(07-26-2018, 10:39 AM)Kane Wrote: (07-26-2018, 07:11 AM)Bullseye Wrote: I would not be shocked at any of your offensive predictions.
I tend to differ a bit from your Yannick prediction for a few reasons.
First 17 sacks is a heckuva number, better than one agame. While Ngakoue is capable of putting up high numbers, reaching that would simply be insane.
Secondly he would have to remain completely healthy all season. He has been blessed/fortunate enough to avoid the injury bug thus far and I hope that continues. But injuries are common in the NFL and the slightest ding could knock him off that pace.
Furthermore, assuming no training camp surprises, the team will have, at full strength, at least five (5) guys who can give quality reps at DE: Ngakoue, Campbell, Fowler, Smoot, and Bryan. Given the pass rush seemed to wear down by season's end, it would not be a total shock to see more of a rotation at DE, which might lower his season total but make him fresher as the season progresses.
Finally, my last rationale derives from the previous one. The Jaguars have so many quality pass rushers, they would end up taking sacks from each other.
RE:Yannick
If he's beasting, he's beasting... Don't think he'll lose snaps. Especially if he's improved vs the run.
Also... We're heavy at "big end" but essentially rush end is still Fowler and Yannick, right? I was under the impression Smoot is more big end than rush end...
Fowler will already be missing 1 game due to suspension. And if his weight doesn't bounce back (or strength or whatever) he could miss more than just the one.
I totally could see Campbell's sack number drop and Yannick's get higher.
I also think Fowler's sack number will decrease this year (which could be good if we are trying to keep him next season: $)
With Campbell on the way out (I'm guessing) our ends could end up being Bryan, Smoot, Fowler, and Yannick, perhaps adding a cheap vet or rookie next year.
But your points are very valid as to how or why he could miss that mark.
And it makes me wonder... with more and more rotation going on with a lot of teams... will the sack record ever be broken?
I could easily see things progressing as you describe here.
Regarding Smoot, he was first drafted as a backup big end to Campbell. but as the season wore on, he saw snaps at RDE opposite Campbell. I see him as a swing guy. Like Bryan is a guy who could go from LDE to DT in certain situations, I could see Smoot play either the big DE or a pass rushing RDE (and actually an interior pass rusher) in certain situations.
Generally speaking we are eye to eye on this.
Worst to 1st. Curse Reversed!