I don’t know how to feel about this draft, on one hand our O looks like a angry brown bear. yet our Defense leaves me full of questions, seems we have semi-useful people there that “stich” together something, but I don’t know how tough it is I’m not getting the “Man we just ramped this defense into beast mode.” feelings???
Not until we prove it on the field.
Until proven otherwise no rookies are coming in and significantly changing the team. I like who we drafted, and I hope miller and Moore are solid contributors right away. So if we solidify our OL that’s good.
Every other team got better too. As is the case every season, show who you are when it counts. Until then everything else is just noise.
5 Likes
We added some pieces to the defense for sure but whether or not that makes them legitimate is still up in the air. Obviously a lot of that will hinder on if Joseph and Branch can contribute. Free agency and the draft makes me think they are confident they will.
More importantly I think the fact they fixed the OL will help the defense tremendously. We need to keep the ball and grind it on offense. Keep our defense off the field more. That SHOULD be huge this upcoming season.
3 Likes
Agree on fixing the OL.. to me that was the quickest and easiest thing to improve and keep the offense near elite, which I hope they did, Miller sounds like their type of guy and a solid long term RT. The offense will have to keep them competitive this season i think, until proven otherwise.
I’m glad they got some bodies for the DL but not excited about any of them until they play, including Moore. Not sure why we took a WR but a late pick, so whatever.
Just trying to look at the roster realistically going into the season and I think the defense is one big question mark. Not counting on Kerby at all and branch is gone until November, so the heart of the secondary is not going to play. Lots of questions on defense including but not limited to McNeil returning to form, tyliek taking another step, Arnold improving?
All in all I think this is a resetting year and we will be competitive but lack talent on defense which will be frustrating.
We’ll see.
Would have been great to trade back up for EMW, but unfortunately we just didnt have the ammo this year and it wasnt worth dipping into 2027 picks. I would have felt much better about safety going into this year.
1 Like
I’m glad we weren’t super aggressive and didn’t use any 27 picks, not worth it.
I’m not upset we didn’t take a safety and I’m not saying they should have, just my overall look at where we stand now. Secondary was going to be an issue regardless of what they did this weekend.
6 Likes
The fact that we didn’t draft safety gives me hope bud. Zero chance we avoid safety if Holmes didn’t have half decent news on Kerby and Branch from the doctors.
4 Likes
Eh, maybe… or maybe they are good with the subs they have now and they didn’t see anyone to draft who would challenge for a roster spot. I’m wondering how any of the guys drafted after Moore stack up with who’s already on the roster and their odds of making the roster.
I’m not criticizing the draft, they did hit the important positions which I liked. But none of these dudes are contributing this year until proven otherwise. Rookies don’t make impacts usually, and if they can just be solid backups I’ll be happy.
Edit: also I’m much more pessimistic on Kerby and branch, I’m sorry. Kerby sounds like he will maybe be a spot contributor for a season or two and be done unless they inject new cartilage into his knees. As far as branch, I mean an Achilles was a death sentence not long ago - yes medical science and treatment has improved but he’s still going to be out for most of the season.
I hope they both prove me wrong, really!
1 Like
I think Brad handled safety pretty well. We added capable options in FA and still have Harper. Should be enough until Branch is back. We’ll see on Kerby.
3 Likes
Our two biggest issues were offensive coordinator, and offensive line
Goff just became much better… As did Gibby.
Last year, we didn’t have enough room for deep routes to develop… So Jamo’s effectiveness in drawing extra help to him, was taken away, as was play action
Two major dimensions of our offense will work again this year
Couple that with playing a fourth place schedule
Yeah… We’re good
5 Likes
You sound like me 3 months ago bud. Pretty sure I said that word for word. Haha. Achilles injuries are brutal. But the draft results gave me some hope
1 Like
Haha right on… yeah man Achilles and lisfranc, didn’t Kevin jones have both back in the day?
Anyway like I said, I hope I am terribly wrong. But I am glad we haven’t resigned branch yet, and I hope we don’t try and get ahead signing other guys early before we have to, I.e. Gibbs and laporta. One injury can change so much, it sucks but it is a business.
1 Like
I’m thrilled we got Derrick Moore, he’s one of them dawgs for our defense, plus he should be that for years. Jim Rolder @CB has to prove himself -along with Keith Abney @ Corner, our new DT Skyler and West, hope we at least find out they are pretty good. and I hope WR Law can be a weapon for Goff.
1 Like
Defense has a minimum of 3 new starters and a total of 10 new players vs last year (assume all healthy both years)
On paper it looks like a decent upgrade. However they need to play together and work to their strengths to maximize their potential. Something i think they haven’t done in over 2 years
1 Like
It will all depend on the defense. We already had an elite OL with elite WR’s and RB’s and a great TE and that wasn’t good enough.
The best thing about what AG did was stop the run. They need that back. Moore has the most pressure out of anyone. He’s going to have to play good right away. Tyliek will need to take a big jump forward. Reed will need to proof he’s better than what he was. Alim needs to be back to himself. Arnold will need to take a step forward and stay healthy. Rake will have to contribute. Jack will need to be all-pro again same with Hutch. Kerby need to be back. Branch eventually. The rest of the players drafted.
Its all on Shepp and this defense.
1 Like
My biggest concern still remains our defensive coordinator.
As for roster, OL has no excuse now unless Sewell takes time to adjust to his new position. Clear upgrade over last year.
Was surprised they didn’t target a late-round RB. Pacheco has some injury history, Vaki can’t stay on the field. Kind of shocked.
I’m still worried about the DL. I like Moore. He just needs to stay healthy and get into the backfield. Does McNeill return to his former dominating self? Does Williams make a jump in his second year? Big questions there.
Still worried about linebackers. Big problems there last year, and Rolden isn’t enough. In fact, I’m not sure he’s good enough to see the field right away.
Also concerned they didn’t get another safety. Joseph’s knee is always a concern, and zero chance Branch comes back as the player he was.
1 Like
Never good enough, apparently. Injuries have been wrecking our hopes for 50 years.
Need to stay healthy
Need to see if oline can block. Still question marks with it.
Dline might be better, but can Moore be that other can Williams get better.
Lions will win in the trenches
2 Likes
Guaranteed.
OL makes play action go
Allows Jamo to run off safeties deep
Creates underneath space for LaPorta et al
Makes brother Goff far more effective
Makes us win
2 Likes
Need to protect Goff and lions can beat anyone.
1 Like