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I just rewatched Superman (1978): how'd you get out of the glass prison in time for gameday?

I'd like to believe you, but Mixon was not running well until he played Carolina. Lamar's passing has fallen off, for sure. Is Andrews hurt? He is a serious weapon, and our second level defense has not been great. and it'd go a long way to keeping it closer if he's not a factor.

It's not gonna matter who is under center unless the defense can stop Lamar and company from running all over the place.

So it was a defensive lineman this time at least?

I'll have some of what he's having...

Given that we saw all three other ankle sprains happen live in games (including Corral in pre-season) - with lineman rolling on their ankles - do we know how PJ got his? Did someone roll on him in practice? The turf is catching the blame (as it should be removed regardless) -- but the turf didn't take out Corral, or Darnold, or Mayfield.

The bigger issue is McAdoo's offense. DJ gets plenty of targets, but how many yards and TDs is a guy who catches the ball behind the line of scrimmage getting?

As bad as I felt for Corral, I didn't think it'd be good for his development to see the field this season, so I was happy for PJ to stick around. I just think, and I think the games have shown, he's just not a starting caliber QB, but I think I'd dig him as a coach having him as an actual 2nd team back-up, as he seems to be able to turn it on quickly when needed and he is mobile, which is an undervalued trait for a guy coming off the bench.

Of course some of it is on him. He's the one throwing the ball and making pre and post snap calls. Having watched a ton of gamefilm, I don't think I saw that many in-game boneheaded decisions in his starts, just bad execution and a dysfunctional offense - but clearly Mayfield has made some dumb decisions off the field (to the tune of millions and his health and reputation). The morons coaching is the bigger problem. This defense should be much more consistent but I put that on the coaching, alongside the offense.

I think the locker room loves PJ. I don't think they dislike Mayfield, from what I've seen, but they've known PJ longer and this is his shot at the big-time. Of course, who knows. I mean would you like a guy who headbutts you all the time?

Hahaha. Mariota was sure also trying to give the ball away last night.

I'm totally on board with PJ being the backup. He's actually great for that role. I would have argued for PJ over Darnold at the beginning of the season in that capacity.

Lol. I think a more reasonable reason assessment, based on the game film, is that drive killing dropped passes, and untimely sacks, poorly run routes, bad scheme, questionable playcalling, superior defenses, no Bozeman or TMJ, no Foreman, shortened off season, and Matt fugging Rhule are more likely reasons. But hey, people like blaming QBs, especially a headbutting jackass like Mayfield.

That's what's driving me crazy about this (aside from the fact I don't think tanking works (see 30 years as a former Brown's fan). It seems like Wilks is trying to win, or maybe he's tanking, or maybe he can't decide, but it seems like he's not doing either right.

I don't know if Blue checks matter anymore, but i know he was a journalist from Cleveland days, before the sex predator was traded for. He's an Oklahoma guy, who I'm always leery of, but I've yet to see him throw up fake or misused stats, unlike David Newton for example, so I still at least read what he says.

It has not been worth it. PJs play in the first Atlanta game cost the game. His play yesterday should have cost the second game if not for 3 dropped interceptions. He took the team entirely out of the Rams and Bengals game, and has been bolstered by Foreman's change in use. Mayfield's development has been amongst the worst amongst active QBs in the modern era, having gone through more coaches and OCs than the number of years he's been in the league, as well, as being injured for an entire year and late arrival into the Carolina Darnold's development in NY was a tirefire of being thrown in under Gase and then two OCs under Rhule in Carolina. Who knows who Darnold is? PJ, while not getting first team reps, has been allowed to develop on the same team over a number of seasons, which neither Darnold or Mayfield have been able to do for this season. As a further counterpoint, PJ is the only non-injured QB on this team that had a full off-season to integrate the playbook and had prior experience with the receiver group. But none of that matters - PJ has now been given a longer leash than Mayfield even, despite Mayfield having a proven track record of success elsewhere, and playing in worse conditions in game 1-5 against tougher opponents- so we've seen what PJ is, and it's the same thing as 2021. He's a good backup, and a great story, but the fact he was not benched in the first Atlanta game is insane for a player who has never show they can sustain success.

I don't agree based on far too much study of the game film of Mayfield and PJ this season and some of Darnold last season. I still say, and have said all year, the biggest problem is McAdoo, but we've seen enough of PJ being PJ now in McAdoo's system that we can see it's his natural tendency to make bad decisions.

It was three dropped interceptions out of 16 total tracked passes. That's almost a 20% turnover worthy throw percentage.

I'd rather win and take a shot at the playoffs than play for draft position, when the best indicator of QB success is development, not draft position. Likewise, for 2-7th round picks. I think you're probably right about it being hard to bench the starter, but Wilks had his chance to not start PJ after one of the worst QB performances in recent history and didn't and could have again last game on his third dropped interception, but didn't. He wants to start PJ for other reasons, and none of them are about winning games.

Burns gets far too much criticism for a guy playing opposite YGM, who might be the single biggest reason the run-game cannot hold up across four quarters.

Yes, I imagine that's possible - but that's also idiotic. A 4th is not much more valuable than a 5th, and at this point, starting PJ is giving this team the worst chance to win and to claim a very claimable NFC South. If PJ is benched after the first half of the Atlanta game, I think it's 2-0 vs. Falcons and the Bengals game is in play, based on what Mayfield showed against the first team D on the opening drive of the second half, and his track record against the Bengals. But at this point, I'd trust Darnold over PJ, at least we don't know what he looks like behind a good oline.

I presume you mean this as a joke because of his helmet/head display post-game. For what it's worth, he was doing this during the preseason in training camp.

In fairness, Tim Bailey is a Oklahoma/Mayfield fan, but a journalist, and I've never known him to be anything but fair and accurate.

If you're curious of the stats on PJ vs. Mayfield:

Wilks has declared PJ as the starter for the Raven's game. Now that we have comparable sample sizes, PJ has played statistically worse than Mayfield, has played easier defenses and secondaries, with a better oline, and better running game - and has gotten to play without the cloud of Rhule. He has had TMJ and Bozeman and Foreman getting more than 2 carries a game. McAdoo is still an albatross, but at least he is not McAdoo under Rhule. Did Wilks not watch the game tape? Or any game tape? Did he not see the stat line or the 3 dropped interceptions? Against the worst secondary in the league? Did he forget about the Bengals game? Or the rams game? Or 3 quarters of the first Atlanta game? Did he see 100 yards passing, with 40-50% of that YAC? Does he not watch PJ locking on DJ on almost every play, which a real secondary will exploit. Why did PJ start after the Bengals game? Why did he not get pulled in the first Atlanta game? Is Darnold too injured to give a shot? If they value weak draft capital over wins, fine, keep Mayfield on the bench. PJ has done nothing to earn, never the less keep the starting job. If Wilks is supporting the tank, let PJ throw the ball, that will ensure a few extra pick-6s. If he wants to play conservatively and run and win, and keep his job, either Mayfield or even Darnold are less reckless with the ball and have greater upside.