MichaelWeston

On 2024? Probably. We will give Jake (I typed Jack first if that tells us anything) Browning a chance to see if he can get some wins, but only in some crazy world where Lamar Jackson, Pat Mahomes, Tua, and Josh Allen get hurt are we in any kind of mix. And while chaos is fun I wouldn’t want that to happen to any of them. So then what? We have two paths for a bit, One where we try to win every game we can and one where we try to set ourselves up for 2024. A 2024 where we could have a top-ten draft pick and a last-place schedule. Let's go position by position. First here is the current roster. Here is our current roster IR PS QB Burrow 25 Browning 25 2 McCarron RB Mixon 25 Williams 24 Evans 25 3 Brown 27 Plitt WR Chase 26 Iosivas 27 2 Felton WR Higgins 24 Irwin 24 2 Morgan 24 WR Boyd 24 Jones 27 2 Lassiter 25 TE Smith 24 Sample 24 Wilcox 24 Hudson 25 4 Pryor LT Brown 27 Carman 25 2 Cochran 25 Jackson 26 LG Volson 26 Ford 24 2 Gentry C Karras 25 Hill 25 2 Gilliam 25 RG Cappa 26 Scharping 24 2 Kirkland 26 RT Williams 24 Smith 25 2 K McPherson 25 1 P Robbins 27 1 LS Adomitis 24 1 LE Hubbard 26 Ossai 25 Murphy 27 3 Gunter 26 LT Hill 25 Tupou 24 Tufele 25 3 Davis 25 RT Reader 24 Carter 26 2 Maxwell 26 RE Hendrickson 26 Sample 25 2 WLB Pratt 26 Davis-Gaither 24 Bachie 24 3 Heyward 26 MLB Wilson 28 Bailey 24 Harper 26 3 Johnston SLB S Scott 26 Battle 27 2 Thomas 24 S Hill 27 1 Anderson 27 CB Awuzie 24 Turner 27 2 George 24 CB Taylor-Britt 26 Ivey 27 2 Jones 24 NB Hilton 25 Davis 25 2 53 Quarterback: Browning will have a chance to show he is the capable backup we want. Does that mean winning X number of games? I don’t think so. I think it all has to do with how well we look. If we lose games but he is throwing touchdowns and completing passes, I think we can be okay. My expectation is that he is good enough. He essentially beat out Brandon Allen and Trevor Simiean and a coaching staff full of quarterbacks likes him. This is the position that can be most obviously settled by year's end. Burrow is likely to go on IR this week and then we will elevate AJ McCarron. I would like for them to leave AJ there with the understanding that Browning is the starter unless he fails and then AJ will start if Browning is injured/is bad. I would like them to leverage that position by stealing Max Duggan off the practice squad of the Chargers and adding him to the active roster. Duggan’s game, to me, is perfect for a backup. Gutty leader with tons of success in college, who can run. Obvious limitations but that’s why he is a backup. That’s the prototype for success as a short-term backup. FWIW, Browning had the most starts in Pac-12 history and ran for 16 TDs in his career. He is a better QB for the room than Drew Plitt and the only way to get him is to add him to the active roster. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g7tS0vgdxcA. He might be terrible, but if you sign him now you get 6 games and then the offseason with him to find out. Another guy I would love to look at is Jordan Ta’Amu. He is a spring football start and still just 25. Again, better than Drew Plitt and IMO a guy who could be a solid backup or practice squad guy. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ci9aydyy_wI Running Back: Last game Mixon saw 2/3rds of the snaps on offense to Williams 1/3. I think that continues and we see more of Williams, Evans, and Brown who is coming off IR. Mixon has played well enough and costs little enough (5.75M non-deadcap) in 2024 that he is likely to stick around. But we have to find his successor. I had thought it was Evans. His 24 snaps through 10 games tell me I was wrong. Williams hasn’t been too bad. Brown will get his chance. It may be time for Evans to go. While I was very high on him he isn’t getting a chance. However, he has played 58% of snaps on special teams. From my perspective, I cut Evans and nab Dewayne McBride off the Vikings practice squad. I am extraordinarily high on McBride and think he is a one-day starter in the league. I loved his feet, balance, ability to sneak through cracks, and agility. The hang-up was he wasn’t used in the passing game at all at UAB. I think that can develop. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mON-jbxoHRg. As with Duggan, I think we benefit from getting him in the room and into the offseason. I am an XFL fan and Abram Smith was amazing this year. I am not sure why he isn’t on an NFL practice squad at the very least. I’d kick the tires and add him there. However, I do like Demetric Felton. Wide Receiver: The roster is full of WRs who have flashed ability. The problem is there is a strange gap between elite WR and completely raw WR who you aren’t sure can even see snaps. Not much can be done here by keeping the primary goal of winning games. You must play Chase-Higgins-Boyd. Irwin should be back as WR four super safety net who is reliable but not spectacular. Jones and Iosiavas round out the roster. With Higgins and Boyd both free agents those two could answer some questions. I don’t see a path to going into 2024 with both rookies replacing those veterans, but it could be one and one of the veterans back or an external free agent (Outside: Kendrick Bourne, Mike Evans, Van Jefferson, Slot: Darnell Mooney, Greg Dortch, Pariss Cambell, Curtis Samuel). You must like Lassiter, Pryor, and Jackson on the practice squad. Each flashed in their respective rookie preseasons, and each has upside. But Jackson showed this week why you can’t count on them to be anything concrete anytime soon. Tight End: As I mentioned in a different thread, I would cut Irv Smith. He doesn’t provide much this year and won’t be in the plans next year. We shouldn’t be holding more than three tight ends on the roster. Hudson is clearly the starter, and even at 29 a bit raw. The more snaps he can get the better. Sample probably retires a Bengal re-signing one-year deals to serve as a blocking tight end. Wilcox has seen 69% of the snaps on special teams. That might just be your tight-end group next year. A starter who is more of a pass catcher. Immediate backup that is more of a blocker. Third-stringer who is focused on special teams but can do a bit of both. Hudson will be productive and inexpensive. Hudson is tied for the 7th most catches by tight ends over the last three weeks. Offensive Line: This is a tough one. The play isn’t good enough. We Capp and Brown Jr both are obviously returning. Karras is obviously returning but maybe at LG (Burrows C at LSU is a free agent). You can’t functionally rotate in guys to see if they are worth it on the offensive line the way you can at the skill positions outside QB. I am also much more ignorant about good players on other teams' practice squads. I think the theory holds that if you like a guy on another team’s practice squad you could add them and then hold them through the offseason. There isn’t a name that stands out for me. I would be strongly in favor of it seeing as we have five backup linemen now two are free agents at year's end and the other three the year after. Defensive Tackle: It would be great to see more rotation here. Zach Carter has been playing but not making an impact. Tupou and Tufele are playing less and similarly not showing out. Davis was impactful in the preseason but hasn’t seen any snaps. It would be worth at least an attempt to see if he can push the pocket. Defensive End: This one is obvious, and they are unlikely to do it. Ossai and Murphy are high investment low low-impact players. Murphy can’t be written off yet, but Ossai is a free agent after next season. As is Sample. It’s time to grab Raymond Johnson off the Lions practice squad and see if he can be a spark in the pass rush. Getting him for the offseason would be like getting another draft pick. Linebacker: Nothing can really be done here without being disrespectful. Pratt and Wilson have been extremely healthy all year. ADG and Bailey are free agents after the year but have had almost no snaps. ADG 25, Bailey 9. They both likely walk to a place where they can play. ADG will probably start somewhere. They have hedged by grabbing Harper from the Cowboys and keeping Hawyard and Johnston on the PS. Safety: Browning and Battle are the two that could solidify a spot for the future this year. Battle is off to a great start but it’s just one game. Like the offensive line, it would be great to grab another guy to develop as a backup I just don’t have a name. Nick Scott could be released in the offseason to save some cash. Cornerback: This is an easy one. Turner has basically taken over for Awuzie. I wouldn’t foreclose on Awuzie leaving but it would be good to get DJ Ivey more snaps to develop.

