My Blueprint for the Offense

Marinlik said:

I think right now Solder looks utterly horrible. If he doesn't improve this season we might release him to save about $7,4m next year instead of his 5th year option. But we would have to do that before the next league year starts, so about 1,5-2 months before the draft. Right now I really don't see him being worth that cash. But I will wait until the end of the season before I really go either way on if I want us to release him or not. As he hasn't been close to this bad before.

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Good point. For some reason I thought we had picked up his option already. In his current state he is definitely not worth 7.5m even if we normalize that amount for the increased cap space.

luuked said:

Good point. For some reason I thought we had picked up his option already. In his current state he is definitely not worth 7.5m even if we normalize that amount for the increased cap space.

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We have picked up his option. But it doesn't become fully guaranteed before the start of the 2015 league year according to Patscap.com

Marinlik said:

We have picked up his option. But it doesn't become fully guaranteed before the start of the 2015 league year according to Patscap.com

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Now it all makes sense, I was just looking around because I could swear that we picked it up.. thanks for clearing this up..

luuked said:

In case we end up with an early pick and can go for Scherff as LT, what would you do with Solder ? Transition him to LG ? RT ? Try to trade him ?

I am mostly a novice when it comes to the nuances of football so I have no idea how difficult it would be to transition from LT to either of the positions. Correct me if I am wrong but LT seems to be more difficult to play than RT mostly because you are often facing the elite pass rushers on the blindside of the QB. Apart from that is there much difference ?

All in all, it looks to me as if Vollmer is closer to the end of his career than Solder, so why not solidify both tackles positions if we can.

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Marinlik said:

I think right now Solder looks utterly horrible. If he doesn't improve this season we might release him to save about $7,4m next year instead of his 5th year option. But we would have to do that before the next league year starts, so about 1,5-2 months before the draft. Right now I really don't see him being worth that cash. But I will wait until the end of the season before I really go either way on if I want us to release him or not. As he hasn't been close to this bad before.

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I think the tackle position is the biggest question-mark in a season that's been filled with them so far. I suspect most people thought the Pats were relatively set at the tackle position with Solder and Vollmer. But Vollmer has struggled - Greg Bedard described him as looking like a 50 year old man - and Solder has been abysmal. The Pats exercised his option as a matter of course, but it isn't fully guaranteed until next Spring, and unless he does a major about face I can't see paying $7M for him, much less giving him a long term deal. The worst situation a team can get in is to be locked in significantly overpaying for a player.

I think Brandon Scherff can play tackle or guard at a very high level. If Solder somehow recovers, then I think Scherff would make a stud LG with the ability to play tackle when needed. If Solder doesn't recover, then I can't see him being part of the team, and LT becomes the #1 priority.

mayoclinic said:

I think Brandon Scherff can play tackle or guard at a very high level. If Solder somehow recovers, then I think Scherff would make a stud LG with the ability to play tackle when needed. If Solder doesn't recover, then I can't see him being part of the team, and LT becomes the #1 priority.

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It is kind of a dilemma.. isn't it ?

On the one hand, most probably we only have 1-2 years of Brady left so every bad season hurts double. But then on the other hand, imagine the possibilities that we would have with a top 10 pick.

The Solder situation will be one of the most interesting to watch through the season. I wonder if we will offer him an outright extension with a bunch of LTBE performance incentives that will pay him well if he plays at least adequately instead of taking the risk with the fifth year option.

luuked said:

It is kind of a dilemma.. isn't it ?

On the one hand, most probably we only have 1-2 years of Brady left so every bad season hurts double. But then on the other hand, imagine the possibilities that we would have with a top 10 pick.

The Solder situation will be one of the most interesting to watch through the season. I wonder if we will offer him an outright extension with a bunch of LTBE performance incentives that will pay him well if he plays at least adequately instead of taking the risk with the fifth year option.

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And with probably two thirds and two fourths, the ability to move up...or move down and really stock up again on picks.

