

Just seeing this... but this makes me think we definitely discussed Howard before they amended his contract.

While I agree with his background lending itself to having a propensity for CBs, Donte doesn't fit the profile of the guys they drafted and retained.

Wow. I was right. Kind of... I'm thinking he means after DJ, though, right? Yeah, I edited it after I posted that to include that part. I agree. Especially with Burns on the edge of superstardom and being a edge rusher.. He's gonna be pricey. I'd like to try to strike early and possibly get a bit of a hometown discount if we could. From how heavily his brother is invested in him being here, I know we'll have him long-term, I think it's just a matter of when and how much.

DJ is the first... I'm thinking the second player is Burns or possibly Robby. As I stated elsewhere, iI think if we extend Robby, it would be ideal nc then his contract should expire by the time TMJ's ready for his extension. But, it would be super smart to get Brian locked up asap. I've always felt if the player/agent are willing, it's best to sign them to an extension in the penultimate year of their rookie contract, rather than wait for the last year.

Damn, I really like Fit. What I love most is his transparency, and he is transparent bc he has fuging titanium balls... he's not worried about what the rest of the league's FOs are doing, because he's gonna do what he's doing regardless. And I expect if we're looking into trades for a LT, the upgrade will be significant. Also, I'm assuming the extension is DJ.