(12-16-2024, 02:14 AM)carp8dm Wrote:

(12-15-2024, 06:02 PM)Caldrac Wrote: 2020's class was bad. Caldwell had a number of clunkers outside of that one. 2016 was his lone bright spot and that entire class was essentially blown the [BLEEP] up because of ego and additional bad decision making by other personnel in the front office. They could have drafted Wirfs at RT and Jefferson at WR in 2020 and given Minshew a puncher's chance as a cap friendly QB for a few years while you addressed other areas of need. Baalke's biggest mistake has been the way he's built the team. He went after skill position players in various markets instead of going after proven commodities to address the offensive line.

When you look at the driving force of today's best teams in the NFL? It's all because of their investments made on the offensive line. Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Detroit, Buffalo, Seattle & Los Angeles continued to add lineman as early and as often as possible over the years to keep their core offense intact philosophically at least. Since day one with Baalke and Pederson. This team has been in a constant midlife crisis state looking for it's identity.

Yeah, this is the key.  I don't even care if our D is suspect.  But when you get a good QB, you have to protect him.  I used to think that a good coach with the right OC could scheme a plan that would protect the QB.  But no.  It's become pretty obvious that you have to have at least a decent O-Line.  So why is our O-Line so bad?  Is it coaching?  Is it because they are old and have no juice left?  Is it the coaching?

What hurts the most is watching us waste really good talent.  ETN is not an all pro, he's solid.  Tank is also solid.  Engram has been such a great TE, and apparently we're gonna cut ties with him this offseason.  Kirk was dynamic but is now injury prone in his twilight career.  We had a really good window and it's closed because of the aging linemen in the middle and the lack of coaching that could have at least developed something serviceable.  Why is it that over that last 4 years we haven't developed anything other than the trash we watch week in and week out?  Bigsby and Strange have developed since last year.  But name another player that looks better now then they did last year!  I can't think of one.

The jests defense is bad.

Having said that, it's clear that running the football is the key to offensive success in Pederson's system. Lawrence is great in PA when the run game is working. The problem is that when they play good defenses the 5 constantly get beat by 3 or 4 which puts coverage pressure on the skills players to always play above their skills.

They have to fix the center and right guard this year, we can't go another year with the worst run blocking middle in the League.

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