Content Post Idle thoughts: the "NEXT" edition.

[Mike the Brit]

Isn’t it funny that “Steel sharpens steel” is such a commonly used phrase, but it’s actually not true.
Steel does not in fact sharpen steel.
I’m a nerd, carry on

Are you right about that? I think that steel sharpens steel by honing it. I understand that some people don't like to call it "sharpening" because it doesn't remove metal. But it does make it sharper, doesn't it?

(I am no expert, but I once knew a butcher who would take two knives and use one blade on the back of the other to sharpen it and then switch blades.)

 

[DoubleDeluxe]

Are you right about that? I think that steel sharpens steel by honing it. I understand that some people don't like to call it "sharpening" because it doesn't remove metal. But it does make it sharper, doesn't it?

(I am no expert, but I once knew a butcher who would take two knives and use one blade on the back of the other to sharpen it and then switch blades.)

Honing removes irregularities and can help straighten, but technically it doesn’t sharpen.

Just think about when you sharpen a knife, lawnmower blade…etc. you use an abrasive stone, disk….etc

 

[TommyD4207]

It's 'Iron sharpens Iron', which actually is true.

 

[Mike the Brit]

Honing removes irregularities and can help straighten, but technically it doesn’t sharpen.

"I think that steel sharpens steel by honing it. I understand that some people don't like to call it "sharpening" because it doesn't remove metal. But it does make it sharper, doesn't it?"

That was my point.

 

[The Gr8est]

What are you giving up for the right to pay brown 30 million plus when our WR group now is putting up 85 catches in 111 targets (76.6% catch rate which is unheard of and likely the best in nfl history btw) for 1069 yards and 8 TDs. If we assume they are the target on both of Mayes ints that is a 122.5 passer rating when throwing to WRs.

Our offense employs 2.38 WRs per snap.

The 7 games stats project to 206 for 2596 and 19 TDs.

So if AJ Brown came in and played every down he would have to put up full season numbers of 87/1091/8 just to equal what we are getting.

How much more than that are you going to get for a boatload of money and draft picks?

FYI AJ Brown currently projects to 70/959/7

Also by the way:
AJ Brown 388 snaps played 51 targets 29/395/3
Kayshon Boutte 317 snaps played 25 targets 20/356/4

How is that worth big $ and picks?

Our passing game is the least of our problems, if it is a problem at all.

I’d rather try and pry Breece Hall from the rodents.

 

[DoubleDeluxe]

"I think that steel sharpens steel by honing it. I understand that some people don't like to call it "sharpening" because it doesn't remove metal. But it does make it sharper, doesn't it?"

That was my point.

It might.
I’m not a metallurgist, but I do have a wandering mind. Don’t know why I actually thought about it, it just popped in my head, “does it actually”.
I think Tommy set us straight.

 

[Ring 6]

Our passing game is the least of our problems, if it is a problem at all.

I’d rather try and pry Breece Hall from the rodents.

These are my concerns:

RB but I’d Stevenson holds on to the ball and Henderson progresses we are fine. Henderson is close.

OL. I think it will continue to improve, but depth is a huge concern. Next man up is scary.

LB It would be great to add a second solid LB next to Spillane but we are piecing it together.

S this is the biggest concern. Hawkins being out doesn’t worry me, Hawkins being in worries me.

CB I’d love to see us grab a veteran to be the 1st guy off the bench if we have an injury. Charles Woods isn’t doing it for me.

 

[DoubleDeluxe]

These are my concerns:

RB but I’d Stevenson holds on to the ball and Henderson progresses we are fine. Henderson is close.

OL. I think it will continue to improve, but depth is a huge concern. Next man up is scary.

LB It would be great to add a second solid LB next to Spillane but we are piecing it together.

S this is the biggest concern. Hawkins being out doesn’t worry me, Hawkins being in worries me.

CB I’d love to see us grab a veteran to be the 1st guy off the bench if we have an injury. Charles Woods isn’t doing it for me.

No concern at Edge?
That is #1 for me.
Our lack of pass rush in obv passing situations is a big concern for me.
We have been good at times, but reinforcement there would be a definite target for me.

 

[The Gr8est]

These are my concerns:

RB but I’d Stevenson holds on to the ball and Henderson progresses we are fine. Henderson is close.

OL. I think it will continue to improve, but depth is a huge concern. Next man up is scary.

LB It would be great to add a second solid LB next to Spillane but we are piecing it together.

S this is the biggest concern. Hawkins being out doesn’t worry me, Hawkins being in worries me.

CB I’d love to see us grab a veteran to be the 1st guy off the bench if we have an injury. Charles Woods isn’t doing it for me.

I am actually hopeful now that Stevenson may be back close to the pre-fumbling Stevenson, but we still need to be looking for his successor.

