(01-08-2025, 10:25 AM)Caldrac Wrote: (01-08-2025, 10:13 AM)flsprtsgod Wrote: I blame him for not adequately addressing the team's biggest needs in a meaningful way last offseason. He tried with EA, MM, Davis, Savage, and Darby, but it seems to have been a complete failure. I applaud him for a few of the things he's done like the BTj deal in the draft, that was savvy and a great job. My constant and only real complaint is in the philosophy behind his moves and unwillingness to move on from guys like Cam Robinson and Brandon Scherff when it's time (last offseason for instance).
This is why I fear him being back in 2025. Because his logic may very well be that he doesn't need to look at LT since he's extended Walker Little and he doesn't need to address RG since they were working Cooper Hodges in that position last year prior to his injury. He's probably thinking he's also safe with the swing tackle position since he drafted Javon Foster in the fourth round last year.
This is why it's imperative that he works closely with the new coaching staff and gets the philosophy right. If the new guy wants 325+ behemoths that are more downhill and less east to west footwork wise? He has to start shifting his focus now and building his draft board towards that direction. This is why I get pissed off with Khan with the half measure [BLEEP].
You're asking a brand new coach from a completely different background to come in here and work with a guy that's Frankenstein'd the roster over the last five years based on two, three different coaching styles and various systems. It's just destined to fail. It's also hard to truly gauge or maximize what you TRULY have in guys like Travon Walker, Tyson Campbell, Trevor Lawrence, etc.
Now, you're going to have yet another offensive coordinator and defensive coordinator put into place with their jargon, their system and their philosophy and you're going to expect all these guys you just paid out the [BLEEP] to rise above and figure it all out in three, four months.
Tough [BLEEP], Jack. Tough [BLEEP].
I actually think Baalke was handcuffed by trying to give Pederson what he wanted on OL and will address it differently with a new coach. Remember - Khan mandated they make personnel decisions 'together"
Unpopular opinion - but I seriously think the mishandling of that personnel group was more Doug than Trent.
When the post-2023-season pressers happened, it was clear Trent was livid about the trenches being rag dolled on our end and it seemed like Doug was hesitant to admit that was an issue.
I think Trent was using those pressers as a way to pressure Doug to relent from his IOL philosophy.
Meanwhile we have three years of draft season pressers wherein Doug goes on and on about the importance of
athletic traits in O-Linemen. (opposite of "get bigger and stronger")
I think they had a major disconnect there and neither of them got what they wanted as a result, because they both compromised their ideals. The QB and run game paid the price.
