Buffalo Junction

Well, the Chargers played him with a safety spy, big nickel, and tried to force outside throws.... and it worked in the playoffs. Now they have Ingram to take some pressure off. Still, there is a “formula” of sorts. Most teams don’t have the particular talent to execute that formula. The kid is electric and fun to watch. I’m a little skeptical about where his passing ability is at right now, and I hope it improves before he takes a few too many hits. Until then I’m just going to enjoy watching the kid play.

I’ll concern myself with this after the preseason. No clue who’s going to be injured, etc a year from now. Who knows....

He needs a big game against Dallas to make the pro bowl. He won’t get the fan votes without lighting it up in a nationally televised game or turning in an ESPN highlight reel against a top corner.

I can’t see him signing for less than 4/$50MM unless he gets injured or doesn’t do squat the rest of the season. He’s earned a bigger contract and someone will pay. Chances are he’ll get $15MM per year if he gets a few more sacks.

That factors into my thought process. I’m also more optimistic about the Ravens game as we’ll have ten days to prepare and they’ll be coming off a 49ers game. I also think our defense is better equipped to deal with Jackson than many other teams. Primarily because they’ve had to face Tyrod and then Allen in practice for a few years. Plus the few holdovers practiced against Romans offensive schemes. Jackson is a lot more dynamic on the ground, but having experience there could help. Also, who knows about variables like injuries and weather.

Bad JuJu man. No need to bring the Fitzpatrick cycle back to Buffalo.

I don’t think they blitz as much going forward. However, they certainly needed to reestablish the threat of blitzing. Now that there’s a game on tape where they went ham with the pressure they can use the looks to disguise coverage again. We shall see.

What they do with the O-line this off-season is going to be telling. Could be the entire range from resigning Spain and counting on continuity to handing out cash for Scherff and/ a Bulaga. Either way the the line has been drastically improved over last season. After that dumpster fire it’s nice to be average. Still, I’d like to see them dominate in at least one facet of the game: pass-pro, power runs, screens, zone blocking.... Something.

Spain has had some inconsistencies in pass pro. He’s played outside in a few times which has resulted in missing stunts and pass offs from Morse. He’s not quick enough to get away with that. Now, it’s possible that Alken might not be setting his protections consistently as well... I can only go by what I see. Regardless, Spain is a FA at the end of the year and can be upgraded. It’ll be fun to see if Ford steps up. I generally don’t like giving up on young linemen. Particularly when they’re rookies, as that first off-season usually provides a substantial strength and technique increase. At the very least though I think Ford can be an excellent guard. Or Henry.... If we’re going to hand out a bunch of cash for a hammer might as well pay for a jackhammer instead of a framing hammer.

I wouldn’t be surprised if we got a listing Dallas team or a beat up Ravens team. We get Dallas on a short week after they play the Pats and the Ravens will be coming of a two game stretch against the Rams and 49ers.

I look at it as 1A, 1B, 2, 3, etc. All 1’s and 2’s can line up in a few spots if needed. 3’s are more limited. 1A is your elite WRs... Big, fast, run great routes, etc. They can dominate games against all but the most elite corners, and even then they make some critical plays in a game. Jones, Adams, Evans, etc belong here. 1B is that step below. These guys have some elite traits, but something that keeps them from being elite. They’re perhaps small or slow, maybe they haven’t mastered routes yet. Maybe they’re not elite at anything but one step below that in everything. They can dominate games, but can be taken away by CBs whose abilities mirror theirs or double teams. This is where the DeSean Jackson’s and Alshon Jeffery’s reside. My cutoff for this group is Robert Woods. I think John Brown is in this group. The 2 group contains guys with a few limitations, but do a couple things exceptionally well. Think bigger and slower... Doesn’t run the best routes, but runs a few really good routes and knows how to settle into zones. Might be more complete, but has concentration lapses and drops balls, etc. I think there’s fluidity here as many of these guys are younger and can move up or down. 3’s are generally limited to a role and don’t do well outside of that role. They might also be one trick ponies with an amazing trick (4.2 40). Most of these guys are specialists. Some become critical components because they master their role, and when they get to that point they can be nightmares for defenses. 4’s are developmental or special teams guys who may not be on a roster in a few years. They’re generally young or provide value in other aspects of the game.

Best commentator quote of the day... ”I could probably squeeze out a dirty Sanchez...”

?‍♂️

It was a beautiful dirty dancing moment

Got your wish!

JFC. Cardiac moments

And there’s the expected presnap penalty.

Hit the Bier Garden. Been a while since I was in Asheville, but even if it’s not the “backer” location it’s still a great place to catch a game. The downside is if it’s a big game day you might be SOL if you don’t show up early. I went on a Saturday and it was packed for college ball.

Agree. I can see a team like GB, NO, Pit, or NE grabbing the kid, stashing and developing him with a 2-3 year timetable.

It’s a minimum.... It’d be the rest of this season and the first two regular season games next year. Some ticky tak 4 game deal is total BS.

I’d like to see at least an 8 game suspension so they’re penalized next season as well. This is a situation where the league can and probably will send a message.

And the follow up clarification... “is your team out of control?” ???

I’d assume the same for running across the field and hitting a player without a helmet on.

IDK. I’m wondering if he an Oginjobi catch suspensions as well

Let the suspensions rain from the sky!