Bear Hands

Where have you seen that? I've only read pretty upstanding things on the dude. Unless you mean on the field? But that phrase typically refers to attitude.

It's a legit question that I'm honestly not sure on (also-I was wrong-forgot they brought Bredeson in this offseason, Stinnie was there but pretty bad). But they notably went in with a rookie, new parts, and it wasn't pretty. They were 4th worst run-blocking, we were 5th worst ha. Wirfs and Goedeke were zone capable, but the others were pretty freaking bad. What gives me a bit more hope is what Hunt could bring. Only 2 penalties all last season, strong zone blocker, proven with looks we'll be running. Lewis was aight in SEA, should have improvement at LG, but it's Hunt who could really fortify the right side next to Moton. Incremental, not thinking the there's some glow up, but if Brooks eventually gets going behind these guys, that could be the engine that gets things turning if the passing game is still falling apart. And then we can run to open up the rest. Not ideal, but I see some hope in getting a running game going.

Yeah, the other thing was the Bucs OL had some awful awful performances last year run-O wise. Bredeson & Mauch (74th and 75th of 79 Guards PFF grades)..and then Hainsey was absolute crud - them getting Barton was big this year. White is alright but they gave him no room to run.

I just think we're a solid, middle of the road situation with some upside. Not top-10. Floating around the teens, maybe up to 10 if we're lucky. Probably end up low teens. Could honestly be similar to what we saw last year but with guys having more familiarity/fit with the 2-high shell and the Fangio-disciple defense. I loved Luvu, but he was a liability in coverage at times and Jewell could very well be an upgrade. He also knows the defense with experience w/both Fangio and Evero. Burns is no doubt a substantial, but expected loss. We've gained much more competent DBs for Evero's scheme that know the calls and language but it's razor thin. And I'd say we improved our DL's run stopping ability with Robinson and Clowney in a big way, but again, one goes down, it gets a bit iffy. A few injuries and it could get ugly no doubt, depth is an issue. It's thin.

Something he didn't explicitly say but his analysis led to see is how they rebuilt this team: They fortified the interior lines on both sides, and with what I see, there's a focus on either the run game or run defense. They want to set up the quick passing schemes and spread zone runs..and defend against those as well, which are becoming the prominent offenses these days. So that's nice to notice. Fortifying the lines, building out from there. So WR and DB may still seem in development long term, but there's incremental improvement. Overall on offense - The Nijman insurance for Icky was arguably one of the smarter moves. That and Dionte were probably our two most impactful signings from the perspective of becoming a consistent offense that can actually move the damn ball for the first time in years.

I think our run defense is set up for success and the LBs will be better than expected. The IDL is stout (relatively speaking) and I'm very hopeful for Wallace with Jewell and Shaq there for him to learn behind for a year. But the secondary and pass rush are what concern me. Wonnum & Clowney is probably our best edge rushing front, but Evero likes rotations (and blitzing) and I imagine Barno, DJJ, Leota, Chaisson and others could factor in (depending on who makes the 53). Would be really nice if someone in those ranks could finally do something. Or else, EDGE becomes a huge need going into 2025. Same goes for DB. It's nice that Horn got his 5th year and Evero got a bunch of guys he's worked with before (Fuller, Hill, Scott), serviceable, but it's going to feel thin given the amount of 5 and 6 DB packages we run. Fuller, Hill and Jackson are handy dandy guys who will occasionally get burnt but we're missing a focal point back there even if Horn is healthy. In this era of Panther football, I can't put much stock into guys like Chau Smith-Wade, Crumedy, etc. Gotta hope they make the 53 first. This is a year where you gotta just hope some of these 3rd-6th rounders turns into something back there while you've got a lot of placeholders or shorter contract guys not in the long term plans.

He's routinely a great watch. Good content. I like his optimism on Chubba in our scheme, allows us to bring in Brooks at an optimal pace relative to his recovery (who we got obviously to be our new guy, could become the focal point of this offense) The two news OGs will have no issue playing our offense coming from familiar schemes, one in Hunt being league top, is going to be huge for our running game more than anything. I also liked him maintaining some optimism with Icky. Seeing his page and commentary on our defense really puts in perspective how much turnover we have. It should feel like a much different team (hopefully better) especially that front-7. Jewell is going to be better than people expect, he was super unheralded for Denver and is just a smart closer who played against the Chiefs routinely well.

I’ve been a fan of his for a while. Not expecting him to become some top end TE1 (although do think he has a starter toolset) — he’s played a role and played it well. We drafted him super young too and he’s shown steady progression each season. Made big plays as well. I think he’s still pretty promising for a really solid TE2 role. No reason to not keep him around and root for. We have to look through a particular lens at everyone last year bc the offense’s architecture was so f’n bad but his 2021-2022 was nice. Had some nice TDs over the years and has grown as a blocker.

