MHS831

I am going to agree with Linville this time--I think we need to get a veteran edge (We have Jones II, Scourton, and Princely--2 developmental guys and a decent veteran). We don't really think of Jones because he had a hamstring injury weeks 3 and 4 and a back that required surgery Week 6-17. He still managed 10 pressures, and he will be 28. Princely Umanmielen only played in approximately 18-20% of the snaps and he struggled at times. Basically, he was a situational pass rusher. He got 1.5 sacks and 10 pressures. He should improve, but for now, he is what he is. Scourton gives us hope. For a rookie (and thanks to Jones II's injuries, he was given more PT), he had 8 sacks--and held the edge. He played at a first-round draft pick level. He has the potential to become "that guy" in 2026. We lose Wonnum, who played nearly 700 snaps and amassed 3 whole sacks. For a person raised a Gamecock, I would not be upset if we purged our roster of all South Carolina alumni. However, I see it this way: Wonnum was decent holding the edge, something Patrick Jones II and Scourton have demonstrated at a high level. He is a liability, if you ask me. Jones had 7 sacks one season in Minnesota and is known for his inside rushing ability--not what you would call a speed rusher. I think Princely was a bit disappointing, but he was a bit raw. Out of college, they described him as being a bit predictable. I see no reason he will not improve in 2026 and become a situational pass rusher. Basically, with Scourton and Princely expected to continue to develop and Jones II returning from injury, I think we need another veteran (if we can get a good one) to give us balance and depth. A third developmental player is not ideal. Draft: OT, LB, WR, OL depth, S. Free Agency: Edge, possibly a WR; re-sign Mays, Cuhran, BC (??), and Nijman. Let walk: Wonnum, Scott, Dowdle. I see about $20m per year after signing the OL depth. Spend it on a veteran edge. Players like Reddick (Tampa), Bosa (Buffalo), Khalil Mack (LAC) could be available on a one or two year deal in the $15m range. We could splurge here, but I think a veteran situational pass rusher (depending on Jones II's back) is all we need while our 2 young guns develop.

Serious question: Who was the backup center when Mays was C and Corbett and BC were out (I think both were out in September-October.) That might give some indication of how they approach the C position depth. (DId they bring Corbett back when BC went down?)

Same page.

If we sign Mays and BC, I bet we do nothing at C---even if BC will not be ready until October or so. Not sure I like the plan, they are a bit light in the loafers. All are developmental too. I am higher on Mays than most, fwiw, because at 26 he is entering his prime and he has been improving since settling into one position. I think he is going to be solid and he does a lot of things well. There are days, however, when I want A gap more secure--I won't lie. Mays could test the waters, in fact. If I were him, I would. He was released, re-signed, put behind Corbett twice when he was arguably better. C will be interesting.

I think we have to go edge in free agency now if we can find one, and maybe LB.

I think the combine separates OTs as much or more than any other position. I think we will be drafting a T from utah.

I agree. Just not sure about all the dynamics. I know his relationship with Watson was dysfunctional, Myles talked about wanting out, etc. However, I am not sure how versatile he is. Specifically, who was out of position in your estimation? What adjustments did you want to see against what teams? I did not keep up with the Browns like you did, so I am just curious.I do, however, agree 100% with your premise. For the past year, I have been working 60 hours per week, so I am out of the loop.

I think it is funny that we label coaches without considering their circumstances. Bill Belichick has a .449 winning percentage as a head coach when Tom Brady was not under center. He will be a Hall of Fame coach. Stephanski, on the other hand, was asked to function in the shadow of the Watson crippling signing, one that he opposed (as it came out recently). I am not quite sure what to think of him, but I am not dismissing him as a bad coach. He had the worst situation in the NFL the entire time he worked there. Frustrations mounted between him and the players over the six years he was there, but the dysfunction was manufactured in the front office.

Did they get a new GM too? That Cousins signing before drafting a Q--after drating TE and RB in round 1 for the past two years or so--what?

I read an article that said he and Daboll were really unpopular with their players. If that is hard to believe, I will repeat it....I read an article.

When he plays. He has missed more games than he has played. this is lazy writing.

So if the average recovery time (and we both know the reality of the ACL--varies and the longer-term objective is to return to form more than to recover) in the NFL is 8-12 months with many player returning after 9 months. That would put him back as early as camp, but if it takes 12, October. I am not sure I would say "highly unlikely" but it is problematic to consider him depth for 2026 at this time. This probably bodes well for Curhan who has G/T abilities. I think this draft is deep at developmental OTs and there are maybe 4 that can be expected to start right away--but that is based on what I have been reading--I have not been watching videos.

