[What does our O-Line look like now?]

2 hours ago, The Jokeman said:

I don't like the idea of Torrence next to Brown. 

On the plus side, with their combined wingspan, d linemen will have to run a block to get to Josh.

[RD 5, Pick 150: WR Justin Shorter, Florida]

10 minutes ago, MrEpsYtown said:

Who knows what a reach is really? A lot of people here were mocking antonio johnson in the first round and he’s still there. So none of us have any idea what teams boards look like. I thought he’d go later based on what the reports were saying, but the reports were wrong I guess. 

With technology, we all now have access to watch just about any draft prospect. But we don't have access to those team interviews. I think that's where a lot of the rising and falling comes from. 

[RD 2, Pick 59: G O’Cyrus Torrence, Florida]

In a vacuum, I like the player. But he doesn't seem to match our o-line. I'm confused. The rest of the line is very athletic. 

[RD 2, Pick 59: G O’Cyrus Torrence, Florida]

So who's the starting 5? Is Bates Brown's competition? 

[The era of the DD KKgun has begun…. Who else is excited?]

1 hour ago, ganesh said:

and Dalvin's Brother !!!

This is an awesome comment that is not getting the appreciation it deserves.

[Lamar and the Ravens reach a deal]

He took a big risk, but it paid off. Good for him. The ravens may end up regretting this based on injury history. But we need to see the numbers, and if they negotiated themselves a bit of an injury insurance policy.

[Rodgers Traded to Jets Officially]

Rogers isn't what he used to be. But the Jets beat us last year with Wilson at QB, and without their star running back.

 

I'm not scared of the Jets, but I also don't like this trade. They're a good team. I'm not getting the fan cockiness.

[Matt Miller (ESPN+) new 7 round mock draft........who would you have selected if it fell this way?]

27 minutes ago, LABILLBACKER said:

This mock is awful. Johnston has hands like Gabe.

And he plays small for a guy that size. He doesn't seem like a McBeane kind of prospect. 

[Dane Bruglers 7 round mock draft]

At this point, just pencil in secondary help from Pitt in the 6th or 7th.

[A Question That Has Haunted Me - What If 2017 Draft Was Different By That Trade Back ?]

3 hours ago, NewEra said:

Thinking “what if” is no way to live.  You should attempt to change that.

Ah, but what if he has changed that. 

[27 may be obvious even if unexpected]

28 minutes ago, MrEpsYtown said:

 

Rudolph went in the third, did nothing, and now is a free agent who nobody wants. 

You are correct. I wasn't advocating for this draft idea. I think it's a horrible concept given the teams current holes. I was just saying that it's easy to see Hooker going in the first. That's all. This team needs contributors now. Not a luxury QB pick.

[27 may be obvious even if unexpected]

2 minutes ago, 4merper4mer said:

I think Rudolph went in the second but your point holds.

Thank you, I was way off. Not sure why I could've sworn he went in the first. 

[Cover 1 Just put out a new Mock Draft, Edge round 1.]

This team needs front 7 help. Fact. Even though we've gone edge multiple times recently. I like the dline prospects more than the top LBs or WRs in this year's draft.

[27 may be obvious even if unexpected]

1 hour ago, 4merper4mer said:

Lol.  If you think there isn’t first round interest in Hooker you might why to try to catch that turnip truck you fell off.

I’ll be here to accept your apologies if Hooker doesn’t go in the top 26.

Mason Rudolph was a first rounder. Hooker is a better prospect. Getting that 5th year option is incredibly valuable with QBs given the cost of their second contracts. 

[Mac Jones being shopped?]

I think Mac Jones will be a successful...head coach in the future.

[What was McDermott’s defense like in Carolina?]

Some people criticizing McDermott and the draft. He had one draft before Beane got here and picked up Tre White, Zay Jones, Dawkins, and Milano. Three cornerstones  That was a damn good haul, Peterman notwithstanding...

[Belichick in Buffalo? Freeeeee clickbait!]

Is he going to lure Scarnecchia out of retirement, and give up the drafting? Oh wait, I don't care. The answer is no.

[ESPN Jordan Reid 7 round mock draft]

1 hour ago, BobbyC81 said:

I wonder, is he related to Barkevious?

I wondered the same. They're not brothers, though.