 

[Toofy]

I am actually hopeful now that Stevenson may be back close to the pre-fumbling Stevenson, but we still need to be looking for his successor.

So looks like Henderson ain't it.

Is Henderson the successor for white ? So far, has not shown anything . Hopefully has a sophomore jump. Else we might need to add him too to a long list of second round busts .

 

[Ring 6]

No concern at Edge?
That is #1 for me.
Our lack of pass rush in obv passing situations is a big concern for me.
We have been good at times, but reinforcement there would be a definite target for me.

Landry is fine. Chaisson is much better than I expected.
More depth would be great but with White (assuming he gets out of his funk) and Jennings on the bench who really has more depth than that?
We’ve been fine rushing the passer. No team gets pressure on demand.
Pressure is more schemed than 1 guy alone.
Micah Parsons has 58 career sacks in 69 games.
Our 2 edge guys have 10 in 14 games. The difference is like a sack a month

 

[TommyD4207]

No concern at Edge?
That is #1 for me.
Our lack of pass rush in obv passing situations is a big concern for me.
We have been good at times, but reinforcement there would be a definite target for me.

Not really, no. I'd like another body, and that should be White, but he's a zombie at this point.

As far as 'lack of pass rush'...I don't see what you see, I guess. I see a damn good pass rush, especially up the middle.

 

[Ring 6]

So looks like Henderson ain't it.

Is Henderson the successor for white ? So far, has not shown anything . Hopefully has a sophomore jump. Else we might need to add him too to a long list of second round busts .

The guy is a rookie 7 games in who has played 151 NFL snaps.
He is a big play guy who they have failed to get the ball to in space.
Bagging on him at this point is just stupid.

 

[TommyD4207]

The guy is a rookie 7 games in who has played 151 NFL snaps.
He is a big play guy who they have failed to get the ball to in space.
Bagging on him at this point is just stupid.

We have to lay the groundwork for the doom, before we can get to the gloom.

BSM-mentality at its finest.

 

[patchick]

Brown the year we won the Super Bowl - 16 games
101/1199/5

Diggs so far
39/456/0

Diggs projected on a 17 game schedule
95/1107/0

You're missing a key stat, IMO. In 2001, Troy Brown had 101 receptions on 142 targets, just 71%. Diggs is pulling in 89% of his targets on a relatively limited snap count.

Brown's total production had a lot to do with being constantly on the field and often the only legitimate weapon.

 

[FoxboroFan23]

I have

And I appreciate that, just haven't gotten a chance to respond yet, but without getting too into the weeds, I reject the premise that the Pats have one of the better WR rooms in the league.

You also phrase the argument in an inaccurate fashion. You spoke as if we were replacing Diggs or Boutte when the whole idea is to add to those players. Not replace them.

Question for you... what do you think of the Patriots chances in the post season? You seem pretty bullish on the team, as am I. Any chance they win the AFC? I don't think it's out of the question.

 

[FoxboroFan23]

You're missing a key stat, IMO. In 2001, Troy Brown had 101 receptions on 142 targets, just 71%. Diggs is pulling in 89% of his targets on a relatively limited snap count.

Brown's total production had a lot to do with being constantly on the field and often the only legitimate weapon.

It's never gonna be exactly the same situation. Another discrepancy would be QB play. Maye is currently in the running for MVP. Brady was never considered an MVP in that year.

But speaking of that competition percentage to Diggs it's strongly suggests we should throw Diggs the ball more often.

 

[FoxboroFan23]

It's a Fantasy Football mentality. There's at least six positions that I could think of to get an upgrade or better backup other than WR.

Well don't hold back list them. Also list what starting caliber players are on the market at those positions.

 

[TommyD4207]

It's never gonna be exactly the same situation. Another discrepancy would be QB play. Maye is currently in the running for MVP. Brady was never considered an MVP in that year.

But speaking of that competition percentage to Diggs it's strongly suggests we should throw Diggs the ball more often.

He leads the team in targets. He also plays about 50% of the snaps.

 

[FoxboroFan23]

I think everyone is OK with upgrading EVERY position if possible. However at this particular time there should be a priority of where and how much you spend the assets to find those upgrades, and right now WR isn't high on that priority list, especially since the ones we have right now have been very effective. Plus you have to consider the time it would take for the player to learn the offense and get in a rhythm with the QB from scratch. If you feel you need to upgrade the WR position just wait until FA and the draft, there will be plenty of good prospects there. Meanwhile there are more pressing issues elsewhere at the trade deadline.

if there was a starting guard, RT, LB, safety or a rotation caliber DE who was:

- 28 or younger
- had at least 1 additional year on his contract
- in trade rumors

I would be very interested in trading for said player. I am unaware of anyone who meets those criteria.