(10-02-2023, 01:09 PM)Jaguarmeister Wrote:

(10-02-2023, 12:35 PM)Caldrac Wrote: Naturally. He's still an above average player though. It would be one thing if he was looking for TJ Watt money, which is more than likely going to be shattered anyway once Micah Parsons starts seeking his second contract extension. I don't he will be though. I think him and his agent will make a strong push to crack the top five currently. 

Which is fair. He's been a better and more durable player than Joey Bosa and Rashan Gary have been over the last two, three years. 

My main concerns are backfilling, production and draft capital. We will not have the resources next year to backfill yet another pass rushing position and then hope we get production of him. We already may have failed with Travon Walker's selection over Aidan Hutchinson. 

We've really pissed away Lawrence's rookie contract window. We're [BLEEP]. I think we're on the verge of imploding financially and I am not sure I want to see Baalke around for the restructuring process. I think he invested a ton of money at fixing up the WR, TE, LB & CB room while failing miserably in adequately supplying consistent, competent football players along the offensive line and defensive line. 

I bet we'll see a concerted effort next year, but, the idea of this team winning a Superbowl or making a heavy play off push and deep run are out of my mind now. I think we'll have to wait at least another three, four years now with Lawrence.

C'mon man.  This is an over reaction to a couple of bad games.  You wouldn't be saying that had we pulled it out against the chiefs and not mailed it in to some degree against the tinhorns.  Bad games happen to most teams even Super Bowl winning ones.  Bad stretches of games happen to good teams every single year.  Our window is now and it will still be our window in 3 or 4 years as well.  We may not have the best roster on paper, but we have a roster than that is good enough and can go deep in the playoffs this year.  Even the best rosters have weaknesses.  You can hope for more than that, but that's all you can really ask for in this league.

No. Not really. I was on record back in January immediately after the loss in Kansas City. Citing the same exact challenges that the Bengals had during their run where they were ultimately exposed by the Rams front with their inferior offensive lineman unit. 

My assessment was that, we would be entering a perceived, weak AFC South in 2023. We're all equal now at 2 - 2 and each team has some qualities that are noteworthy in the long run. 

Our problem is that we're weak on both sides of the line. We're not going to have enough fire power on defense unless Walker wakes up opposite of Allen and we hope for a healthy Smoot and Hamilton entering the rotation with fresh legs and game breaking abilities right off the bat. 

The other problem is resting right between our LT and rookie RT. That whole interior is what is going to prevent this team from making a serious push for a title. It's just not in the cards. We'll probably see exactly what I mean this Sunday against the Bills.

I think we'll get bullied by the tacks twice this year with their line play on both sides. I fully mean that. They're better coached than our guys positionally. My reasoning behind waiting another three, four years is easy to understand.

Baalke's free agency class from two years ago will be on it's way out by the end of 2024. By the time Baalke or a new GM figures out how to draft offensive lineman and defensive lineman properly? Guess what you're now missing? A solid receiving core, a dominate TE presence, a speedy RB, a league leading tackler at inside backer, a quality CB in Campbell. 

Already behind the 8-ball entering 2024's draft next year.

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