Edit: My worry is that we're still a bad team but make the playoffs, losing early and suffer the worst of both alternatives. My hope is that a) we're poor and get a mid-first pick and start the re-build or that we improve and become genuine contenders as per usual. The middle ground is my fear.

manxman2601 said:

My hope is that a) we're poor and get a mid-first pick and start the re-build or that we improve and become genuine contenders as per usual. The middle ground is my fear.

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I totally agree. I really think that the worst that can happen to any team is getting one of those damn useless wildcard spots and then crash out in the wildcard round. If you are unlucky you will draft long after multiple teams that had better records but missed the wild card for whatever reason.

I seriously think that the NFL should give out one additional 3rd or 4th round picks for all teams that make the post season. Obviously, not too high otherwise the parity might be in danger, but there should be some kind of benefit of making the postseason. I mean if the league gives out compensatory draft picks, would adding a handful for postseason teams hurt much ?

manxman2601 said:

And with probably two thirds and two fourths, the ability to move up...or move down and really stock up again on picks.

Edit: My worry is that we're still a bad team but make the playoffs, losing early and suffer the worst of both alternatives. My hope is that a) we're poor and get a mid-first pick and start the re-build or that we improve and become genuine contenders as per usual. The middle ground is my fear.

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Agree. I'd rather see us have a mediocre season and get a mid-round pick. Then getting into the playoff because of weak division when we have no chance of going away from the wild card round. If we improve and become a good team again then I would love to see us in the playoffs. But I'd rather we miss out if we don't belong there.

luuked said:

I totally agree. I really think that the worst that can happen to any team is getting one of those damn useless wildcard spots and then crash out in the wildcard round. If you are unlucky you will draft long after multiple teams that had better records but missed the wild card for whatever reason.

I seriously think that the NFL should give out one additional 3rd or 4th round picks for all teams that make the post season. Obviously, not too high otherwise the parity might be in danger, but there should be some kind of benefit of making the postseason. I mean if the league gives out compensatory draft picks, would adding a handful for postseason teams hurt much ?

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Well personally I think compensatory picks are the dumbest thing going. Why are teams getting rewarded for being tight? Still, I won't complain too much this year.

manxman2601 said:

Well personally I think compensatory picks are the dumbest thing going. Why are teams getting rewarded for being tight? Still, I won't complain too much this year.

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I agree with that.

I was just pointing out that since the NFL is in the business of giving away picks for all kinds of things, why not add a handful lower picks for post season teams. Give the two SB finalist an extra 4th round pick at the end of the round, the losers of the championship games an extra 5th rounder and so on..

I just looked at the first 3 quarters of the Saints - Cowboys game. That Cowboys line really made me jealous. A good line can really make a huge difference. It opened up huge holes in the running game, and in return Murray ran through the defense. The defense tried to counter it by playing close to the line, which opened up some passes and play actions. That line dictated what the defense did. We really need a line who can help us dictate what the defense does.

I think we need a physical runner too. I believe we have a good one in Ridley. But the coaches really don't show any trust in him. So might have to draft a new one. Even if I'd really prefer if the coaches stayed with Ridley and gave him the touches. A good line and then let the physical runner pick up some extra yards after the good blocking. That can really lighten the pass D.

Marinlik said:

I just looked at the first 3 quarters of the Saints - Cowboys game. That Cowboys line really made me jealous. A good line can really make a huge difference. It opened up huge holes in the running game, and in return Murray ran through the defense. The defense tried to counter it by playing close to the line, which opened up some passes and play actions. That line dictated what the defense did. We really need a line who can help us dictate what the defense does.

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That was just a dominant performance by the OL. Dallas' ability to run the ball at will opened up everything for them.

Marinlik said:

I just looked at the first 3 quarters of the Saints - Cowboys game. That Cowboys line really made me jealous. A good line can really make a huge difference. It opened up huge holes in the running game, and in return Murray ran through the defense. The defense tried to counter it by playing close to the line, which opened up some passes and play actions. That line dictated what the defense did. We really need a line who can help us dictate what the defense does.

