Michael G

He was part of Ron's  attempted switch to a more 3-4 base look. I think the hope was he could spell Ervin and Burns as a rotational OLB/Edge. I thought he did well when he played and think he may have a chance to make the team. But with us acquiring Reddick It will probably come down to whether or not he can beat out M. Haynes for a back up spot as a rotational piece. He's a bigger stronger option at that position, but he uses technique more than speed to him. I think Haynes is a little quicker. Neither are as quick off the edge as Burns or Reddick though. (All this is IMO)

3 minutes ago, kungfoodude said:

Yeah, well Bill built that team. He has carried some sorry ass rosters to deep playoff runs. The difference is that he doesn't have the greatest QB of all time bailing him out with his greatness.

Make no mistake, right now it is looking very much like that ratio is heavily tilted in Brady's favor.

I can agree with that. It doesn't help Bill that he traditionally played in a division where the other teams were real messes for most of their histories. The Bills are now a more formidable franchise than any he had to deal with in division before (Rex's Jets didn't Kiss the ring, butt (fumble) I digress). 

5 minutes ago, kungfoodude said:

Well, if NE looks the aame as they did last season, I think you have to start chalking up that NE success to mostly Brady and much less Bill.

That was always going to be the interesting thing about that split, who ended up being more successful.

Yeah- But Tom got the better landing spot. The Bucs were primed with young talent and weapons. Last year Bill pieced together a team. I think for the first time in a long time he was lost a little without Brady. They have really made a lot of moves this offseason. This year will be interesting in deed to see if Bill can be as sucessfull without Brady, (Brady's already made his point on that).

19 minutes ago, kungfoodude said:

At this point, are you convinced that those victories were all Bill Belichick? 

Not at all...but I think the system he employed (along with Brady) proved to stand the test of Time. Im not sure about Bruce's system in Tampa.

I'm not sure TB wins the division. They have Tom B. , but not Bill B. Its hard to repeat and even though they kept everyone they basically stayed pat. Everyone else is getting better. One or Two key injuries and their season can really take a hit (like anyone else's).

I think they are the best bet to win but I don't believe its a sure thing. In that light my predictions are:

NO- 11-6

TB- 10-7

Car- 10-7

Atl- 6-10-1

I think Winston throws for a Billion Yards with only 20 interceptions (35 TD's) this year and their defense and running game carry the Saints to the division title.

We pick off Winston 6 times in 2 games but still only manage to split the series.

The Bucs sweep us

We sweep Atl.

In general I'm not sure how well things will proceed. I have seen some things I like this offseason and some things I don't. The biggest positive thing I can say (and this might not last as a Positive) is its DIFFERENT. The draft, some of the choices we made about who to keep and who to let go, the focus on getting younger and more athletic. Those things are different and right now I like it. So that's why I am optimistic.

4 minutes ago, jfra78 said:

Schedule release day isnt a big deal to most fans.  The NFL is trying to hype it up to make it seem like a big deal for more money.

It is definitely something else you can attach an ad to.

I will watch the video---I'm not chomping at the bit, but its neat they way the media team presents it.

16 minutes ago, Moo Daeng said:

Honest question? Is the schedule release really interesting to most? I can't say I look more than a few games in advance during the season. 

I usually don't get too excited about it- I pay attention because its football and by the time the schedule comes out all the Draft stuff is dying down. I think some fans are really just happy to get something football related to chew on.

The Panthers have done a really good job with this. Here is a link to last years schedule release video.

https://youtu.be/vKfSg1Llk_w

JT isn't as tall as, or any faster than a few guys we already have on the roster. He may be more experienced playing as a True FS (I'm not sure). Last Year we did not use a lot of Defensive Packages that employed a true Deep centerfield (Free) Safety. Snow had to play a lot of zone with 2- Split Safety looks.

With the desire to play more press man it seems to reason sometimes we might try to play some of those 1-High, Deep FS (centerfield) looks. Who will be used to do that? The key component here is range/speed. This player will need to keep plays in front of them and cover the field (Running to either side to help Man corners running deep with receivers). 

Maybe it will be Chinn used in this way in just those type of packages. Maybe it will be JT or someone else. Maybe we won't use the single high safety at all.....

I was a little worried when we picked Tremble. There were better pass catching options available and I wasn't aware of just how good of a blocker Tremble was. I didn't realize how exceptional an athlete is his either. This really was an example of how successes in Free Agency really can affect the draft.

Picking up Dan Arnold really freed us up to take Tremble (Which sounds crazy sense he is a tight end too). I think having a pass catching TE, allowed Fit to take Tremble who will be a tool that we can use in a lot of ways as a blocker. Its a luxury we could not have afforded if we didn't have someone capable of being a reliable option in the passing game at that position. 

In Time Tremble may develop into a decent pass catching option also and become a well rounded player for us, but right from the start I think he will still be able to impact games occasionally with what he already brings to the table as a blocker.

