Content Post Words on things I watched, read & heard II

What a juke. Reminds me a little bit of Dion’s move against the Cowboys during his breakout year. Spears is going to make some team very happy this fall.

Ross12 said:

I like Flowers but people are hyping him as a first rounder now. I dunno. Thoughts?

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Supposedly didn't have a very good Shrine experience... First-round hype might start dying-down, especially if he measures smaller-than-listed at the combine...

Uptown said:

These are excellent lists..

27 players to watch as Patriots turn their attention to the Senior Bowl

The Patriots are well-represented at the college all-star game.

www.patspulpit.com

2023 Senior Bowl: Daniel Jeremiah's top 10 NFL draft winners from week of practice

Which 2023 NFL Draft prospects stood out the most during the week of practices at the Senior Bowl? Daniel Jeremiah spotlights 10 players who helped themselves heading into Saturday's all-star game.

www.nfl.com

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Did I read Jeremiah's article correctly that none of the big name CBs are there at the Senior Bowl?

@BaconGrundleCandy - Who is your top Special Team's Player in the Draft who you think could take over for Matthew Slater in terms of being the Captain of Special Teams?'

Jim Beankie said:

Awesome stuff! Duuude... I was actually gonna randomly bring up Iosivas in the WR thread last week. Running a 10.8 (+.9) 100m in HS as part of a Decathlon and 6'10" HJ (same as Quentin), 24'9" LJ, and that 6.71 60m last year as part of a Hep really caught my eye. I did NOT see the 22.2mph, so that's super helpful (Edit - looks like he had 3 drops last season). I remember watching that TD (EDIT - it was part of the mixtape highlights and was chopped up and didn't have great camera angles) and thought he was movin' but because of the competition, I was like nah it's prob because everyone else is super slow. As part of the late Rnd bargain combo, would like to get him or TScott along with TTucker, although my guy last year was supposed to go Day 3, but he had other plans, so who knows.

C'mon Troy! I'm not "in Troy I trust" like I was before this past season, but I still have faith.

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What's your thoughts on speed? You know much more than I do.

Like speak on the difference between that .5 or 1 mph from 20.5 to 21.5. Or 21 to 22 might be more interesting.

What's easier to achieve in terms of the best not on average if that makes sense? Like which area can really improve on in stand out in with proper genetics, training, luck etc. Acceleration or long speed??

What's your thoughts on these kids in T&F nowadays? I can't help but think it's a good thing. Just another form of development in terms of movement skills, strength etc Any negative thoughts?

It's just amazing how much the athlete has evolved the game or changed it. Short area quickness has just imprinted itself everywhere. The ability to make someone miss is everything bc it seems everyone runs a 4.4. I'm particularly fascinated by acceleration. I love long speed but that burst, explosiveness is what gets me.

I'm also intrigued by body types and always look over prospects. Anything you can share that's useful to look for?

Ross12 said:

I like Flowers but people are hyping him as a first rounder now. I dunno. Thoughts?

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I mean definitely not at 14. He's a cherry on top so to speak. He's never going to be a true WR1. Him Addison, JSN could be really good volume WR2 imo. Hes more or less strictly slot and small. I mean Addison had real trouble against press so hes not playing X either but both can do some damage deep. If we had Higgins or even Hopkins I'd target him early RD2. Maybe 32 there's little difference in money between 32 and 40. He's someone that could round out your corp not change but this team needs a quick slot with some YAC ability. Along with a real X. I'd be tracking Addison for sure too if we do get that X.

I'm curious what Arizona would want for Hopkins. I don't see them getting a 1st and he's not getting younger. If we got him I'd be targeting on of Addison, Flowers, Downs or JSN.

Addison is going first among the group. Great at using leverage and separating. Really knows how to create space for himself off his restem. Not explosive but best burst among the group. Plus contact balance for his size. All four are very smooth and fluid @patfanken None lose speed while moving. Like RB with the ball in their hands. All are efficient and move like butter in short areas.

Q Johnston will go WR1 but after I think they'll go Addison, JSN 15-25. Flowers and Downs 32-45. So you'll have to make it a point of getting one.

Ideally we'd give up a 3rd and 4th or future 3rd. Trade back, maybe even getting multiple 2nds and targeting guys like Wright, Addison, Washington, Flowers, Duncan, Bergeron, D Jones, Rice, Hyatt, Musgrave and a few others. Starter at RT, TE to play 12P and quick slot or potential game breaker in Hyatt if we're focusing on offense.

