(05-30-2021, 09:54 AM)NYC4jags Wrote:

(05-30-2021, 12:37 AM)Bullseye Wrote: Various thoughts this Memorial day weekend...

1.  Reports came out that Trevor Lawrence struggled some in red zone drills.  While positive reviews for highly drafted players are typically the norm for this time of year, his struggles in the red zone drill are not of concern at this stage.  This is one of the first times working ...

2.  Speaking of receivers, there has been some speculation about Laviska Shenault and a second round pick being offered up in exchange for Falcons' WR Julio Jones.  ...

3.  Admittedly this view is unfair to the team and to the player, but of all the draft picks in the first 3-4 rounds, perhaps the one I am the least enthusiastic about is second round pick Tyson Campbell.  It's not as though I was initially opposed to the pick like I was Chaisson last year.  I'm not necessarily hostile to him as a player.  But for reasons I cannot fully explain, my attitude towards his selection borders on ambivalence or indifference.  On a lot of levels, I should be excited we got him  ...

4.  Though I am opposed to acquiring Julio Jones, especially under the terms of that speculated trade, next week offers the possibiity of more fruitful post June 1 acquisitions, either by trade or from the June 1 cuts.  While the Tebow signing has dominated the discusson, there is still room on the roster for one more addition, and the need at TE is still considerable.  I think we could see guys like Zach Ertz and David Njoku find themselves available,and bothe could improve the TE position considerably.  ...

5.  In looking at our schedule, I'm thinking the best chance Etienne has of having impact is against Houston and Cincinnati.  I don't see their LBs being particularly athletic or particularly good fits for the Tampa 2 Houston is going to employ.   I think Denver, Arizona and Tennessee have reasonably athletic LB-Arizona especially with Simmons from last year and Collins from this year to hold up decently if somehow isolated on Etienne.

6.  I know it's unlikely for too many reasons, but I'd still like the team to take a chance on Damon Snacks Harrison.

7.  I am really feeling football withdrawal, and we haven't hit June.  Don't know what the hell I'm gonna do until June, considering we only won one game last year.  Maybe I'll re-watch some of the Clemson games I've recorded over the past three years.

3. I liked the Campbell pick quite a bit. I think nickel may be his short term future here, but CB2 opposite Henderson may be where he ends up by 2023. (assuming CJ lives up to his draft position at least moderately) 
Lots of upside on Campbell if he is able to adapt and improve a few things. 

4. I feel an additional TE will definitely be added.  If not one of the obvious upper tier guys, at least a cut player from a squad wealthy in talent at the TE position. 

5. I have not analyzed Etienne's play or projected impact enough to comment. I am very hopeful that the new offense and playcalling is replete with plays designed  to create mismatches for him as well as for Shenault. 

3.  The criticism I hear the most regarding Campbell is that he does not play the ball particularly well.  He is capable of blanketing a receiver for most of his route, but when the ball is in the air, he somehow misplays the ball with either bad angles or mistimed jumps.  I've heard that is coachable, but I wonder how such a deficiency in his game (assuming it exists and is not exaggerated) has persisted so long given all his time playing defensive back. 

4.  New England immediately came to mind.  They drafted two mid round TEs last year, then signed two big name free agents this year.  I understand Belichick has a history of heavy TE utilization, and they may compensate for the lack of a competent WR by using more 2 TE sets.  But It's hard to imagine a team keeping 4 TEs active on a 53 man roster unless there is a long snapper in there.

5.  In discussing Etienne, I left out one important caveat.  You will notice I restricted the analysis to the LBs he'll face.  He would likely face only LBs if he lined up conventionally as a RB.  That is where the coverage mismatches are most likely to occur..with Etienne running traditional running back routes (flairs, circle routes and variations, wheel routes) against LBs.  But he is an offensive hybrid...and according to Meyer, he will be utilized often being lined up at WR.  So utilized, it stands to reason that if he's lined up unconventionally (for a RB) then defenses would adjust accordingly.  Assuming he's lined up wide, he should expect to see a fair amount of DBs covering him, not LBs.  I think this could open things up for James Robinson running the ball, but also possibly reduce Etienne's big play effectiveness.

---