OK, i am thinking from this perspective: Evero is going to be here and we are going to run the same defense. I am also taking into consideration that it is likely that we have to draft an OT in round 1, an ILB, a S, and maybe an edge*, TE, and WR. etc. So focusing on the D, we need starting help at Edge and S. Forget scheme. forget Evero for now (if you can). Here is where my brain is right now, Jan 17, 2026: Re-sign the core OL depth--they should be fairly cheap. Mays, Nijman, and Christensen--and maybe even Curhan. With the OL a lot can be said about consistency and familiarity. Bring in a LT through the draft. That should leave a good bit of money for 2 free agents that would help this defense more than most moves, in my opinion--Edge and a S. My favorite edge who might be in free agency: Jaelen Phillips of the cap-strapped Eagles. Pay the man. He is 26, 6’5” and 260. Holds the edge (30+ tackles) and gets pressure (5 sacks but was 9th in the NFL with 73 pressures). I am guessing he will draw top dollar interest, but if Morgan wants to get better, this is where it will happen. (I am guessing $85m over 3 years–the money we would have given a healthy Ickey, sadly.) Frankly, I might offer him $110m for 4 years. With Phillips and Scourton starting with Jones II and Princely (developing) behind them--edge don't look so bad if you allow for youth development. (Remember, DEs not drafted here in the first rounds took a bit of time (Mike Rucker, Charles Johnson, Greg Hardy--they all needed one-three years). I would like to see the Panthers sign S Justin Simmons. He is 30 or so, but playing at a high level and will probably not be back in Atlanta. He seems to fit a need and would allow us to draft a developmental FS type. Ransom and Moehrig can play the other S spot, with Simmons filling in as needed. I am guessing that he might sign a 2-year deal for $20m if most is guaranteed. If we could do that, we could focus on LT and ILB in the draft. Just how I see it now. *we drafted 2 in 2025. they need time to develop. We still have Jones. A veteran stud is what we need, not another long-term project (any edge taken after round 1). So hear me out. Listen. Are you listening?

You wrong for dat.

Gruden it will be. QB job Cousins to win back. Not great in first round, this draft is.

atlanta actually finished strong--it is a good job for a new coach--but Penix is not attracting anyone--interesting. I expect them to hire Jon Gruden. Heard it here first, I thunk.

His brother did not want him in the AFC--he said that--so if that was a factor, maybe we dodged a bullet. Funny, but an old college teammate who played in the NFL asked me recently, "Name 5 coaches in the NFL you would love to play for" which caused me to think for a while. Based on my learning style and what little I know of the NFL coaches, I responded: 1. John Harbaugh, 2. Mike Vrabel, 3. Mike Tomlin, 4. Demeco Ryans, and 5. Andy Reid. He asked the same question about coaches I would not like to play for, and all I could come up with is 1. Jim Harbaugh and 2. Josh McDaniels. Not sure about the others, but I would have put Bill Bellichick on the list. I heard that the did not like Kevin Stephanski for reasons I do not like in a coach.

I knew to suggest that the 8th overall pick in a draft would have some hidden talent or ability is far fetched--

This exchange was my first thought. And then you could add that Simmons was put on the PS in November to give us depth at LB--called up, and played STs. What did they see to start calling him a S? Did Evero learn from the Chinn music (see what I did there?). The plot thickens.

I had the same thought, and then wondered if he would be a project or situationally, a good fit in the system. Regardless, there have been CBs convert to S later in their careers, but they were successful CBs for the most part. Are there sets (or a set) that is right for his skill set? I suppose the point is--he would be cheap and worth his salary on special teams, so if he can play a role on the defense in the capacity of a S in some alignments or situations, maybe. Would he be more feared in the deep third that Scott? (example). I dunno--why I brought it up. Wanted to hear what folks think. I agree, but at 6-4 and running a 4.4, man, there has to be more for him. Maybe the game has slowed down and he sees the field better. At least he would be depth, but if and when the light ever comes on...

We make mistakes when we allow money and emotions get involved. We need to provide a window for his return--not one surrounded by a mansion. They are paid a lot because of the risks and brevity of their careers. The best GMs know when to part with players, even fan favorites.

He sure was. However, my point (and it may not be a sound one because it assumes that nobody else thought of the obvious) is that perhaps, in the Evero system, he could play center field and less as a hybrid SS/LB? I dunno. But yes, worth a roster spot if all he does is special teams.

We both lost tough games.