Has anyone seen a recovery timeline?

Loving hte history.

We have 4 TEs on the roster right now. We certainly don't need that. What do you gain by keeping him?

Here are the WR signings last offseason https://www.spotrac.com/nfl/free-agents/2023/all/wide-receiver// He will be 29. I think he will get 6-10 million for maybe a 3 year contract? Length probably causes us to bow out but maybe he won't get a 3 year deal. A load of slot WRs entered the league this lat year and they are having a ton of success. If you keep Boyd I think you feel much better about letting Higgins walk. Slot WR is much easier to fill than outside WR though. Here is just a sample of the FAs I have marked as interesting so far. Mooney-Bears Miller-Falcons Dortch-Cardinals Campbell-Giants Boyd-Bengals Samuel-Commanders

All of those guys listed are free agents. You cut Irv Smith to develop other players. I laid it all out.

Let's chat about 2024 Here are our Free Agents. Anyone we wouldn't want back, or who won't get us a comp pick, should be cut, and we should give space to rookies/young guys. Williams 24-Might want back Irwin 24-Do want back Higgins 24-Maybe want back but at least Franchise Boyd 24-We aren't cutting Boyd, but probably should Smith 24-CUT immediately Sample 24-Do want back Wilcox 24-Might want back Ford 24-Might want back Scharping 24-Might want back Williams 24-Might want back Tupou 24-Might want back Reader 24-Do want back Davis-Gaither 24-Won't be back but comp pick Bachie 24-Do want back Bailey 24-Do want back Awuzie 24-Do want back First order of busines. Cut Irv Smith.

We put Brown on IR and didn't sign someone so maybe we trade for someone.

Here are the TE's. I would love to get Ruckert but he has obvious questions. I think Tonyan or Hooper would come very cheaply and improve the position. At this point I am actually not against cutting Irv Smith and elevating Hudson. TE 1. Jeremy Ruckert-Jets 6-5 250 23 a. 2023 934; 2024 1.16M; 2025 1.39M b. 2023: 91 snaps-4-36-9.0-0 c. 2022: 46 snaps-1-8-8.0-0 Ruckert has the mist upside of everyone here and you would have him for this year and the next two at a cheap price. The Jets spent a 3rd rounder on him but they also spent a ton of money on Uzomah and Conklin. Ruckert probably would cost a decent amount, but it’s possible he solves the position for the next 3 years. I’d give up a 4th for that….but be leery because he hasn’t played. I’d give up a 5th and not blink. 2. Robert Tonyan-Bears 6-5 240 29 a. 2023-1.29M b. 2023: 86 snaps, 5-39-7.8-0 c. 2022: 591 snaps, 53-470-2 I hadn’t considered him but he should come cheap, he is on a bad team that isn’t going anywhere and he had some good stats last year. 3. Austin Hooper-Raiders 6-4 254 28 a. 2023-1.165 b. 2023: 200 snaps-8-81-10.1-0 c. 2022: 525 snaps-31-444-10.8-2 Michael Mayer is overtaking the position and the Raiders would be good to get something for a player they don’t need. 4. Mike Gesicki-Patriots 6-6 245 28 a. 2023-1.15M b. 2023: 205 snaps-14-144-9.6-0 c. 2022: 478 snaps-32-362-11.3-5 He is cheap and somewhat productive. Not old by any means. Doesn’t save the Patriots much to get rid of him so we would have to give them something of value. 5. CJ Uzomah-Jets 6-5 271 30 a. 2023-3.5M; 2024 8M b. 2023: 147 snaps-4-22-5.5-1 c. 2022: 525 snaps-21-232-11.0-2 Uzomah is in a weird situation. He hasn’t produced at all the last 2 seasons but he would know the team. 6. Zach Ertz-Cardinals 6-5 250 32 a. 2023-8.755; 2024 9.5 b. 2023: 24-168-7-1 c. 2022: 47-406-8.6-4 I had no idea he was paid that much. Not worth it at all. Now if the Cardinals would take on some salary I would go for it. 7. Hunter Henry-Patriots 6-5 258 28 a. 2023-9.5M b. 2023: 18-183-10.2-2 c. 2022: 41-509-12.4-2 I don’t imagine that the Patriots would be willing to eat much of that salary, but if so maybe a deal could get done. 8. Adam Trautman-Broncos 6-5 253 26 a. 2023-1.5M b. 2023: 289 snaps-10-64-6.4-1 c. 2022: 521 snaps-18-207-11.5-1 Trautman is actually playing quite a bit for the Broncos, he just isn’t producing. I don’t think he is really an upgrade over Hudson. 9. Moe Allie-Cox-Colts 6-5 267 30 a. 2023-4.8M; 2024 5.4M b. 2023: 3-67-22.3-1 c. 2022: 19-189-9.9-3 Athletic former basketball player. I can’t see him being that much better than Hudson/Smith for a much higher price. Possible release when Jelani Woods returns and Kyle Granson goes off IR.

Trades in the NFL are increasingly common. You don't need to know the entire playbook to have success.