I was not excited about Jaycee at #8. I thought he was a little too grabby for the NFL and wasn't impressed with his lackluster efforts in run support--That said he definitely has elite cover ability and athletic traits....... at worst he'll be average and his upside is way up! I hope he proves me wrong about being good enough to take at 8- (it shouldnt be too hard according to my wife).

I really doubt we sign anyone else. I Think If we start using Packages that call for the single-high look we will fill it with Chinn and use other players to fill the box or play Nickel. Versatility is why we have a lot of the pieces we do so I'm assuming we have someone who can handle being FS. If Chinn is used this way, then Franklin might get more reps as that hybrid LB/S big nickel defender that plays close to the line.  

- Will Grier comes on in relief and helps us win a Football Game (He even throws a TD pass)

- Shi Smith will ret 2 Punts for TD's

- Deonte Brown catches a TD Pass playing TE in a Jumbo Package at the Goal Line

3 hours ago, davos said:

4 hours ago, BurnNChinn said:

Do people not like Burris. I thought he looked pretty good till he got hurt?

I actually think he's a great part of the team. But when Chinn is inside the box, we need someone back with Burris.  That could be a McCain.  Unsure who really fits that bill currently on the team.  Hartsfield? Franklin?

Burris isn't a bad option is some packages- but he doesn't offer the speed to play single-high (deep centerfield). No one really does as far as our Safeties go (except maybe Chinn...possibly Hartsfield). Not saying Boston was a burner either, but we played a lot of Split looks last year. If we want the option to play single high (with press man), then it would be better to have a true FS with good range.

With the additions of J. Horn, AJ Bouye and K. Taylor- The thinking is we will be playing more Press Man Coverage which in many packages use a Deep Single High Safety (FS). I really don't see anyone on our roster that has demonstrated that ability. To be as versatile and be able to "show all the looks," We kind of need someone to do that I'd think. Last year we played a lot of split safeties and 3 safety looks, with mostly zone concepts I think. 

I don't think any of the current safeties on our roster really have the range to play FS, especially in 1 deep looks. Chinn is actually probably our best option as far as range/speed- but he is so valuable playing closer to the box. Hartsfield is probably the next best option as far as Range/Speed of the guys listed as S or DB on our roster.

I think this will be a very interesting position to fill in Camp. It may not be a big deal, if our line and corners play better (more pressure/better coverage) then opposing teams may not be able to expose Burris, or another less rangy DB playing the FS roles as easily.

So who is most likely going to fill Trey Boston's role as a true Free Safety in our defense this season?

- Burris or another SS will take it on

- A CB will be converted and assume that role (if so which one)

- We will sign a veteran option before the season (who would you want)

- Kenny Robinson (the closest thing we have to to a true FS) will step up and actually take over the role

Fit's draft was Ballsy...no doubt about it! If Brady or Cam Erving don't pan out and our left side remains weak it'll make life tougher on Darnold....A lot of critics will point to this part of the Draft. If they play great and this is the beginning of a playoff run then WoW! I'm hoping for Wow!

#39(WE traded it)Jenkins LT/RT

#42 Eicheberg LT

#s 46 and 45- W. Liitle and J. Carman (Both Tackles-Carman maybe better suited for Guard)

#51 S. Cosmi LT/RT

#52 (traded it away again) a LB is taken by Cleveland

#53 Dillon Radunz ---This where I think people start getting upset!!!

#59- We finally take Marshall (WR)

* In additions to the Tackles that went- Richie Grant (s), T. Moehrig (s) and P. Friermuth (TE) we all targets that went in that span before our pick at 59.

17 minutes ago, Riv said:

We should cut Grier and sign a vet that can show these kids how to work. 

If Grier (or PJ) gets cut its likely because we are keeping Tommy Stevens to scheme up a few Taysom Hill- like plays.

They kept that under wraps- I wonder why? I mean typically you give a guy like that a send off!

9-8 W-L

4,100 yds passing

29 TD's

16 Ints

2 hours ago, MasterAwesome said:

Remember, this dude was the only player we traded UP for...as opposed to the 1847 tradedowns. The FO must think pretty highly of him.

They traded up because he was they're last shot at a decent Tackle prospect. All the Top Tackles were gone, the pretty good guys were also gone. Jaylen Mayfield went a couple of picks ahead and Fit started calling I bet. I am pretty sure if Christensen would have went where Mayfield did, Fit would've grabbed the phone and drafted Mayfield (trading up), because after them there was nothing for tackles.

That Said- I like the kid and hope he performs as well as we are all hoping.

1 hour ago, OldhamA said:

Bayless has to make his self available. I think he opted out of last year. But there are too many players. He has to show toughness and a WANT (hunger) for being on that field.

Panthers love competition in every room, EXCEPT QUATERBACK ROOM apparently lol but that's for a different thread 

I thought Bayless broke his leg or something in training camp and they liked him so much they saved a roster spot for him, before putting him on IR?