MasterStrategist

McD set the tone with a great speech, and made it clear what he wants to start seeing (less complacent attitudes, more intensity/emotion). Babich, Brady, and rest of staff echoed the need for that intensity level to rise. A complete embarrassment might be what we need in the locker room. We need our leaders to step up inside the locker room and raise the bar/set expectations from here on out. We have "alpha" mentality guys that will naturally start to become more dialed in, as week 1 approaches. They have to get that "chip" on their shoulder heading into a physical week 1 against the Ravens.

No way is it the most important, that's just a load of crap. Coach said it was one of thr most difficult positions to learn, not too long ago. That trio of Mike, Will and Nickle is the most important on this defense. Clearly trench play dictates on both sides of the ball, but one constant in a very good McD defense is that "middle layer". We put A LOT on the plate of Milano, Taron and TB. Bishop has to stay healthy from here on out. But he and Rapp are more than capable combo, with the rest of pieces surrounding them.

100%, and I've said this a few times as well. Now will it turn out like that? Hopefully. These public comments by Coach are his way of "pushing" these guys. He and Beane have done this numerous times, until guys start to be consistent. I think consistency is the biggest issue with Bishop right now, and a major reason for that has been lack of reps/injury. I cant wait for Bishop to ball out starting week 1 --- said the same about Keon this spring. Bishop has looked alot better at camp, just cant stay on the field. Hes worked his butt off this offseason, just needs to stay healthy and we will see good things from him soon enough.

Bishop will start IMO, if he stays healthy from here until Sept 7th. And yes, its a huge "hope" but not much different than TB a couple years ago getting injured in preseason and being named week 1 starter.

Way too soon to make an opinion, is my takeaway. This is a big year for : Keon, Cole and Kincaid (year 3). Cole just needs to stay healthy, talent is there.

Gabriel and Sanders - easy choice. You're not cutting a 3rd round QB year 1. And Cleveland might burn down if Sanders is cut. Pickett and Huntley have shown what they are at this point - 2 P/S type QBs.

I agree with this, except Dorian was playing majority of snaps with Andreesen. Overall though point remains - and I'd add that having Codrington at nickle really F'd everything (he cant cover at this level).

Thats why preseason is a fickle fellow... Ray has looked good in practice. Big difference behind our starting OL and Josh under center, versus the unit we have our there tonight.

Its still 1st half, but my biggest concern(s): 1. Backup DL 2. #3/4 outside CB Max will ease #2, if hes back sooner than later. Only optimism/silver linings for backup DL is these guys are ALL young. Sanders, Carter, Walker, Jackson. We will need Groot, Ed, Bosa to be difference makers - that is the truth. At the end of day, most important thing is getting off field on 3rd down. Per usual preseason, we won't know that answer until 1-4 weeks into the year.

That was Dorian Strong (#43). He, Dane, and Codrington looked bad tonight. Not to mention Buffalo Joe. And its a wonder weve given up >300 yards in 1H

Hes not looking good at guard. He's a 10th OL right now. Nobody is playing well right now though. Grable, Alec Anderson, SVPG all backups not playing. DL backups concern me more than OL right now.

No way he should make this team, but the injury to Max will have us consider it.

Yes to both. I think Codrington and Buffalo Joe are just killing our defense tonight though. Not every play, but enough to keep the sticks moving and not get a stop. I dont fault Hamlin and Bishop as much. Yes they've played horrible too, but we aren't matching them up in man to man on a regular basis like tonight. Getting picked on/out of position too much at the intermediate level

We are getting less of our backup LBs and nickle play (codrington)...that middle layer is most important for a McD defense. Milano, Bernard, Taron can hide safety deficiencies.

Im sure he is pissed about run defense. We are running simple defensive looks. Im sure this is all about evaluating player performance.

Agree. Its literally game 2 preseason for them...getting them more reps is key. Same with Landon. Aje looks lost too right now. Not promising.

Cole Bishop not on field for that 3rd down play...Hancock took his place. Could be a snap count thing, but hopefully not re injured

Bourbon - hitting Russell's 13 right now, help with this pre-season junk lol

Same. Max will start at some point this season, but his frame is ripe for injury concerns. Im still a big fan of the pick, but we might be a season away from him playing significant snaps (hope im wrong). Speaking of secondary, Im "hopeful" that Cole does what Bernard did in his 2nd season (injured part of camp, but wins starting spot and has a breakout year). Quietly Rapp is also an injury concern, but stabilizes 1 safety spot when healthy. If we have to revert to some combo of Hamlin, Lewis, Hancock, Forrest - we are in big trouble regardless of Cb2.

I dont trust Tre has his "pre injury" quicks. let alone several years older. Big reason we took Max was to improve team speed in the secondary, and ability to play some more aggressive coverage underneath. I think its a significant difference in defensive philosophy with Tre vs Max. Tre's instincts have always been elite, im hoping what we saw in Preseason game 1 was a player "consciously" trying to be smart and not risk injury... color me slightly concerned atm

So we agree...its basically $25m guaranteed, as its a high likelihood he is on the team next season. So not sure why you disagreed. So his agent inflated from $25 to 30? There is a chance he gets close to $30m, but its at least $25. Everyone getting hung up on the $15m makes no sense. Cook will be on the team in 2026.

@Rochesterfan, not sure why you disagreed on my post... The math is the math: 1. Prior to new deal: Cook would have been paid $5.3m cash this season 2. New deal: a. $15m guaranteed at signing in 2025 b. essentially another $10m guaranteed by day 5 of 2026 league year c. rest in 2027/2028 So old = 5m gtd vs new = $30m gtd (essentially $25m guaranteed by this time next season), wouldn't call that a severe overstatement by agent --- as Bill posted

I'd say that $15m guaranteed is really $25m. Basically $15m immediately and approx another $10m guarantees if hes on the team 5th league day of 2026. So VERY good chance, $25m gtd. Either way, its a great deal for Buffalo and Cook. Very fair.

Not sure Bill is correct in saying "severe" agent inflation, re: gtd money. Essentially the only piece being "double counted", is the prior 2025 cash he was due --- $5.3m. So $25m of additional guaranteed money. And as mentioned a couple posts above, Buffalo can get out of the deal "favorably" cap wise in the final year.

SVPG, end of August is what I heard about 2 weeks ago. So that might change. Bass, hearing the same...end of August/miss all of preseason.