This morning, on the way to work, I did what I always did and started thinking about what we could do this offseason in terms of FA/trades to fix some of our issues. I should know better than to waste my time on this exercise. Jerry and his bozo son will nickle and dime their way through FA, largely ignore DT yet again and maybe kind of half *** it at WR again convincing themselves that Tolbert will be fine and they don't need much beyond maybe another James Washington type signing. They will then try to impress us with talk of how the draft will fill all their holes.
But I am bored so here we go.
- Elliott has to go. Even if he takes a pay cut, his cap hit next year will be in the $8ish million range. That's absurd for what we get from him. Yeah, I know, Stephen went on that stupid diatribe about how important he is and how he's apparently more vital than Pollard. Don't be dumb Stephen. Use your freaking eyes. And this draft is long on talent at TB in those middle rounds. Be smart Stephen, geezus.
- Unfortunately, Schultz has to go. He's good. But this league pays good players oodles of money in FA. He's going to get upper level TE money and frankly, he's not a difference maker at TE like a Kelce or Kittle or Goedert.
- Pollard is an interesting case. I'd like him back. He and his agent are going to want to get paid. But he's coming off an injury. I don't necessarily like the idea of it, but tagging him is probably what will happen.
- LVE should be back IMO. For all the guff I've given him, when he was on the field the run D was better than when he was not. With LVE, it kind of stabilizes things a bit and you don't have to go chasing a LB early in the draft if one isn't there.
- I am a dead horse beater on DT. What they keep doing at DT is mindnumbing. It likely won't change but shoot, this is a year to try to shore it up. Payne is the prize but there are other options that could be cheaper. Tomlinson is a name I'd love to add. Down a peg is a guy like Fletcher Cox who could be a casualty in Philly. Sheldon Rankins is out there too.
- They need a vet CB. I think Bland should stay inside where he played well this year for a rookie. Brown is a FA and frankly I am not sure I want to go with him coming off that injury. There will be options out there. Shoot, the Eagles picked up Bradberry late in FA and all he did was play at an All Pro level.
- Unfortunately, WR is kind of a wasteland in FA unless there are some surprise cuts. DJ Chark might be interesting. Sterling Shepard wouldn't be terrible but I have no idea what he would cost. But that's about it. JuJu? Sure but I can't see KC letting him walk. They really need Tolbert to step up. I still think Gallup will be fine more than a year removed from his injury. If you could come out of the draft with a guy like Hyatt from Tennessee or Flowers from BC, WR should be improved.
- McGovern is an interesting case too. He wasn't great. He wasn't bad. If he's cheap, I'd bring him back. Steele is out for a part of the season so you could roll with the two Smiths at OT and McGovern at LG until Steele is back and then you could flip Tyler back inside until Tyron inevitably gets hurt again. That being said, I could go OL in the first round of the draft too. The Jones kid from UGA is a bit OT who could give you that flexibility to move Tyler inside. And Torrence from UF is a pure guard that could be a mauler at LG. The OL has to be stabilized next year.
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- The Jones are gonna largely ignore ANY stud vet FA. We know how they operate in penny spending.
- They are stubbornly stuck at that philosophy. NFL draft, bargain binge vet signing, and occasional lower tier trades (Hankins)
.. If there is a surprisingly big name vet signing, it’s gonna be WR OJ Beckham.
- Pros and Cons to that player. But we’re still in that Win now mode. If he regains forms, great risk/reward that doesn’t cost us a high pick.
- Schultz is not a A-tier TE. that’s elite status. But does he qualify in the B-tier TE and salary range ?
I think he as just as good as a Hunter Henry, Jonnu Smith that signed with NE Pats as some of the highest paid TEs (Smith has repeated 20+ only recept past 2 years!)
Dalton is cleverly effective underneath, average in-line blocker, he's just top elite, teams don't scheme and game plan for him
Will likely be a take it or leave Stephen offer. If Ferguson can remain healthy, I think he has a chance to be the new security blanket and better playmaker than Schultz.
I could see this team adding another developing TE in late rounds.
- If ZKE remains, I think it will be based off good ole buddy bias and favortisim. Much like declining Tyrone Crawford his last 2 years.
Jones insist ZEK brings “ more than stats “ . That rings well liked locker room guy, so he stays on much cheaper $$.
- ZKE staying also epitomizes troubles among management team. With no burst, dude is simply goal line threat and pass blocker at this point.
Angry runs only. Should Pollard is hurt, we’re down to Lumbering, mud runs ?
- I’m just not tripping like several on Pollard’s injury. I wonder if they are piggy back riding off what they are hearing others wild speculation as well.
A broken fibula that will heal itself. Not even screws.
High ankle sprain. Not an ACL or achilles tendon tear …Not a Dak broken in half ankle.
- I’m excited about the hope of Pollard under a new and fresh idea approach- under McCarthy’s umbrella. Stretch run designs for his cutback run skills, and utilizing him in pass game .
.ala RB screens, misdirection swings and isolations – something Kellen Moore seem to hate with a passion.
Or simply did not have a clue. Pollard has rare jet speed burst and terrific run skills.that will big time factor in both run and pass game.
- Dunno if we have to have a vet CB. But if we do, go after an established vet with grades on him - not another Daryl Worley (Yikes !!)
If We had drafted Chargers Asante Samuels, who has hit the ground running since starting as a rookie, we’d have our permanent long term starting CB.
But our draft philosophy saw him a a Jourdan Lewis type slot, nickel vs legit outside CB.