MHS831

Just for giggles, the headlines of the Washington Post:

I would say that a long snapper is not a "starter," but I would say that if anyone read that piece and that is what they walked away with, there is help. Its all about dispositions.

I think (theory here--no evidence) that we were dropping to get him. I think we wanted Horn from his pro day and we spotted Shi Smith there-so we were going to target Shi as our slot WR. So they dropped a bit, and the T situation did not change much. They dropped again, and Marshall was still there--they had to take him. But then a few Tackles like Jalen Mayfield was taken at 68, and they knew a team in front of them (Denver) was in the market. We moved up 3 spots to leapfrog Denver and Detroit (and we knew Detroit had Sewell). Ironically, the next tackle chosen was 23 picks later at the 30th pick of the 3rd round (Spencer Brown, a RT) --, and then only projects Hudson and Smith went in the 4th. It just seemed to me that they move up was insurance to keep Denver off Christensen, even though they needed only a RT. I think if Mayfield had been on the board, Fitterer knew he would be chosen over Christensen by the Broncos, but they did not want to take chances after seeing Christensen's pro day and after seeing Mayfield go off the board at 68. I think the fact that Marshall dropped so far hindered our LT selection and caused the trade up. Marshall was an early second rounder and to see a need sitting there at nearly an entire round later was too much to ask.

People are saying, "They could make some noise in the south, except for Tampa Bay." I say screw that. Of course Brady will pick you apart with a 20-yard cushion. Now we have some defense--some rush. Some offense. Bring it.

And I am sure that is why trading back is always better value-wise than moving up. It is like sitting at a dance--you can give it your all and go after the hot babe, or you can sit there and let the alcohol set in make all the babes look hot and you have your pick of the litter. (This is only a joke--I joke like this with my wife to see if she still has a left hook. Since she does, I come here for my sexist, inappropriate humor. It is less painful.) Knowing what you want and your needs and having a plan allows you to let the draft come to you.

Davos, good thread. This is going to be fun. We are 3 deep at every position, but only Moton is a stellar--that is OK and here is why: With CMC able to motion out, with a slot like Sli or Moore, with WRs on the outside like Anderson, Moore, and Marshall--and a TE that can run routes and catch (Arnold) and another that can punish blitzers or help on the edge--we have so many ways to offset their attempt to exploit our Offensive front. At LT, Christensen will need time to develop and add technique--with short arms, your footwork and technique are critically important. Were we terrible with Scott? Meh., but with a blocking FB/TE/headhunter, I feel better about it. Irving, Scott, and maybe hope Little improves. If not, hope Christensen is ready soon. We still have 4 options there right now. At G? We have 2 LGs who can play. Daley and Elflein--both better than Reed and that other guy we tried there last year----MOST OF THE PROBLEMS ON THE LEFT SIDE were due to DCs exploiting the high turnover, scrub filled LT and LG when OKung went down, Reed was exposed. Elflein is better. Note: Deonte Brown played both LG and RG in college and can pull. He needs to drop another 20 lbs and he can start on either side. He is VERY good. At C? Not a Paradis fan, but he is a veteran and smart. He needs 2 studs beside him. I am very happy we signed the G from Grambling from the SR bowl--I watched him and was blown away--low center of gravity and good feet. His anchor was incredible. I could not help but wonder, CAN HE PLAY CENTER? Stay tuned. I used to coach OL and I was sitting at a conference talking to EZ Smith from Concord one day--a very good OL coach. We were buddies, and I used to pick his brain (I was in my 20s). And I know HS is a little different from the pros, but he said something I never forgot: "You can deal with 1 weak OL, but you can't hide 2." Last year, we had 2 weak OL and 2 average OL and one stud for most of the year. I would say that Miller was our second best OL--he played beside Moton. That helps. Paradis played between average and below average, so he did OK. the LG played beside crap, and the LT played beside the LG, also crap. So where are we going to be improved: LT, LG, C (if flanked by better players) and LG. We have better players at both guard spots coming in as rookies. We addressed LT. So we are already better if you look at the 5 OL. But add CMC's range, a blocking headhunter like Tremble, an additional threat at WR--and we will be much improved. Giggity.

