Anything on Burkhead? If its an ACL that would pretty much take him out for next year too, no?
Welker tore his ACL in week 17 and played the next season. So, no.Anything on Burkhead? If its an ACL that would pretty much take him out for next year too, no?
In theory, no, but there aren’t many spots in the NFL for 31 year-old RBs coming off ACL surgeries. Sadly, this may be it for Rex. He’s an expiring contract and the Patriots will almost surely move on there. Maybe someone else gives him a look but most will have already filled their spots via draft/FA before he gets healthy.Welker tore his ACL in week 17 and played the next season. So, no.
So vague. Is a Richard Seymour or a Mayo a playmaker? I think yes but most people don’t mean a player like that when they say playmakerHoles all over the roster, outside of OL (but Thuney’s leaving) and secondary (minus Gilmore), take a QB if you love him, but otherwise BEST PLAYMAKING ANYBODY in the first round.
I do. Didn’t intend to be vague. I mean impact player. Those two, particularly the former, would do just fine.So vague. Is a Richard Seymour or a Mayo a playmaker? I think yes but most people don’t mean a player like that when they say playmaker
FewerWho knows but less than 1,300 followers says those tweets may not hold up.
The comp I've seen the most is AJ McCarron, but I don't know enough to judge whether or not that's just kind of lazy. I mean, it's clearly not the same type of Alabama offense as the game manager era of QBs there. He's extremely accurate and it's not like Jones is only making the easy throws. But he IS throwing to Waddle/Smith which makes things way easier.Posted in another thread, but hoping more eyes may see it here: What's the view here of Mac Jones? Putting up awesome numbers (again) for a great team in the best conference in America. Absolutely destroyed two top-25 opponents. He seems to have great mechanics, great field vision. Yes his receivers are better than the CBs defending him, so maybe it's easier for him than for guys at other schools. But he seems to have all the tools. And he doesn't seem to be a top guy whenever people rank the best QBs in this class. So he probably could be had for NE in the first - or maybe second even - round.
Thoughts on Mac Jones?
PFF is hardly perfect, but Harris grades out very well across all of the PFF categories. He's #2 overall as a runner (slightly behind Henry, and a touch ahead of Cook) and #4 in pass protection while grading out above average as a receiver. It's not pass blocking pushing him past bigger names in the PFF rankings - it's similar quality running combined with stronger work as a receiver and pass blocker.This is yet another piece of “analysis“ from PFF that does nothing more than completely call into question the validity of their methods. I love Damien Harris, but that is absolutely nuts, as is of course giving pass pro anything remotely like equal footing with other aspects of the running game. Pass protection is important, yes, and underrated, for sure. But holy Jesus, if it’s helping push Damien Harris past guys like Derrick Henry and Dalvin Cook, the point it’s making isn’t that he’s “elite,” it’s that your fucking ratings suck.
He's not quite at that Cook/Henry level...yet. But he's close. In terms of metrics like broken tackle %, yards after contact and positive run %, he's just a notch below those guys. The main difference is workload at this point - Plus, the Pats are a woeful passing offense that faces more loaded boxes than almost any other team in the league and Harris is still wildly productive.This is yet another piece of “analysis“ from PFF that does nothing more than completely call into question the validity of their methods. I love Damien Harris, but that is absolutely nuts, as is of course giving pass pro anything remotely like equal footing with other aspects of the running game. Pass protection is important, yes, and underrated, for sure. But holy Jesus, if it’s helping push Damien Harris past guys like Derrick Henry and Dalvin Cook, the point it’s making isn’t that he’s “elite,” it’s that your fucking ratings suck.
