If I had to bet on it, that’s what I’d put money on. Option number 4. I really think Decker is done. I will be surprised if he’s back. That shoulder is cooked.
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I think we’re actually on the same page…I was just responding to your questioning of why I want to keep Sewell at RT. I just feel its worked, and its a change I would prefer to avoid…if possible. And like you said it may not be possible (and I agree - totally might be the deal).
You know what would really be great is if Manu could figure it out. Not counting on it, but it’d be a nice solution for sure.
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I didn’t say I don’t like Fano, I do. I’m just not sure the NFL sees him as a tackle. I mean he’s 22nd overall on my board. Liking him less than consensus doesn’t mean I don’t like him overall, why would you think that?
I also don’t eliminate prospects because they don’t “fit” with our current makeup. For one, that makeup changes really, really quickly. For all you know we could trade for another Davis-style CB within the next month. Just take the best players and let it shake out from there.
I only take his height into account as it pertains to his evaluation. And yes, it’s a check in the cons column. But for all of the examples of him getting beat at the catch point due to his height (and there were THREE total in the five games I watched), he more than makes up for it by making play after play after play. And of course if we play him at nickel, he wouldn’t be involved in as many catch point situations.
Also, according to this, he may not be as short as it has been reported. If we had someone as talented as say, McDuffie in our secondary as a nickel, no one would give a ■■■■ how tall he was.
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Could be, but we’re all pretty much just guessing at this point. I honestly have no idea. I know IF it’s no better than last year, then he’s creeping into liability territory.
I for sure don’t think the staff is ready to give up on Manu, but he does seem to be behind schedule. Of course he missed the half of the year when he really could have made strides last year, so I suppose that’s no surprise. I also wasn’t expecting miracles - I was hoping for a legit swing tackle option by year 3 - but it appears others wanted more than that, more quickly. But even then, he’s behind schedule.
Yeah, I’m hoping realistically he can take Skip’s role. But who knows. He made a pretty decent leap from season to season last year. Still not quite there. So hopefully we see another one. Its easy to forget about him. The other guy I see (many) forget about is Rakestraw. He could be our ace in the hole if he can stay healthy and play nickel.
I honestly don’t know much about the shoulder. But man oh man if him and Frank come back for one more run…
That was my hope too. Skip’s role. And yeah I agree about Rakestraw, and Frazier could give us something as well. Hassanein and/or Wingo too. I think Harper’s better than advertised as well, if he stays healthy he can really help. Hell, maybe we move Vaki back to safety and he gives us something. We have a lot of guys on our roster who could pop, our injury luck has been so awful the past couple of years.
But we can’t rely on any of them. If Brad falls for a nickel, Rakestraw certainly shouldn’t keep him from taking him, for instance.
I agree with this, but I’m still not taking him at 17, but I understand what your saying. And I would feel great about Ponds with a Davis type on the outside. So get one and I’m in, maybe even at 17.
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I don’t think he is done or he would have did it. I don’t think he waiting till last minute like Rags and I don’t think the Lions will want to go that route again. I think Decker is coming back for one more year. How that turns out will see with that shoulder.
Agree that Sewell needs to stay are RT. Decker depends on health and mindset regarding retirement. IF Decker is in and healthy, excellent. If not, I think we get $11.6 in cap relief ( I have also read $16 and some change). I think our best case is that he is healthy and plays. If not, plug in your discount FA.
Manu playing the Skip role? I like this. He is a great athlete and hopefully he continues to improve and stay healthy.
As for who we pick in the 17 area… Give me beans!!! Actually, Brad has always used free agency to plug holes and drafted his version of BPA. I do not see that changing.
I hope you’re right. He just sounded done after the season. Was talking about playing with his daughter and couldn’t throw a football even if he wanted to. Now he was emotional but he sounded done. Even before the Bears game he was talking about “one final ride”
Good listen. He also talks about needing a couple months away from football and to get a second opinion on his shoulder
I don’t think Ragnow intended to leave us in a lurch. These situations are fluid, and I’m sure he thought he’d start to feel better like he did the two years prior. And in fact I think he did eventually, which is why he tried to un-retire. It just took longer.
Sounds like a guy that just got his heart ripped out from the horrible season they had.
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Sounds like a guy playing in a ton of pain was my main takeaway.
We will see maybe the 2nd opinion is good. Perhaps there is another surgery that could work. If not, game over.
It could happen , when Frank didn’t say much I thought he would return also. Lol so there is that.
But it would be horrible to let that same thing happen again I would think by the Lions.
I still believe Decker is coming back this season, pain gets better with time and he has been dealing with this for awhile, Decker has Heart and Loves the Game . And competitive people with that kind of heart will not want to end his career like we did. I don’t see it happening like that. But it’s still early so we will see.
When I was racing horses, I got bang up like 5 years straight said I was done a couple of times , then the pain and things start felling better and your mind changes fast because you love what your doing. I went on that next meet again stayed healthy all year and had one of my best years as a matter of fact the next 3 years I won more races then I did the previous 7. So glad I never gave up
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Option 2.. just make goff throw left handed. 
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"Growing up at Detroit Country Day School, Caleb Tiernan wasn’t just another big body - he was a dual-sport athlete who captained both the football and basketball teams his senior year. That athleticism caught the attention of the Big Ten’s elite programs, with Michigan, Ohio State, and Penn State all vying for his services before he pledged to Northwestern in March 2020.
Tiernan’s college journey began with patience and development. After redshirting in 2021 with just three game appearances, he burst onto the scene in 2022, starting five games at right tackle as a redshirt freshman. His breakout performance against Ohio State that season, where he stonewalled the Buckeyes’ pass rush without allowing a single pressure, signaled bigger things ahead. The following year brought a position switch to left tackle and iron man status - starting all 13 games while logging 846 snaps, second-most on the team. He surrendered just one sack the entire 2023 campaign and went eight straight games without allowing a quarterback hit.
His 2024 season cemented his status as one of college football’s premier blindside protectors. Through 34 career games with 30 consecutive starts, Tiernan has become Northwestern’s anchor while earning Academic All-Big Ten honors along the way. The former four-star recruit who ranked as the 14th highest-rated signee in Northwestern history has transformed from raw potential into polished production. His high school credentials - 59 tackles, 22 for loss, and 8.5 sacks as a senior defensive end - seem like ancient history now, but they hint at the competitive fire that drives this mountain of a man who’s been protecting quarterbacks at an elite level for the Wildcats."
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I take full responsibility. My endless Ponds propagandizing has its effects.
Couldn’t disagree with this more. I think Seattle copycats are going to spring up left and right with the dual slot setup, with one big safety/LB slot and one twitched up hell on wheels slot corner. It’s a perfect setup for today’s offenses.
Personally I think adding say Ponds and VJ Payne could change our defense more than just about anything provided you hit on both.
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Yeah I think there’s a chance nothing improves us more.