smittywerb

It was a while back, but there was a post that showed that Ballard is one of the best drafting GMs in the league. Think he was top 5. So “think” all you want but the numbers says otherwise. But let’s just say he does draft like any other GM. Relevant to this post, list me the GMs since he’s been ours that have DRAFTED top 10 LTs past the second round. yeah, the hate is real. It’s fine to criticize someone when it’s needed, but to refuse to give someone their props when it’s time to is the definition of hating.

Ehh I get what you’re saying but all of that crumbles when we play a defense that can apply pressure and get to the QB. We need someone who’s dynamic that can run a lot of routes on the outside to counter the pressure and blitzes. A streak will take too long for Pierce to get open when AR is being pressured. Pierce is physically gifted, but he’s not dynamic, at least I haven’t seen it. Pierce with an elite route tree would be almost Moss-like, but he doesn’t have it. We honestly should look like the bengals offense. They have their dynamic outside receiver with chase and their intermediate to short outside receiver with Higgins. We have our Higgins (which I don’t know why some on here want him so bad). We don’t have our chase.

Bingo. Not only explosive, but has a good route tree. We don’t need another Pierce. Think he’s going to improve with AR but the streaks will get old quickly once defenses catch on. We need an at least 6’0” WR that can get open at all levels quickly. Downs could be that but he doesn’t have the body or measureables to go up and get it. But that’s ok, we don’t need him to. Regarding the tight ends, I wouldn’t signing a dependable vet. Doesn’t have to be a Kelce level type, but someone who can start just in case woods doesn’t play again.

Dude, you can give Ballard criticism and props when deserved and he deserves his props here. In what world does selecting a top 10 FRANCHISE LT in the 3rd round is not a steal? Maybe he fell because Ballard knew he would. On the flip side, he selected Leonard in the second and all the talking heads said it was a horrible pick. His injury derailed his career, not his talents. So it looks like Ballard somewhat knows who to let fall and who he should go and get. The hate is real.

Simple, they have a quarterback that can get them there. Just look at our quarterbacks since luck: - Brisett, solid but he’s in the same boat as Minshew. Can help you compete but not going to make the throws to get you to the playoffs - Rivers, he did it but was old so that wasn’t going to last a long time - Wentz, whatever magic he had in Philly he’s lost it. Uncoachable, erratic. Can make the throws but for some reason can’t get it done. - Ryan, over the hill. Had the mentality and IQ but didn’t have the arm or the body to do it. - Richardson, showed promise but couldn’t stay healthy. its no secret that the QB is the end all be all for the NFL and if you don’t have one it’s going to be very hard to compete. It’s also important to support said QB with weapons and protection so that they can perform at their best. Dont worry, we’re almost there. We’re ahead of schedule. Heck, this year we’re in prime position to make that jump with money and a solid draft position.

Both offenses have been explosive! Don’t worry, we’ll be like them next year.

Yup, he’s the GOAT for a reason.

Keyshawn Johnson used to say on this espn morning radio show, but he’s absolutely right. Winning football consists of 3 things: - QB throws around 25 times, has 0 turnovers, and 2 TDs (run, throw, whatever combo) - running back gets 25-30 carries and a score - defense plays well And tbh, majority of the teams with that stat line are usually the winners. Dak threw 2 picks , threw 60 times, and they lost by 2 possessions.

If possible, If we stay pat at 15 I wouldn’t mind trading back into the first to grab him if it won’t cost us much. If we go WR and then get him that would give AR 2 young dynamic weapons to come back to in one draft.

My fear is that there will be a run on WRs in the first. What are the reasons that Thomas would be an end of 1st receiver? Is it because of team needs or talent? Because if he’s rated higher than where hes projected to go, then I’d still be ok with getting him at 15 to make sure we get him.

I’m honestly ok with trading up if it doesn’t cost us a future first.

How is chase young even worse when he has one of the lowest snaps to pressure rates listed above and his rate is literally half of the player he’d be replacing? Maybe he doesn’t have the stats to pop off at you but his impact is there. I do get what you’re saying, but at certain point you’re either going to do what you have to do to fill a need or sit back and lose time trying to draft or sign the right player. If not chase young, we’re going to be spending money on someone else. As Ballard mentioned in his presser, it’s all about if they even hit the market.

That was in reference to Pittman. He’s basically saying whatever it costs to retain him, he’s going to do it. Including using the franchise tag.

I felt that way. Ballard said along the lines of that Alex Pierce had a solid season but needs work. If you’re saying that about your WR2 going into his 3rd year, that isn’t a good endorsement. As others have said, Alec does need to improve. He’s a one trick pony and doesn’t have the speed to be elite at that (like DK metcalf).

