Mike2.0

This season’s leader, Daniel Jones, is averaging 265.9 yards per game, that would rank 12th in 2015. Even going back to 2020, he would rank 10th in passing yards. So it does appear that passing yards is down, but is that because they aren’t as good? Possibly, but we were spoilt in recent years when we had Brady, Peyton, Brees, Rodgers, Roethlisberger, Rivers, Ryan, Stafford (etc). As crops of QBs go, it was an amazing era to watch and most will end up in the Hall of Fame. I’m not convinced you we could list as many potential Hall of Fame QBs from the current crop. Will it go pass heavy again? I think there’s a good chance that it will, but it will require QBs that can consistently air the ball out in the frequency we saw in the 00s and 10s. I think currently coaches are favouring a more balanced approach, if not favouring a strong running game.

Makes you wonder what went wrong after his thousand yard receiving yard season as a rookie. His second year was injury hit if I remember correctly, but he doesn’t seem to have been targeted or utilised as well as his rookie season. It wouldn’t surprise me if he leaves the Falcons when/if the opportunity arises.

There’s always some fans that don’t like the pick. I mean some wanted a defensive player, but I think picking MacMillan was a shrewd draft choice. His upside was clear and our need for a true number one receiver was clear.

In someways we had a similar situation with Cam Newton. He had games where he’d throw for 300+ yards and complete over 60% of his passes, then he’d have those 200 or less passing yard games and would complete less than 60% of his passes. Even in his MVP season he had six games with less than 200 passing yards and ten games with less than 60% PCT (he had two under 50%!). So we have kinda been here before with Cam because we all wanted him to develop as a pocket passer and become a more prolific passer, but he never quite achieved the consistency as a passer. Now the advantage Cam had was he could make up for the passing inconsistencies with his work as a runner, whereas Bryce doesn’t have the size to bully the opposition defense like Cam did, so he will have to develop more consistency as a passer if he wants to be the guy (here or elsewhere).

I think we try to re-sign Dowdle at a rate that makes sense for the team. If the price gets too high then you move on. There’s no reason we can’t accommodate both running backs like we did with Williams and Stewart. After all, Young has yet to prove he can carry this team as a passer, and to be honest, he strikes me more as a 3,500 yard passer than a 4,500 yard passer. So to best support him we should have a strong running game and a 1 to 2 of Dowdle and Chuba could be the way to go.

There’s no reason the offense can’t accommodate them both. We had Williams and Stewart as a 1-2 punch, so it’s possible that Dowdle and Chuba can be used as a 1-2 punch. We are a run first team since we don’t have a prolific passer under center, so I would at having a strong run game with two quality backs is a positive. Before the Packers game, they had split the carries fairly evenly. I think unless one gets hot, we’ll probably see them split carries.

A winning record would be nice, but I still have us winning around the 6 to 8 game mark. Realistically we should beat the Jets and Saints, that gets us to 5 wins. After that, we have to face a lot of potential play off teams and our divisional opponents. I think we’ll win 1 or 2 of those games to take us to 6 or 7 wins, perhaps 8 wins if we can spring a further surprise. Is that enough progress for head coach and QB? I’m not sure, it will depend on performances and output. That said, it’s nice to be back in a position where we are thinking about the play offs.

I would tend to agree about not falling into the trap and paying a below average QB, but sometimes situations can “force” a team to pay that QB. For example, if we play ourselves into a 9-8 like record, then what options will we have in the draft? Or do we avoid the draft and trade for or sign someone in free agency? I’m not convinced by the 2026 QB draft class. There’s some intriguing prospects but no one that really screams “draft me”. I’m not sure we’ve got anyone really that stands out as a trade candidate or free agent signing. So although we might not want to commit a big money contract to Young, him playing well and showing progress might force the team’s hand.

Realistically we would be looking at no more than a mid round pick for Dowdle or Chuba. Are we really that desperate for a mid round pick? Not really. I would much prefer us utilise the two RBs in a 1-2 punch similar to how we used D-Will and Stewart. After all, Bryce is not Drew Brees. He won’t throw for 300+ yards and carry the team consistently as a passer. So having a strong running game with a 1-2 punch will be beneficial to him, and it will also be beneficial to the RBs because we can spell them and not overwork them.

I don’t think many fans would have guessed the Chiefs and Ravens would be where they are right now. Same goes for some surprise packages like the Colts, I’m not sure many would have put money on them being top of their division after five weeks. It’ll be interesting to see if this continues! Not necessarily. The Chargers have lost both starting OL and their 1st and 2nd choice RBs. They fell apart against Washington. The Broncos have just beat the Eagles, so they’d be my favourite in that division, but they are still only one win ahead of the Chiefs. All the Chiefs need is a couple of results to go their way and they’ll be right in the fight for the AFC East. I think that division is going to be very close and probably not a 12 or 13 win division like predicted. Unless of course the Broncos kick on.

Until the QB play improves, this team’s offense should be built around the running game. Whether that appeals to the powers that be shouldn’t matter since the Super Bowl champs are built around the running game.

Hubbard and Dowdle have the potential to be an impressive 1 to 2 punch. They could be our new D-Will and Stewart if the offense features them together consistently.

I can see Canales getting a 3rd year if we better our win count from last season. If it’s worse then that’s probably it for him here unless they are going to give him first crack at developing a new quarterback.

And to think, there’s a growing number of their fans that want to move on from their head coach, gm, and quarterback. The latter due to durability and concerns about him making all the throws or them being able to rely on him to make plays like scrambling for a down.

If the Dolphins offense clicks, then they are better than us. Tua isn’t elite, but he’s better than Young. Hill is a loss for them, but they have other options to pass to. So I’d give them an offensive edge. On defense it’s a toss up or edge to us.