Personnel decisions

[JPostSam]

Among the many frustrations of this year's team is that they came up short despite making sound personnel decisions.

They moved on from Terrance Williams and Allen Hurns, and picked up Randall Cobb.

They moved on from Taco Charlton and picked up Robert Quinn. Bringing in Michael Bennett was a smart and low-cost move.

Despite what many on this board believe, extending Zeke and Jaylon Smith was the right call.

I'm less enthused about the big contract for DeMarcus Lawrence, who has been too spotty for my tastes, and who appears to be diminished by injuries.

Speaking of injuries, it's clear that injuries affected Amari Cooper. And still, even though he had some bad games, he managed to have arguably his best season. Cooper, Gallup, and Cobb make a formidable trio of receivers.

I don't think we got much from Tavon Austin, or Kerry Hyder, but those are also cheap contracts that are easy to move on from.

The biggest minus was obviously the big swing and miss on Trysten Hill. He may yet turn into something, but we needed an impact player in the middle of the defensive line in the worst way, and he contributed almost nothing (literally, almost nothing) the entire season. That's unacceptable for a second round pick who was healthy.

So, what does all that mean? To me, it means that the roster was not the problem this year. 7 of our losses came against playoff teams, and 6 of them were decided by one score. Poor decisions in games, poor game plans, poor or nonexistent adjustments in games, and just not having the team ready on game day -- that's on coaching.

 

[MysteryIceGuro]

6 of them were decided by one score.

Meh. Bears game was garbage time. Last TD in the Bills game was too. Packers game was garbage time. We weren’t really one score in any of those games. Don’t let the box score fool you.

 

[JPostSam]

Meh. Bears game was garbage time. Last TD in the Bills game was too. Packers game was garbage time. We weren’t really one score in any of those games. Don’t let the box score fool you.

granted. but those things also average out over the course of a season. and they do show how consequential a few plays can be.

 

[buybuydandavis]

Despite what many on this board believe, extending Zeke and Jaylon Smith was the right call.

I was against it with Zeke, for it with Jaylon.

In retrospect, both were bad calls.

Jaylon just ain't right. Massively regressed in his agility from last year, from no known *new* injury. And his contract is guaranteed through 2022 for injury.

 

[buybuydandavis]

The biggest minus was obviously the big swing and miss on Trysten Hill.

Biggest minus were our two star LBs of 2018 completely collapsing this year, with health issues through the end of their careers, which may not be that long.

They were guys I thought would be the core of our defense for a good 6 years more. Now, not.

Although the 100 Million Dollar Man having 5 sacks this year is close. As many as Taco. I know he played better than Taco, but 4mil per sack makes for a very bad contract.

Heard noise during the game that DLaw's shoulder is bad again too.

LVE, Jaylon, DLaw underperforming with health issues. Hill looking like a miss. Taco off the team. Tons of prime resources into the defense with little to show for it. Oh yeah, Awuzie benched too.

Really. Line up the draft picks and money on those guys, and line up what they gave us this year. Ugh.

 

[jazzcat22]

They will have plenty decisions to make and hopefully with a new HC and staff.

There are around 20 URFA's, and I think 4 RF'a, and 2 ERFA's or something like that. This team can look very different next season.
The only thing to look forward to in the off season is if a new HC is here. If Garrett is here, then I have no interest in any personnel decisions.

 

[RodeoJake]

I hope the next HC is allowed to make roster decisions regardless of cap implications and popularity. We need more lunch pail guys and fewer guys looking to make splash plays.

 

[Hawkeye19]

The delusion is that “talent” wins in the NFL. Wrong. Guts, grit, effort, hard work, sacrifice, and execution do.

The issue is not with the personnel or the “talent level” of the roster. It is what is happening or not happening Monday- Saturday in terms of preparation and work.

The players assumed (because coaches let them) that their talent will win on Sundays. They just need to “be who we are” and “do what we do”. That is an arrogant philosophy that will lead to you getting beat whenever anyone wants it more than you do.

In the NFL— the talent level between rosters are too close to rely on that to win you games. I totally agree with what Michael Irvin said last week— this team does not more talent, it needs more heart.