BarleyNY

Why are you expecting a DE selected 54th overall to be a stud? At that point in the draft I’d say a GM did well if that player developed into a competent starter at DE. Also (and I already brought these things up): 1) why would you ignore the impact of no OTAs, a shortened TC and lack of preseason games on rookies starting or being active for the first game? 2) when was it announced that Epenesa is going to be inactive? 3) why ignore the fact that a bunch of players at a variety of positions have been inactive or have not played early in their rookie seasons? I am not even saying that I have high expectations for Epenesa, but it’s silly to put so much emphasis on his status for game one of his rookie season, especially when we don’t know what that status is. With no preseason games and such a shortened offseason do you really expect a lot of rookies drafted beyond the first round to see action early? Even in regular seasons it is rare for players taken past the early second to get much playing time. I mean, what’s your point? That you didn’t like the pick? Great. Then just say that instead of trying to make something out of nothing.

You have a lot wrong here. First off, DE is absolutely not a position rookies jump in and contribute early. Early first rounders, sure. Not so much after that. Feel free to list all of the DEs that started game 1 or even contributed early in their rookie season. I looked through last season’s first three rounds. Not a lot there as far as games started - or even played - from DEs outside the top 10 picks (Bosa, Ferrell and the other Josh Allen). Some mixed results even with those high picks too. For further comparison, the 54th player selected last season was a CB, Lonnie Johnson, who played in 11 games. I know there have been players selected at 54 and after who have come in and contributed (or even started successfully) from game one, but it’s not the norm. You might wanna let this one play out for a little while before making any judgment. Also it wouldn’t hurt to get your facts straight.

Yup. Daboll has not been perfect to be sure, but there have been a lot of times that he’s put the team into position to succeed and execution has failed. Those all haven’t been Allen’s fault either, but he’s had plenty. And for some reason some people blame Daboll for all of that.

Epensa was the 54th overall pick. You can’t find other examples of players drafted around that spot that didn’t dress or play in their first NFL game? And I’d note that in this case the player didn’t have a OTAs, a full training camp or 4 preseason games to get ready and we still aren’t even sure that he’s not dressing.

Really interested to see how Epensa would match up against Becton. He’s probably the only DE on the team that could go power v power against him.

This is pretty much how I see it. Keeping up a rotation against Becton is important. I’m sure he’ll get help and they’ll run a lot, but I’d make sure we have a savvy vet going against him on every third and long. I’m sure we will also test him mentally with a lot of stunts and overloaded lines.

Jags might have something to say about that, but yeah, Washington is gonna be picking top 3. In that footage I saw Diggs do well against man though he didn’t get great separation as often as I expected to see based on what I’ve read. He battled for the ball well and there were plenty of bad throws that required him to do that. He was absolutely murdering zone coverage though. Ridiculous.

I agree with this. There was a reason both teams ran the ball so much early last night. They needed to get settled and both were a little sloppy especially early. We were looking at the SB champ against another playoff team too. Two preseason games would’ve made a difference. Teams with new coaches/schemes and/or a lot of player turnover will not look that good. The league doesn’t want a rookie OT getting a QB knocked out for a season because he couldn’t be worked in more slowly in the preseason.

I’m actually surprised to read these realistic takes. Nicely done. I see things very similarly. In Beane’s first year he really went all out getting young, raw cornerstones on both sides of the ball - Allen and Edmunds. After this season we will either be talking about their productivity or their potential and that’ll tell us everything we need to know about them. It does bring up an interesting question though. What’s the proper criteria on which to judge a GM? Flat out results? Sound, defensible decision marking - including taking reasonable risks whether or not they pay off? IMO it’s a mix of the two, but I’ll say this. Beane will look a heck of a lot better if Allen and Edmunds pay off than if they don’t and, fair or not, he’ll probably be judged by most fans on Allen alone. I’ve really liked some of the things Beane has done (Diggs trade, Dawkins and Tre extensions) and really questioned some others (Star and Kroft contracts). Things will obviously come into much better focus after this season plays out.

Ouch. Huge loss for the Vikings.

I agree. That’s exactly why you have to have the deal in place when the trade is executed. O’Brien had the same issue with Tunsil. Gave up two firsts plus to get him with no deal in place. Then had to way overpay him.

I can understand trading two firsts for a top player at a critical position, but I do not understand doing that and then (half a season later) making that player by far the highest paid at his position. Unless that player is an elite QB I just don’t get it. And then (if they were a top QB) I would not understand why they’d be available at all.

That’s fair. Just saying don’t take everything on it as gospel. It literally says “unofficial” on it. Those initial depth charts usually come from the marketing department or team writers. Usually close, but not perfect.

Seriously. I was shocked that Tre didn’t sign for more. Thought he would be at $20M+ per on the New Years.

I’d note that the depth chart is unofficial. Not saying it isn’t accurate, but it’s not from someone who would have access to the team’s official depth chart.

I saw a study on on-line dating. They found that people who do not hide their perceived flaws on their dating profile ultimately are more successful. The conclusion was that if people see those flaws up front and they aren’t dealbreakers, then the relationship has a chance. Hiding flaws only expands your dating pool by adding people that will reject you when they see them. Plus there’s the possibility of looking dishonest. Seems to make sense.

Are you on Team Jake or Team Duke?

Totally agree. One win against a team that finished with a winning record. That was the 9-7 Titans while Mariota was still the QB. The 8-8 Cowboys was the best win (and it was impressive). Partial credit for win against the Duck led 8-8 Steelers.

Health will be a big factor. The Bills were pretty lucky in that regard last season. Let’s see if it holds this year.

32 year old KR André Roberts, end of bench WR Robert Foster and depth DT Vince Taylor might be the most notable. Devastating to be sure.

That is correct. All 53 active, all PS and all IRed players count as of 4 pm today.

That rule really hurts guys like Smith.

If Rosen has any potential at all I expect him to be a Steeler or Patriot before week 2 of the season. If not, then close the book on him.

Or he’ll find his way to the booth and we’ll get to watch him all the time

I can only sit here and imagine him having the game of his life against us.