oldmanfan

Yes. How about that? Some never let facts obscure opinions.

Ravens did pretty good

Ok. Let’s be real. We drafted a WR; you said we did not. Whether he shocks folks or not remains to be seen. Benford sure did.

Our long national nightmare is over Again can we please be factual. They drafted a WR in the 7th.

And I think guys can get better. Good conversation.

I think too many people today make erroneously quick judgments. He did not come back from injury strong and Beane called him out on it. So let’s see how he responds. My guess is it will be in a positive manner. I don’t see anything suggesting he’s a diva. And Worthy? Not bad but all his Super Bowl stuff was garbage time.

Let’s also pump the brakes on hyperbole. I don’t think most people are putting Coleman and greatness in the same sentence. My stance is that it is not unreasonable to think players can improve with more time in the league. Too many people are writing this kid off after a rookie season truncated with injury. He has to continue putting in the work; his GM and HC have made that public. So let’s see how he does assuming that work is done. He has the athleticism to be a strong contributor. And this is just my personal pet peeve but can we please drop the slow stuff. The difference in actual distance with a fraction of a second or two difference is around 2 feet.

The entire issue with this thread, the second one started by the same guy about the same topic, and multiple other posts over the past several days is that we should have taken a WR on day 3, and that Beane doesn’t give Josh weapons. But let’s examine these. The fact is we did draft a WR in this draft on day 3. Then the assumption made by naysayers are two fold: 1. a WR drafted in let’s say round 5 has to be better than a guy in round 7, and 2. a WR drafted say in round 5 has to have more value than the guy drafted instead of the hypothetical WR. Taking #1, I would imagine round 5 picks have a fractionally better chance to hit than round 7, but not by much. The Benfords of tound 6, or the famous Brady in round 6, are very much the exception. So if this Prather kid or one on the FAs we picked up surprises then it’s to me about as likely as a day 5 guy. I wonder if Prather got picked in round 5 if we even have this conversation. Taking #2, especially in later rounds from my understanding NFL folks are looking at their board for value, and asking if a guy at one position that grades lower than another guy should still be drafters to fit a perceived need. So let’s look at rounds 4-7. We had need in the defensive backfield and interior D line. That was known going into the draft. So in round 4 you have Walker available and some of the WRs folks are talking about, and that the Bills talked to. And then discussions ensue like is this guy at WR going to contribute more? Play special teams? Coach Brady, does he offer more than what we have on the roster currently? And so on. And then decisions are made. In later rounds we took two guys that play CB, one of which projects to safety. Why? Again because they represented more potential value at that point over at the available WR. Right now we’ll likely have Hairston and Benford start, but we have to have competition for the backup roles, and have to account for getting ready to replace Taron at the nickel CB spot. Looking at DB vs. WR we simply need more guys to compete at DB right now given how well the offense did and what was seen on D last season. Lost in all this is Brady’s offensive philosophy. He wants balance between run and pass game. He wants Josh to distribute to open guys, whether it be WR, TE, or RB. Would I love to see us get a guy like a Jefferson or a Chase? Of course. Who wouldn’t? But one of the drawbacks of being so good is you are not in draft position to get a guy like that. And while you could trade for a guy like we did with Cooper, Cooper I don’t think was that huge a difference last year. Could have gotten Metcalf but then would that have limited what could have been done to help the D in draft day? The truth is that Beane has done a lot to help Josh; building a really good O line, drafting guys like Cook, Kincaid, Coleman, Knox; bringing in guys over the years like Diggs, Beasley, Brown, Cooper, and so on. Some guys worked out really well, some aged out, and some it is still too early or through effects of injury to assess impact. As fans we can just think linearly. Beane doesn’t have that luxury. He plays chess while we can play checkers. So when he says people B word too much about WR, he’s right if you look at offensive output last year. And if he decides to trade for a guy like say Pickens, it’s not admitting he failed. It’s his attempt to constantly look to improve the roster. And last Saturday it was by adding to positions other than WR when it came time to make most of the picks.

Of course he’ll be on the roster this year.

In the history of professional football has there ever been so much angst about what was picked or not picked in the lower rounds of the draft?

Dude, look. When you say we didn’t draft a WR and we did you are just factually wrong. Simple.

Agreed. I read some insider thing saying Kincaid was banged up much worse than people knew. And Brady has to continue to evolve his offense.

We did. In round 7. Keep up.

People really are saying just that. Odd, isn’t it?

It was a tough catch but should have had it. But you can’t judge a guy on one play.

A quick check shows Cooper had 8 games with us, with 20 receptions for 397 yards. I think that’s easily replaceable. Now, I know the subject of his injury will be brought up, but then again both Coleman and Samuel were injured and many are saying they are now busts. Same with Kincaid. Beane was right yesterday about how proficient the offense was last year. Cooper is still out there; I read a rumor that he may no longer be interested in playing, but he’s still out there. Frankly I’m more concerned with replacing Hollins, especially his attitude in the locker room. Shavers will get that shot. But again the guy at WR 5 won’t make or break the team. I think everyone would love a guy like Chase at WR. But that kind of guy was not in this draft anywhere, and certainly not on day 3. Just try to relax.

I think Coddrington stays. He did a fine job as the return guy and I don’t see Shenault winning that battle. Shavers as WR 5 if he can show good special teams play.

Of course he isn’t. Pete is like a puppy with a chew toy. He refuses to let go. We had one of the best offenses in the league last year, but that doesn’t count because we didn’t draft a guy that can just run straight down the field. Oh, and contributions from TEs and RBs and the impact of a running game don’t count either.

Coleman got hurt. As did Samuel. I never call any athlete a bust if their performance was affected by injury. If Samuel is healthy he makes plays so it was not an awful signing. It’s a legitimate concern about him staying healthy give his history. Coleman has to continue to improve; Beane and McDermott called him out on that and I expect he will. Meanwhile we have people also bashing Kincaid but he tried to play banged up as well. And we have people ignoring the impact of the backs in the passing game. What Beane said was true. At this time last year people laughed about things like signing Hollins or expecting Shakir to improve. But with that crew they had a great, balanced offense and an MVP QB who many (including me) bashed him for taking. You look at the weakness of the team and it’s more on the defensive side (and some of that is on Beane to be fair). So you try to make that side better. Hairston put it best regarding the focus on the D. Get the ball back to Josh. Always enjoy our exchanges.

I think Brady is a more receiver minded OC than Roman. I’m also not as high on Herbert as some.

Cooper is falling off. Saw it with us last year. Palmer should benefit from our offense under Brady vs. Roman.

I think Palmer upgrades Cooper. Shavers steps in for Hollins and likely is a bit of a downgrade.

You don’t do what this kid did in the SEC without talent, but raw. Needs NFL level coaching and training but love a big tub of goo!

Can you provide more detail?

I would submit those guys are rare.