I'm putting out a PTP list very soon. Just been injured, busy with work and stuff but that's definitely something I'd consider ... again if we're focusing on off.

DaBruinz said:

@BaconGrundleCandy - Who is your top Special Team's Player in the Draft who you think could take over for Matthew Slater in terms of being the Captain of Special Teams?'

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Isn't Brandon Schooler the likely candidate?

BaconGrundleCandy said:

I mean definitely not at 14. He's a cherry on top so to speak. He's never going to be a true WR1. Him Addison, JSN could be really good volume WR2 imo. Hes more or less strictly slot and small. I mean Addison had real trouble against press so hes not playing X either but both can do some damage deep. If we had Higgins or even Hopkins I'd target him early RD2. Maybe 32 there's little difference in money between 32 and 40. He's someone that could round out your corp not change but this team needs a quick slot with some YAC ability. Along with a real X. I'd be tracking Addison for sure too if we do get that X.

I'm curious what Arizona would want for Hopkins. I don't see them getting a 1st and he's not getting younger. If we got him I'd be targeting on of Addison, Flowers, Downs or JSN.

Addison is going first among the group. Great at using leverage and separating. Really knows how to create space for himself off his restem. Not explosive but best burst among the group. Plus contact balance for his size. All four are very smooth and fluid @patfanken None lose speed while moving. Like RB with the ball in their hands. All are efficient and move like butter in short areas.

Q Johnston will go WR1 but after I think they'll go Addison, JSN 15-25. Flowers and Downs 32-45. So you'll have to make it a point of getting one.

Ideally we'd give up a 3rd and 4th or future 3rd. Trade back, maybe even getting multiple 2nds and targeting guys like Wright, Addison, Washington, Flowers, Duncan, Bergeron, D Jones, Rice, Hyatt, Musgrave and a few others. Starter at RT, TE to play 12P and quick slot or potential game breaker in Hyatt if we're focusing on offense.

I'm putting out a PTP list very soon. Just been injured, busy with work and stuff but that's definitely something I'd consider ... again if we're focusing on off.

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Yeah, this is what I was kind of thinking - Flowers and some of these other guys are really locked to the slot for the most part so #14 makes no sense to me. Later in the first, maybe, but I would be going for someone like Addison in that role before Flowers.

I could definitely see the sense in trading back from 14 to the mid 20s to pick up a two 2nds and grab Wright in the first, someone like Flowers and an RT in the second. Makes a lot of sense to me. Part of me feels crappy about not using such a high pick that they rarely have the chance to use but they have several needs that can be filled with players in the first few rounds, maximize your picks by trading back from 14 and then trading up with your later picks to get more 3rds and 4ths.

p8ryts said:

Isn't Brandon Schooler the likely candidate?

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Possibly, but I'm not sure. If he cleans up the penalties, then, most certainly. And I really liked Schooler's play overall. But remember that the Pats had 2 other amazing players with Slater recently in Justin Bethel and Cody Davis. Bethel left prior to last season and Davis suffered a really bad injury and is a FA.

There was a day when Belichick was criticized for playing regulars too much on special teams. I kind of wish he’d go back to those days instead of carrying so many players who contribute exclusively on STs.

Last season’s team had 8 such players who contributed almost exclusively on STs- Folk, Bailey/Palardy. Cardona, Slater, Schooler, Davis/Webb, Pierre Strong and Demarcus Mitchell.

Having that many really made it hard to maintain adequate depth on the 53 and game day rosters. There were two games last season in which the Pats finished the game with only 1 RB who was trusted to handle the ball or protect the QB. Running Stevenson ragged in the Vikings game contributed to that loss. Maddening considering a kickoff return TD and foolish running into the punter penalty also contributed to that loss.

Hopefully, Strong develops into a useful RB while continuing his roles on STs. The same for Mitchell becoming a part of the Edge rotation. I’d prefer Davis or Webb be replaced by a TE who’s also an above average blocking TE. Slater always has a roster spot if he doesn’t retire, but, if he does, I’d rather he be replaced by a CB or Safety who could also provide depth at those positions.

DaBruinz said:

@BaconGrundleCandy - Who is your top Special Team's Player in the Draft who you think could take over for Matthew Slater in terms of being the Captain of Special Teams?'

