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Post by cardinalsdo on Dec 6, 2024 20:44:03 GMT -7
OL
Without a strong OL and particularly interior OL (both guards and center position) you can't run the ball inside consistently. Running inside effectively allows an offense to control or burn clock, wear out the opponent's defensive line, keep our defense fress and off the field and create opportunities in the passing game. You can only do this by having a great offensive line but notably the interior of the OL has to improve. Teams typically focus on getting the best tackles they can because offensive tackles impact the passing game more than the running game. But you need both. We still have a very weak interior OL. This has been a weakness of ours for at least 5-7 years.
Starts with the OL
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Post by Dry Heat on Dec 7, 2024 0:45:56 GMT -7
I left my overall thoughts on the state of the rebuild earlier, but there are certainly areas we can realistically improve from 2024 to 2025.
Offense: interior Oline, an upgrade on Dortch as WR3 as a slot receiver, and from everything we have seen of Tune, a better backup QB. But we haven’t seen as much of Tune as the coaches have.
Defense: interior Dline most of all, ILB depth, and OLB starter or depth depending on the recovery and improvement of Ojulari.
To be honest, upgrades for DT Naquan Jones, DE LJ Collier, and DT Roy Lopez would in my mind do more for the defense than changing out any other position on defense. These guys just can’t stop the run or create much pressure. Hopefully DRob can replace Collier and push him to backup along with then expensive backup FA failure Justin Jones. We need a true stud NT type run stuffing space eating DT along with DRob and another stud right in every QB and RB’s face. Everything else flows from there. Stop the run, create pressure inside, and collapse the pocket and the OLBs will have more success getting sacks, the QB throws will be more rushed leading to incompletes and INTs, and the WLB, MLB and Baker will be freed up to play havoc in coverages and after the QB. The young CBs look strong and improving. Safety will depend a lot on what happens with Budda and I think we extend him a few years similar to Conner. If he wants to test the market, we need to find a replacement.
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Post by aris on Dec 7, 2024 9:16:49 GMT -7
If you had to pick…what would it be? 1) QB 2) RB 3) WRs 4) TEs 5) OL 6) Kicker 7) Punter 8) Special Teams 9) DL 11) ILBS 12) OLBS 13) CBs 14) Safeties 15) Head Coach 16) OC 17) DC We are 6-6…but I feel our record should be better! When I look at the above listed categories I feel a case can be made that each one has performed a little better this year than last year and some perhaps better than expected. But…perhaps a few have not performed as well as we expected…or as good as we need. When you’re 500…the fact is we need more from everybody…coaches included. It’s easy to lay the blame on the QB. They get too much credit when we win and too much blame when we lose. But JG has changed the culture into a team that can compete and play with most teams in the NFL. But we need more. To be in the playoff hunt in December is what we have wanted for a very long time. To me…if we fall short…no pun intended…the reason will be obvious when evaluating the above categories fairly and objectively…because the tape from these next (5) games and who gives more under the pressure of them will be obvious….as well as what holds us back if we don’t make it. 1) QB 9) DL - Edge 13) CBs (16) OC 1. QB. I am not sold on QB Murray. You guys know my view on this matter. He is an amazing entertainer. He has physical features that cannot be changed. The man's ability to lead a team and manufacture wins are my biggest gripes with him. Murray is the main reason the team is 6-6 today.2. DL - Edge. Ossenfort must draft an Edge or sign a FA Edge. After QB, this position matters the most to me. The team has LB Gardeck (IR--torn ACL) as the last guy who played Edge. Wow. I know we have some injured D guys coming back from IR in 2025 who can play Edge. But none are true Edge players like a Nick Bosa and Chandler Jones. 3. CBs. The team is close to having a decent backfield. What is lacking is a 'shutdown corner.' These corner guys are coveted by all NFL teams. So, Ossenfort must draft one or two in 2025. A 'shutdown CB' is on my Christmas wish list. 4. OC. I love Petzing as a playbook guru. He needs a better offense. That begins with the QB. He also needs a #1 WR who is runs hard and is not afraid of contact. I think the team has that WR on the team now. I am not sure that WR is Harrison. It might be Wilson. Anyway, about retaining the current OC, I am in favor of retaining him in 2025. Get the man some help with covering up his mouth while calling plays and get the man help at QB and WR. Those are my three big asks at OC. I can't disagree with this. Murray is slightly above average and that's it. What really hurts is he's below average in crunch time. That's the time franchise QB's take the bull by the horn and win the game for you. He looks to nervous in those situations, and in year 6 will that get any better? |
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Post by devongent on Dec 7, 2024 10:03:48 GMT -7
We need a true stud NT type run stuffing space eating DT That is my number option choice at the moment, followed by Without a strong OL and particularly interior OL (both guards and center position) you can't run the ball inside consistently. Still monitoring the Tackle situation (as well as inside) but one way another, an O-Line player on Day 2 I don't believe that we need a shutdown corner. Let me explain... I believe there will be good options available on Day 2 (Round 2 or 3, depending on the player). an upgrade on Dortch as WR3 as a slot receiver, I've come round to thinking this would be of great benefit; a multifunctional, tough receiver who can do it all. It would make life easier for Kyler Murray by opening up options where he can just dink off the ball (Running Back style). This would cause Defenses additional problems (to what facing now) and in turn benefit Harrison, Wilson, McBride and Higgins. So, my four top choices and thereafter a Quarterback and probably ILB. - An extra draft pick would be nice, any chance we get a Complementary one this time around...? |
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Post by cardinalsdo on Dec 8, 2024 15:02:36 GMT -7
You can see it's the same problem that that affected this franchise for years. We can't run inside and we can't stop the run. And it's not a secret why. We lack talent on the interior of the offensive AND defensive line. On defense, we need big defensive tackles. I would draft either Kenneth Walker DT (Michigan) or Tyleik Williams (Ohio St.) Notice, these aren't small school specials. They are proven guys who faced the best competition and succeeded. The Steve Keim mentality hurt this team for years by trying to get home runns (hit or miss) guys and going for small school guys that were risky bets. Instead, be like the Steelers, get proven guys.
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Post by belac44 on Dec 8, 2024 18:13:48 GMT -7
You can see it's the same problem that that affected this franchise for years. We can't run inside and we can't stop the run. And it's not a secret why. We lack talent on the interior of the offensive AND defensive line. On defense, we need big defensive tackles. I would draft either Kenneth Walker DT (Michigan) or Tyleik Williams (Ohio St.) Notice, these aren't small school specials. They are proven guys who faced the best competition and succeeded. The Steve Keim mentality hurt this team for years by trying to get home runns (hit or miss) guys and going for small school guys that were risky bets. Instead, be like the Steelers, get proven guys. Walker would be nice and should be appropriate for where we end up picking. |
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Post by devongent on Dec 9, 2024 2:46:48 GMT -7
We can't run inside and we can't stop the run. And it's not a secret why. We lack talent on the interior of the offensive AND defensive line. On defense, we need big defensive tackles. I would draft either Kenneth Walker DT (Michigan) or Tyleik Williams (Ohio St.) Not wishing to appear picky, but do you mean Kenneth Grant, who weighs in at 339 lbs. - If so, I'm on that train. |
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