MHS831

Since I am often referred to as "sunshine" or "ray of happiness and hope" by fellow Huddlers, I would like to make one observation about the QB-WR relationship. Last season, Bryce was good throwing to Thielen. The others? Bad route runners. This year, he seems to be having success throwing to Johnson in camp. When I read, "he underthrew an out route" I can tell you that the out route must be run correctly and precisely. If the WR bows the route out of the break, a beaten DB can undercut the route pretty easily. Technically, an out route should feature the WR cutting back toward the LOS slightly. Last year, we kept hearing that the WRs were not getting open---bad routes cause that. I am very encouraged to see that Coker is running good routes--he is a 4.6 guy from Holy Cross but he is getting open, it seems. This is not to say Young is headed for Canton, but if you consider bad OL and bad routes, all errors are not necessarily Young's. I am losing confidence in him, to be honest. but not hope.

has he got a shiner? Heard he got KO'd recently....And #73 is Smith the OT from WCU and Laurinburg

in fairness to Dan, there are a lot of variables. I look at what he did with the money he saved--Hunt, Clowney were two signings that were about equal value...Clowney for 2 years at $10m per and Hunt for 5 years at $20m per. Clowney should be pretty close to Burns, he simply lacks the upside. Hunt fills a huge need and was a brilliant move if Corbett can play Center. If so, he upgraded 2 OL positions and did not lose a lot of productivity at OLB. The OL was priority one. Furthermore, I think it is possible that Chaisson and Barno step up this season--if so, OLB as a unit could be better--it is a gamble that we had to take, however. But let's say Clowney (at $18m less per season) gets 8 sacks per year here--that is about what Burns was doing--never was in double digits. So you drop 1.5 sacks in productivity for Robert Hunt, one of the best RGs in football? I like it. I get your point--we could have played hardball and demanded at least a first, but I have no idea what the other variables were at the time. Fitterer? He was terrible--I cannot think of one move that he made that was better than another available option. Morgan was entering a draft with huge holes and had something like 4 draft picks before this trade--I hated it, but I think they had him over a barrel. But yes, he was worth a first.

I think he held it a split second too long--still unsure of his pocket, I guess. 2.7 seconds?

He is from Laurinburg. So there is that.

I loved Leota when we signed him as an undrafted free agent. I love seeing him stepping up now--he has become a dawg. I think that will cause us to cut an OLB opposite Clowney, Chaisson, and Barno. Wonnum is the starter, but Leota and Johnson might have to fight for reps. While we lack the dominant pass rushers, we could have a decent group if we can get some pressure up the middle.

Yep. With the first waiver wire option, I hope Morgan is busy as heck scouting the bottoms of rosters--every team cuts a player or two they would love to keep

You know how I live on the edge. I fear nothing--throw caution to the wind. So I will go ahead and name our WRs to save us a lot of complaining: 1. Johnson 2. Thielen 3. Legette 4. Mingo 5. Coker 6. Smith Marsette Neck out--but so is my chest. Get some, Huddle.

This is huge because I am starting to think that BC might become our center.

He gave up a sack and totally whiffed on his block--however, one play. He was all conference for 3 years in college, so maybe there is that

gotcha---I just saw the ball arriving-good point

I thought the ball was where it needed to be--hard to get a good look, but if it is not toward the sideline it is picked off.

We need him back. Special Juan is unsuccessfully trying to fill his shoes. It is sad.

Plummer is not the answer and they know it. When the Pats cut, we will sign our #3. I feel that will happen, and I have spoken.

did he play? Do not remember him He would cost $7m, I think (I am not the person who explains salary well)--bad side? He is the same size as our other WRs are--XL, Mingo, TMJ, Adam T.

Silly you! I mean, vs. 2s and 3s, he had a chance to show us something--nothing wrong with a positive approach. I have just seen it too many times. My problem with Plummer was his fire/leadership. Seemed slow to process--nearly all throws were a split second late, which is why (in part) there were drops.

