If this helps at all, here is a Goff hype video. Unfortunately all the deep ball highlights are to Cook:
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Here is my take…
If some how, some way we have another 2nd round let down, it’s not the continuation of a trend. It’s an isolated event orchestrated by a brand new brain trust, and one that was a calculated risk in my opinion.
Our previous regimes would have assumed that acquiring a 30 year old vet DT (Brockers) and drafting Levi O in round 2 would have solidified our DL and especially our DTs for the year.
N Williams and Shelton were to cheap insta-fills expected to somehow fix our interior DL… in the real world neither were/are very good, they created zero upfield pass rush from the interior, and this opposing QBs were able to settle into the pocket. The athletic profile of late round pick Penisini basically ensured he’d be no more than a DT4 type rotational guy.
Turn the page…
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secure the next 2-3 years at a reasonable cap hit for a stud veteran DT who excels against the run, and gets 3-4 sacks a year. Cost- 7th and 8M- ironically close to what the Rams gave former Lion Ashawn. Lol
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give Nick Williams a chance to play for his NFL life at less than half we he was paid last year, and expect DT3/4 play at most from him.
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Draft back to back DTs who not only have prototype builds for their intended spots, but also top 20% athletic profiles for their positions.
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Levi O will battle 6’4” 295 D Hand for a 3-4 DT/Edge type roll. He’s proven a defensive leader, captain, and had the ability to man a unique NT- rover type position in Washington.
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McNeill has been a stud baseball player and RB wrapped in a 325 pound dancing bears body.
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Penisini is playing for his nfl future and Hand is on a contract year.
Drafting both players and massively putting the odds of getting one stud starter was brilliant.
AKA- let’s say Levi O is a 5-6 sack edge DT who stuffs the run, Penisini wins the nose by beating out McNeill (unlikely) and gets 1.5 sacks, and Brockers plays DT and gets us 4 sacks. We’d still have Hand, McNeill, and Williams as a rotational group. They would have been our top 3 last year.
Or
Let’s say McNeill becomes our early years, D Poe,
Hand beats out Levi O regaining his rookie form, and Brockers studs out. Levi will still be vying to playing time and potentially taking over for Hand or Williams next year.
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Same thing with where Big V fits for us on OL now
that Sewell is a lock. Now we need 3-4 guys to fill one RG
Spot!
I expect next year to be the WR version. Maybe it’s a guy like Olave in 1, and another outside guy in 2. See what Ravens did with Bateman and Wallace or the WFT did with C Samuel and D Brown, and the Giants did with Golladay and K Toney, or the Cards did with R Moore and AJ Green.
Most teams will use a couple bullets to make sure they convert a weakness to a strength, or a least end up neutral.
The lions let Slay go and try replacing him with Okudah.
They draft Kerryon or Tavaii to be “the guy” despite injury concerns or athletic ineptitude.
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You know what that does help! Because while the deep ball is important, what I think is more important is he makes throws that move the chains. The short and intermediate-ish routes keep getting first downs, and as long as he can keep a defense somewhat honest that’s what matters, I think anyway. But in comparison to past QBs we’ve had, not just Stafford, it was the inability to complete the 5-15 yard passes with consistency and touch that screwed us a lot on day a 3rd and 7 or 2nd and 14.
So if he can move the chains, that’s good with me. Yeah you gotta keep a defense honest but if you can consistently win the intermediate game along with a strong run game, you win more times than not. In my humble opinion…
They will need to upgrade receiver at some point of course. But curious to see what St. Brown can contribute this year… not the ideal deep threat guy but, you never know!
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I was confused for a moment until I looked at both skill sets. They’re a perfect compliment to each other.
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Thanks for posting.
If the team has a high draft pick again, I’m all for a top WR for Goff.
Also, that video makes me so happy the NFL is back in a month. I need some football.
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I LOVE the idea of another UDFA out of Wayne State studding out in a Lions uniform.
I was pretty awesome when Bell got rollin’, it Pittman does anything close to similar at the LB position we’d be in for such an unexpected gift! And the story line would be pretty good.
If only he worked on the line at Ford while paying his way through college it MIGHT have that story just a little better lol.
Good stuff, and I don’t even care that it’s August fluff!!
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Booooo! C’mon man, it’s day 6. LO isn’t failing, it’s Alim tearing shit up! And wait, I said it before, you will see Alim “twinkle toes” McNeill on offense this year.
I know that’s true!
This can shake up to be a really amazing draft class.
Even JJ in round 7 at RB could be a steal.
Gimme some more koolaid and let’s book those SB tickets!!
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MC/DC bringing man-ball to Mo-town! The blue drink is legit!
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