Took a mental health Jet break......I just couldnt watch McCown play...I dont know what the point was of it and I had no interest in watching. I returned for the last 2 games and Sam has played great....he has shown the growth he was missing and I can't help but think maybe the mystery injury which gave him a mental health break was not an awful thing....just couldnt watch a washed up McCown out there....but I get that watching for a few weeks may have been the best thing in the long run.
I think it was a good break for Sam, too.
Some current and future thoughts
QB - Sam looks the real deal....21 and showing poise and growth that Sanchez never did even when going to the playoffs his 1st 2 yrs.....hope he finishes strong but I must admit I am very worried about his health....that OL is shaky even though they played great vs Houston and I just dont want to see the kid hurt...if he stays healthy he is going to be a great recruiting chip
I love Sam. Wait until he gets a better o-line, weapons, and some experience. I think he will end up a top 10 QB for a long time.
OL - played much better as of late...Long seems to be a pretty decent guard and shell looked solid before getting hurt....they still need the big 2 though - LT and Center....those are just not available in FA and I think protecting the franchise QB is #1 priority...if the value is not there where they pick then trade down a few slots and take one....but has to be done - I'd take a LT in the 1st and draft best center or even package the 3rds and trade up to get a starting center in the 2d rd....get a top OL and every position will improve on O
Fully agree, but I have no confidence in Mac to upgrade this unit. Somehow they grade out ok passing-wise (according to PFF), but it looks like Darnold has to get out of the pocket every time in order to have some time to pass. Our tackles and C are a problem.
RB - Man this is tough - Im dont with Crowell....cut him and take the cap room.....Powell is done....but I really like Maguire....I hate to spend $ at a RB position....watching every Pitt RB run wild makes me give second thoughts on Bell....but he is a playmaker on a team that has none....and they have a ton of cash to spend....sign him up and have a great 1-2 punch with Maguire.
I thought Crowell looked ok, but he wasn't anything for defenses to worry about. McGuire is ok all-around back, but nothing special to me. I wasn't in favor of signing Bell at first, but it's growing on me.
WR - 2d group that needs a big upgrade - Anderson showed some flashes but just cant be counted on as he showed with the game on the line last week....problem is there are no real #1 WRs in FA....best shot is a team looking to get out of a big contract and dealing a solid one for a draft pick ala Braylon Edwards, Brandon Marshall....Tate is not worth big money and his age is a problem...
That was a pretty tough catch to make. I don't blame Anderson for not being Hopkins. Anderson is a good second receiver IF he can stay out of trouble which is no given. Enunwa can't stay healthy, but he's a very good slot receiver. We are missing a true WR1.
TE - I really like Herndon and think he will break the TE jinx - he has the tools - imagine him with a real offensive coach who could take advantage of his talents....Leggett is a decent backup - time to move on from Tomlinson.
Agreed, I love Herndon. I'm not sold on Leggett. He seems limited.
DL - remember the days of Sheldon, Mo and Leo....well only Leo remains and he has not distinguished himself worthy of a big deal....id do a mid level extension with him as he has shown enough skill where id like to see him with a real pass rusher...but dont break the bank by any means....I know it will be tempting to draft a pass rusher in the draft but there are good ones that will be available in FA where LT will not. I dont think all the stud rushers get signed or franchised again....one or 2 will be out there and cost a ton....we know they recognize the need as they were in on Mack (bet the raiders wish they traded with the jets for a top 5 pick vs the Chicago late 1st rders) - so be prepared for a monster contract to finally get that pass rush...the rest can hold the fort
Signing Leo is going to be a problem. He has been underwhelming for the kind of money that he will want. What will we do? Anderson was a great addition. We'll have to add a pass rusher somewhere I guess as an OLB.
LB - Lee suspension may explain his resurgance - he has one more yr to show it wasnt a fluke....Williamson was a great signing - I think this is a position which is ok for 1 more yr - especially if they add a pass rusher
Williamson has been pretty good. Lee needs PEDs for his brain. I don't think he has good instincts. He guesses a lot out there and makes great plays when he guesses correctly and looks lost otherwise. The OLBs have had their moments as situational players, but are a liability full-time.
CB - Trumaine has had a roller coaster yr but at least rebounded from looking like a bust...hopefuly new coaching can get him back....Mo is done so theyll be in the market for another CB...hope they dont go for one with the 1st pick....should be able to pick up a decent #2 CB in FA
Trumaine had a reputation for being a flawed shutdown CB. I think he has lived up to his reputation: great at times, not at other times. I think Mo will move on.
S - Adams is a monster and a well deserved pro bowler - looking fwd to having a QB for O and Def for the next decade...Maye is officially on the clock with injury prone label....he needs to shake that next year or he could be another 2d rd bust
Adams was inconsistent in his rookie season, but has been a beast. Maye plays well when he plays. Hopefully he's healthier next season.
ST - lock up Myers and Roberts - best ST they had in yrs
These guys should be locked up sooner than later.
Coaching - Bowles has to be gone right after the game or the next day....please dont drag it out....picking are slimmer than i was hoping...cant take a chance on a defensive coordinator....and im down on the offensive coordinators.....id like a coach with HC experience preferably with offense..I dont think either Harbaugh will be available...but will take either one...John would need a better OC/plan to develop Sam but id trust him.....Arians seems to be cleveland or bust - plus i dont think hed take his buddy Bowles' job....If Tomlin is fired somehow I'd pounce on him....i keep coming back to McCarthy....Im not thrilled with his last few yrs - he is stubborn and old school but he does check a lot of boxes....people were down on Andy Reid and I see this as maybe a similar situation where a change of scenery would be good for him....other options are just not great.
GM - I think MAc should go.....besides Sam and Adams (both of whom were obvious selections) he has drafted poorly and made lousy signings aside from 1 or 2....he made some decent deals with the trade up for Sam, Marshall/Fitz trades, and Williamson but there were some awful ones as well - Revis, Mo, Trumaine....plus he drafted a guy in the high 2d rd who isnt in football after 2 yrs in the league....thats bad....do I trust him with $100M and a top 5 pick...no....problem is whats plan B? I dont think the other candidates are worthy of dual roles....so unless one of the premiere coaches comes with a good GM exec then he probably stays - Id rather have Mac then a friggin search firm or other people not connected with the team making choices....but if he does this both report to the owners crap has to stop....
Should be an attractice spot for a HC/GM so lets see how it shakes out - would hate to lose draft pick space but Im only in on tanking for a QB so if winning these 2 meaningless games helps Sam develop and costs them some slots so be it....a recipe like last week would be good...play great and lose at least minute - unless they can knock the Pats out...that would be sweet!
Dumb and Dumber must go. Hopefully we get an offensive coach with some experience. Easier said than done.
