ctk232

Didn't he give it back to Leslie after that? Could be wrong though...is there any real way of verifying who exactly called the plays each game? Or if they split responsibility?

I wouldn't either, though a 2nd AND a 3rd would be most tempting given that he won't be on this team by the time they are ready to actually compete. Trading at least gives us the chance to stock up and free up some more cap space if possible.

Thanks for updating. That's not news for Ducasse exactly. PFF had some unicorn grading on him the first few weeks in pass protect only. He's long been overdue for retirement for the league. Have a friends who's a Jets fan and he laughs every time I tell him Ducasse is still our starting Guard - he's seen the Ducasse byproduct way too much. Still don't think PFF understands Star is playing one-tech and will not grade well in their "system." Interesting takes on Edmunds though - I get he's not mistake free at this point, but it would seem his progression has been positive regardless, even within grading parameters.

Chance Warmack? Lane Johnson? Just pulling names off the top of my head. Don't think they have any WR worthwhile sadly. Not sure we could afford Alshon - depends on how the contracts play out if there were a trade.

Thank you...to be honest, I was not an Allen fan pre-draft, and my conclusions on him are still in the air until next season. Not that we should be expecting the worst, but let's humor the hypothetical right now: We go into this offseason with draft capital (10 picks) and a hefty purse to spend. We use this to build a team around Allen and address position needs. We give Allen this team to take into next season and get a better sense of how he will progress in later years and determine if drafting another QB is going to be necessary. What's actually a silver lining here is his raw, undeveloped potential - where if he doesn't develop at all, we're looking at a high draft pick we can likely use on another QB in 2020. If he does develop, then awesome, we have a QB of the future and what we hope to be a strong team having upgraded multiple positions the year before. By no way in means have I cashed in my Allen ticket just yet - I think it's ridiculous to speculate at all how this kid may turn out after only 4 games. One thing we do know is this isn't unfamiliar for him. He's been the "raw" "undeveloped" QB his whole life, and supposedly has the mental toughness to deal with early struggles and external pressure. But there's no reason Allen sends us down another 18 year drought, we just need to enjoy the process, however it ends up. Update: the one piece in relation to the article that really has me behind the "let go of Culley" train is that it is evidently clear Allen needs to develop beyond x's and o's with footwork, pocket presence, and mechanics to properly maximize his physical traits. This is why the Andersen signing has me scratching my head - footwork and mechanics should be taught from the QB coach, and I just don't trust Culley to be the guy Allen needs right now. Do we really think Andersen is going to sit down with Allen and walk him through proper footwork mechanics to maximize his arm strength? Please...let's invest in our future and bring in a true QB coach to help this kid along. Andersen likely can't hurt (I say with caution), but the greater need here is guidance from a coach.

With Woodyard healthy maybe, but he was out that game. Casey was the only notable run stuffer playing on Sunday. Not to mention a few outlets have the Titans run defense in the bottom half of the league: ESPN has them at 26 currently against the run, PFF has them at 13 fwiw

I agree - though his short to mid range throws need to be more accurate, I think the bigger issue here is timing these throws. A fair amount of it has to do with how our WRs are running their routes, but the reason Brady's receivers put 6-10 yards on at the end is his receivers execute their routes and Brady hits them at the exact point to where they can extend for some pretty solid YAC. I should amend my previous post from "limiting him to mid/short throws" to "limiting him to game manager type throws." While these are certainly throws he needs to execute 100% of the attempts he makes, I'd still like for him to really experience needing to diagnose a defense each and every play, even on run plays, and be able to rely on his arm and ability to manipulate defenses to win games. That being said, the Minnesota game was great for this reason, while benefiting from insane field position every drive, he opened up with a few long throws, but primarily short-mid range targets and evolving into more timed routes. Give the kid throws to build from early in a game, set up the run, and then open it up on play action and solid coverage reads. See how he does with that progression.

Agreed - never thought he would be a great back up, but I'm just more upset that we're basically already paying a guy to do what Andersen is going to do (QB coach), without having to suit up on Sundays. While he might be better than Peterman, he's not going to win games if he is to play at all. I think this is temporary for now until they find something better. It's only natural, though that he come from Carolina...

Everyone's scared to hit a QB, no matter where they are on the field. Thanks, NFL.

Sooo you want McCown then? Or who else would be better? I think we need a capable back up behind Allen regardless, but for what purpose this year? Also, by "need a smart, veteran QB in the room to help mentor Allen," do you mean a coach? One that maybe knows the QB position? And is paid to be the "QB coach?" Because that's essentially what we are now double-paying for if Anderson is signed. I wish we could cut a coach to save a roster spot, but there's no rule or practice anywhere that says you need a smart, veteran QB to help teach you the game before you can succeed - nor is there any guarantee that having one will even help in the slightest. Unpopular opinion: let Peterman be the cheap back up option this year and BRING IN AN ACTUAL QB COACH OR OC WHO KNOWS THE POSITION. I get we need to help him develop now, and I don't fully disagree with this move (if he signs), but let's bring in someone whose purpose is to develop Allen. He is the future at the moment, and whether it's Allen or someone else next year, or a few seasons down the line, we still need an OC/QB coach capable of developing players at that position.

