trueblade

Week 13 during the bye week. We will inexplicably beat Arizona... because we always seem to.

If that's true, we should have a pretty good idea where our season is going by that point. Less than 6 wins and its probably Wilks or McAdoo as interim for the rest of the season. Corral absolutely needs to be starting Week 14 regardless. [edit: unless we're like 10-2 or something obviously]

Fair or not, if Fields doesn't have a pretty good year, Stroud will have to fight that OSU quarterback stigma.

That's a link to team defense. What I was saying was that the Bengals Offense finished Top 10 in points scored: https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/2021/#all_team_stats The premise that I was arguing was your statement that "Their D [referring to the Bengals] is what carried them in the playoffs." By showing their offense was top 10 in points scored (and passing yards per game), combined with a 17th ranked defense in yards allowed, I provided evidence that their offense, and not their defense was their catalyst.

The Bengals finished as Top 10 in points scored, and top 10 in passing yards/game. Their defense was ranked 18th in the same category where the Panthers finished 2nd (yards/game) That sounds more like a team led by it's offense with Burrow, Chase, Mixon and some combination of Higgins/Boyd than one carried by it's defense.

I'd take the under in New Orleans. People are underestimating how big of a loss Sean Payton is going to be and they have to contend with the same tough divisions (AFC North, NFC West) that we do.

Carolina at 6 wins?

Our TNF game will be the middle of the year. The NFL is going to want some marquee matchups early on to get people to buy Amazon Prime for the TNF package. Maybe SNF will flex us if Corral becomes a story, that's the only way I see them wanting anything to do with us. MNF won't even acknowledge we exist.

Even if you're right, temper you expectations for 2022. Montana started one game as a rookie. He was 13 of 23 for 96 yards, 1 TD and no pics. He started seven games his second year. SF won two of them. It wasn't until his third year that he started looking like Montana.

Ickey / Corral. If we had Watson, we'd be the ones awkwardly trying to get anything we could for Darnold like the Browns are stuck trying to get anything for Mayfield. Mayfield is considered a better player by the league. We'd be getting even less interest in Darnold. We'd be hoping that BC can be a starting LT and pencil Deonte Brown or Elfein at LG.

If Fitterer is let go, an internal candidate like Morgan probably wouldn't have a great shot. They'd most likely go outside.

Fitterer is kind of young. I doubt Dan wants to wait that long.

Could just be two different writers. Each probably saw it a little differently, or CBS could have even requested varying grades/opinions. I'll never forget a story Matthew Berry told of one of his early appearances on ESPN. He and another, more experienced, analyst were discussing the upcoming season. The host asked the experienced analyst his opinion on a player's fantasy outlook. The experienced analyst gave a favorable outlook backed up with stats. Then the host turned to Berry. Berry also had a favorable outlook with similar stats. At that point, according to Berry, the producer stopped the taping, and said they both couldn't have the same opinion, it wouldn't make for compelling TV. The experienced analyst said 'no problem' and they redid the segment. This time when the host asked the experienced analyst for his outlook, the experienced analyst gave a pessimistic outlook on the player's season backed up with a different set of stats. Berry learned two important lessons. You can talk up or down a player by choosing the right set of stats and always be prepared to do either.

Edit: just to be clear, this response was added for levity. I'm not a PJ Walker guy. Corral should be starting as soon as possible.

1. Brian Burns will have 10 sacks in 2022...................... UNDER 2. DJ Moore will have 1,100 yards in 2022..................... OVER 3. Jaycee Horn will have 3 INTs in 2022........................ OVER 4. The longest FG made will be from 53 yards.............. OVER 5. Kickers will miss a total of 2 extra point kicks........... OVER 6. The TE group will catch 4 TDs this year..................... OVER 7. Special Teams will cause 0.5 TD in 2022.................... OVER

Sam Darnold gets injured in the preseason. Even with that, probably a decent change Rhule goes with PJ over Corral.

If I was making the decision? 50% -75% based as long as he doesn't look completely lost during training camp and the preseason. If Matt Rhule is making the decision? Less than 25% regardless of how he looks during training camp and the preseason.

Just another vet to take developmental snaps away from our younger players.

So when Young goes number one, and Stroud goes number two, who are we taking at three?

This will be a great discussion to have... after May 12th...

The reporters aren't great, but I really liked his answers to their questions. Easy guy to root for. I hope he balls out.

No argument. I was more looking at who the teams are that might be targeting QBs early.

Here's who PFF is thinking will draft one early next year.