top dawg

Alright. We'll see what he does this year with his new pieces in place. Kelly was feasting off LeSean McCoy also with those top five offenses, not to mention that he let two top 10 receivers get away from him. Our defense has been what has led us to back to back NFC south championships. Arguably it's the offense that has let us down for a number of reasons, the first probably being the need for another legitimate playmaker at the WR spot followed closely by play calling, among others. That being said, I don't think that Gettleman is a dummie, and I believe he will finally do what we arguably haven't done in a decade, and that's to legitimately upgrade the level of talent of our top 3 wide receivers. If all the new toys don't produce under Shula's leadership, I think that he will get rid of Shula sooner rather than later. I could be wrong, but I believe that Gettleman's more conservative, tried and true way is the more efficient way to a championship and sustained success than a glorified variation of the no-huddle offense. We will see.

Like I said, wait until he actually does something of note except produce an offense that largely feasts on suspect teams before you crown his ass. His teams have failed, sometimes miserably, when they come against teams with at least equal offensive firepower and a strong defense. You are not getting over the hump in the NFL if you fail to appreciate that you almost always have to have a top tier defense, and that it takes a certain amount of star power, not to mention continuity and chemistry, to win championships. After you see Kelly exit early from the playoffs a few more times, if he makes it at all, then maybe you will get the message. Moreover, you can try and use your offense to tire out defenses all you like, but you're going to tire out your own as well, and that's where the trouble comes for his up tempo gimmick. Teams are catching up to this, and superior teams will turn his system around in their favor by either outgunning him, or using the same old ball control offense that has been largely successful forever. And this doesn't even take into account the teams that have the team speed and smarts on defense to nullify what Kelly wants to do on offense.

Didn't you forget someone? That's OK, you won't be forgetting him when he is our 3 or 4.

Regardless, people getting all bent out of shape just because Jennings is having a little fun with social media need to get their priorities in life in order. Personally I thought it was a bad joke, but a joke is a joke after it's all said and done. Not a soul was harmed.

Tell me all these things after Kelly wins a ring, because regardless of whether anyone likes it it not, championships do matter. Kelly's team crumbled when it came across teams that were superior defensively and just as prolific on the offensive side of the ball. All pro coaches have football knowledge that exceeds probably most on this board (I say "probably" because I don't know everyone's knowledge of football on this board), so that's not really saying anything. As for how the Pats beat the Hawks, it was Belichick's ability to adapt his coaching style to his opposition. The short dink and dunk passing game which focused on routes underneath the strength of the Hawks' coverage, along with just enough running to keep the Seahawks honest, was the winning formula. It had literally nothing to do with Chip Kelly, or his flawed style of offense which tires out his defense, and is largely being successfully dissected by the better coaches of the league.

fug Kelly. I never ever wanted him, and I still believe that he is overrated. You guys lauding him, will you be lauding him this year after he gets his ass kicked? No you won't. Sure it's a business, blah blah blah. Bottom line: three star players in their prime are no longer on the Eagles, in addition to quality role players. This is not a recipe for success in this league. Kelly and all his jock sniffers will find that out very soon.

Yeah, man. As a football fan this time of year it's just easy to be lulled to sleep.

What about the Lame Games?

I see that other Huddlers already addressed you. I only mentioned 5th round "pick" for a reason. In theory, Gman could trade away any of the picks to move up for anyone except those two comp picks. I am just assuming that it would be the 5th for Agholor because we have three, but it may take our 3rd or 4th. I definitely would not do the 3rd, and would think about the 4th "long" and hard.

Don't forget, Gman has a 5th in his back pocket that he could use to move up.

