MrEpsYtown

I didn't study all 22 or anything like that, but I just remember feeling pretty positive vibes and seeing things that stood out to me in his play next to Dion, and saying to myself, Cody Ford is a LG. It may have just been because Winters was so horrible in comparison.

Some rumors are popping up that they may take Travon Walker, and I don't think it's crazy. But Hutchinson I think is the move.

Small sample, but it was a 4-5 game stretch in 2020. Ford started the year at RG and when they go rid of Spain they added Winters. Winters became the starting RG and Ford went to left guard. I believe he got hurt in the Chiefs' game and replaced by Ike Boettger. I want to say his first start at LG was vs the Rams in week 3. Obviously he did not look great vs Aaron Donald, but over the next few games, it was where he looked most comfortable and effective in my opinion.

In terms of the Bears, I am not exactly sure what they are doing. They signed Lucas Patrick, athletic guy, flirted with Bates, super high RAS, then signed Dakota Dozier who may have one of the worst RAS scores around. Ford falls in the middle somewhere. But yeah the connection was there for Bates that won't be there for Ford, but at the end of the day they still need a RG. What they should do is sign JC Tretter to play center and play Patrick at guard, but they have already committed to Patrick playing at center so we shall see where it goes. But Poles comes from the Chiefs where they drafted Humphrey, Smith, Wylie and signed Thuney who are four of the most athletic lineman in the league in terms of RAS. Then you have Orlando Brown who had a RAS score of 0.72. I liked Cody Ford when he played LG next to Dion Dawkins before he got hurt. To me, that was him at his best. But I think the ship has sailed. I think we are headed the Chiefs way with super high RAS inemen. The Bears are probably as well.

This is true! Russell Bodine too! And from the Hoodie. I guess, is Cody Ford better than a lottery ticket rookie in the 6th round this year? I dunno. But there has to be football people out there that still like him. A lot of smoke said he was a first rounder coming out. Maybe it's Joe Schoen or Dan Morgan in NY and Carolina right now where they have a need.

I just think Ford is done here. He is not a fit for what they seem to be looking for in athletic linemen, and I think he could use a change of scenery. This team will 100% draft some linemen this year, and they become your functional depth along with cheap vets like Mancz. There was enough love for the guy around the league in 2019 that the Bills felt they needed to trade up to get him, so there could be a team out there who would want to take a flyer.

I still think you "maybe" can trade Ford. He is still only 25. His play has been super inconsistent, but when you factor in the fact that he's been hurt so much and has barely played the last year, maybe someone with a need comes calling. The Bengals, Panthers, Vikings, Cardinals, Falcons, Eagles all showed some pretty significant interest in Ford in the draft process. The Panthers, Cards do not have draft capital, so they are probably out. Bengals have 8 picks, the Vikings have 4 sixth rounders, Falcons have 9 picks including 5 in the first three rounds, Eagles have 10 picks including 5 in the first three rounds and 3 fifth rounders. The Giants have 8 picks including 2 5ths and want to unload Bradberry. Is there a trade to be worked out there? Is Cody better than Shane Lemieux or would they try him at RT? The Texans could use Cody...they have ten picks including 2 4ths and 3 sixes. I guess my point is, if you are the Vikings and you flirted with Bates and need help at guard, why not throw one of your 4 sixth rounders at the Bills to see if a change of scenery would go Ford well. I feel like there may be a trade to made somewhere.

That’s horrible. I didn’t know that. Thanks for sharing.

Great take and well written. To add, allowing Bates to go to market and see his value around the league let the Bills know they were making a good deal. Bates’ situation is a very unique one and I think it would have been very difficult to project his value. Now we know, and he knows, and we get to have him for 4 years for a deal the market deemed fair.

I was thinking Emerson there as well.

I think it’s a good point. I have had those thoughts myself with Linderbaum. But if Penning is there, it could be a great spot for a trade down. If I had to bet today I would say a modest trade up with say the Eagles for a corner will happen. I think the Eagles will trade down a bit as you don’t want to deal with 3 fifth year options.

I really don’t think so, unless ypu think he’s significantly better than Brown. You can’t take him there if he is coming to sit the bench. It’s gonna be a corner.

I like Hernandez more than most, but my point was that his signing may have been a sign that the Bates thing was coming to a conclusion. 🤷‍♂️

Yeah I wrote about this the other day. I think Bates is a great fit at RG. You also have an extremely athletic right side. In Bates’ world he may feel more comfortable on the left as a former LT, but I think he plays the right. I don’t think he cares. I think he just wants to start.

Yeah I think some of those mid late round guys like Cam Jurgens, Alec Lindstrom, Logan Bruss, Luke Fortner or super athletic and versatile Zack Tom make a lot of sense. Tom is a college left tackle who will kick inside. Maybe RT tackle prospects who could play inside like Luke Goedeke. I would be shocked if we don’t pick corner and receiver in the first two rounds with linebacker possibly in the mix as well.

He was in San Fran with coach Saleh. Still surprised he was a bust. I guess the NFL doesn’t love BS pressure metrics. I think they just like sacks.

Thank God. Goodbye Bobby Johnson. That guy has held some of these guys back. I have enjoyed bursting the bubble of my Giant friends who are excited about him and Feliciano. And just to add, having a line with 4 former left tackles starting is a great way to do business when u have a star QB and want to throw a lot. And it would be five. The only reason Brown is a RT is because Trevor Penning.

If Tre White backs him then yeah. I trust him and they were LSU mates. Futures contract, or a camp tryout

Eagles Chargers Seahawks

I’m in. I will take anybody.

Definitely not. If they give him the 2nd round tender he signs it and he has a great year, now he’s a free agent next year at 26 years old and getting paid. This was the only way to get this type of deal done. He was playing with fire, but now we have a guy locked up with huge upside entering his prime.

And no pedigree. At least Rex had some dominant defenses.

I will say this, movement on the IOL front, Hernandez signing with ZONA, etc likely means a decision on Bates has been made. We just don't know which way it went. For example, maybe Hernandez was in a holding pattern as he would be a fit for us. Maybe he found out we are keeping Bates so he signed with Arizona. Or maybe he was planning on trying to go to the Bears and when he found out they got Bates, he signed with Arizona.

I didn't love the trade but Keenum is a high end back up at a great cost. Also, 9 draft picks will not make this team, so here's hoping they use some to trade up and come away with 5 players.

Yeah I hear ya, but we lost in the playoffs because our corners blew and we had zero pass rush. Had nothing to do with our offense. Valid points, but we should used all of those picks to try and find a high end QB, or better skill players etc. Coaches was just a lost cause.