Something Ballard said stuck out to me and possibly hinted at what we’re going to be looking for in FA and the draft. He actually repeated it a couple of times. ”We have to get more explosive on offense and limit the explosive plays on defense.” here’s what I think. The most explosive position on offense, WR. The position that limits the explosive plays on defense, FS. Regarding us getting a WR: - I think we’re going to look in the draft for one and it will probably be the first pick. Knowing we have to pay Pittman, I don’t think Ballard is going to want to pay 2 receivers +$20million/yr when he has other holes to fill so the chances of us getting a name WR through FA to me are slim. Probably another Isaiah McKenzie type signing. - I think this means we’re not getting Brock bowers. Bowers is good, but I wouldn’t attach the word “explosive” to him. He also likes Mallory and woods so we’ll probably roll with them next year. There are several prospects that will be available at 15 that we can grab that you can say are explosive. - Regarding his comments on Alec Pierce, he thinks he had a solid season but needs work (if I heard that correctly). Ballard is going to be looking for an instant upgrade. And depending on how said player performs may even replace Alec Regarding FS: - I don’t think we’re going to draft a CB. If we do, not early. Ballard made a remark on how young we are on defense, so I don’t think he’s going to look to get younger. He puts blame on himself for the defense being so young. So to me that means he’s looking for vets for defense. - Staying on the defense being young, Ballard said we need more consistency from the FS position. You don’t get consistency from a young player who needs experience and learn the position . You get consistency from a vet who already knows what to do. My prediction, we’re going to sign someone in free agency. Hopefully Xavier McKinney. - Ballard seems to like our corners. Had good remarks for all 3 of them (juju, jones, Moore). And we all know how much he loves Dallas flowers, who we’re getting back next year. Probably going to sure up the CBs with vets. of course, this is just me reading into what he said, but I think it’s very plausible and makes sense. Save money and fill a need on offense. Get some experience for a very young position group.

I know, hence why I emphasized scrambles when the space is there. If the space isn’t there, throw the ball away. But if the space is there, go get and step out of bounds. And don’t fight for the extra yard unless it’s needed in a pivotal moment. And if he has to scramble even more then that means he’s either not seeing the field or management failed in putting talent around him. to put it in perspective, Lamar had 148 this year. That’s about 9/game. AR had 25 (6/game) and out of the 4 games he played he finished 2 (counting the jax game since he could’ve finished it but was held out). So his avg rushes per game could’ve been much higher. All in all, what I’m saying if the defense is playing back and the space is then eat it up safely, don’t put him in situations where he’s getting contacted often. The designed runs and scrambles should be opportunistic.

Yeah, trading back is an absolute no for me. We have a great chance of having Brian Thomas and Franklin falling to us. And depending on how the draft goes, maybe even one of the top 3 WRs could fall. We f we trade back, and depending on how far, you can expect the top 5 to be gone.

As I said in the other thread, throw the bag at Chase Young. If not, I’m down for Allen. Would say Bryce huff but he’s probably gonna get the franchise tag. Thank you for this. Reassures what I’ve been thinking. We have the money and chance to go and get someone that can go get the qb. Hoping Ballard doesn’t “like our guys” and go grab one of the two I mentioned above. Hoping Paye gets replaced with one of them.

he had 25 rushing attempts in 4 games. That’s about 6 per game. Big difference from 2 to 3 a game. What I’m saying is the designed runs should be used to catch the defense off guard. Meaning once they’ve gotten a healthy dose of JT out of the shotgun, an option maybe once a quarter wouldn’t hurt. Combine that with broken play scrambles (when there’s space to do so) and I think that would GREATLY limit the amount of contact he gets.

agreed, I’m fine with him scrambling if the opportunity is there. Maybe two to three designed runs. Nothing more

pretty sure if you look at his pressures, hurries, and win rate it would. May be wrong because I don’t have pff but I remember when he was traded he was top 5 in pressures.

I’m crossing my fingers hoping we throw the bag at chase young. Then kwitty can go lol.

Pretty much what I was going to post. Whoever is the best receiver available with the second 1st round pick they will draft

Wow. GM was the problem, not Vrabel. Oh well. Titans going into full rebuild mode, Jax blowing it. Colts and Texans about to run the division

my bad, maybe it’s my wording but I was trying to insinuate that you hamper yourself by throwing cash at the situation when you could use a draft pick and use the cash somewhere else (and might be cheaper). Basically was trying to say why get one weapon when we could get multiple. if we were in win now mode, I’d agree with you about grabbing a vet wr. But this team is in rebuild mode which means longevity is one of the main objectives. And if we can save money by drafting a stud wr and using that extra money to get him another weapon or a cheaper stud at another position (ex. CB) then that would be ideal. Signing a stud vet WR is going to cost us over $18million a year, which after we resign our own may be a good chunk of our cap. of course, this all on the hopes that Ballard actually spends money or tries to on good talent in FA