About Plummer--I saw a lot of indecision/confusion. My first thought? how many reps has he been getting? I did notice, however, that he made some bad decisions--he did not move in the pocket, protect the football, or show leadership. His delivery seemed like a wind up.

I am not going to question the hiring of Canales after the first preseason game. Evero is a great DC, but that does not always translate to a great HC. Norv Turner, Wade Phillips, Cam Cameron, Buddy Ryan, Dom Capers (arguably), and Gregg Williams....all good coordinators who were sub par or mediocre head coaches--and that is just from memory. Not to say the Evero won't be a great head coach, but we don't know Canales won't be one.

Is this statement open for questioning?

Pure speculation based on a SI article that was published in May--I see two or three interesting possible additions here. I included the positions that might be of interest. I also used blue to highlight my "yes please" waiver wire additions. Please feel free to post suggestions that seem destined for the waiver wire. New England Patriots: Bailey Zappe, QB "yes please" Bailey Zappe started two games for New England as a rookie in 2022 and six more in 2023. Now that the Patriots have pivoted to third overall pick Drake Maye with capable veteran Jacoby Brissett as his backup, Zappe is unlikely to stick on the roster. (MHS: Not to mention Milton--Zappe is a goner, and I think he will be a Panther). Baltimore Ravens: Tylan Wallace, WR Following a standout career as a wideout at Oklahoma State, Tylan Wallace has never been an important offensive piece with Baltimore. He's occupied a valuable role on special teams in all three seasons, so the Ravens still can utilize him. But if they're comfortable with Deonte Harty and rookie Tez Walker, Wallace's time in Baltimore may end. (MHS: A decent returner--I might take Wallace if Smith-Marsette is not effective. Wallace was a 4th rounder, so he could just need a chance) Cleveland Browns: David Bell, WR David Bell has totaled 900 snaps on offense and special teams during his two professional seasons. However, he may be squeezed out of the position after Cleveland traded for Jerry Jeudy and drafted Jamari Thrash. It seems unlikely Bell and Cedric Tillman will remain on the roster. (MHS: He is 23 and has skills--probably will be cut-he is the same size as Mingo, XL, Adam T-not better than what we have, imo) Pittsburgh Steelers: Cole Holcomb, LB "yes please" The most unfortunate part of Cole Holcomb's season-ending knee injury is that it might lead to his release. This offseason, the Steelers signed high-priced Patrick Queen and added Payton Wilson in the draft. Pittsburgh may simply move in a new direction away from Holcomb, who posted 54 tackles in eight appearances last season. (MHS: This tarheel has been solid in Pittsburgh, and he is recovering from knee surgery. We are thin at LB--yes please. check him out on PFF: https://www.pff.com/nfl/players/cole-holcomb/49753?season=2022 ) Tennessee Titans: Tre Avery, CB "yes please" Over the last two seasons, Tre Avery has collected 62 tackles with five starts in 29 games. Tennessee needed to upgrade the unit, however, and added both L'Jarius Sneed and Chidobe Awuzie. Roger McCreary is the third starter, while releasing Caleb Farley saves no money and keeping Eric Garror and rookie Jarvis Brownlee Jr. is sensible. Avery should catch on somewhere if the Titans move on. (MHS: There could be something here. We need tackling CBs and he had a good PFF score in 2022. considering our lack of depth, this could be an upgrade to our depth, so I am giving this a marginal "yes please." https://www.pff.com/nfl/players/tre-avery/56146?season=2022) Los Angeles Chargers: Chris Rumph, Edge At this point, Jim Harbaugh has probably turned over the roster to his liking. Chris Rumph may snatch a final spot, but the recent signing of Bud Dupree is not good news for him. Rumph is behind Joey Bosa, Khalil Mack, Tuli Tuipulotu and Dupree at the position. (MHS: Rump is young and could offer some depth. They would have to like him better than Chaisson, imo. https://www.pff.com/nfl/players/chris-rumph/56345) Chicago Bears: Dominique Robinson, Edge After playing 50 percent of snaps as a rookie, Dominique Robinson's share dipped to 35 percent last year. Meanwhile, the Bears traded for Montez Sweat and jumped up to land Austin Booker in the draft. Robinson will be fighting for a final spot in the edge-rushing rotation. (MHS: Meh. Has not been that great in Chicago and his PFF scores are bad. He is young. This probably won't happen) Minnesota Vikings: Nick Mullens or Jaren Hall QB If possible, the Vikings would probably like to keep Nick Mullens around for his knowledge. The problem is Minnesota signed Sam Darnold in free agency, drafted J.J. McCarthy and still has Jaren Hall—who realistically might not be safe as a hopeful stash on the practice squad. This is very much a Mullens vs. Hall discussion. (MHS: Mullens is no spring chicken (29), but he has a lot of NFL experience. We know that Mullens or Hall is gone, and I am guessing that they keep Hall for salary cap reasons. Since it is one of two, I will share the PFF links for both. Mullens--https://www.pff.com/nfl/players/nick-mullens/12282?season=2022 Hall: https://www.pff.com/nfl/players/jaren-hall/82094?season=2023) Atlanta Falcons: Taylor Heinicke, QB Since he already agreed to a restructured contract, Taylor Heinicke has a logical path to another year in Atlanta. He may legitimately be content as a handsomely paid reserve, too. Still, the Falcons signed Kirk Cousins and semi-controversially drafted Michael Penix Jr. in the first round. Heinicke is neither a stopgap starter nor the perceived backup. (MHS: When Atlanta signed Cousins and drafted Penix Jr, it made Heinicke too expensive to keep as a #3. I think they will shop him first, but he is 31 and his PFF ratings are low--hard pass)