I think we need a physical runner too. I believe we have a good one in Ridley. But the coaches really don't show any trust in him. So might have to draft a new one. Even if I'd really prefer if the coaches stayed with Ridley and gave him the touches. A good line and then let the physical runner pick up some extra yards after the good blocking. That can really lighten the pass D.

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Yes, for all the "LOLJERRY" crap that the Cowboys get they decided on a multi-year direction and followed through in 3 drafts and have now an amazing OL. I guess it helped that they were always drafting around the middle of each round.

That being said, I don't think that Brady has enough time anymore for us to provide him with a similar OL. Unless you run into an absurdly deep draft class it takes multiple years plus a bit of time to develop said players. Unfortunately, going the FA route might be too expensive.

It is a difficult situation where we are stuck between short and long term need due to Brady's age.

luuked said:

I totally agree. I really think that the worst that can happen to any team is getting one of those damn useless wildcard spots and then crash out in the wildcard round. If you are unlucky you will draft long after multiple teams that had better records but missed the wild card for whatever reason.

I seriously think that the NFL should give out one additional 3rd or 4th round picks for all teams that make the post season. Obviously, not too high otherwise the parity might be in danger, but there should be some kind of benefit of making the postseason. I mean if the league gives out compensatory draft picks, would adding a handful for postseason teams hurt much ?

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You mean like

Pitt in 05
NYG in 07
GB in 10
NYG in 11 Not a wild-card but mediocre reg season
Balt in 12

The Super Bowl Champ in 5 of the last 9 years has been exactly like the kind of team you describe.

patsfaninpa said:

You mean like

Pitt in 05
NYG in 07
GB in 10
NYG in 11 Not a wild-card but mediocre reg season
Balt in 12

The Super Bowl Champ in 5 of the last 9 years has been exactly like the kind of team you describe.

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I am talking about draft positions and not about wildcard spots per se. For every wildcard success there are 3 other teams that lost a few spots in the draft order for nothing.

I like wildcard spots and the system but feel like the losers of the wildcard round are being punished in terms of the draft..

mayoclinic said:

That was just a dominant performance by the OL. Dallas' ability to run the ball at will opened up everything for them.

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I wonder if Waltham's own Mackenzy Bernadeau, who is no longer a starter, could be had in a trade
for a low-round pick.

I still like Arie Kouandjio in Bama. I think he looks pretty smart on the field. From what I've seen he's good at recognizing delay blitzes and stunts, even when helping the center or tackle and then moving to the late defender. Good at getting himself between the defender and runningback. So even if he doesn't get great push he shields the defender from making the play.

He is slow out of his stance some times. I'm not entirely sure of him as a puller. Bama most often runs the on gap shuffle pull. So I don't know how how he do with longer pulls where has to get some speed to get in the hole. Did get bull rushed one time that I saw against Ole Miss, but did a good job at planting his feet and stop it before getting into the QB.

I'm kinda souring on Alabama prospects. They appear to be coming into the league maxed-out
& worn-down.

captain stone said:

I'm kinda souring on Alabama prospects. They appear to be coming into the league maxed-out
& worn-down.

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I criticized the Bama players a couple of years ago and got blasted. I think Saban looks for a player who is ready to play right away. He can get the best kids in the country and does. But, many are maxed out. He has those big, thick bodies all over. Doesn't look like they have a lot of room to grow and aren't all that athletic. They're ready to play. But, you're not going to get much more out of them than they already are. That's the best way to win in college football.

But, the NFL experience is more of a development process. Project somebody with the athletic ability to do what you want once he gains some strength and technique. That DE from Cincy might end up being better than the big, old horse from Alabama. Terence Cody. Who was that big NG from Australia everybody here wanted?? I like Hightower. But, I think his best position is an ILB in a 3-4. We don't really do that too often.

My feeling about Bama and Saban, and keep in mind I'm new to college football, is that Saban prides himself a lot on being the best in college. Where a lot of other coaches prides themself on having as many players as they can go on and be successful in the NFL.