CRA

Phil Snow and his collegiate defenses have always been the key to Rhule’s college success. Should be interesting to see his bologna minus Snow.

22nd, 18th, 20th, 29th…that’s our rush defense the last 4 years. And in each of those 4 years we have been in the bottom half of the league in stopping teams from scoring TDs on the ground in addition. Being able to stop the run still matters. It’s what gives you a chance to get to the QB, generate turnovers, field position, keep your O on the field, etc. Why was the 2015 team special? In part because we could stop the run. Top 5. If you stop the run you get a chance to really be disruptive and help your team.

#7 as an edge rusher. That’s talking specifically about what he can do as a pass rusher. Which I have no beef with that. harp on Burns? Can’t remember the last time I spoke his name outside of today. decent vs the run? It’s all relative to your pay check/peers. If you make Burns one of the highest paid DEs in the NFL? He is weak vs his peers.

I mean, that is half of his job. Why would that be off limits. It would be like saying lets not talk about Cam the passer because of how insane he is at other stuff late in his career. The Bears traded Olsen because Mike Martz didn't utilize the TE in his scheme. For a receiving TE, Greg Olsen was solid vs the run and in pass pro. He was an iron man in his prime. Never came off the field.

I mean, I don't think you read. Again, Brian Burns is one of the top pass rushers in the NFL. Describe Burns vs the run. I'll give you a second shot. Share the actual reality. I mean, that is a pretty massive part of the overall job to ignore if you aren't just coming in on passing downs. this might be hard for you to comprehend, but you can actually honestly evaluate a player and it doesn't mean you think he is trash because he has flaws. There aren't many that don't.

Burns is a great pass rusher. That's what I said. How is that undervaluing him? and that is why he ranked highly on a list ranking edge rushers. Describe Brian Burns in one word vs the run? I mean, it's not undervaluing someone to acknowlege what they are. It would be like having a great receiving TE that was a liability in pass protection or aiding in the run game. Just realities of different players. Everyone isn't going to be 89, Luke or Peppers where holes don't exist in their game. Burns has holes in his. It is what it is.

Burns likely continues to prove everyone correct to an extent. Is he a great pass rusher? Absolutely. Is he a great overall DE? Not really.

I was addressing the silly comp of 2015 to the 2023 team. Which it is. First, second and last. and a top 5 D paired with a MVP QB is why that team had success.

outside of Saban? Haven't they all gone back been lesser coaches than their pre NFL runs?

I would assume he is largely alluding to them having to listen to folks say their dad/husband sucks over and over all throughout the media and stuff like that. Maybe kids being kids at school. Your dad sucks. Going through that. But if he was really trying to avoid that, don't go coach at school where the alumni have unrealistic expectations like Nebraska. Go coach at a dumpster fire school. You kinda sign your family up to listen to folks bash the football coach by choosing to coach.

in 2015, we paired a MVP QB with a top 5 defense. That type of gelling isn't on the table for 2023. Bryce Young is going to end up having a fine rookie season and folks around here are going to blast him for not being this fictional creation that can meet these expectations.

I think scoring points will be an issue too. Again, rookie QB without the type playmakers to make life easy. Young has a tremendous amount to learn and take his lumps from. While I think Young can get to the point where he moves the ball fairly well down the field.... I doubt he is going to be a great redzone player. And that's where your points are scored. He shouldn't be expected to be a great redzone QB with this cast as a rookie. Even in a bad NFCS, the Saints should be viewed as the odds on favorite. Carr should be a better QB in 2023 than a rookie overall. And the Saints have better offensive playmakers around their QB. Kamara, Olave, Thomas. They also fielded a top 5 D last season.

Dang, these over the top expectations on a rookie QB are a tad much. Why? This is season is about growth, learning and taking lumps. And we got new systems on both sides of the field that have to be built. Everyone got us inked into the playoffs. In the last 20 years I don’t think a rookie QB has gone to the postseason without Pro Bowl caliber players to distribute to or a top of the league D or having legs to take over a game and challenge for the QB rushing lead. And only 1 made it to double digit wins without some version of the above and they didn’t make the playoffs let alone win a game or go deep.

Kris Jenkins was a 2x All Pro who wrecked game plans in his prime. Kemoeatu never even made a Pro Bowl A healthy and motivated Jenkins was on another planet IMO than Kemo. The window was small though. Kemo the more consistent player over a longer period.

I think Peppers and Luke are by FAR the best players up. Not even close. but I think they let Thomas Davis in before both of them. So I will guess TD and Kalil to hit the O and D combo. I frankly think they let too many in already. Think the bar should of been higher initially.

I'm sure it's fluid and dependent on actual play. I think lots of coaches want to be aggressive. And they will be as aggressive as their players actually allow for it to be a smart idea. So yeah, dependent on our backend.

Who’s our best playmaker on offense? Think the answer to that puts a certain ceiling on how good this team can be with a rookie QB

I think it is a good enough group for Young to learn and grow. Which is all that really matters for me. I'd still like to add another RB w/ hands though. I think the emphasis will be on Young getting the ball out quick. Sanders gets banged up, I think we should already have a sure handed RB that is equally good in pass pro on the roster. Not a big fan of what is behind Sanders right now

Stewart was a better overall RB IMO than Sanders when healthy. But let's call it a push between those 2. 2015 backfield gets the edge because it also featured All Pro/Pro Bowl Mike Tolbert too. Who was super solid at everything from pass pro, receiving outlet to grinding out the tough yards. Tolbert > Hubbard. Greg was in his prime in 2015. Olsen + Ginn Jr IMO is going to give that 2015 unit the edge for me. Olsen is a better receiving option than anyone we got this year. And while flawed, Ginn Jr could influence coverage unlike anyone we have right now. Unique NFL speed.

Cam Newton was the league MVP. No way our offense this year is going to compare to 2015 overall. Cam alone makes that a no contest. Now, if we exclude QB and talk about what is around the QB? Young will have a better OL than Cam did in 2015. But as weak as the skills position has always been deemed on that 2015 squad, I’d still give it an edge over this group going on. 2015 backfield was clearly better overall. Receiving group gets the slight edge in 2015 because that was Greg Olsen on his prime surrounded by decent role players. Ginn Jr could take the top off as good as anyone in the league. He just might not catch it but it was coverage altering.

Arguably the best WR in the NFL on the outside Top 5 TE and arguably the best pure slot WR in the game with a strong RB in the backfield It was basically QB heaven for Carr last year

Early Romo was great. But he has run his course.

They aren’t when you include 2nd and 3rd world countries.

Compared to the rest of the NFL, our skill talent around the QB is lacking to really compete with good teams. Could the NFCS be such a dumpster fire we might could compete for a spot? Maybe.

He isn't really at top 5 corner. He potentially could be one. Horn hasn't even logged a full season's worth of games. Think he has faced one legit top tier QB his entire career.