Michael G

I do not disagree with you, that our roster's "tweeners" make it difficult to play 4-3. That is a roster-building issue. We have to work with what we have and our roster currently IMO should use more 3 man fronts because of that. Our coaches say they'll adapt our scheme to our players abilities but I don't think they have consistently done that on Offense our defense so far under Rhule/Snow. Maybe bringing in another traditional DE like Carlos Dunlap could help, but we'd steal have Burns on the other end because of his rushing ability.

I don't have stats on hand and like you, I remember mostly 4 man fronts. I do recall a few pressure packages using both Burns and Reddick OLB's and YGM/Fox rotating inside. They ran a couple of different versions of the nickel a lot from even fronts also.

IMO with our roster more 3 man fronts would make sense. Its not my favorite option- if we had our choice of Personnel, but we don't. I'm assuming Snow will try to mix fronts again this year which may see us struggle to stop the run even in 4 man fronts because of players we have. I think the a 3 man front with all big guys on 1st down (Nixon-Brown-Iionnidas) and Burns and a rotation of guys (Luvu, Haynes) playing Edge OLB might help stop the run on early downs. On Passing downs YGM subs into the line and Littleton into the ILB. I think its the best use of our personnel, but (admittingly) my coaching experience probably does not make me the best suited person to make these decisions. *Note 1 - As a huddler we make coaching decisions all the time (its really easy after the fact--or when I'm on my sofa) **Note 2- I actually did coach HS Football as a defensive and offensive assistant for a tiny (2A) school in Eastern NC for a couple of years, so maybe I'm nearly as qualified as some of last year's actual coaches .

IMO The offense Baker ran (as described by Warner) was kind of simplified, but it worked. IMO its the kind of thing Corral could pull off. I think its a starting point kind of Offense that a talented OC/QB pair could start with, The Offense could grow with the QB (hopefully). Move the Pocket. Limit the number pf reads (QB is often outside of pocket and can make yards with his legs or throw the ball away if WRs are covered). The QB gets comfortable and the OC adds more in time. With our improved line hopefully we have some success running the football which will open up a lot of thing for the QB (hopefully).

The run "D" is still questionable- Brown has not been solid and has lost weight. Lionidas is a little lighter than Brown and better known for his pass push than run stuffing. Burns hasn't been able the consistently set the edge and our LBs do not play downhill well since Keek left. YGM when playing end in even fronts should be solid but will be double teamed when teams run his way (cuz no one needs to double our DTs). On early downs Wilson may help when playing inside LB/Mike. He does play well down hill. Its a mixed bag IMO but i worry because our DL is still really too light in the A-- I think. To compound those issues I do not think Chinn plays SS (in the box) much. I heard lots of huddlers predict this, but Wilks actually said something in his Intro/conference about keeping him more in the role he was used in last year which took him out of the box more. That said- Rhodes also plays the run well and Hartsfield does as well from the Nickel. So kind of a mixed bag IMO.

When we have 3 LBs on the field on running downs (even fronts) Wilson will be the guy at MLB. IMO He is good playing downhill and against the run, but struggles in coverage. In odd fronts early downs he can play both ILB or edge/OLB. He did both at Jax. Most of the time we will probably play Nickel and see Shaq and Luvu or Littleton has the LBs (Wilson out). It will clear up in camp, but based on what we've seen before from Snow and what the players have done in the past this seems likely barring any surprises in camp.

I've got a pair like that, last year I lost them about week 9 and had to wear these...

I agree with the OP 100%. Also throwing the ball deep (with some completions) will help us a ton as well. Last year corners were just sitting on curls, slants, and outs. Opposing Safeties lived in the box. The Offense has to be able to take shots and land a few to keep defenses honest.

Im not sure which player you are talking about here.... originally I thought you were referring to Taylor but i dont think nayone was surprised he was there for the pick.... Yeah Taylor we got in the 5th I think draft before last. he has played well, but had some growing pains too. Henderson was a 1st round pick by the Jags- (3 drafts ago?). Both great athletes (Taylor is bigger, Henderson faster). They may be competing with each other for an increased role.

I forgot to include K. Barnes here. the guy from Baylor we drafted late this past year. he's lights out fast and decent sized. Got to think they make a place for him on the roster unless he really blows at camp.