I see it as there being 3 positions I could see a trade RB TE DT There are 6 teams that seem out of it and are likely traders Panthers Giants Bears Cardinals Broncos Patriots I will go through the TE and DT options as I get time. They are not in order. RB is but Patterson and Perine should be 1A and 1B. RB Options 1. Cordarrelle Patterson-Falcons 6-2 220 32 a. 2023-4.25M b. 2023: 16 snaps, 1 att, 0 yards; 2 catches-13 yards-6.5avg c. 2022: 382 snaps, 144 att-695 yards-4.8avg-8td; 31 catches-122 yards-5.8avg He’s buried behind Allgeier and Robison and that’s not going to change outside of an injury. He still had something last year and I think he could be the kind of guy who could turn screens and short yardage plays into big plays. Was also a dynamic returner. 2. Samaje Perine-Broncos 5-10 236 28 a. 2023-1.5M; 2024-3M b. 2023: 150 snaps, 24 att, 88 yards; 17 catches-184 yards-10.8avg c. 2022: 448 snaps, 95 att, 394 yards-2tds; 38 catches-287 yards-7.6avg-4tds Perine isn’t getting as many snaps or touches and the Broncos are terrible. A reunion could be great. His run blocking numbers aren’t nearly as good as last year. He has a 42 grade on 17 pass blocking snaps. 3. Rashaad Penny-Eagles 5-11 220 27 a. 2023-1.08M b. 2023: 9 snaps, 3-9-0, 1-5-5.0 c. 2022: 170 snaps, 57-346-6.1-2, 4-16-4.0 Another guy who isn’t getting any run. Lots of injuries in his career but has flashed talent when he isn’t injured. 4. Zeke Elliott-Patriots 6-0 225 28 a. 2023-1.55M b. 2023: 147 snaps, 49-193-3.9-1, 13-59-4.5 c. 2022: 558 snaps, 231-876-3.8-12, 17-92-5.4 Zeke was rumored to be coming here this offseason. He isn’t doing terrible with the Patriots but we didn’t seek him out then and I doubt we do now. TE 1. Zach Ertz 2. Robert Tonyan 3. Adam Trautman 4. Brock Wright 5. Moe Allie-Cox 6. Hunter Henry 7. Austin Hooper 8. Daniel Bellinger 9. CJ Uzomah 10. Jeremy Ruckert 11. Ross Dwelley 12. Mike Gesicki Dt. 1. Harris 2. Jones-Titans 3 Jones-Bears 4.Nunez-Roches-Giants 5.Guy

Cordoralle Patterson

We added Kendrick Pryor back

Taylor Lewan is a DBag idiot and he is right about this.

Yes...across the board.

Truth

Can someone please find me the chart for WR space/win rate/openness. I can't remember what it was called but we were dead last. Our WRs in Taylors scheme are never open

I envy you with ever morsel of my being.

This is not Joe Burrows fault. You can play and win with this Joe Burrow. The coaches on D and O are scheming AWFUL. If we have the best roster in the league, the best WRs in the league than you have to be able to scheme WRs open quickly. You have to be able to do more. Either you believe Joe Burrow can do it, although limited, and scheme appropriately. OR You don't believe he can do it and you play the backup. You can't believe he can do it and roll out this scheme. If we truly had the best WRs in the league we could still compete. This is on Zac Taylor and Brian Callahan (And Lou Anarumo) for terrible scheming This is on Frank Pollack for being terrible overall This is on Duke Tobin for not getting actual playmakers on the roster. Not paying a little more for Samaje Perrine. Not drafting a WR who can catch a 4 yard slant and go nuts. Every play is slow developing and long. Our WRs aren't open. It's a screen a slant or a deep pass. It's like we have those 4 plays in the original Madden. You can win with an unhealthy Joe Burrow. If you can't win with Jake Browning and the BEST WR unit in the NFL then they are not the best WR unit in the NFL literally go sign a Running QB who can get first downs. Go see how fast Colin Kaepernick is.

We have the best WR group in the NFL right? Arguably the best overall roster? An improved offensive line? Jake Browning beat out Brandon Allen and Trevor Simien. If we can't win a game or two without Joe Burrow than much of that isn't actually true and/or our coaching staff is very bad.

This is good news. The offense looked bad because they couldn't run the entire offense. This is bad news. They weren't smart enough or confident enough to let/force him (to) sit.

Wait to see what his doctors say and go from there.

Dolphins passing game coordinator Darrel Bevell was an option for our OC position before Callahan. He went to the Lions instead. Would be interesting as an option as OC here if we let him call plays.

There was a stat out on the twitterverse that said last year our wide receivers were the least open. I wish i cold find it. Its what I see. No one is open.

I dont think it has anything to do with training camp. Burrow knows the plays. They are bad plays.