(04-27-2020, 04:46 PM)Caldrac Wrote:

(04-27-2020, 04:31 PM)JagFan81 Wrote: Im loving the optimism from you guys and im not writing off draft picks, we will see what we have in September (hopefully) but i have zero confidence in us next season.

I want to be positive, i want to have a reason to fan but im tired of wishful thinking.

That's beyond reasonable and fair Bubba. It feels like a long, drawn out divorce at this point with this team for the most of us. It's not really about being sad or mad. It's essentially worse than that. It's really resentment and apathy. 

I know I do it constantly. But I truly mean it. I cannot tip my hat enough to the season ticket holders that kept this team afloat and continue to keep this team afloat in this market. It's a lot to ask. But I get it. I want to be optimistic as well. 

I was reacting and huffing and puffing during the draft process. Took me a full day to kind of reevaluate the situation for what it is and for what it will continue to be until things change dramatically. I get the decisions to go defense early and often this year. 

And maybe with those selections it was honestly a vote of confidence towards Minshew and the offensive line. Maybe Caldwell and Marrone both agreed that by bringing in Gruden and McAdoo this off season and by adding a few players on offense that they can get away with it for now in year two with Minshew. 

The fact is that this defense was historically bad last year. B.A.D. BAD. IMHO though, that's more of an indictment towards Todd Wash's inability to manage the talent that he has around him. And that he cannot scheme accordingly in the NFL. 

You and I both know how I feel about him (3rd and 3 playing zone with CB's 5 - 7 yards off the LOS?). And I continue to bring up 2016, 2017 & 2018 as examples. Even when he HAD talent. Even when this defense was near PERFECT in 2017? He still managed to get out coached and out played by Gabbert, McCown, Mariota & Garoppolo and the talent that was in that locker room was adamant about NOT being utilized to the best of their abilities and NOT being schemed up properly. 

I don't know how he's dodged a bullet thus far. I just don't get it. I would have fired him within a week after that week 17 closed and I would have taken my chances with someone else out on the market. I would have called up Wade Phillips ASAP. I would have gone after other assistants from teams like New England who just came off an impressive year on defense or San Francisco who essentially did the same thing defensively and I would have given one of those guys a shot. 

Anybody but this [BLEEP] guy at this point. Hackett got dropped unfairly IMHO. 2018 we saw the offensive line banged up. And we saw that Bortles couldn't do it on his own neither. But we'll see. I'll be as optimistic as I can possibly be for 2020. But I honestly feel like Khan's a cheapskate when it comes to risks and moving on from lame duck personnel and results. 

There's no reason why Caldwell should still be here. And I honest to God believe that had Coughlin not be outed publicly by the NFLPA and had there not been so much negative press? I highly, HIGHLY doubt he's unemployed right now. Factor in the reports of Marrone being fired as well in December and that information being squashed rather quickly? It just goes to show him and his son have zero clue how to run a team. 

I think they wanted the notoriety of owning a team. But they didn't really want the burden of actually having to develop a winning culture and team. And I think the results speaks for themselves. It's been a decade. And we have one fluke to show for it.

Great post.

Its my draft fault. I get sucked in every damn year with the 'names' and when we draft someone else...but i agree, looking now, we filled holes, hopefully a few can be surprises and while we could have helped more areas we had more holes than draft picks.

Exactly with the D. I would happily shoot Wash into the sun and when Wade Phillip's became available it seemed like a perfect opportunity but no, the same crew return. They seem to be clinging onto 2017 so badly and i cant help but feel they managed to convince Khan they built a SB team and then Coughlin came in and destroyed it and just give them a chance to do it again but like you point out, 2017 was as perfect as some remember. Those losses, we just got past Buffalo. So many of our takeaways that year were fumbles or hurried QB's and thats not neccessarily on Wash or the scheme, that can be a guy making a play.

Really good point with Coughlin and the NFLPA. That report was enough on its own to get him fired without everything else. Coughlin had Khan's ear and i wouldn't have been surprised to see Coughlin given full control to hire and fire. My biggest complaint with Khan, and theres a lot, it annoys me little he seems to know or want to control his team. He seems so reliant on advice from people around him and thats not bad, but i just dont see him saying were signing X and Y but if Coughlin or Caldwell said they wanted them he would go with it. He puts so much time into 'increasing revenue', i just wish hed put as much effort into the product on the field. 

I just have so much hope in Minshew. The kid blew me away, no challenge too big, no fight too hard. Just giving everything and thats all i want. After watching Kessler, those 2 guys went in the same round?! Minshew is what is keeping me going and i just hope we give him the tools to grow and progress and win for us. 

I dont want to see 1st down penalty, 2nd down run, 3rd and 17 give it to Minshew.

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