' So how did we do, in terms of value based on the various NFL trade value charts. Remember, Jimmy Johnson created this process, and he endorsed trading down. Rhule spent a day with him fishing for ideas as much as anything else: JOHNSON: the Johnson model shows a Panther advantage of 7.5% by combining all 5 picks. STUART: The Panther advantage for all five picks was 136.3%. OTC: Incredibly, the Panthers increased their pick capital value by 220% if you add all percentage advantages and subtract the disadvantages. WHITE: The picks total an increase in draft capital of 31.6% Please see these sites/charts for clarity.

Nice. The picture seems to depict a corner locker maybe? Not much for leg room.

would think Burns would want 8

They did joke about pickled eggs in Fargo. When I heard that, I thought, "And there it is--the dead giveaway." I like the way it turned out. Darnold is going to ball out. Every team wants players that other teams get. No evidence behind your theory, but it is your right to share it. Thanks. I love this part of the draft--the after the fact drama etc.

Here is the real deal without the hilarity displayed in my previous post. Long snappers are also gunners on punts. At 35, it is fair to say JJ is losing a step. His snaps have been great, but there is more to it. https://www.tuscaloosanews.com/story/sports/2021/05/01/thomas-fletcher-nfl-draft-2021-carolina-panthers-alabama-football-long-snapper/7294552002/

Been watching his highlight videos all day. He is a long snapper.

Kevin Taylor (R) and there is this about Bouye (older, but the system is important-Houston, Denver--not right for him. Jax and Carolina? Yup. Bouye had been a decent cornerback through his first three years with the Houston Texans, but it wasn't until injuries forced him into a full-time starting role before the 2016 campaign that he showed the ability to lock down opposing receivers both outside and in the slot, and in both zone and man coverages.

I have no issue trading Jackson, considering where we seem to be headed defensively, but I would not target a player to get for him--trade him for a third rounder in 2022.

Longshot, but I would not be surprised to see Pride at S at some point

No, you don't really hate bigotry because you just endorsed it. You are probably white and tired of hearing people who have been repressed for a century or two complain about it--you lack empathy, so it annoys you--- He provided the context, you just did not read it. It is so much easier to deflect and trivialize racism, like you just did here, than to look in a mirror and deal with it where it thrives.

We were not far from winning last year---we had a good DL most of the time and WRs balled out. We had no CMC. We had no LG, our LT was injured, our QB had no sense of urgency or willingness to demonstrate ballhood, and our TEs were like movie extras. We had no 3techniques, could not press man cover, and our MLB was a pimple. We now have a stable full of guards, some options at T, a QB ready to show what he can do with support, and we have DBs who can keep up with the Joneses--and the Thomases. CMC comes back, we have 2 stud RBs and 5 stud WRs. We have a TE that can knock your head off and another who is a pass catcher. We added red zone threats. Analytics. Marty Hurney was worried about his draft record in round 1-Fitterer put us in position to be #1. I think we can win the division next year. Remember when Seattle won the super bowl and re-signed their entire team to ridiculous contracts? That is what TB just did. Let's take them out and run over NO and ATL. Easy Peazy.

By cancel culture, do you mean, "calling a duck, a duck?"

My wives laughed.

{Perhaps the replacement for the Potted Plant is on the roster. Troy Pride. about 6 feet tall, 195 lbs. 4.4. Here is what we know: Troy plays best with the action in front of him. He had 42 tackles last year. Even though he has good speed, he is ineffective with his back to the QB. He has a background as a WR (high School) and track. He likes to give the 10-yard cushion for this reason, which is why opponents completed 71% of passes outside our numbers last year and he had so many tackles. We are moving to more press man, and he aint that. I think Troy moves to Safety---maybe that is why we did not grab one late--maybe that is why we drafted 2 cbs and signed 2 in free agency, despite having Jackson, Pride, Stantly, etc. on the roster.

We should trade him to Denver where he is legal.

I don't look at those very often, but I agree--no room for insecure, self-promoting bigots, if that is the situation. It is 2021 and I assume he's a grown person. Change the channel, change your friends, and change your views.

You have a right to your opinions--not mine.

When Long snappers have a highlight reel, you have to be impressed.

It was nerve racking. But it told me that they had done their homework. They have to know the needs of other teams, where they expect players they like to go, etc. There is evidence of their analytics in their picks. Examples: Nixon, Christensen's athleticism. Shi Smith's skills in a bad offense. Chuba's high ankle sprain in 2020, Knowing Brown from the SR bowl and knowing that his weight gain could be controlled (character) etc. They owned this draft--it seems for now.