Buddo

TBH, the title is a little misleading. O'Sullivan isn't being snarky about Josh in the slightest. If anything, he's in awe of him. Great breakdowns, and a really nice find of the 'picking up' Allen did, after the ankle breaking run. First I'd noticed of it, or seen it for that matter. O'Sullivan thought it was absolutely hilarious. I think we are already being spoiled, with how often Allen makes those ridiculous (to everyone else) throws, we now think nothing of.

Bourne actually came to play on Sunday. I think that contract is solid. Henry and Smith have been way overpaid, as is Agholor. Some of it is how they have, or rather haven't, been utilised, but all three have been disappointing, to say the least. Given the supposed problems good TEs have given us in the past, Henry and Smith should have been a difficult out for us, but they didn't trouble us at all, in any of the games.

Regarding Haack. The commentary team mentioned that they thought he was trying to put some spin on the football, to get it through the wind. In rugby, this is a common technique, and is referred to as a 'torpedo', due to the spin imparted to the ball. It will be easier to do in rugby, as the football is larger, and you basically have to hold it at a certain angle, then kick through the football with the outside of your foot, which imparts the spin to the ball. Haack obviously wasn't getting it right, if that was what he was attempting, and no doubt reverted to his normal approach eventually. It would also explain why the coaching staff aren't seemingly up in arms about his performance. Fwiw, they do have another punter on the PS.

Allen is deceptively fast, as just about everyone recognises. What I'm curious about, tbh, is just how fast he is. I'm convinced he didn't really 'go for it' on his combine 40. When he was doing a lot of running early in his career, he actually was getting to the top of speed lists, for guys rushing. Even now, he often gets outside of players you think should be able to get him, and are regarded as having decent speed. That aside, I think he has the same mentality as Favre, but a better arm, and is way better on his legs. In respect of seeing an available rushing lane, I think he does compare favorably to Steve Young, but his arm, again, is way better.

It's an interesting move, as it creates depth of a kind we have been lacking, which is a better run defender for the D-Line. I like this move, as it signifies a desire to improve, even now, and bearing in mind we will see some handy RBs if we continue through the playoffs, it could be a move that makes enough of a difference.

They need to stop pissing about and play some serious offense. Rushing all the time isn't going to cut it. Messing about on offense has given the Jest way too many opportunities on offense, and one mistake, and they are back in the freaking game.

Or ruin it by trying a long FG into the wind....

Yes. Lucky they changed their mind to it being a TD before it went to review. Absolutely ridiculous throw while being tackled, from Allen.

Obada is out injured. Maybe not that serious, but Lawson might be a possible addition in case Obada is going to miss next week as well.

I think there are quite a few tbh. Trouble is most of them are on offense.

I'm pretty certain Nix did want to draft Wilson. I've seen enough stuff about it over the years to believe it. What they didn't know, or think, was that anyone else was going to take him that soon - they thought he was still going to be around for their next pick. I can't remember exactly, I think it was the previous year, but they were also interested in Cousins, and intended to take him if he was there at their pick, but the Redskins completely fooled everyone by taking him, after already taking RG3. Some of this came out at the time, iirc, but was clarified after they took EJ, where Nix stated that they needed to trade back up, because QBs were being taken a lot earlier than they used to be, and they were worried he wouldn't be there. He may have even referenced both Wilson and Cousins at that time, as guys who went a lot earlier than they thought they would. Teams will try and wait things out, if they believe 'their guy' will still be available. It happened with Kyle Williams - Modrak persuaded Marv to wait another round before selecting him. Essentially, Nix was saying that QBs, were being 'overdrafted', and he simply didn't see that writing on the wall soon enough.

Good stuff as usual Virgil. To point 6. Phillips is frustrating, as he does have ability, yet has been hampered by a variety of injuries. In respect of 'figuring it out in a contract year', I'm convinced that is as much a function of how contracts have to be set up these days. Instead of being able to bring guys on gradually, when you could sign them for longer contracts, you only have so much time to get them ready. With lower round picks, I genuinely believe that hampers their development. Also part of this, are the practise restrictions the NFLPA has negotiated. Imho, a lot of lower round picks would benefit from more coaching, that doesn't involve any sort of hitting, yet are prevented from getting that by rules. I also think that a lot of those guys, would be happy to get that coaching, as it would improve their chances of making it in the NFL. If you did a bit of a dive into plenty of other rosters around the NFL, I'm sure you would see a lot of guys similarly placed as Phillips, in their development.

