Ellis, Austin, Stevenson, Douglas

[Ring 6]

I think Austin will be fine when Gonzalez gets back. He is just ask to play a role he isn't good enough for because of injuries.

Well his role is to cover WRs. If he isn’t good at that starting he won’t be any better at it when he subs in

 

[Ring 6]

I think they should keep Gibbens as the second LB for now, until Tavai comes back. At that point, Tavai probably takes the spot. Then Ellis and Gibbens are depth pieces for specific situations. Obviously we hoped Ellis would take a step forward but it hasn't come together.

Bench Stevenson for a week, then work him in here and there as the third RB. Henderson ~40% of snaps, Gibson ~35%, Stevenson ~25%. Perhaps elevate Jennings for a couple weeks and see if he gives you something. Realistically, they're missing a true "power" back. But those guys aren't usually that hard to find. Maybe start sniffing around some practice squads.

Douglas just doesn't have it, at least in this offense. Start giving Chism some reps, and also sub him in for Jones as a punt returner here and there.

I don't really have a problem with Austin, he's just a CB4 at best being forced to play too much. Until Gonzo gets back, rotate him and Woods. When Gonzo gets back, neither of them are likely to see the field much anyway.

I don’t understand rotating Austin and Woods. Why? A corner isn’t better when he plays half the time, he just does half as much damage. Okay the better one.

 

[BennyBledsoe]

Given Gonzalez keeps missing expected milestones, I think it's fair to not consider him a factor in 2025 right now. As of right now, he is not an option now or any time in the future. That reality should be how we feel. That being said, do we let young players develop in his spot or do we find somebody on another team looking for a new start? A depressed asset we can hopefully revive?

 

[Zuma]

I still think Gonzo will be ready against the Bills (my prediction 2-3 weeks ago).

 

[Zuma]

Assuming Gibbens plays well enough to keep the job.

Of course

I think Tavai is first off the bench, but Mapu plays in passing situations.

Yeah but once Tavai is in, he will be targeted via Pass....and it will be ugly per usual. I'd rather the ILB's be deficient against the run then against the pass. The DL can hold up good enough against the run.

 

[Ring 6]

Of course

Yeah but once Tavai is in, he will be targeted via Pass....and it will be ugly per usual. I'd rather the ILB's be deficient against the run then against the pass. The DL can hold up good enough against the run.

This system exposes LBs in the passing game rather than hiding them.
Tavai was very underrated in the BB system, but I expect he would struggle in this one, unless he’s playing in run d, zone coverage situations.

 

[Zuma]

This system exposes LBs in the passing game rather than hiding them.

Yes but that's "mostly" because the Patriots LB's have been bad at coverage in forever. I don't think Tavai is the answer...not for the Pats anyway. We need 6'2" 220-230 lateral guys that can move sideline to sideline. I'd prefer to have all ILB's with that gift then a 50/50 split of run / cover guys.

 

[TommyD4207]

Elliss and Austin were both benched.

 

[Triumph]

As a GA fan I was shocked to see how much weight Washington has put on since college.

I’m actually shocked they haven’t moved him to Tackle.

He’s that big, AND still far more athletic than most Tackles.

Ever been to Primati Brothers?

If you ever make it to Pittsburg check em out. Darn good sandwiches.

 

[jmt57]

The lack of quality depth is always glaring on any team in the rebuilding mode.

Elliss and Austin are prime examples. On quality teams they would be much further down on the depth chart, special teamers only, and seeing playing time on defense only as a last resort.

The rebuild was never going to be a one-year fix.

 

[mgteich]

It's reasonable to think so. He deserves a shot, simple as that, unless he is still injured.

Absent an injury, #6 WR's don't "deserve" a shot.

 

[mgteich]

Given Gonzalez keeps missing expected milestones, I think it's fair to not consider him a factor in 2025 right now. As of right now, he is not an option now or any time in the future. That reality should be how we feel. That being said, do we let young players develop in his spot or do we find somebody on another team looking for a new start? A depressed asset we can hopefully revive?

So, you are willing to consider a season with lots of reps from Austin and Woods?

IMO, that all but gives up on the season. If Gonzo is expected to be on IR for the season, we should and would trade for a veteran before the trade deadline.

 

[TommyD4207]

So, you are willing to consider a season with lots of reps from Austin and Woods?

IMO, that all but gives up on the season. If Gonzo is expected to be on IR for the season, we should and would trade for a veteran before the trade deadline.

I don't know who Woods is, I'm going to guess you mean Elliss.

And they're going to get reps. Someone has to play. They got a good long look from the coaching/evaluation staff and decided they'd seen enough and got benched.

That's what a rebuild is supposed to look like. Why would you waste draft capital on a veteran who won't even be here by the time the team actually gets good? Or were you one of the ones who thought this was a playoff team?

 

[jmt57]

I don't know who Woods is, I'm going to guess you mean Elliss.

The fact that the vast majority of us don't know who Charles Woods is, combined with the fact that we are having a discussion about giving him more playing time, that speaks volumes about the lack of quality depth at the position.

 

[TommyD4207]

The fact that the vast majority of us don't know who Charles Woods is, combined with the fact that we are having a discussion about giving him more playing time, that speaks volumes about the lack of quality depth at the position.

Oh, that dude.

Again, rebuild. Holes in the roster. Try who you have, maybe one of them ends up all right. That's how we got Butler and JC Jackson after all.

 

[patfanken]

re
IMO, that all but gives up on the season. If Gonzo is expected to be on IR for the season, we should and would trade for a veteran before the trade deadline.

Well Houston just released a one time top ranked CB, (CJ Gardner-Johnson) so I might want to check into that story first, but there's a solid vet CB with a good pedigree that on sale now.

He started the first 3 games, so I wonder what happened there.

 

[Love The Drake]

Well Houston just released a one time top ranked CB, (CJ Gardner-Johnson) so I might want to check into that story first, but there's a solid vet CB with a good pedigree that on sale now.

He started the first 3 games, so I wonder what happened there.

I read he demanded a pay raise, and to blitz more than play in coverage, he then said all the other dbs sucked and were overplayed.
Said really split the locker room.

The guy has always been toxic but he does make plays.
He had his best seasons in Philly.

I would absolutely bring him in and see if Vrabel can get him to harness that energy.

Diggs has been on his best behavior football wise.
Why not CGJ?

 

[captain stone]

Ever been to Primati Brothers?

If you ever make it to Pittsburg check em out. Darn good sandwiches.

They've franchised. There's one in Hershey now, as well as in Camp Hill, Lancaster & York... We would order for pickup there sometimes, especially during covid, but stopped doing so after they discontinued making tater tots - we never liked their French fries - and that sauce on the side they include with their sammiches is ****ing AWFUL.

 

[BennyBledsoe]

I'm not giving up on the season, just facing what seems like the only practical way to approach Gonzalez's timetable. We have been told for weeks it looks like he's coming back. He hasn't. This doesn't look like the week, either. So, approach the team this season as not having him available.

Simple as that. What do we do to try to make this season worthwhile? I think you continue as you should... keep developing, see who shakes out. This roster was basically all holes at the start of this season. Remember, even Belichick had to have that 2000 season of 5-11 to shake out the people he couldn't do anything with. Even 2001 started out with more of the same. The 2001 team had another huge turnover from 2000.

 

[captain stone]

And BTW, to everyone who toed the company line by pimping The Elliss Brother Who Sucks, you ****ing dumbasses owe Ring6 a ****ing Apology.