Icege

If TMac is half as good as you have claimed then I don't see how Bryce can he as bad as you fear.

I do. He's shown that he'll form scheme around talent and was asked to take a bitter pill last season as a vast majority of resources were committed to the offense. This season, they're giving him help by trying to add pieces to the defense in the same manner. The defense is now in a place where practice squad guys aren't starting, but it's still got depth issues (esp at ILB). Personnel-wise, the biggest question marks to me are Trevin Wallace, Lathan Ransom, and Nic Scourton. Those three stepping up would make a massive difference in the defense. Ransom would allow Scott to hit the bench and Scourton would be a blessing to the pass rush. The sooner Trevin Wallace is diagnosing plays and letting his athleticism take over, the better also.

My current overreactions (and copium) before reviewing the All-22: LB is a huge problem. Not only is depth incredibly weak, we're depending on a second year Trevin Wallace. While having solid athletic traits, Trevin seems to be out of position more often than we'd want our starting ILB. There's also been errors in coverage as well, which was one of his strong points due to said athleticism. Rams LB situation was to basically walk out ST LBs (ie: Rozeboom) and let them do what they can while the DL takes care of the run and the DBs handle coverage. LBs job might be asked to lurk and clean up this season. I'm going to have to go look at the 2023 season as well as Evero's 2022 season with Denver. Wallace does have the skillset though to be a solid blitzer if schemed up. Evero likes to use ILBs to supplement the pass rush sometimes, so having Moehrig/Wallace/Jaycee all able to blitz at any given moment will allow for more options to pressure with. Young weapons need to start stepping up. Having to depend on a rookie WR1, second year WR2 that was known to be a project, and a soon-to-be 35yr old WR3, Tremble coming back from back surgery, and an inconsistent Ja'Tavion Sanders isn't going to allow the offense to truly threaten through the air. The WR room is deep with veteran slot guys, an exciting top-10 pick, a late first rounder, an exciting UDFA that is challenging for WR2, and the explosiveness of Jimmy Horn Jr gives a lot to be excited for. There's going to be some growing pains, but what's most important this season is TMac + XL's development + chemistry with Bryce. The real test is 2026 when it's time for Bryce to play for a second contract and Tillis has the roster set to be able to be reset should things not be going where they need to under Canales. While more comfortable looking, the team can't afford a slow start by Bryce. Going three-and-out on back-to-back opening drives (without all of the opponents' starters) is not giving guns blazing out the gate... and wtf was that atrocious throw today on the free play? Even if you know you've got a free shot that was bad. Also looked like he was already pressing early by not taking the open check down. Can't catch it for em. That JT Sanders drop looked egregious, but I'll get a better idea of what happened when the All-22 comes out (as well as what the hell Bryce saw on the free play). TMac has also made more difficult catches than the one that came his way look simple, but he's clearly still catching up as a rookie. As the season is underway and more targets come his way we'll probably forget plays like that one. Bryce just has to keep trending up and helping his young weapons develop with him. The OL and the run game, the supposed strengths of the offense, have not looked strong. The OL has given up pressures, penalties, and hasn't been getting the push in the run game. As announcers and analysts have also pointed out, the team doesn't look like it's due to break off a big run any time soon. That RB room is deep with Chuba, Dowdle, and Etienne. Etienne especially has looked like he's taken Blackshear's job on ST and the offense. The OL has also been somewhat protected this season, being pulled after just a series or two (and not playing against Pittsburgh on Thursday). DLew being out has also allowed for better evaluation of the OL to see if there's anybody that can make a case to carry 10 OL into the season The pass rush is still non-existent and relying on the duo of Wonnum/Jones II made sense in Minnesota when they were rotating for each other but not both starting. Derrick Brown is a presence, but he doesn't exactly rack up sacks. The team looks destined to be bottom-10 in pressure again. It's a tough pill to swallow, but this season (pass rush-wise) is all about Scourton and Umanmielen's development. The sooner they threaten starting time, the better (see: Ransom/Richardson vs. Scott in the safety room, though Wonnum/Jones II are better starters than Nick). With Moehrig, Ransom, Horn, Jackson, and Wallace available to be sent on blitzes, Evero will be able to scheme up 1v1s and maybe even some open rushers. He's got the personnel where we don't have to worry about asking "is it cover-3 or is it fire zone?" Also, Evero's shown that he can scheme to buy time for the pass rush through confusing QBs with post-snap shifts. Combine that with confusing the OL with where they have to shift to deal with additional pressure, we'll hopefully see more sacks this season than we have the last two. Finally, DB played a single series. BB3 has already shown that he can make an impact as well.