Thanks for the replies guys. Having thought about it some, I'd really like a Chan Gailey type for the Offense if Daboll left. I think his pragmatism and Allen's abilities, would mesh very well. I liked his creativity, that didn't really resort to 'trick' plays, and we might actually get a decent screen game. Trouble is, I'm not sure there's another guy like him around, let alone available. I like someones suggestion of Zimmer as DC, if Frazier left and Zimmer was canned - I think that's a good 'fit' for what we do generally. I've admired the Shanahan's zone blocking rushing schemes for some time, as it does let you use just about any half decent RB effectively, but I don't know how well that would mesh with the sort of improvisation Josh is capable of in the passing game. I don't think you would get the best out of him running a WCO passing game - although I don't doubt he could do it. The point Gunner makes about the turnover of coaches making the pool very shallow, is well taken. It might be that it's worth going back to look at some of the guys who are yesterday's men', and giving one of them a shot. e.g. someone like an Anthony Lynn, to come in and help our running game. Imho, there are probably a fair few guys like that, who aren't going to be, or have failed, as HC, yet still have plenty to offer in respect of being coordinators/assistants.

No. He might have gone 1 or 2 yds before he got hit, but not put together. Sadly there's a 'highlight' of it on nfl.com when you go to the game score.

No. The Falcons had to come to play, as their season still had some possibilities if they had won, i.e. they would still have had a shot at the playoffs.

Regarding McKenzie and Stevenson, the big difference is that Stevenson is a rookie, and McKenzie isn't. Don't forget, Stevenson didn't drop the football untouched - his mistake really, was not to call for a fair catch, as the defender was going to be on him.

I think he may have made it if he kept running. (the 1st down). Still, he will be pissed about that - his 1st interception in the red zone.

Because Patterson is one heck of a returner.

Falcons having to work hard on D, and still getting TDs scored on them. They aren't making it easy. Time to stiff them again, to get their D back on the field, and wear them out.

While Singletary should still have caught that, the thing I liked was that Allen was taking what the D was giving him.

Not feeling too impressed about this particular crew of Zebras. Donkeys would be more apt for their performance in the other game they reffed, as they were the worst I've ever seen tbh. Clueless, is probably a somewhat inadequate description of them.

I'm curious as to who is either available, or might be a good fit, for either our Offense or Defense, should Daboll or Frazier leave. I can think of only two obvious candidates, for either side, as 'in house' promotions. On Offense Dorsey, and on defense Washington. Of those two, I see Washington as a far better possibility tbh, as he's been a DC before. I also think that as a DC, he ended up being something of collateral damage, when Tepper took over. I'm ambivalent about Dorsey, but I don't know how influential he's been. Personally, I'd rather see someone who has some sort of track record as a coordinator, for the Offense. Trouble is, I don't really know who is, or even might become, available. Thoughts would be appreciated.

Frazier should definitely be getting some looks, and if I was a GM of someone like the Jags with their QB, Daboll would have to come into consideration also. I think if the Bears came calling, Leslie would be gone, but I'm less certain about some of the other teams. Maybe the Jags, as they have a QB. Carolina might be an option, depending on what they are thinking about doing in respect of a QB. Tepper might be impatient, but he is loaded, and a 3 year deal to get stability back into that franchise, would be in his best interests. The desire for some stabilty could also lead Frazier to the Raiders (or should it be the Raiders to Frazier). Carolina might be an option for Daboll, if he can persuade Trubisky to go with him, as might be the Jags, as I mentioned before (without Trubisky). With Trubisky, the Broncos might also be a slot he could drop into. In my mimnd, it's probably now or never fror Frazier - although I don't think it necessarily should be. Daboll I think still has time on his side.

Obada clearly whacks him on the head. It was a clear penalty in the first place, and imho, an obvious candidate for a fine. No problems with that one really tbh. It's also on the 'minor' scale iirc as far as these things go.

The OP is inane. I would say though, that it's more than possible that the particular group we ended up with, that performed well, hadn't necessarily been used together before. There have been a lot of changes occurring with the O-Line, throughout the season, either due to poor play, or injuries/covid. My guess would be that whenever those things occurred, you pretty much have to 'settle' on a particular group, to prepare them for the next game. Bates simply hasn't had the opportunity previously.