 

I like his size, and he seems to have an alpha mentality. Him and Marvin Mims are my favorite mid-round guys.

[ESPN Jordan Reid 7 round mock draft]

Sadly, this team really does need a lot of front 7 help. Also, I really like Mingo.

[If Hopkins not available, then what? We DO need another good WR!]

6 minutes ago, KDIGGZ said:

That's what I was referencing lol. Is Clubber Lang available? Maybe we can get him as a blocking TE. Probably better than what we have

He ain't so bad. 

[Goodell Set to get a Raise]

How about a salary cap for the commissioner.

[Bills sign Damien Harris]

35 minutes ago, Dablitzkrieg said:

I hate it when there is an exciting signing and some guy ***** all over it

We've reached the point where 40% of posters instinctively view every Beane move from a negative perspective. 

[WR Trent Sherfield signed]

17 minutes ago, folz said:

 

Yes, thank you. Was going to post something similar.

 

The problem with the offense last year (besides Josh's elbow), was not Gabe Davis; it was not having any consistent play from the slot position and a burner to take the top off the defense. From 2019 to 2021, Cole averaged 813 yards from the slot position (it's also why they tried to bring him back for the playoff run last year---cause we were in trouble in the slot). Last year, we got 483 yards total from the slot (between Crowder and McKenzie). That's 40% less production from that spot. This offense needs consistent production from the slot to run properly.

 

Also, I don't think people realize that it wasn't just Diggs who got double-teamed last year. Davis also saw a lot of double-teaming because defenses were not afraid of our slot position or the run game.

 

Of course, Crowder was supposed to help there (and probably be the #1 slot). But once he went down, we were in trouble. Isaiah could get some wins in the slot playing against man, but he didn't have the "feel" for the slot against zone. So, teams bracketed Diggs and Davis and said try to beat us with what you have left.

 

So, I see the current signings as many-layered. First, they are making sure they have multiple guys who can play the slot (to couch versus injuries---they aren't going to be left high and dry again); two, they got guys who aren't going to just make the short grab and go down, these players have speed and RAC to take slants to the house (or at least get more yards out of those throws---see K.C., Miami, etc.); and thirdly, as Colorado said, we now have 4 of our top 5 current WRs that can play both inside and outside (Diggs, Shakir, Harty, and Sherfield). This makes the offense a lot less predictable and gives Dorsey a lot more options to scheme and play.

 

Not to mention that Harty and Sherfield are both big ST contributors. It is all about depth and maximizing every roster spot at this point---to get over that final hump. Plus, as others said, it frees up Hines and other players to focus on where we need them most. And Harty can take the top off the defense with his speed. Diggs and Gabe can both get deep, but they don't have that burner speed that really puts stress on opposing safeties. It was another dimension that we were missing last year.

If you have Harty flying down the field (and hitting on some chunk plays), it is going to be a lot harder to bracket both Diggs and Davis. McKenzie was fast, but fly routes were not really in his bag (due to hands/tracking the ball, whatever).

 

We don't need to spend a lot of money on WRs that are at the end of their careers (OBJ/Hopkins)---diminishing returns and steals money from other areas of need. We can draft a young guy (in case they move on from Gabe next year), and groom him for at least a year (unless they get lucky and the kid is a stud from the get---but tough to count on that where we are drafting). But, still, I am fine using a premium pick on a young WR.

 

But, I also see how these current moves are actually addressing problem areas from last season. Sometimes you don't need the shiny new toy (that breaks a week later) on Christmas morning---you need that pair of socks that will keep your feet warm all winter.* It may not be sexy, or what you wanted, but it may turn out to be what you actually needed more.

 

But, as always, we will have to wait and see if these moves pan out. I do seem to get their thought process though.

 

 

*(idea poached from House's funny post about underwear on Christmas, just changed it to socks)

Terrific, level-headed comment.

[Dane Jackson re-signed]

8 minutes ago, Big Turk said:

 

Is it official, that it's officially official? 

[Lil dirty update - McKenzie released]

20 minutes ago, dpberr said:

Oddly lacked the concentration in big games.  

 

He had a drop in the Chiefs game last year that made me think "yep, that's going in the file."  

Drop and a fumble in that game. Both in the red zone. The drop was on 4th down in the end zone if I remember correctly.