Thomas Incoom got Nic Scourton's spot yesterday... I think that the writing might be on the wall for DJ Johnson. He's been contributing on special teams, but his strength was his play strength and the ability to set the edge. That hasn't been showing up in preseason though... and his inability to log pressures even vs. back-ups. Incoom is the better pass rusher and better special teamer. If DJ's pass rush had developed at all, I could see him hanging around. I can understand why Evero signed off on him due to EJ preferring guys that can maintain lane integrity and win on their second effort that the coverage provides them time for... but it's about time we start getting pass rushers that can win early.

So what are the statistical baselines that players need to hit based on their draft position? I'm not debating that teams want their first round picks to make an impact. I'm just asking for simple numbers and whether or not trading up means that a player has to produce more.

Oh damn. That sucks. Glad the team got him taken care of and erred on the side of caution.

Etienne might have banished Blackshear to the practice squad.

These new kickoff rules have been interesting to see evolve.

I didn't realize ARob led DTs in tackles last season. Gonna be so much better seeing ARob-BB3-DB instead of ARob-Tuttle-Ray as the starting DL.

Seeing DL next to the reporters is always a hilarious reminder for how massive these dudes are.

Etienne has definitely flashed. Sam Roberts as well imo. Ransom and Richardson are showing well for young guys but one of them needs to separate themselves from the other & Nick Scott. Excited to see who it'll be (my money is on Lathan Ransom).

Etienne has definitely flashed. Sam Roberts as well imo. Ransom and Richardson are showing well for young guys but one of them needs to separate themselves from the other & Nick Scott.

Etienne has definitely flashed. Sam Roberts as well imo. Ransom and Richardson are showing well for young guys but one of them needs to separate themselves from the other & Nick Scott.

Refs lying on Thornton. That's a push off by the Texans. A gentleman like him would never commit DPI.

Ransom & Richardson getting in on back-to-back plays. I'm expect that, if not to start the season, at some point the starting duo will be Moehrig and Ransom. And Thornton tackling his man in bounds to force Houston to burn a TO? Hand this man his roster spot immediately pls.

Corey Thornton is a god damned legend

Called it! I did not call Fitzgerald banging in a 50+ yarder to make it 3-7 tho.

3rd & 11? I smell a quick hitch for Tremayne.

3rd string and beyond guys are lucky this game is only 7-0 (should it hold going into the half). It'll give them a chance to put on some better tape then if they had been forced into being one dimensional.

Ransom & Richardson both on the spot. Screw it. Sit Nick Scott, put both rookies in with Trevon Moehrig, and just use the 3rd S as an extra LB. Likely more talented than who else is in the LB room.

Corey Thornton makes this roster or we riot.

All-22 of the starting offense will be interesting. Bryce had a horrible throw + decision on the free play, JT had an egregious drop that would've moved the chains, and TMo got pancaked on another play. I wasn't able to see if TMac should've hauled the pass to him in or if it was just out of reach.

Ah, that's what happened on that throw. Andy's elbow got caught. The way the ball came out looked weird. Hope he's ok. Plummer going to get some extra reps to try and secure a practice squad spot.

Princely put a hit on that Texan

Ugh... Bartholomew has been getting bullied. Drew the OPI but not a good look getting chucked by a rookie WR like that.