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I’m thinking Carlton Martial the undersized LBer and record setting tackler out of Troy. Quite a shock he’s only 5’7”, but he is a sure tackler unlike Myles Bryant, a fluid athlete unlike Tavai, busts his tail unlike Agholor, and has a very high football IQ and instincts unlike most.


I expect his effort and instincts to be very Slateresque.

But I prefer BGC’s input to mine.

DaBruinz said:

Possibly, but I'm not sure. If he cleans up the penalties, then, most certainly. And I really liked Schooler's play overall. But remember that the Pats had 2 other amazing players with Slater recently in Justin Bethel and Cody Davis. Bethel left prior to last season and Davis suffered a really bad injury and is a FA.

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Bethel wasn't resigned. Not sure his departure was voluntary

p8ryts said:

Bethel wasn't resigned. Not sure his departure was voluntary

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It doesn't change that Bethel was a damn good special teams player and the Pats didn't replace him.

DaBruinz said:

It doesn't change that Bethel was a damn good special teams player and the Pats didn't replace him.

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I thought Schooler replaced Bethel. Who did Schooler replace?

One-If-By-Sea said:

I thought Schooler replaced Bethel. Who did Schooler replace?

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Besides Bethel, the Pats removed Brandon King, Brandon Bolden, Jamie Collins and Olszewski. So, take your pick.

p8ryts said:

Bethel wasn't resigned. Not sure his departure was voluntary

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IIRC, it was about money - Bethel would've cost a few million that they didn't want to spend. He was missed for sure, he would've been a good depth piece at DB when they were down several men and obviously his contributions on ST were very valuable.

Ross12 said:

IIRC, it was about money - Bethel would've cost a few million that they didn't want to spend. He was missed for sure, he would've been a good depth piece at DB when they were down several men and obviously his contributions on ST were very valuable.

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I'm not a fan of Special Teams only guys but he was a good one. We could have used him there and like you said...possibly on D.

Ross12 said:

IIRC, it was about money - Bethel would've cost a few million that they didn't want to spend. He was missed for sure, he would've been a good depth piece at DB when they were down several men and obviously his contributions on ST were very valuable.

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I thought it was a roster spot coming down at the last cutdowns?

State said:

I’m thinking Carlton Martial the undersized LBer and record setting tackler out of Troy. Quite a shock he’s only 5’7”, but he is a sure tackler unlike Myles Bryant, a fluid athlete unlike Tavai, busts his tail unlike Agholor, and has a very high football IQ and instincts unlike most.

2023 NFL Draft Player Profiles: Troy LB Carlton Martial

From now until the 2023 NFL Draft takes place, we hope to scout and create profiles for as many prospects as possible, examining their strengths, weaknesses, and what they can bring to an NFL franchise. These players could be potential top 10 picks, all the way down to Day 3 selections and...

steelersdepot.com

I expect his effort and instincts to be very Slateresque.

But I prefer BGC’s input to mine.

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Not worth drafting in even the 7th round.

UDFA? Yeah sure I guess...

DaBruinz said:

@BaconGrundleCandy - Who is your top Special Team's Player in the Draft who you think could take over for Matthew Slater in terms of being the Captain of Special Teams?'

Click to expand...

State said:

I’m thinking Carlton Martial the undersized LBer and record setting tackler out of Troy. Quite a shock he’s only 5’7”, but he is a sure tackler unlike Myles Bryant, a fluid athlete unlike Tavai, busts his tail unlike Agholor, and has a very high football IQ and instincts unlike most.

2023 NFL Draft Player Profiles: Troy LB Carlton Martial

From now until the 2023 NFL Draft takes place, we hope to scout and create profiles for as many prospects as possible, examining their strengths, weaknesses, and what they can bring to an NFL franchise. These players could be potential top 10 picks, all the way down to Day 3 selections and...

steelersdepot.com

I expect his effort and instincts to be very Slateresque.

But I prefer BGC’s input to mine.

Click to expand...

So tough bc Slater is 1/100000 type. Smart as anything, articulate but can stand up in front of millionaire athletes and tell them to get their **** together. Great speed and contact balance along the sidelines. Never have to worry about him outside of work.

Few names that intrigue me for that spot ....
Trey Palmer, Tyler Hudson, Tyler Scott.

Some haven't played that many snaps on ST but rather body types/make-up, size, character to make it there. Few more guys I'll get into after the beanpot