I like the one step at a time approach, but if Allen is as raw as we all suspect and was projected to be, we have to be mindful of what he is developing a sense for, and what he feels is the norm in the NFL based on his experience. We also want him to experience and develop skills for an offense that we want to see down the line, which I believe would be pass heavy and variable routes. If we limit him this season to short/mid throws in a run heavy offense, how ready will he even be by next year? He still needs those games where he needs to win with his arm - whether or not we do shouldn't be in the question as long as he is developing the right skills to succeed in future years. Not that I'm in support of tanking, but priority has to be given to proper development this year regardless of the W-L record if we ever hope to have double digit wins again.

I've been meaning to look at the FA class but there are likely a few names to bid for that would be a marked improvement over our current corps. We also have the money to compensate for a lackluster destination of WRs, though we shouldn't overspend it either. I think we should also hold onto as many as we can until we figure out who fits best and where. Regardless of KB's play however, if he goes we'll need to supplement the corps with more size.

It's a sad truth, and understand why the rule is there - regardless of logic and actual game product.

I thought this, too. I'm sure the roughing the passer context came into it a bit, but you see Hughes' head turn around and let him go as though he'd thrown the pass. I'm sure at that point he felt it better to let him go than to get the post-throw RTP flag. But still think he needed to wrap up there and just hold him if nothing else - can't throw a flag for that. That being said, I think we still all agree that no individual player should be subject to differential treatment over another. It's borderline preferential in some cases, when it comes to being tackled. Every player should have every rule affect them equally, and there's no reason a QB cannot be landed on while every other offensive player can be as well.

It's nice when we can differentiate beyond just a "DT" - our middle rotation needs both JPhillips and Star for those exact reasons. Depends on what we'd have to give up - I'd almost rather attempt a pick at one of the top WR in this year's class and develop a corps internally. Match the pick with an FA signing and we will be a right sight better here. What would make my day is if KB finds his hands again, and Zay becomes more of the reliable WR we've seen the past two games. And the above happens.

Given TEN deplorable run defense, the scheme yesterday made sense. It also made more sense from a developmental perspective in limiting the responsibilities of Allen every drive, but it also helped to play with a lead - even if it was only a point difference for most of the game. The problem with this game plan is that it relies equally, if not more so, on the OL to show up and create run options and lanes. I wonder how much success we would have against defenses strong against the run, as that would determine Allen's load going into each week. Unless we just decide to go with it week in, week out, regardless of whether it works, Allen still needs to develop more than just managing a ground and pound, run first offense. Though this might be the closest he gets to a Mahomes-esque development cycle.

While I agree they should, and likely have, alleviated the load for him to carry at present, I think the game plan of run first we saw yesterday was more a direct result of the Titans blaring lack of run defense compared to their solidly strong zone coverage secondary. We game planned appropriately as it turns out and showed up on defense. I think this style will help Allen more, but what happens when we come up against a strong run defense? Back onto the throw often and learn quick train. Allen honestly needs both - he needs to feel like the offense is still in his hands and that he needs to do more than manage it, but he also needs to not be overloaded, like you mention with GB. To OP's question - develop the kid, we are all tired of winning single digit games and having that be the goal...

Don't get me wrong, I agree - the past three games our Defense has performed among the top defenses in the league this year, and I do believe we have one of the better units in the league. But we are far from consistent - outside of the Minnesota and Tennessee games, we've looked like a bottom feeder defense. Consistency is the piece here and the reason for my pragmatism. We have a lot of young talent at present, and our identity takes shape when the defense can play with momentum from turnovers. But remove the turnover aspect from the game and who are we? We're the defense that showed up against Baltimore, SD, and GB. All I'm saying is don't write home just yet. Consistency > hot/cold turnover diff opportunity defenses. Ball can only bounce our way so many times, but it doesn't mean we can't like what we see either.

This to me is the one piece of the article that speaks to a greater issue of our WR corps. Beyond just general performance, I've yet to see universally strong, and consistent, fundamentals from every single one of our WRs thus far (with an odd exception for Zay, who seems to be more consistent this year). While we all know the current corps is a problem of the offense that needs reworking, it's astonishing to me that the coaches don't seem to recognize the need for more fundamental play. Whether it's a byproduct of our offensive play calling and Daboll's route schemes or not, how many times have we seen our WRs sit on hook routes, or cutback routes, and never fully come back to the ball? How many times have we seen drops because they let the ball play them? Or when Allen scrambles, where are the receivers running parallel finding holes in the coverage? I get the need for a first down trumping the five yard run back to the pass at times, but receivers just aren't running efficient routes to get open. Part of this is timing on throws as well, but if you watch teams with consistent passing yds per game over 200, you notice a night and day between the route running of other receivers. It's beyond me that this is all on the players themselves, and not our coaches for working on these fundamentals day in and day out.