Corner Backs on the Roster; Horn, D.Jax, Henderson, Taylor, Westry, S.T-Oliver III, R. Melvin, Hartsfield (DB/N) and M. Harper (an UDFA). Who starts where? Whats the rotation like? Who gets cut besides Harper? Who handles the nickel if not Hartsfield (or if he gets hurt)? I expect we keep Horn and Djax as the starting Outside Corners depending on scheme and Hartsfield as the N. Taylor, Westry, and Henderson will rotate in. It would not surprise me to see Horn play some nickel at times depending on how opposing receivers are lining up (especially against Pitts and Atl).

Yep. I wonder if Littleton will keep Chinn on the backend more. I could see him eating some of those Buffalo Nickel reps, but then again Chinn could get more of those with Burris/Robinson and Woods in the lineup. We have a lot of options it seems.

I am really interested in our secondary this year. There is a lot going on with this Group. -Steve Wilks taking over -J. Horn returning from injury -CJ Henderson getting coached up this offseason and starting fresh -Djax coming back (and Juston Burris) -Adding X. Rhodes (and Chris Westry) What are our expectations for this group? Who are our starters? Who is the Nickel? Will Chinn see more time in the box (Woods has excelled in this role too)? Who plays (deep centerfield) FS when needed? Who gets cut from the CB room (any surprises)?

This is an interesting take assuming the team would actually prefer Darnold, if Baker goes down. He was credited (right or wrong) with a lot of "hospital balls" last year. This may really depend on how well Matt does in TC moving forward. There is no doubt the 18m in dead cap sucks, but if he's hindering the team's development--Its a hard spot. I imagine FIT (and maybe Rhule) wants assets to compensate for that but will it hurt the team more than help it in the long run. *Grabs Magic 8-Ball and shakes*

Rhule will want to keep PJ at least on the PS, but now that Macadoo's OC- maybe he'll like another QB for the PS. It'll say a lot about Rhule's leash if PJ isn't at least on the PS.

So the FO and coaches are left with another choice. (1) Keep Darnold as the Backup (Pro- Maybe we can trade him later and get something for him...maybe/Con- Corral get lets reps and isn't as able to develop, takes up a roster spot) (2) Cut Darnold and add over 18m to the dead cap (Pro- frees up a roster spot, Corral is the #2 and gets more reps and is active on game days/Cons- The huge dead cap hit, possibility of having to go with Corral early if Baker gets hurt...) IMO I let Darnold go. Screw the cap. We are basically paying the guy for doing very little (or nothing) either way. If Corral is called to action early so be it. We drafted the kids to play at some point if its a little earlier than we'd like oh well.

i think we are better with Baker probably, but I doubt we see the playoffs. Our schedule is a MFer and we'd really need for everything to go our way. I bet we start 1-0 after the week 1 revenge game at least. I would really like it if 89 was on the call for that one! He is a revenge game master.

Maybe... I don't think we drafted Corral to ride the pine forever. If Baker goes out later in the season I could see Corral taking over.

Donta Foreman behind Ekwonu and our new OL. He runs downhill. I like him a lot. I'm hoping for a two-headed monster if CMC can remain healthy.

For biggest leap I'm actually expecting one of the Secondary (maybe Chinn, Taylor or Hartsfield). I really think Wilks will help this group. For biggest fall I'm thinking Frankie Luvu (I hope I'm wrong). He played really well last year as part of a rotation. WE are expecting him to fill a bigger role this year and I'm worried he won't live up to those expectations after how well he played last year.

I agree that Tremble should be better this year in Macadoo's system. I also think its hard to predict whose production might drop. Chinn will be affected by Rhodes but it could be good or bad. Donte will be affected by all the rising talent in our secondary for sure. I am really excited to see this group under Wilks. He put together some pretty good back ends for us without neary as much talent in the past.

We are all bored of the Mayfield Trade threads and not much is going on. So why we all have time to reflect I pose 2 questions to the Huddle; 1. Which Player will take the biggest jump this year (I think Shaq made a leap last year..)? 2. Which Player's performance will drop (fall) the most this year (I think R. Anderson really fell last year...)? Please offer your predictions and any analysis you'd like.