The thing that bothered me about Plummer--I saw no leadership, no fire, no sense of urgency. It was like watching a Greatful Deadhead walk home from a party. And he made stupid decisions under pressure--any qb knows "get rid of the ball" when under pressure. Flipping the ball to Smith Marsette on the sweep from 2 feet away was dumb. He was slow getting to the handoff spot--you keep the ball and follow the runner and get what you can. He is going to be cut very soon.

With the injury to QB2 and the limited playbook of QB4 and the fact QB1 was not dressed, that may not have been a strategy.

There is not much you can say. However, to those who are critical about not playing the starters, not saying that I disagree with you, but here are some possible reasons. 1. Injury--maybe not this game, but at the end of a 12-game season in college, and I did not play much more than anyone else, you run down. We had something like 10 ice tubs, and they were rarely filled early in the season. By the end of the season, you had to show up early and schedule a time. The 100 man roster was down to about 75 players for the final game--college is not as violent as the pros and they play 20 games excluding the playoffs. I do not know how they do it. 2. Building the roster from the bottom up. Remember, we have first choice on the waiver wire. We need to know what our bottom 40 players look like. Building depth is very important because injuries are going to happen. Coaches need to watch film to identify and prioritize our weaknesses. We also need to pay attention to players on other rosters who are likely to be waived in a few weeks. Zappe, for example, is likely to be waived by New England--we have film on him. If we can find a "gamer" on the roster, it could help. I know guys who were weak or average in practice but in games, they were incredible. One became an all-pro for the Eagles, and my first impression was "how did he get a scholarship?" Got my answer. 3. The weather. In the rain, groins are much more likely to be pulled. People tend to slide and lose their balance/centers of gravity. When that happens you lose your technique, and that leads to injury. 4. Morale. If the starting OL has not played together, it would be demoralizing to see them struggle against a second unit. Canales is a cerebral, emotional coach who feeds on positivity. Maybe he felt putting them in position to fail (based on their lack of time to gel in practice) would not be beneficial.

I think they wanted to see if Plummer is the answer at Qb3 (PS) and that answer is "no." The Pats are going to cut Zappe and we will have first crack at him. I think we should pick him up at that time.

No wonder we lost! Feeling better now.