Untouchable

"The major issue with (blank) — and pretty much the biggest issue surrounding the entire team — centers around what kind of jump he can make if the (team) improve the quality of the playmakers around him and the offense is opened up when he’s in the lineup." See if you can guess who this quote was about after his rookie season. It's only been 2 games (+3 preseason) but I see eerily similar issues. OL struggles mixed with a lack of weapons and a conservative/vanilla approach to playcalling currently. I know we're begging for the turnaround to finally arrive but deep breaths.

Johnny Newton is unblockable for Illinois. Need to watch his game more.

You're best bet for a depth chart toper is likely going to be on the trade market or potential cap casualties. I can see players like Amari Cooper, Diontae Johnson or Brandon Aiyuk coming available because of contract demands/cap purposes. Brandin Cooks is available for trade every year too lol.

These are straight out of that All-22 stopped during Bryce's throwing motion. You can clearly see the difference.

Corner is still overtop when Bryce goes to throw. This is certainly a chemistry thing but its the right read by Bryce.

Pressure is coming around what looks like the RG before or right as AT breaks that double move so it looks like me might have dropped his eyes at that point. I think he had room to step into the pocket and take that shot, but he might have went to escape where there was a free late rusher.

He might not have saw him but probably wasn't expecting him there either. Looks like he got tricked because they look to be in a Cover 2 look and Theilen's route is supposed to drag Bates with him but Falcons dropped their slot deep so Bates gets a free run at the crosser.

This is really a fantastic post, thank you for taking the time and posting it for all us to see. I'm trying to be understanding in my assumptions because I don't know whats being coached here but it looks like a combination some good, some bad, some tricks from Atlanta and needing to hit on some deep shots to open up the field.

Can certainly give some fault to Hurst but looks like he should have moved onto his 3rd read. Hindsight is 20/20 but he seems to have time and might have expected the FS to carry but didn't get a good look at him.

With a quick glance it seemed like the Falcons were aided by the lack of field stretching and could operate in a condensed field. Chark and ISM could help this season going forward but just had to operate with what was available. Overall though this is a weak WR core and it could be an issue that is going to take one or a few splash moves next offseason. I see several potential free agents or trade targets I'd expect the team to be in on.

Yeah I'm expecting TJ Watt/Joey Bosa numbers (27-28.5 mil/year) which is what the new reports are saying Burns camp is asking for. Front office is obviously trying to keep that number down right now.

25 yo reigning best defensive player in the league will probably be the newest highest paid defensive player in the league. Means he's probably going to top Donald's 31 mil/year contract he signed at 31 yo.

Think Crosby has more pressures but Burns had 0.5 sack more. But you're right it would have likely been right around Crosby's contract last year if the team had gotten out in front of the market and the production like the Raiders did. Maybe the team waited or maybe Burns bet on himself but in the end he exceeded that contract this last year and now is about to have a new market to negotiate into.

Von was 32 and Reddick was 27 with less sacks over his career. Burns is 25 and the last time a player that young with that many sacks hit the market it was Joey Bosa (27 mil/year) 3 years ago. Hard to see Burns going for less than that especially after Nick Bosa goes for somewhere north of 31 mil/year.

The Panthers are definitely significantly low balling him. If they wanted that Crosby type deal they should have extended him last offseason not after we went out and exceeded it.

Burns wants paid and Panthers want Bosa to reset the market first. So the Panthers wait and Burns doesn't want to tank his value with an injury so he sits. It's really that simple, no problem with Burns doing it. The market is going to substantially reset and both Bosa and Burns agents know that. Two of the top pass rushers (Bosa literally the best) entering negotiations at a very young age (25 yo). Better hope San Fran gets a move on.

Feel like its only a matter of time until Robert Rochell is signed here at this point.

3. Ihmir isn't on that list

With those rumors that were coming out about TrembIe, I wonder if we might be trying to move him and maybe keep Ricci. Ricci was a converted WR back in college and was liked enough for his blocking to be our fullback last year. Maybe the Bronco TE is viewed more favorably than Sullivan for pass catching because he hasn't been a very good blocker to put it nicely.

It was never all happening this year, but there are solid pieces here to potentially keep them competitive in the first season.

3 more initial moves to make. Have to imagine others as well with them looking to rework the defense.

The 7th we sent was Arizona's so I think they're safe on that swap

There's our attempt to add some speed/field-stretching back to the roster. Worked with Theilen back in Minnesota for a little and was very versatile at Iowa (receiving, rushing, returning)

Receiving core took some strays. Chark and Bryd injuries have really sapped the unit of that real speed. Young has been great all preseason, feeling surprisingly comfortable with that pick going into the season.