Smonroe

Let's keep in mind that there's no real blocking, not tackling, no hitting. Right now they're just learning the plays. Let's not get too excited.

That's Dulin, MAC and Ebukam for those who can't see the thumbnails.

I saw a video on YouTube where they were laughing because he looked like a "small person" (my words, they used the derogatory) behind the line. I think he was the most talented QB coming out, but you just can't ignore his size. I know the rules are set up to protect the QB but eventually he's going to have a couple 300lb guys fall on him. I wish him luck, I loved watching him at Bama.

Didn't you think Will Levis have some Uncle Rico in him?

Thanks @stitches and @Restinpeacesweetchloe for the updates!

It’s going to be tricky. Unless they’re going to commit to starting AR, then both he and GM will be splitting 1st and 2nd team reps. Ehlinger will be doing a lot of watching.

That’s good advice for 99% of the population.

“Okay, everyone goes out for a pass. On every play.”

One. Coming up from Florida to meet with my buddies. A Ravens, Bears, and Browns fan each. Going to the Browns game. I love to point at my buddy in his Ravens jersey and tell the Browns fans he stole their SBs.

TBH, I don’t know why more teams don’t redesign every few years. Merchandise is a big money maker for them.

Good. We don’t want him to be a run first guy. But we want the D’s to fear his threat. Kind of like Mahomes. Run first QBs don’t last. We need 10-15 years from him.

I hope Shane doesn’t run AR5 too much. I don’t care how big you are, those hits mount up. Cam was a big dude. Andrew too.

Wasnt he rookie of the year?

We probably would have had to pay part of his contract. Let’s hope he bounces back. The line play will be different with AR5.

Last year I kept reading how Curtis Brooks was the heart of the Cincinnati defense in college. His coaches raved about him. I expected him to at least make the team and maybe even breakout as a backup. I’m reserving judgment on all rookies until I see them actually play. (Except for AR5 of course. I’m expecting an all pro season. Will I never learn?)

You do know what “literally” means, right? (okay, the Grammar Police will go back to the station now)

It's very possible. The Jags are obviously the favorites, but are they really that much better than us and the other teams in the division? Matt Ryan torched them in our win...Matt Ryan! I'd say we're at least as good as the other two teams. With mostly the same opponents, I think our chances are decent assuming AR5 plays like we expect. Not like a superstar, but a just as a guy who makes the defenses worry about the RPO, which opens up the receivers and gives JT that extra half second. I understand that the D is going to be raw, but it's not much worse than the Titans or Texans. Middle of the pack last year. Like you said, maybe 8 or 9 wins takes the division. Who knows...

Of course, every opinion is subjective, and way too early, as he said in the article. Not that it really matters, but the consensus opinion on the Titans is that they’re in a rebuild mode. Most of the respected analysts have said that. Doesn’t mean that they still won’t beat us, I get that. You’re spot on about potential vs actual performance. And I may be overly optimistic. But I think AR5 is going to come along faster than most expected. The Oline (and the entire running game) will benefit from his mobility, and the X and Z receivers will have a lot more single coverage. I also expect the D backfield to take some lumps early, and I don’t have a lot of faith in the front four getting to the QB. All that being said, I would not be surprised with anywhere from 5 to 11 wins.

I think everyone will agree that the biggest complaint about Ballard is his failure to replace Luck with a franchise QB. (I know he’s missed on a few draft picks, but I bet he’s better than a great majority of GMs as far as successful picks). Luck retires after the draft - he has no choice but to go with JB. Next year, the team is ready to win now, he goes with a proven veteran. And it almost worked. Next year he goes with Frank’s guy, a young QB- and it worked…until the day after Christmas. Next year he gets another proven vet. And it’s a disaster. But what could he have done? No first round draft pick, not much else out there. All chips are in this year. If AR is a bust, then I think he is on the very warm seat. Winning is the bottom line. I think AR5 is the future and Ballard is here as long as he wants to be.

It is loaded, which means everyone is beating up on each other. The other three divisions all have pretty evenly matched teams. The Jags are the best in our, but neither the Texans nor Titans are going to be very good. A 9-8 record could get a wildcard spot. I’m not expecting it, but I won’t be shocked if it happens. All depends on how fast AR5 gets up to speed.

I think they’d trade it for a bunch. Very rare that a WR goes #1 over all. Keyshawn?

They never play more than two games away. And the Pats "away" game is away for both teams. I don't think we should complain about the schedule. Maybe the prime time games, but that's a self inflicted wound.

As they say - that's why they play the games. Remember, you don't have to win the division to get into the playoffs. Sure, it's a stretch (and I can hear Jim Mora now) but they said the same thing in 2012. Here's my usual disclaimer - I'm not comparing AR to AL. No way, shape, or form.

Thanks. Well deserved for Zach. I follow him on Twitter, but TBH I hardly ever look at it. He is one of the best in his coverage of the Colts.

My grammar is bad when I said they're a "solid, if not great" team. To me that meant, they're not great, but they're at least solid. But I get how it would be interpreted as they're at least solid and maybe great. In no way do I think it's a great team. Too many "If's". Besides AR, the defensive backfield is mostly unproven, we don't know if Kelly and Smith will revert back to their previous play. RG speaks for itself. I still think it's going to be a fun year watching the young guys develop. And, as I said before, I won't be surprised if we're competing for the division or a playoff spot.