It's not as far off as you might think, in all honesty. We don't have much of an edge rusher beyond Hughes - and while Hughes has been having an outstanding year thus far, we need Murphy to start showing up a bit more in that regard. Murphy's been solid, but far from another bookend pinning the edge. I like our DT's - especially now with Jordan Phillips, what a presence he made yesterday. I hope this play continues because with Star being the quintessential one tech eating double teams, JPhillips is the penetration into the backfield style that can disrupt so many passing plays and assist Hughes on the edge. Let's hope this continues as the rotation in the middle is starting to take form, even if this is Kyle's last year. LB's are young, talented, and hungry. Milano may never develop to be the premiere OLB/Will backer in the league, but the kid performs and plays his role well. Edmunds is already starting to show growth and understanding of the game, albeit not without mistakes, but nothing beyond typical and leaving us with hope for the backing corps of the future. Maybe adding in some depth here wouldn't hurt. Taron's balled out all year but he's far from being called the DB2 next to Tre. He's also still learning and has tremendous upside, but he still finds himself in the wrong place at times in the coverage, and misses some assignments, but nothing detrimental compared to the draft pick used to get him. So far only positive progress has unfolded, but he's still far from being our top DB2. I like him in the nickel role for now. When healthy, we have one of the strongest safety tandems in the league, but they haven't been enough to anchor the secondary when we've needed it at times. We all want the ideal which is a tandem that just dominates opposing QB's and becomes the twice yearly nightmare for Brady...but for now we have a strong tandem. Just haven't seen it become the dominant factor of our secondary just yet, but we're getting there. I think McDermott had a tremendous roster of talent in Carolina to work with, and will have similar talent here as well. He's one of the better defensive minds in the league at present, but I only wonder how much influence he does have over the Defense compared to Leslie. Our defense is still a ways from being top in the league, but it's on the right track. We have played well when we've also been able to benefit from crazy turnover differentials, and the ball bouncing our way. That won't happen every game, and our offense won't always be able to stay on the field for now. Still needs time, but this Defense isn't anything to write home about just yet.

It's honestly the best situation you can give Allen - alleviates the pressure of having to always carry the offense. That being said, he still needs to lead these guys to win games, and establish himself as the QB moving forward. But in terms of development, if Shady and Ivory can manage positive yards on every drive and be the foundation of this offense, Allen has the opportunity to really focus in on the passing plays, and make progress. Two caveats, one being the OLine. Shady and Ivory can only consistently perform behind a dominant run block OLine. To this extent the OL has been successful, but nothing to lean on by any means. The ability for this moving forward entirely depends on our OLine. The second caveat of course being we don't want to develop Allen into a game manager QB - we still want him to develop a feel for throwing the ball the majority of the time, as this is a QB driven passing league. But everything in time.

To be fair, Reid is an offensive coach. Much easier for him to sit down with him and go over what he was seeing than McD doing that. Would be nice for McDermott to go over and check on him though and sit down with him that way, but we desperately need someone who can actually “coach” him... For valuing his pick over other first round potential futures, you’d think we’d want to invest in our future by getting a coach to actually develop this future.

“QB coach” - we also have an “Offensive Line Coach” but so far I haven’t actually seen anyone who can fulfill those roles

Both LBs were likely supposed to rush on this play since the DE (#93) was responsible for the TE. Don't think they were supposed to both go up the same gap, but given that you could evacuate the entire west coast in the event of an earthquake through the A gap that Miller left, I can't argue with them both just walking right through there. You can credit Pettine to a point here, and while I wholly agree with your analysis of Pettine as a DC and the Rex school, the line play we are seeing is more a direct result of Castillo AND Daboll. But Castillo has done little to prepare these guys to play positions he literally knows nothing about. It's not completely on them - Miller has regressed since entering the league, and Ducasse should be in retirement by now, but our OL and OC haven't done much to fix these issues thus far.

In reference to the specific play from OP, this was more a complete head-scratcher on Millier's part than anything else, especially spacing. There's no reason he should be blocking the DE on this play. The spacing issues you are seeing are due to poor play execution. The line spacing in this formation actually looks tighter than some if not most NFL offenses. Especially in pass protect, the tackles will have just the crown of their helmets in line with the center's waist to give them an extra step and cut off those angles. It looks like Miller blew his assignment here is all. Funny enough, there's OL philosophies that rely more on having space b/t the guys (maybe an arms length and a half) and execute blocking schemes that force the rushers to fill in gaps and essentially end up blocking their own guys. It's a key component to picking up blitzes as well - blocking primary rushers into the secondary rushers gaps and lanes helps keep pass protect when facing blitzes.