Ride and die with Agholor

Nice post. A couple of thoughts... I don't think that teams necessarily overlook the first three. I just think that sometimes it's difficult to calculate what weight to give to which, all while trying to figure out if this guy can be one of the pieces that fit into your puzzle. Given that most of these guys have a lot of learning to do in all aspects of receiving at the professional level, part of the evaluation process has to be trying to figure out if a guy can learn in whatever area of deficiency that he has, and how quickly he will be able to do it. Now sure there may be some cowboys out there that get enamored with speed only, but they probably aren't going to last over time (unless they are an owner). Kind of off the subject, but I tell my son all the time that sports is about talent, yes, but that you also have to be motivated and willing to put in the work. If you don't have the talent, motivation and willingness to work, then you're probably not going to make it. I also tell him that in all sports, "you have to think!" Gamesmanship and outsmarting your opponent by observing tendencies and being able to adapt by using appropriate techniques in a given situation in order to exploit their tendencies/movements is what will make you great. In sports in general, and particularly the skill positions of football, you must have a good chess game, so to speak, if you want to rise above the rest. Nice work! I don't necessarily think anyone that is smart wants to draft a speed merchant in the first couple of rounds (or even three or four) just because a guy can run fast. It is the totality of the guy. I could be wrong, but I believe the OP was indirectly talking about Perriman, whom he is being jaundiced against due to negative Huddle narratives based upon incomplete information. In terms of guys like Perriman, who are big and fast, that has the possibility of being a killer combination. Other than a good QB, a big, fast, savvy route runner, adept blocker, good-handed receiver is the holy grail for the passing game. Now I am not saying as of now that Perriman does or doesn't have all that, but it is up to Gettleman and company to evaluate whether Perriman does or can be all that at some determined time in the future. All things being close (because they're never equal), why wouldn't you want a fast and big receiver that has all the tools to succeed, than a fast and small receiver that has the same? Or, maybe a big and slow or small and slow guy? When you think about all they have to do, including the much overlooked blocking, big receivers are at an advantage. Moreover, they are usually stronger and provide a much bigger target, so when you add speed to that---provided they can catch and run some savvy routes---you have someone who is as close to unstoppable as you're going to get in this league.

I am not wishing for anyone to drop because it's pretty useless. I am not going to hope that a possibly superior player is taken before Gettleman has the opportunity to make his choice either. That way I pretty much know that we've gotten the receiver that Gettleman would have chosen. At the end of the day, If Gettleman picks a receiver in the first, regardless of who it is, I am going to be satisfied.

As for actual draft experts, I really don't think there are any, because no one gets it 100 percent right. It's kind of like a March Madness bracket. But let me say that as far as scouting and evaluation, I have read that Gil Brandt pretty much transformed the process into what it is today. The guy has a lot of knowledge.

It's just all speculation based on his short history as GM, so I don't know how anyone can say anything with any surety. One thing about it: both have done enough on tape to warrant further examination, and both are coming to Charlotte to compete for Gettleman's eye.

If Dorsett and Perriman are there in the first or second, who do you really think that Gettleman would pick knowing Gettleman's history? Yeah.

Well, he basically dared him. I must say that there is some comedic irony akin to a form of poetic justice in that brief exchange.

Damn, I took a little time to eat dinner, and something interesting that I still don't know the details to must have transpired.

Damn! I wish a mod would just lock this motherfuger. Every time I see it, it just makes me angry. What a crock o' shat!

How true, how true. I'm beginning to think that Nicks is just in it for the most money that he can get with what time that he has left. At this point it may even be presumptuous that Gman would even consider signing him here, but it seems like there wouldn't be a better opportunity to rise from the dead than with the Panthers. I mean, I can't hate on a guy for exploring his options and trying to earn the most money that he can, but damn. Boldin, Smith, Patton and Ellington are some competition for a receiver whose reputation for having WR1 upside in this league has taken perhaps a near mortal hit. Why not try Cleveland, the Panthers, or Miami or something? Maybe his window for even above 'averageness' (yes, I made up a word), much less any semblance of greatness, is closed.

Does that mean DMo can still be signed...?

Big Frank says "Hello!"

I am not gonna believe any rumors anymore until they happen.

I don't necessarily think that they would be asked to run deep up the field, especially initially. I could easily see all of these guys as a primary slot receiver also, though I will admit that I see more for Hardy and possibly Montgomery. By the way, Montgomery has size. He may be 6'0. But he is well put together. He is Boldin-esque as far as his build, but admittedly will take a little time to polish up.