MHS831

I think he is wrong. I think they bring Mays back. Too valuable--unless he gets overpaid elsewhere, but we need a C and he seems to be on the same page with the Guards and QB--no, not spectacular, but solid in the run game. He will be 27 and to your point, has improved every year. Even back in college, he was in different systems anmake sure d played different positions-- Too early to move on from him. He could peak around age 30, so don't bail now. Some competition would create depth.

Here is how I see it...You can talk to the QB until 15 seconds before the play clock expires. There are reasons to believe that Canales is spending a lot of time gathering information from those in better position to make the decisions. Have you noticed how often we break the huddle between 15 and 13 seconds remaining? I have a theory... 1. Canales is on the sideline. His view of the field is not as good as the OC, who is sitting in the box in the sky--he can see the defense, spacing, substitutions, etc. This means that Canales must get information from up top before selecting a play. 2. Canales has to spend time during the week with the defense, special teams, etc. in addition to the offense. The OC is with the offense all week. He knows the plays that were run well in practice--he knows the nicks and dings they might be complaining about--he knows their questions and input about certain plays, formations, etc. Canales may be aware, but not AS aware. 3. Canales likes the moniker "QB whisperer." He may feel more confident being the voice in Bryce's helmet because he is Bryce's mentor. Just a theory--but Canales could be the play caller because Bryce is the QB and he is trying to literally whisper into the QB ear.

He had a winning record with Kenny Pickett....Tomlin is a great coach. So odd that 2 top coaches from the same division would be gone.

Mateer, Allar, etc. There are several who are interesting. I would look into these:

A contract is likely to be based on the past 2 year's production and will probably be for 3 years or so. This chart tells you why we should move on: he has peaked, in all likelihood. Rico will be 28, I believe, this summer. If you had to put a pin in thehear RBs start to decline sharply, it would be 28 or 29. It is smart to let him go and ride Chuba, Brooks, and Etienne, using the $$ to sign an edge or LB. http://www.rotopicks.com/images/nfl/ppg-of-rbs.jpg

I have not read the entire thread and I am not a very informed hockey fan, but I love watching the Canes. When I saw the score was 2-0 and there had only been 9 shots on goal, I knew who was in net. Are there no other options?

My realistic, later-round crush is Mateer. Had a bad season, but his skill set is there. I am also intrigued by the Jim McMahon of this century, the QB from Vandy. I am too lazy to look his name up, but he is a controversial, scrappy dude.

I think this is a great draft to take a developmental QB on day 3. I have not researched this guy much, but he has "a particular set of skills" (c) I am going to trademark that line.

I think (with the growth of Scourton, (hopefully) Princely, and Jones II on the roster, Tackle just became our biggest need. While I think Moton can play until he is 35 so I am not that worried about him, we have nothing behind him. We need a starter. At edge, we don't. So I am all in on an OT. If I am GM, I do not give Ekwonu a big contract. He is too big a risk now. It sounds cold, but he will make $17m this year as he rehabs. If he comes back, we have 3 tackles, 2 with question marks. We need a T.

Yeah, people need to realize that a knee injury this serious to an NFL LT is more akin to a horse in the Old West breaking its leg than anything else. It is sad. IF he comes back, he is a guard in all likelihood.

Fortunately, the top 3 or 4 OTs in the draft are probably ready to start day 1. I really like the depth at OT. As much as it hurts, there is WAY too much risk to invest in Ekwonu or pencil him in for 2027. He will be diminished and any serious knee injury to a 330 lb man who uses those legs to fend off speed rushers. If he comes back, he is likely a guard. but the business side of this will be telling--about Morgan as much as the knee.

I think his knee would make a good reason to switch to guard IF he returns. Half don't. Half of those don't last too long. The strain on a knee (320lb man) vs speed rushers is more substantial. So I would keep him if I could on a small contract (he will make $17.5 in 2026 fully guaranteed) and think of him as a possible guard for the post Lewis/Hunt era. Knee injuries in big men are not invitations to invest in them.

Here is what you did not mention (and I have not read the thread--but will--it is a needed) and that is the MAFF. He is in a contract year (2026-5th year) and we will not know (in all likelihood) how the knee is healing by the time we have to decide on a mega deal. If you consider the time it takes to fully heal is 12 months if all goes well, the injury is known to shorten careers. Of course, a man of 330 lbs who needs agility to perform at a high level makes the injury a bit more serious than it was for Jimmy Graham, for example, who recovered in a remarkable 9 months. Having said all that, I think he should be moved inside to guard. While many NFL linemen can return to play after patellar tendon surgery, studies show a significant failure rate and reduced performance, with return-to-play (RTP) rates often cited around 50-56%, meaning roughly 44-50% don't make it back, and even those who do often see reduced careers and statistics, highlighting it as a devastating injury for linemen." I think you have to go after an elite OT, and I think it should be a first rounder because you don't sign elite LTs in free agency. Ickey is already going to get paid $18m or so in 2026. However, the money you save by not locking him down long term could go to a free agent edge or ILB. It is very complicated if you start factoring in contracts, risks, cap, and the odds of recovery.

I wish I understood it better, but we focused nearly 100% of resources on offense entering 2025, and we sucked on D--worst ever. I did not expect to be above average this year. I don't think we have seen the system with the right personnel, and if Evero is given his pass rush and maybe a good LB, we might see it differently. Glass half full.

I caught it later, but I was flashing back--in the zone.

It is a negotiation and contracts are for future performance not past accolades--so you are right. It is sad, but we have to find a LT.

As impatient as we are, there is something to be said for consistency. Without good edges, a nickel/s who can cover deep, or good LBs, we improved a lot. Some of the coverages were based on personnel. Dont forget how well Jackson has played here. Thornton. Smith-Wade. I think we are a year away from seeing what it is supposed to look like--and I will judge then. Yes, I would have been much more aggressive down the stretch with the season on the line--but I don't know more than that.

And he could, depending on his development, kick inside to G. Of course, how do you negotiate that contract, if at all?

don't you mean, "fireable defense?" Remember, not all of us were in "normal" classes or rode to school on "long" buses.

If I had his money, I would own stock in door dash and companies that enlarge doors.

What sized font do you use when you admit that you were wrong? (Seriously, there were a few of us pounding the drum for him and we have been. Nothing Not to like about him.

Now, if we could only beat the Saints...

Was not sure--but I wanted to make sure--I gave up on him early this season---and I was born in Columbia while my father was playing for the Gamecocks, so it was tough to do!!

I could argue that they need a deep threat, (and you could argue that both are) but I agree. The only reason Coker is not a bigger name is because they tried to develop XL. But Horn is coming along (too soon?) Tremayne had 15 receptions on 19 targets for 160 yards--bottom of the roster quality. If you step back, there are bigger needs on this team, like edge and LB

That draft, if you recall, was before Fox's lame duck season. It was the one draft when Marty Hurney was on his own without input. I overheard Fox talking to Tergovac (I believe it was him--memory) and he was telling him "That's not an NFL QB." Then he watched Armanti Edwards drop a simulated punt from the jugs machine, and he shook his head and walked off laughing sarcastically. Hurney nabbed Clausen after two teams that desperately needed a QB passed on him--in rounds one AND two--and bragged that he stole a "top 10" QB. He tried to trade away our first-rounder the following season to move up to pick #33 to grab him. Then, rich with the draft capital he saved, traded up (later) for Armanti Edwards. I read a rumor that the Colts bluffed him about their interest in Edwards and he took the bait. Brandon Lafell in the third and I think he took headcase Hardy in the fifth or so that draft, with Eric Norwood (bust) in as our fourth rounder. Hurney sucked.