(09-10-2019, 10:15 AM)I am Yoda Wrote: It’s not an either/or proposition as you are presenting. Caldwell has made some good picks. He has done fairly well finding the front line talent. Where he has swung and missed is on depth. Injuries kill us because we have no depth. Is some of that on coaching? Yes. But my judgement is that it lies more with talent or lack thereof.
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A few points.
1. For the record, I do not assert that depth is NOT a concern for this team. There is a legitimate cause for concern. I specifically acknowledged QB as a major cause for concern, and specifically urged the team to acquire an experienced backup prior to the start of the season.
2. The very nature of depth means that when it plays, it represents a step down in quality of play from the starters. Hopefully that drop in play is minimal, but as a general rule, it's unavoidable.
3. How should a GM develop quality depth? Through veteran free agency? If the team goes that route, the team would spend more money on older players. That's a sure way to minimize cap flexibility and have an old declining roster. Through the draft? That makes sense on some level, but at what point in the draft do you draft for depth? First two to three rounds? Aside from it being a waste of high picks to use them to draft for depth, it's unrealistic to expect every rookie to supplant an existing starter, relegating the starter to the bench. But if it happens, you then have the issue of the older more expensive vet riding the bench. Picks from the 4th round down? Makes some sense, but the reason why players tend to fall to the 4th round down is either they have some sort of injury or off field issue that makes them a risk, or there is likely to be some sort of athletic limitations that make them less likely candidates to make a team, much less become quality starters or depth. On top of that, many time younger players will need quality reps in practice and in game situation to develop into quality players. If they are not starters, how do they get those reps and playing time? To that end, I don't think this current roster is completely devoid of depth. Say what you will about him as a former first round pick and as a starter, but it isn't a stretch to say Ogbuehi represents better athleticism at LT than Josh Wells. Considering he is a former starter, he is actually more experienced than our incumbent starter at LT. Furthermore, if Sunday is any indicia, this will be a fairly deep offense in the not too distant future. Will Richardson played well at LT considering he hadn't played the position since high school and he got his first game snaps in the NFL and his first game action in over a year. If he can continue that level of play he showed Sunday or even improve upon it, he makes us legitimately three deep at LT, and at least two deep at both G spots and RT. With the ascent of Chark and Conley to starter, experienced guys like Lee and Cole go to the bench. Assuming Lee and Cole stay our 4th and 5th WRs, when was the last time we had 4th and 5th receivers with their career production?
(09-10-2019, 11:27 AM)Rockman1966 Wrote: Can’t we just stick to Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs?
With some Pavlov's dogs and Jung thrown in for good measure?
Worst to 1st. Curse Reversed!
