Mike Kaye’s take: 2026 NFL free agency predictions

[LinvilleGorge]

33 minutes ago, strato said:

I don’t disagree but like with my opinion of Bryce what limitations he puts on the offense, and my strong suspicion that the playbook is thinner because of him, and the ripple effect that has overall, I don’t think Evero has been given the tools to make things work much better. Princely’s opinions notwithstanding. 

Now, this 3rd down poo? Very disappointing. A good bit does fall on the players.  
 

The poor tackling is a concern as well, I hate watching that stuff. Position coaches have some responsibility there too. And granted that is his cross to bear in that he put them in place and allowed the lack of attention to those details to exist. But how hard is it it to fuging wrap up?  I would fine players for the shoulder tackles. I hate that. Laps, fines, benching, whatever it takes to tighten that up, do it. 
 

Before I send him to the trash heap, I want to give it one more draft and FA. 

I can't really blame predictable play calling on the players. Our pass rush wasn't strong this year so consistently relying on a three or four man rush and playing soft zone on the backend on third and long and late game situations is just asking for trouble. Horn is a player I'd put some heat on. We need that guy to be better. He got burned in coverage numerous times in key situations and his tackling was piss poor. We paid him to be a shutdown corner and that's what we need him to be. Honestly, in the latter part of the season Mike Jackson was our best corner. I honestly wouldn't be surprised if Horn was dealing with some sort of injury limitation down the stretch. He just didn't look himself out there.

[strato]

46 minutes ago, LinvilleGorge said:

I can't really blame predictable play calling on the players. Our pass rush wasn't strong this year so consistently relying on a three or four man rush and playing soft zone on the backend on third and long and late game situations is just asking for trouble. Horn is a player I'd put some heat on. We need that guy to be better. He got burned in coverage numerous times in key situations and his tackling was piss poor. We paid him to be a shutdown corner and that's what we need him to be. Honestly, in the latter part of the season Mike Jackson was our best corner. I honestly wouldn't be surprised if Horn was dealing with some sort of injury limitation down the stretch. He just didn't look himself out there.

I blame the players maybe not being good enough to implement the scheme. Also I blame the players, mostly, for their crappy tackling. But the coaches needed to nip that in the bud. And did not. 
 

We addressed the edge pressure with substantial draft capital this year, but they weren’t top shelf already there guys. Scourton is young as hell. It takes time though, and yes adding a real stud would be great. I am now afraid this Icky thing thwarts that or could. 

The best hope I have for Horn is the concussion affected him because most of his bad play seemed to come after that happened. But now he has a second one. Obviously he was disappointing down the stretch. 

[PantherChris]

1 hour ago, LinvilleGorge said:

I can't really blame predictable play calling on the players. Our pass rush wasn't strong this year so consistently relying on a three or four man rush and playing soft zone on the backend on third and long and late game situations is just asking for trouble. Horn is a player I'd put some heat on. We need that guy to be better. He got burned in coverage numerous times in key situations and his tackling was piss poor. We paid him to be a shutdown corner and that's what we need him to be. Honestly, in the latter part of the season Mike Jackson was our best corner. I honestly wouldn't be surprised if Horn was dealing with some sort of injury limitation down the stretch. He just didn't look himself out there.

Horn is a guy who would be a monster with an actual pass rush though... no dbs can cover consistently for 3+ seconds

[strato]

3 minutes ago, PantherChris said:

Horn is a guy who would be a monster with an actual pass rush though... no dbs can cover consistently for 3+ seconds

Yeah that pass rush is kind of a big deal. He was getting beat though, off the snap not (just) after 5 seconds of defending the scramble drill. He has to do better.  And yes we have to help them with a better pressure package. 

Edited 16 minutes ago by strato

[kungfoodude]

1 hour ago, LinvilleGorge said:

I can't really blame predictable play calling on the players. Our pass rush wasn't strong this year so consistently relying on a three or four man rush and playing soft zone on the backend on third and long and late game situations is just asking for trouble. Horn is a player I'd put some heat on. We need that guy to be better. He got burned in coverage numerous times in key situations and his tackling was piss poor. We paid him to be a shutdown corner and that's what we need him to be. Honestly, in the latter part of the season Mike Jackson was our best corner. I honestly wouldn't be surprised if Horn was dealing with some sort of injury limitation down the stretch. He just didn't look himself out there.

The concussions spaced so close together is very worrisome.