Michael G

IMO they are very different players. Neal seems bigger and stronger, but Cross is a better technician. If we really are moving to more of a power running game Neal might be a better fit, but Cross seems to be really well thought of as a pass blocker. I've also seen a few evaluations that say Neal may be better suited to play guard but I'm not sold on that (But it might be nice for him to be able to slide inside at LG if Brady C can Play LT well). Neither has the "Mean Streak" that IKE has though (at least not in the few games and highlights I've watched). I think I'd rather have Neal Here's an article that breaks them down and gives a comparison. I basically agree with it. https://corner.bigblueinteractive.com/index.php?mode=2&thread=619246

This is a tough question to answer for some (OL v. QB). Its almost as tough a question as--"What is the airspeed velocity of an unladen swallow?"

I might would consider a trade for Love or Minshew after the draft, if we do not draft a QB (hopefully not at #6). I would not offer anything lower than a 5th rounder (i'd prefer a 6th or 7th). If I could not make a deal Id bring in the best available FA or ride with PJ and Darnold. I do not think Love is the answer but I'd give him a shot to prove me wrong as long as it didn't cost me too much.

The answer isn't so simple as how well the team improves it record. I want to see evidence in game situations that he makes better choices (Cam v. Darnold at the 1 yard line, giving young players a shot if older veterans are struggling, Having a plan if your kicker gets hurt, etc..)

I like Ridder. IMO he looks fast on tape and is a good athlete and leader. He is not a #6 pick, however, and his throwing mechanics and accuracy bother me. I see him like a mid round project with good upside.

Its easier to "see ghosts" when your OL is constantly dying around you. You develop bad habits and lose confidence for sure.

I'm all for an OT but after IKE I'm not sure which one I'd choose if both Cross and Neal were available. In early pieces I read about Neal before the combine a lot of teams thought he'd be a better G or RT in the NFL. He seemed to do fine for Alabama though in the tape I've watched. Cross seems more of a pass pro specialist and a position blocker than road grader. Either would be better than what we have now, especially if the plan is to use Brady C at Guard.

After our FA pickups I'm starting to favor trading back, especially if there's not an OT there. If the QB doesn't work out then hopefully the other picks will turn into productive players. If we stay at #6 I'm hoping we pick BPA and get someone who will a good player for us for a long time whether its DE, WR, S or even CB. We really need to nail our #1 pick at 6, because the late round guys we bring later won't be able to contribute much unless we get really lucky (or our scouts and staff knock it out of the park).

I think our odd front D-Line could be very disruptive, especially if D. Nixon is able to develop and contribute. I can envision 3rd down packages where we remove Brown (our keep) and Have Nixon, Leonnidis, and YGM as our front with Littleton and Shaq behind them and Burns and Haynes (or Luvu) as the outside backers/edges. Sounds pretty formidable to me. In even fronts I think we'll play a lot of nickel with Littleton and Shaq as our LBs. I'm betting Hartsfield will play the Nickel, but it could be Chinn or Woods in some packages especially if Robinson develops or we get another safety from the draft or FA.

I saw a post that reported he ran a 4.37 at Auburn. If he is anywhere close to that He should have run at the combine or his pro day. His draft stock would have really shot up with some teams. I agree with you concerning the other issues. He has a high ceiling I think- but he's a project that could go bust IMO.

I'm one the people who made comments about Willis not being as fast as some seem to think. I still haven't seen anything to change my mind. I'm not disputing that he's probably faster than Coral and Pickett (Not sure if he's as fast as Ridder...maybe). I watched some tape (not as much as Luke K., or even as much as some of you) and noticed he was run down a few times from behind when scrambling. That worried me because I didn't watch a ton of tape and noticed it several times. Old Dominion and Gardner Webb linebackers tracking him down. It bothered me. I guess I expected to see him really dominating with his arms and legs at that level and I didn't see it. He's talented, there is no doubt about it- but I worry how athletic he'll look during NFL competition. He reminds me a watching PJ Walker in his XFL tape for some reason.

They are bringing back the 2 QB system again. Sam starts and play like crap. Throws a pick- Newton comes in and can't get into a rhythm. He's pulled when we get near the GL- so Sam can run the QB sneak. Its a Great System. Didn't it work well last year?

I and others have been hoping for this for awhile now. I think it would be the way to go. RB by committee- CMC get 5-7 carries a game and still has value as a decoy, in play action, in pass pro and catching balls out of the backfield as well as the slot. I hope it happens.

He's hit or miss after following is tweets...so if he's real he's not the most reliable source. Seems to better at nailing baseball moves than the NFL. I guess we'll see about Gilmore. He claims it will be official tomorrow so its gonna come out soon if its true.

Yeah...Sorry Guys. Mr. Scot and Jackie Lee are correct. Everything this guy tweets is B.S. I apologize for posting this.

He's definitely wrong about Julio so far....maybe this is fake news?

IMO either contract is too rich for us. We couldn't have paid Gilmore and shouldn't have paid as much as we did for Djax. I'm glad Jackson is back but we spent too much. I would have let him walk (unless we could have got him for about 8m a year).

I was wondering about his too. Its probably something that will be sorted out in camp. IMO on the outside looking in- Bozeman and the Panthers are better suited if he's our Center. Elf may not even be G if we can pick up one more piece or if Brown is in shape and ready to play next season. My fingers are crossed!

Agent 89 really doesn't like Baker. Here's his take on Watson to Cleveland.

This article on panther's wire seems to disagree with Tre https://pantherswire.usatoday.com/2022/03/18/panthers-free-agency-s-tyrann-mathieu/

I doubt Haynes starts over YGM. IMO he'll sub in on 3rd downs as a pass rusher. Luvu or Wilson will be on the field too depending on the alignment and package . So YGM may be competing some for snaps with those guys.

Most of the safeties that have been mentioned are bigger close to the box guys. If its true and they are moving Chinn to LB then they won't really have a true free ranging safety on the back of the defense that can cover the field. Woods is not that guy (or at least hasn't been up to this point). Edmunds(if its him Tre is speaking of) IMO would be the best option if we are employing a lot on man defense with 1 high safety, but that's not his jam. Chinn is better in that role still than anyone else that's been mentioned.