ColtStrong2013

and as Ballard also said- they need to be better about getting him opportunities to do what he does best which is stretch the field. We don’t know what we have with Pierce yet, imo. Maybe we never do, but we certainly don’t know what he can do without a qb that can find him wide open downfield and deliver the ball to him.

“We’ll be prudent. We won’t be reckless… but if there is a player who fits our team and what we are looking for, go and get him.” I like Ebukam a lot. I think he was a great pick up. If we can land a free safety that is a big upgrade in free agency, I will be very happy going into the draft. I don’t think that’s all we’ll get, but that’s the most pressing need, and Ballard basically alluded to that today.

With that, it doesn't necessarily mean that's who they need. They might have somebody in mind in Free Agency to add to the room. I don't think they'll keep Mo Alie-Cox, and they sure as hell aren't going to bank on Woods, who has had "chronic hamstring issues" according to Ballard today. I think they definitely add somebody that Steichen likes to the tight end room. Maybe it means they like the receiving group at the top, and the tight end group behind Bowers so well that they are confident they are going to get one of each this draft. He was pretty confident in their draft preparation, which is interesting as there are still so many tools left to analyze (senior bowl, combine, prodays, etc.) By the sounds of it, going into those events, they have a pretty good grasp of their plan and who they are targeting. We know that to be the case with AR last year.

I added to that post, so you should check it out.

https://www.si.com/nfl/eagles/opinion/the-domino-effect-of-losing-dallas-goedert-should-shift-work-to-wrs Great article on losing Goedert that season. "With a healthy Dallas Goedert, one of the most talented tight ends in football, the Philadelphia offense was in 11 personnel (1RB, 1TE, 3WR) nearly 70% of the time." I've stated on this forum many times this season I feel a tight end like Bowers would go further from day 1 than bringing another receiver in and bumping pierce down. I don't feel Pierce has gotten a great shake at his potential. Having an AR- JT, Pitt, Pierce, Downs and Bowers 11 personnel would be the closest I think we can do to giving Steichen similar tools he had in Philly.

... Because maybe there is a reason for them being limited to just blocking. Steichen didn't avoid tight ends in Philly like he did this year... With an rpo based offense, you use your weapons accordingly. We don't have great weapons at tight end. Philly 2022 receiving stats: AJ Brown 145 tgts, 88 ctch, 1496 yards 11 tds Devonte Smith 136 tgts, 95 ctch, 1196 yds, 7 tds Dallas Goedert (12 games) 69 tgts, 55 ctch, 702 yds, 3 tds Goedert averaged out to a full season is nearly 80 catches and 1000 yards. That's quite a bit of usage in that offense. Wasn't the same targeting tight ends when he wasn't out there.

Current projections I have seen have Bowers top 10. Sanders from Texas as mid 2nd (maybe right in our area) and guys like Cade Stewart (Ohio State) and Dallin Holker (NDS) in the 4th

I agree with your assessment... I'm not sure on Pierce because he kind of gave conflicting statements. On one hand he made a clear distinction between explosive players being on offense, and wanting to add players on defense that "limit the explosiveness on offense." He's not referring to replacing JT on offense, I know that, so i don't think he's referring to the runninback position... So he's either referring to receiver or tightend. I think we all think he's likely referring to receiver, but maybe that's his way of hiding that they really like a Brock Bowers and that's who they are targeting. On the other hand, he also said that Pierce is, by definition, an explosive player as his strength is downfield/stretching the field. He specifically said they need to be better about giving him opportunities, and we can all agree that there were plenty of missed opportunities for Pierce, and not due to anything he did... So I'm conflicted on if they think Pierce isn't good enough. I think another year probably should dictate that. Pierce could have one hell of an offseason and be legit next year with AR throwing to him. I also don't say that to imply we shouldn't add explosive players to the receiving core, because that should be a priority. Adding a stud at receiver doesn't necessarily bumped Pierce down because of the thought I just shared.

It doesn't make a difference to me if I have to clarify any comments. Most people on here generally just quote the spot they are confused about and ask for clarification.

it would take days to go through the posts on this forum you leave that reaction to.

@NewColtsFan new year, same confused reactions to postings… 🤡

10 plus. That team was running the ball down teams throats and creating opportunities for more of it on the defensive side of the ball. I really thought that if they could make the playoffs, they could cause chaos, even with Wentz at qb. I couldn't believe the meltdown those last two weeks. I hope to see a healthy JT roll into 2024. A lot to look forward to, but that man needs this franchise to ride him to a hall of fame worthy career. He's had a great start, but now that he's got the contract under wraps, it's time to step it up to that caliber of play. Sounds like Ballard's fully expecting that.

The thing that struck me the most was him talking about the 2021 team. How good they were and sitting well at 9-6 but got disconnected, and basically said it was because of certain players. I don't think it was certain player(s). I think it was Carson Wentz and the strange relationship between he and Frank that caused the disconnect. Looking back at that roster, it really was a pretty strong team, aside from the qb situation.

thanks. I mean. He used that language so frequently throughout the presser that I thought it was just assumed at the point.

more than. he just us what he intends to do. Retain our key players in Pitt, Moore, Grover and Blackmon. Address FS position. More flexibility in free agency. And adding explosive players in the draft.

“Gotta have something to answer at the combine. Yall ask em all here.” Q: “you seem to be in a good mood.” “you should have seen me here Monday…. I hate losing, but I’m confident and encouraged by where we are going.” Q: “… I didn’t mean it like that.” “you just struck a nerve… like being at the dentist.”

was it?

eh not sure on that… good luck

On the runningback market ”the market is what it is… if you need gas in your car and it’s 4 bucks a gallon, you are going to pay 4 bucks a gallon.”

Big year for Jelani. Has to stay healthy. Never had a chance to show who he was. chronic issues with his hamstring.

“I thought Julian Blackmon played really good football this year. Thought he played excellent. Moving Harrison there, fortunate to have him- thought he played pretty good football. Need more consistency at free agency position.” Gonna get a vet FS. Book it.

Discussing Shaq decision. ”yeah that sucked. I love him, he knows it. He was on HOF track. Probably not in a 4 year span a better playmaker. When he wasn’t quite able to make it back to what he was, just felt it was time. Ej speed was scratching at the door. It wasn’t fair to “Darius” to make him a backup.”

“That game didn’t come down to that one play. Everyone will point to it.” “Shane is going to depend on players to make plays. No one was complaining about Goodson in the Pitt game.”

“Grover is a guy we’d like to have back.” answer is far better than the question