Its why I think we carry 4 TEs at least till Jamo gets back We can run 2 TE sets an have with them even deep threats. Zylstra he is 6’5" an knows the Offence with Mitchell Wright an LaPorta . We also can run two RB sets an both Gibbs an Monty are very good pass catchers
Yup - I have been saying it all along - I think he’s gonna be a good one. He will stretch the field. Holmes is like Godzilla ripping through Tokyo…juuuuust crushing it!
2 TE sets, TE screens, etc. This is gonna be fun. Johnson will want to stay another year, I believe. When will he be positioned like this again?
I wouldn’t say that necessarily but I do agree with the second part of your post. They’ve basically handed him a blank playbook and said, “Go have fun, kid.”
One thing is for damn sure, ben is a special talent and teams will be trying to lure him away. if he wants to go, he will have his opportunities.
I’m 60/40 on him staying. I think he wants to learn from Coach Dan for another year, and barring a SB appearance, I think he will want to stick around and “finish teh job.” I think people often underestimate how loyal the guys are to Coach Dan and what he means to them and their development. Just because Ben is a fantastic OC…it is not even flirting with being the same thing as being a great HC. Campbell is amazing at what he does. Pretty much everyone says so.
I could see that but there’s a lot of talent on the roster, I think we only keep Wright, Mitchell and Laporta on the 53. Even Cabinda might get tha boot.
His college tape is scarce but on his best days he can do it all. I really can’t tell what his floor or ceiling is in the pros. But both he and Laporta get YAC.
I think Brock Wright had a strong 2022 season, proving he has worth here to.
Assuming Mitchell is this off the radar talent, was it really necessary to invest that level of draft capital in LaPorta?
Maybe it was a BPA thing, I don’t know
Mitchell being overhyped now?
Quote from Mitchell’s new TE coach:
“I think it’s still about physicality first and you go to the game with that mindset and that approach,” Heiden said. “Most of the time, the rest of it will take care of itself. I still think you can win a bunch of games in this league just being more physical than your opponent…"
With our GM, that is “a thing” more than ever before. Holmes DGAF about which position you play…he cares about who has most impact. Watch Gibby this year.
I think Campbell’s goal is to stress a defense any way possible. The more multiple you can be on offense, the more you can target the defenses weakness. Whether its 3-4 WR sets or two back formation with GIbbs and Monty. Could be a jumbo set with three TE’s or even bring a guy like Matt Nelson in to be an extra lineman.
Campbell wants to be able to run whatever look we want.
I think a lot of people sleep on the whole room.
In two seasons, Brock Wright has proven to be a very solid TE, blocking, receiving, and running after the catch.
Mitchell flashed as much as he was allowed, but, he had time to fully heal and learn the game because of Wright and Zylstra.
Zylstra, our weak link, had a game with 3 TD receptons.
Now, we add LaPorta, and Mitchell is healthy with NFL experience.
I wouldn’t be surprised to see Zylstra traded, and for a decent bean, too. He’ll start on 20+ NFL teams.
They also kept preaching to “raise the talent floor” on the team. So its not just about who LaPorta is competing with at the top of the lineup. Its about who won’t be on the roster because of bringing in LaPorta.
I have a suspicion that drafting Gibbs and LaPorta were moves Holmes made to keep Ben Johnson in the fold, possibly long term.
Just a hunch, but maybe Johnson wasn’t enamored about the idea of being a HC and thinks he’s best suited as an OC, which would explain why he walked away from the job with his home state Panthers after interviewing. Then Holmes said, “We’ll get you all the toys you want if you stick around.”
There’s no salary cap on coaches, so they can pay him HC money if they want and let him do what he does best.
Thats a pretty radical take. I’d argue that Zylstra wouldn’t make the roster of 20+ NFL teams, let alone start. He has a total of 14 catches through two years with less than 100 receiving yards total and receiving is what he specializes in.
I do agree that the top three has a chance to be a really good group. Brock Wright is a very solid 2/3 option at TE. Mitchell has some serious upside if he develops and I have high hopes for LaPorta. He was my 2nd favorite receiving TE behind Kincaid. Mayer was better overall and Washington a much better blocker, but Laporta was better than both as a receiver. He reminded me of Zach Ertz/Mark Andrews, although the RAS profile shows LaPorta to be more athletic than them.
Yup. Ben is having fun. He loves Dan, this team, and his current job. He got a massive raise to stay.
I would not be at all surprised if he stayed for at least a couple more years. I think he will.
I specialize in “radical”. Always have.
Not sorry.
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