I was starting to write a post about exactly this... it's certainly debatable whether he would maintain his production handling the workload of a guy like Henry or Cook, but in terms of his actual per snap performance he's been exceptionally productive. And this is despite facing an 8 man box on 45% of snaps which is far and away #1 in the league (#2 is 36%, Cook and Henry are both <30%). And, to SMU's point, pass protection is really important - it doesn't show up in traditional stats, but a blown blocking assignment is often the difference between converting on 3rd down or punting and hugely increases the odds of negative plays (sacks/turnovers).He's not quite at that Cook/Henry level...yet. But he's close. In terms of metrics like broken tackle %, yards after contact and positive run %, he's just a notch below those guys. The main difference is workload at this point - Plus, the Pats are a woeful passing offense that faces more loaded boxes than almost any other team in the league and Harris is still wildly productive.
Yep.I was starting to write a post about exactly this... it's certainly debatable whether he would maintain his production handling the workload of a guy like Henry or Cook, but in terms of his actual per snap performance he's been exceptionally productive. And this is despite facing an 8 man box on 45% of snaps which is far and away #1 in the league (#2 is 36%, Cook and Henry are both <30%). And, to SMU's point, pass protection is really important - it doesn't show up in traditional stats, but a blown blocking assignment is often the difference between converting on 3rd down or punting and hugely increases the odds of negative plays (sacks/turnovers).
Also, keep in mind, PFF grades are a measure of how a player has performed, not a ranking of who is the best player or a prediction about future performance. DJ LeMahieu put up 2.9 WAR to Mike Trout's 1.6 last season - nobody would say WAR argues that he's a better player than Mike Trout, just that he was more productive over those games.
This was my NB from the Arizona gameball thread - I think we are at a point where we need to ask ourselves if BB found another quality DB. Bryant is getting more time and it seems like he flashes and does something well every time I replay the games.Hey guys just a note today that I saw live but Bryant is getting looks at safety. He was doing some split zone work. That’s an interesting development. I like Bryant. I think he’s an NFL caliber player or at least a quality backup. Bryant also crashed down hard against the run.
Jennings had a good game too from what I saw and that penalty was questionable. Again really loved the contributions from the young guys. That gives me a ton of hope going forward.
Bryant was my training camp binkie - seems to have a hint of Butler (M) around him.This was my NB from the Arizona gameball thread - I think we are at a point where we need to ask ourselves if BB found another quality DB. Bryant is getting more time and it seems like he flashes and does something well every time I replay the games.
No but he came close with a 98 yard game against San Francisco.So, who had the 100 yard game, Mitchell?
I freaking love the UDFA success stories.Bryant was my training camp binkie - seems to have a hint of Butler (M) around him.
Truly amazing what BB does with the secondary. Can find and/or turn ordinary into extraordinary. Not quite as good, but similar on the DL. Too bad doesn’t translate to WR.I freaking love the UDFA success stories.
Per Howe.
Agreed. I see no point in signing a 30 y/o corner to a big money extension when the Pats will be rebuilding for at least a couple of years.Gilmore is 30 and about the only player that might have more value to a team closer to title contention than the Pats. I would shop him for picks.
I don’t think Jackson is going to be let go unless they give him a 1st round tender and someone bites. At 25 and still improving, he’s exactly the type of guy you pay. More than likely, Gilmore is dealt for like a 2nd or 3rd. Honestly surprised he wasn’t dealt this year.If you let Gilmore and Jackson both walk, you're guaranteeing that there's no fixing this team for the next few years. That opens up a major hole that will likely require more than just the two picks you get back to fill.
Jackson doesn't look like a great CB1, but unless you're planning to spend 2021 totally bottoming out and starting over, you need to choose one of the two and keep him.
(I'm not suggesting bottoming out isn't an option...after the last few weeks I wonder if it's the only option)
Yep. I mean, if they have to play less man and more zone against certain receivers - like Diggs - because Jackson struggles, you can work around that. Jackson will never be peak Gilmore, but BB can certainly put him in a position to succeed.I don’t think Jackson is going to be let go unless they give him a 1st round tender and someone bites. At 25 and still improving, he’s exactly the type of guy you pay. More than likely, Gilmore is dealt for like a 2nd or 3rd. Honestly surprised he wasn’t dealt this year.
