BGO Blind Pig: Week 9 at New England Patriots

[Chris]

The players have careers to protect. Though some might have feelings about friends moving on, those friends aren’t paying their bills. I expect no ill effects on the field. Plus, I’m guessing that there are 4-5 guys that are now even more motivated to perform.

 

[Neophyte]

Another factor to consider when we hear from the players is longevity.

We, as fans, have our whole lives to cheer for this team. If changes at the top bring about rebuilding, we can afford to have patience. Especially since we can dream that maybe the right changes will set us up to be successful like the Redskins of Gibbs I - always a threat, always in contention for the Super Bowl title.

Jon Allen, 29 in Jan, and Terry McLaurin, 28, are staring at the last few years of something they have been doing most of their lives. They have 4-5 years left and that is the absolute best-case scenario for both of them. The team starting over has to be depressing for them. Both want a ring before they hang their cleats up. For them, the next front office/head coach combo will likely be the last and it absolutely has to be successful for them to achieve the things they have dreamed of since they believed in Santa.

I'd be concerned if I were them too. And probably surly when asked questions by reporters about things I have no control over.

 

[Boone]

Absolutely - great points Bob

 

[burgold]

Bizarrely, I still don't think this team is super far off. We have a great wide receiver corp, good running backs, and a QB who when given protection has produced. We have stout defensive tackles and good safeties. I also have seen enough of our DBs over the year to think St. Juste and Fuller are legit players. Forbes has talent and need coaching. So, if you could fix the o line, fix the draft, fix the line backers, and fix the play calling you have yourself a good team.

Okay, admittedly that's a long list, but this team has great building blocks even after those two trades.

 

[Chris]

Now that the dust of the trades have settled somewhat I’m left with a feeling of a net positive for many, many reasons. Here are a couple-

1. Although both Sweat and Young were physically talented players neither demanded that opposing defensive coordinators really needed to account for in game planning. After watching that video of Chase’s plays vs the Eagles twice (once for his plays and once for Montez’s) neither were treated by the scheme any differently than Toohill or JSW were. Almost zero double-teams and few chips. Neither are the type of players that I would pay big money to next year. This team will more than likely win just as many games the remainder of the season with or without one or both.

2. I’m happy that the new ownership was proactive in making moves for the future now instead of waiting until the offseason.

 

[Chris]

Another factor to consider when we hear from the players is longevity.

We, as fans, have our whole lives to cheer for this team. If changes at the top bring about rebuilding, we can afford to have patience. Especially since we can dream that maybe the right changes will set us up to be successful like the Redskins of Gibbs I - always a threat, always in contention for the Super Bowl title.

Jon Allen, 29 in Jan, and Terry McLaurin, 28, are staring at the last few years of something they have been doing most of their lives. They have 4-5 years left and that is the absolute best-case scenario for both of them. The team starting over has to be depressing for them. Both want a ring before they hang their cleats up. For them, the next front office/head coach combo will likely be the last and it absolutely has to be successful for them to achieve the things they have dreamed of since they believed in Santa.

I'd be concerned if I were them too. And probably surly when asked questions by reporters about things I have no control over.

What do you mean when you use the term starting over, Bob?

 

[Neophyte]

What do you mean when you use the term starting over, Bob?

In this case, it looks pretty serious, right?

We are absolutely looking at new Front Office and new Coaching next year. I don't think anyone believes differently. That probably means a new direction as far as club identity and certainly offensive/defensive philosophy.

Usually, when teams change this much, there is only so much that can change with player personnel due to the salary cap but Washington is in an odd place with so many contracts ending and so much available cap space. That means we could see a huge swing in terms of names on the field next year too.

Honestly, while I don't know how big this rebuild will be, I think it is possible we could see one of the largest single-season projects in the modern NFL.

My guess is it looks like that to Allen as well and he has to wonder what things are going to look like coming out of it.

 

[Chris]

Gotcha. I, for one, don’t believe that there could be very many players that can’t read the tea leaves from the beginning and recognize that there are most likely very significant changes coming to the coaching staff and front office after this season.

I think that trading away two potential big money free agents that are not worth that money for draft or trade capital will be a boost for the players that are serious about winning here.