(06-17-2023, 05:35 PM)Bullseye Wrote: (06-17-2023, 04:10 PM)TheDuke007 Wrote: 1. I think, at a minimum, that Trevor will play the full year like he did in the second half of last season. If so, that will be improvement from a season-to-season perspective. However, I think he continues to improve, particularly considering this will be his second season in Pederson's system. Ridley is also a nice new weapon that will improve Lawrence's stats.
2. I see Etienne and Bigsby as locks with Hasty and Johnson as likely. Barring injury to one of those four, I give very little chance of Snoop making the 53 man roster. Parish has a small chance. I would consider it a "surprise", but if they like his special teams ability enough, it's possible that he beats our Hasty or Johnson. It's also possible that they keep a fifth running back. It comes down to the final offensive roster spot which I see as a decision between an emergency quarterback, a fourth tight end or Parish. I know some disagree, but I'm still inclined to make the emergency quarterback the favorite. On game day, a third emergency quarterback is more valuable than an inactive player. That's the choice under the new rule. Besides, our fourth tight end and Parish will likely make it to our practice squad and could be called up anyway if injuries occur.
3. I think we're going to have a wonderful receiving core. If you assume Ridley returns to his old form, this group is clearly better than the 2017 group and rivals (but maybe just slightly short) of the 1996 group.
4. I think whether Engram signs a long term deal or the franchise tag will come to the last day or two. I'm leaning towards the franchise tag. I am one who questions whether the Brenton Strange pick was a sign. The Jaguars say that they want Engram long term, but is that just PR? Last year, they said they wanted to keep D.J. Chark, but only threw him a low ball offer. This year, they said that they wanted to keep Arden Key but he received an offer from another team that was easily matchable. How interested are they really in Engram? A second round pick is high for a tight end #2. I'm questioning whether or not the plan is to use Engram this year while Strange is a rookie, but then move on next year and use the salary savings somewhere else. Tight end is a position that often drops in the draft.
5. They have said that Harrison will play right tackle, so I think it's clearly Little at left tackle, Fortner at center, Scherff at right guard and Harrison at right tackle. The only question is maybe left guard. If healthy, I think it is Bartch who won the job last year over Shatley. That being said, I do think there will be a competition for that spot. As for when Cam returns, it will depend upon how the offensive line is playing. If they are playing really well, I could see Pederson sticking with it. If the left guard is struggling, I could see Cam going to left tackle and Little to left guard with the rest unchanged.
1. Agreed.
2. I think your 3rd QB analysis is more true given the rules changed regarding kickoffs. With kickoff returns and coverage being de-emphasized, the bottom of the roster's emphasis on special teams contributions will also be reduced. Though Pederson has stated there won't be much roster change or any less emphasis on special teams, I think there may be some change which changes the calculus on the 3rd QB vs the special teams contributor.
3. It seems the early consensus here is at its best, this team ranks just below the 1996 group. What would you see that gives the 1996 group the edge over this year's receivers?
5. Why do you see Cam going to LG when he has steadfastly refused to move inside before?
This issue could get interesting if Little and Harrison are playing well when Cam comes back, but Bartch is not.
Personally, I feel like Cam should be a team first player and lose the positional diva schtick.
Especially when you've just let your team down with a suspension and your coach wears a SB ring.
Now, can he play LG worth a flip? No idea.
But if that's where they need him to try holding it down, dude should suck it up and play guard.
Especially if the details reveal he did something stupid top earn this suspension.
