Bear Hands

I'm speaking to when a guy matches NFL speed and has the intangible feel at this level. Dart has it. You can have those traits and still not be a world beater. He has a lot of stuff developmentally to work on, but it's clear he's able to play at this level. He's easily a minimum good backup long term. Already looks better than Bo Nix has for example.

If the 49ers can move on from Lance, the NYJ can move on from Zach Wilson, we can sure as hell move along here. The 2 Daves and 1 Dan need to move TF along. The trade for #1 is in the past. Just move on. Get this over with. He's not happening. You can just see when a guy has that NFL level ability when he starts playing. It's an inherent thing, you just see it. Something clicks. Dart is the super easy example this year. Bryce just doesn't have that. It's not something you just get.

Also the YPA has plummeted the past few weeks to that mentioned 5.7 YPA. He's back to the all-time historic lows. Any even moderately respectable struggling rookie should be above 6.0. It's insanity. He can't move the ball. Getting stuff batted, can't see around the line, can't set and step up in the pocket. Basic f*cking fundamentals. Still. Since day 1, throughout year 2, it's year 3. He's the same guy he's been even since Bama. Wayyyyy too many stalled drives. Can't do anything. No vision. Terrible decision making. Can't extend with his legs (only looks good relaitve to 38 year old over the hill QBs) Can't lead guys on even intermediate throws most of the time. And this kid ain't growing. And when he does put some touch on a pass beyond 10, are we really supposed to just gaze in awe? It's f*cking terrible. Always has been. It has been mind numbingly clear we've won despite him. He's done a few minor things in clutch time any middling QB could eventually do once or twice. My patience is over. I was off the train, but I'm now off the reservation. Sean Glennon/Kyle Orton territory with how bad his advanced metrics are. It's atrocious.

And we're talking 250 yards in today's NFL.

He's only passed more than 250 yards 5 times. FIVE in almost 40 starts

Saints - I see a win here. Kamara has been banged up, their speed is gone with Shaheed, Shough is a rookie. They could pull it off if their D holds us under 15. Falcons - Falcons have been a pure hot/cold team this year. Beating the Bills and getting swamped by our squad. There's a a chance they fire back on their home turf. Toss up. 49ers - I think this is winnable depending on Purdy/Pearsall. They've been rotating through injuries nearly every week. Minus a very healthy CMC this year. Another toss up. Rams - Rams are damn good but they're a team that can be caught in off weeks. Although, I don't see that happening. Not the best matchup for us. Saints V.2 - Another winnable Bucs - Division, anything is possible Seahawks - If they continue playing this way, could be ugly. Bucs - Division battle but they could have it wrapped up by this point and could be a W. - I see 3 games that I have a very hard time seeing us win (Seahawks 1 of the Bucs, and the Rams) That makes best case, a 10-7 season possible. Probably not enough for the playoff given the NFC this year. A reasonable expectation is 3 wins from this bunch and we end up 8-9. Would hate to see 7-10 or worse. We're trending up and have guys that are improving.

Bryce will average 130 yards/game, 1 TD, 1 INT, 1 fumble and we will win dammit. Win everything. Beat everyone

I’d put Clausen at the bottom and Allen ahead of Moore. The end of Moore’s run with Carr (that Philly home game?) was worse than anything with Kyle. Bryce above Walker. Checks out though.

@Jackie Lee’s article was funny. i don’t get what we’re supposed to be reacting to with the video. Am I missing something?

Yep, it's entirely prospect driven. If they see a guy they love, by all means. Moore, Mendoza, Mateer, etc. but we may not end up liking what those guys give us. Could be Styles/Allen (LB), Faulk (ED), Tyson (WR), Lomu (OT), etc. and we wait while the team keeps getting better.