It's all about balance in a way. Guys who can lead with fire in the locker room, put their study cap on when they need to, get game-day laser focused/cool-as-a-cucumber in the pocket when the moments come, etc. Different moments require being adaptive and perceptive to team and game needs. It all culminates within the guys who have the "it". Does he have it? Not saying Bryce has or doesn't have those traits required, but from what I've observed he's rather chill on and off the field so certain personalities that can help a team will need to come from elsewhere. It's been few and far between (but has happened) when his more vibrant and competitive self noticeably comes out of the shell. Nothing against him though, but having the respective Smitty, Cam or Luke type personalities can really help with culture and bringing a locker room together - and it can effect play in a good way. But at the end of the day, that can come from the OL, QB, a star RB or WR. Doesn't have to be QB - plenty of SB winning examples to show for. It would just be nice to have some real energy and excitement on this team again. It's been a massive void for me for quite some time now, hope some dudes coming in like Dionte, XL, & Brooks can bring something in this regard too.

"I want dawgs" "We're just here to be positive and take our best foot forward, oh gosh, oh golly, look how beautiful it is outside today" Let's hope it's all what it seems--in other words: coach and player speak to the media lol

Yeah can't discount that he can't bring a cocky, beat the world mentality when his back's against the wall. But you're also right, this kid is super coached. That's what growing up in Pasadena under a heavily directed football life at one of the OC's better HS football programs will get you. Also - I still can't imagine what his HS commute was like. Yeesh.

Let's keep it chill. Same goes for the Claw guy, especially.

Seems like we’ve got more than “dawgs” or whatever. This class seems like a good crop of guys with some heavy life experience and came out stronger. Just seem like good people too. Really hope this is a high end class. XL, Brooks, and Wallace and Sanders could all be high impact guys and quickly.

That’s a pretty good comp mentality wise. And you’re right, to expand on that— if you’re not the ra-ra team hype man, not the late night film guy, not the physically imposing guy, not the cannon, not the hyper athletic playmaker..it gets tough when there’s so few boxes that you check and the ceiling can only be so high. He can be successful in the right environment but that’s not what you want with this type of investment. Its going to be a hugely important year for him.

Yep. I’m not trying to be an excessive Bryce dissenter, but it is pretty apparent he’s not one of those hyper football junkies. He’s a very even keel dude that approaches it professionally and calmly. Not game junkie. For him it’s his job and he’s there to perform as best he can.

He confirmed in his presser he doesn’t look for extra motivation from being left out of stuff like primetime games and whatnot. That he’s just there to do his darnest. Good optics answer, but it is nice to have a guy who doesn’t like being disrespected and takes it as motivation. I want fire and an edge to this team - hope someone on offense can bring it.

I'm very excited about these two.

Given how much of a hype guy he is, not great hearing from him that the offense was “rusty” but we’ll see.

This is hard knowing what we saw last year but with a new staff, OL, and weapons...but the same QB. 1 Saints game, Giants, Denver, 1 Bucs, & 1 unexpected We're back to 5-12. Maybe 4-13. I'd be concerned with 3-14 or worse.

You nailed it with Pelaton instructor lol

Not to mention we had the pick the Texans traded for to draft Nico lol

I'm seeing what you see. A quick way to make it very apparent to even the casual is to just watch clips of Brees, Kyler or Russ and then go to Bryce. It's what makes the larger media narrative that he's fine and we didn't give him enough super short-sighted. He doesn't have a deliberate, sharp or efficient drop back. He has this shallow walk and skip so he doesn't get back effectively enough to give himself lines of sight. His demeanor and style should be reserved for a guy that's 6'3 plus. He got used to this because he would roll out so much in school and find Jameson or Burton on the fly. And because he gets lost in these shallow, collapsing pockets, he has nowhere to go and gets super frenetic.

At the end of the day, it's a no for me. The speed & quickness in NFL clean pockets is not the same and he just looks overwhelmed to be able to stand in the pocket and make basic throws. He just can't at times. Bad OL or WRs be damned. It was pretty obvious. Poor mechanics, off balance throws, bad decision making, average arm. The field felt like it was 200 yards watching him. Surprisingly tough and has a good head on his shoulders, but that doesn't just offset his poor performance as a #1 overall selection. That's where I'm at, and I'll gladly be wrong if he comes out swinging. But am I saying he can't be a guy a team like SF could insert and make work? No. He has the mentality, but it's right there for us to see now. At his best, he's a middle of the road starter that could be on a playoff squad, maybe. Big maybe. And that's just the reality. I don't see any traits that he's going to take the team on his back and win games. Personally, the Bears game was the final straw for me. He's positioned himself into "prove-it" territory rather than, the idea that we saw flashes but he was hung out to dry.

Yep. It’s that or you work him in motion and get him the ball quickly, early. With his downfield play, even if he’s got the ups, you want to be throwing him open and leading him, like any receiver. A big detriment to Bryce’s game last year and in college was his deep ball accuracy. Hopefully it can improve with a guy like XL. Because he can beat man with his speed and muscle—he’s a third down vertical threat for sure. A problem is are these going to be jump balls with no YAC potential or can we figure this deep ball game out with the kid at QB.