Ballhawk, yes. Size and speed, not really. He's sub-5'10" and ran in the mid-4.4s, which is good, but not fast enough to keep up with a guy like Diggs. You can put Gilmore on almost literally any WR and he'll be fine. Jackson just doesn't have the physical tools do that. I think he looks a lot better paired with a true #1.I don't know why people say Jackson can't be a true #1 corner. He may not be *right now*, but he's got the size, speed, and he's an absolute ball hawk.
I'd love to know what their vision is for the DL because, to me, it seems like such a huge problem. I know sacks don't mean everything but having 3.5 from Winovich lead the team is just...awful. Feel like they need a big ticket signing for this unit.Ballhawk, yes. Size and speed, not really. He's sub-5'10" and ran in the mid-4.4s, which is good, but not fast enough to keep up with a guy like Diggs. You can put Gilmore on almost literally any WR and he'll be fine. Jackson just doesn't have the physical tools do that. I think he looks a lot better paired with a true #1.
If you lose Gilmore, I think you need to either sign a big-ticket CB to replace him (Marshon Lattimore?) or use a high pick on a lockdown CB type. Or the secondary can go from strength to weakness pretty darn fast.
My problem with this offseason is this team has two areas of the strength (OL and secondary) and both need investment to keep them where they are. Plus you've got three areas of desperate need (QB, skill, front 7). They've got a lot of cap space but it's only going to go so far given all the holes.
The front seven is just a complete mess for next season. Guy, Butler, Wise, Simon, Copeland, Calhoun are all FAs. Hightower is coming back in theory.I'd love to know what their vision is for the DL because, to me, it seems like such a huge problem. I know sacks don't mean everything but having 3.5 from Winovich lead the team is just...awful. Feel like they need a big ticket signing for this unit.
The front 7 has been the biggest disappointment, IMO. Their young players (Winovich, Bentley) regressed badly this season after promising starts, while the rest of the squad just seemed to fall apart. D played well against Miami in the opener, got bit by Russell Wilson, but recovered against the Raiders and held their own against a powerful Chiefs team in a game in which the Pats got nothing from their backup QB's. After that, there were few highlights or any signs of improvement from the unit. I would be OK if they cleaned house and tried to start over on the front 7, although they may try to keep one of their pending FA's for continuity purposes.The front seven is just a complete mess for next season. Guy, Butler, Wise, Simon, Copeland, Calhoun are all FAs. Hightower is coming back in theory.
My guess for the offseason is they spend picks / $$ to keep the secondary and OL strong, really invest to shore up the front seven, and try to just enough to get by at skill / QB. De-emphasize the passing game again and try to win with D and running the ball.
Richard Sherman ran a 4.54 and is one of the all time greatest cover corners. Jackson is fast enough and is big enough. He has trouble with Diggs, but EVERYONE has trouble with Diggs. He gets open on everyone.Ballhawk, yes. Size and speed, not really. He's sub-5'10" and ran in the mid-4.4s, which is good, but not fast enough to keep up with a guy like Diggs. You can put Gilmore on almost literally any WR and he'll be fine. Jackson just doesn't have the physical tools do that. I think he looks a lot better paired with a true #1.
If you lose Gilmore, I think you need to either sign a big-ticket CB to replace him (Marshon Lattimore?) or use a high pick on a lockdown CB type. Or the secondary can go from strength to weakness pretty darn fast.
My problem with this offseason is this team has two areas of the strength (OL and secondary) and both need investment to keep them where they are. Plus you've got three areas of desperate need (QB, skill, front 7). They've got a lot of cap space but it's only going to go so far given all the holes.
Will it? I look at the last few years, and we've had one of the better CB corps in football with:If you let Gilmore and Jackson both walk, you're guaranteeing that there's no fixing this team for the next few years. That opens up a major hole that will likely require more than just the two picks you get back to fill.
Jackson doesn't look like a great CB1, but unless you're planning to spend 2021 totally bottoming out and starting over, you need to choose one of the two and keep him.
(I'm not suggesting bottoming out isn't an option...after the last few weeks I wonder if it's the only option)