Drake Maye has been a revelation. Crazy to think the MVP race includes Drake Maye, Baker Mayfield, Sam Darnold, & Matt Stafford right now. Allen & Mahomes are always there by default, but those 4 - it's hard to say it doesn't sting. Maye being a lifelong Panthers fan, (2) ex-Panthers QBs, and one a guy we tried to trade for lol

Totally. They had a guy starred on their boards that made it in trade worthy range. The risk was totally worth it. Our case was the classic of a franchise not having a QB, do what you can to get one. That often results being thrust into a bad situation, putting crazy pressure on 1 guy, and it becomes even worse when he's not that great. But if we find ourselves just a few spots behind a guy we really like, I don't see a problem. We just have to see how the season shakes out and enjoy this roller coaster. It's not pretty at times but we somehow are 5-4 haha. If Bryce turns a page and cranks out some truly QB driven wins, then maybe we do consider just rolling with him and a Dalton replacement in 2026. Someone like a Jarrett Stidham/Tanner McKee. However, if he stays mostly the same (whether we fall apart or he struggles on/off but we still win some), I think you have to leave to door open for a QB in the draft. Scout and meet with the top ones, see if any really fit what D&D want. Maybe that guy could be Mateer. Who knows

I've seen the comp a few times, and I feel there is a lot to it. Our situation is a lot like Kansas City was pre-Mahomes (without the HOF HC) Whether you like them or not, D&D are building something here. They had a strong draft. The team is slowly coming together, developing some identity, and has some decent blue chip parts. Brown, Horn, McMillan, and a good OL situation that we should keep fortifying every year. It's not much yet, but growing. Bryce is in that Alex Smith spot. A top draft pick, has never been overly impressive, but you can win games when he's safe with the ball. You're not winning because of him - maybe once in a blue moon. From time to time he's shown the ability to orchestrate some plays and lead drives. I just don't see anything that is like - "oh snap, yeah don't let him go, he's ours". He'll make a solid/good throw every now and again, but man, it is a struggle a lot of the time to watch. Some terrible performances to speak of, heck he's already been benched once during year 2. He should in no way preclude you from flirting with what else is out there. This is not a marriage. If you're in position (or trade range) for a guy you REALLY like come draft day, you shoot your shot. If we are in the draft process, and suddenly realize QB3-4 is a guy we really like, that's when you make a modest jump from like 16 to 11 or something like that. Just like the Bills did for Allen, like the Chiefs did for Mahomes. This is nothing magical that plants this franchise savior title on them, this is not some stupid trade-- it's an easy trade up to get a guy you like w/a big ceiling. It's all player dependent and coaching/development driven. If we don't like a QB, by all means fortify the front-7, get an awesome OLB or ILB prospect. But we're on year 3, you kind of know what you're getting at this point. Mostly sub-200 yard performances, low YPA, bad technique, poor mechanics, some decent stuff sprinkled in, but some bad turnover heavy ones that kill the team's momentum. Again, run with him if there's no complete disaster that happens the remainder of the season, but don't close the door on something better just because of the investment or debatable performances.

^ lol

I think it’s because they’re fans who want better than they’re getting. Pretty basic concept. The “casual” thing isn’t going to happen. Stop trying to make it happen

It's been requested ad nauseam, you get it. Here's the thread to add to the threads.

Sherwood, MDIV and JJJ would all be targets for us

I mean, with the amount of picks they've received, maybe the next guy won't take as much haha

Dan, call the Jets for Sherwood plz.

NFL trade deadline is more like an NBA one this year. Jeeez

Jets have the ammo for their next bust at QB lol

Holy sh*t - 2 firsts and AD Mitchell??

Steichen has the offense operating at a super high efficiency with JT/Pittman/Warren/Downs. The OL is strong.The D - the front 7 has been sneaky good. They don't instill much fear but do enough. Buckner is stil playing at a high level. It's a good system on both sides of the ball. Blue chip players now at every position group. Overall, the NFL is wide open right now. Seahawks, Colts, Patriots, Rams, & Bills are at the top of the mid-season hill - which is just wild Lions, Bucs, Broncos, Chargers* are in contention/okay spots (LAC is losing guys left and right though) Chiefs, Philly still linger, you can never discount. Steelers, 49ers are around as always.

Colts are going ALL IN.