On the eve of impending epic change, the guys briefly revisit the 49ers game, preview the finale against the 'must win' Cowboys, and debate Rivera's 'damn good culture'. The paradigm is about to shift in Washington, and we have a lot to say about the impactful days ahead.
I know the discussion around that potential #2 pick got heated - but I respect the opposing viewpoint. As I said, I've totally flipped my position on the topic in the last month because I feel anytime you have the chance to take one of the top 2 QBs on the board, you have to do it unless you literally are set at the position already for the next decade. The only exception would be if the talent evaluators we have in place in April don't feel there's a QB at that spot who is a future star. Anyway, good convo, and I appreciated the energetic alternative viewpoint!
I didn't think we got anywhere near "heated" ... just perhaps a little more animated than usual.
Here's the video of Chase Young's rookie highlights I referenced. Again, compare the body language--effort, desire, explosion, pursuit, etc.--against what we have seen from him since then. Injury has to be part of it, sure, but I think there has also been a change in his desire to be a great football player. His uniform hasn't gotten dirty, and I haven't seen a whiff of that 2020 guy since. The contrast is pretty stark.
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And because it matters ... last night's libation of choice. If you appreciate a Bourbon distilled to strike that elusive smoky/smooth balance, this might be worth a try.
Said this in another post, but seems apt here as well ...
[If] we end up not in position to grab one of the current Top Two and end up "settling" for an elite LT or other consensus blue-chipper, we'll almost certainly still take a QB. With the extra 2nd and 3rd's we'll be in solid position to move up if necessary into later in the 1st, or more likely the 2nd or 3rd, to take a guy with upside who can sit and learn behind Sam or whoever ends up starting on opening day. I would put the odds at about 85% we end up with a Day One or Day Two QB come April.
A big wildcard in the QB discussion is …what scheme will the new coach use?
If he (or she) wants a QB in the, let’s say a Lamar Jackson model, would a Drake Maye be his guy? Or would a Jayden Daniels be more desired? Or would a trade for Justin Fields be considered?
There are so many variables that are unknown at this point.
Part of the problem with that is unless you have a top GM/talent evaluator on board, teams that finish out of the top 3-4 picks to take a quarterback often OVERCOMPENSATE in trying to find one later in Round 1 or Round 2 or via trade and end up jumping guys up the draft board beyond the point where they were expected to be taken.
Look at the Browns.
Although the Browns crashed and burned with #1 overall picks Tim Couch and Baker Mayfield, the team also blew mid to late #1 picks trying to chase 'lightning in a bottle' quarterbacks that were not blue chip NFL prospects despite their play in college:
Brady Quinn
Johnny Manziel
Brandon Weeden
So, I would only have confidence if Washington took a quarterback outside the top 2-3 picks but high up if we have that recognized GM on board to legitimize the pick.
As it is I am hoping the team does NOT select Caleb Williams as he appears to be a guy that is going to take 2-3 years to develop as he didn't play in an NFL offense in college and wasn't pressed by the coaching staff to develop the mental aspects of playing the position.
Having one read and then taking off with the football isn't exactly proper preparation for the professional ranks.
I keep reading guys talk about Lamar Jackson but the truth may very well be that Jackson is an OUTLIER and a guy that really doesn't show a path many players can follow into the NFL and success in the league.
I agree in that I don't think Caleb Williams will become as successful as Lamar Jackson. What they have in common is coming into the NFL with the ability to make off schedule plays.
Jackson, though, had the work ethic and to be honest surprised me in how dogged and determined he was to learn the position and put in the time to get it done and to its credit the Ravens STUCK WITH HIM.
They didn't give up when he lost in the playoffs in Round 1 and hound him out of town.
Instead the Ravens double-downed on Jackson by drafting for defense and offensive linemen to support Jackson.
I'm just out on taking a QB until we do something upfront with the big uglies and FA is an expensive way to find a starting LT/RT and well hell damn near every OL position.
A good GM with good scouts will be able to find OL help not only with the four additional selections but in free agency as well.
You are correct that OTs are very expensive in free agency, perhaps the way to go is OT at #2 and then go for ONE OT in free agency for a guy under 30.
One topic I wish you guys would've discussed? Eric Bieniemy stating that he couldn't put his finger on what Sam's problems were or how to fix them.
In all my years following this sport, I've never heard a coach admit publicly that he had no answers for a player's struggles. Would've loved to have heard the group's take on that.
EB doesn't understand that Kyle Shanahan, Sean McVay and Mike McDaniel are as productive offensive coaches as they are because they intertwine the running game with the passing game and attack a defense from all sides.
EB had a rookie quarterback operating behind a second rate pass-blocking OL and never recognized that perhaps keeping Sam's attempts within a reasonable range and using Brian Robinson more to help him earlier in the season might have resulted in fewer hits and pounding and a quarterback whose performance didn't crater the last quarter of the season.
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