2022 Free Agency - Around the NFL Thread

[finn]

18 hours ago, NewEra said:

Franchise tag and possibly another Franchise tag.  That gives you 2 or 3 more years with him and by that time, figure out if he’s going to be viable long term.  
 

sucks for Lamar, but that’s what happens when you’re a qb that relies on speed and athleticism to be 80% of his game.  Tough to guarantee a decent passing qb 45M+ long term imo.  

 

13 hours ago, CincyBillsFan said:

I agree. I keep having images of Jones under thrown ball getting picked by Hyde and Allen running through Barmore's tackle in the playoffs!

 

 

That was an extraordinary play by Hyde, not at all a bad throw by Jones. He looks like he'll be a very good QB, more than competent, less than elite. Certainly enough to win with, as long as he has a very good team around him, which he does. The trouble is, he's in a conference with the Bills, Chiefs, Bengals, Raiders, and maybe now Denver. I'd say they're also below or the same level as the Ravens, Titans, and now Miami. 

 

With the Pats, the question is, "Is the QB good enough to not hold the team back?" With the Bills, it's "Is the team (and coaches!) good enough not to hold the QB back?"

[Rocky Landing]

10 hours ago, TBBills said:

They aren't putting that playoff push on Mac though b.c he was exposed down the stretch. He was the best rookie out of a group of rookies that played like absolute *****... not a big endorsement. 

10 hours ago, John from Riverside said:

They literally covered him up with a good defense and a strong running game any time they asked him to do anything more than not make a mistake he floundered

 

I kinda stepped in it with complimenting Mac & Cheese! I will certainly say that he benefitted from good scheming, and being given the most risk-averse playbook possible. The fact that he passed on us a whopping total of three times in our first meeting says a lot (windstorm notwithstanding).

 

But, you have to admit that as the season progressed, his playbook grew larger. He finished the season with a 67.6% completion percentage, and a 92.5 passer rating. And that ain't bad for a rook.

 

5 hours ago, JGMcD2 said:

Davis Mills was WAY more impressive than Mac Jones. 
 

It’s not even close. He was in the worst situation by far and held his own. Also didn’t cost a mid-1st rounder. 

 

I actually agree with this, except for the degree. In the context of the Texans vs the Patriots*, Mills was very impressive, and I think that had Jones been put in that position, he would have crumbled. Conversely, I think that Mills with that Patriots* scheme would not have faired as well as as Jones. You really can't deny Jones' accuracy.

 

And I would sure like this to be the end of this discussion! I can't believe I've put myself in the position of defending Mac & Cheese Jones. I feel ugly and tainted...

[Warcodered]

 

[RocCityRoller]

6 hours ago, GunnerBill said:

 

I am not sure he was way more impressive purely on tape. They were similar on tape, they both had some good moments and some moments where they looked like rooks. Mills was more impressive once you consider context and value. 

 

Fun mental exercise.

 

Put Mills on New England and Jones in Houston.

 

Who looks better?

[GunnerBill]

31 minutes ago, RocCityRoller said:

 

Fun mental exercise.

 

Put Mills on New England and Jones in Houston.

 

Who looks better?

 

Really hard to say. I think maybe Davis because Mac might be a bit more scheme specific. But equally Davis played in no big moments for Houston. That would be a test for him. 

[YoloinOhio]

 Noooooo

 

 

[mjt328]

17 hours ago, Rocky Landing said:

Kinda sickens me to say it, but... it's hard to argue against Mac & Cheese being the best rookie QB last season. He got them to the playoffs, which really makes him look like a bullseye draft pick.

 

Every draft, the experts throw around the concept of "high and low floor/ceiling" prospects.

The idea is that some players come into the NFL more ready to play, but they don't really have the physical traits to become elite.  Other players come in raw, and are bigger projects.  They may struggle more at first.  But if everything clicks in their development, they can eventually become among the league's best at their position.

 

Back in 2018, it was Baker Mayfield, Sam Darnold and Josh Rosen who were considered the most pro-ready by experts.  Josh Allen and Lamar Jackson were the big projects, with tons of physical skill and raw as passers.  Everyone recalls that Mayfield had the best rookie year (by far) and appeared to be a star in the making.  Jackson looked great as a runner.  Darnold flashed, despite being on the Jets.  Only the people in Buffalo noticed some potential in Allen, while Rosen was a total flop.  Fast-forward four seasons.... Allen is a Top 3 quarterback.  Jackson is Top 10.  Mayfield just got replaced.  Darnold is already a backup.  Rosen is almost out of the league.

 

In my opinion, Mac Jones was the 2021 version of Baker Mayfield.  He came into the NFL with good mechanics, and a solid mental grasp of the pro-passing game.  He came from the biggest program in the country, and immediately went to play under Bill Belichick.  He was inserted into an offense that put most of the pressure on the running game, and rarely asked him to win games by himself. 

 

Over the next few seasons, the pressure will be on Jones to prove himself as more than "middle of the pack."  Defenses will realize that Jones doesn't have the arm-strength to make big throws, or the athletic skill to escape the pocket.  They will focus on taking away the run game, and make Jones try to beat them.  That's when the Patriots fans realize there is only one Tom Brady.  And he doesn't play in Boston anymore.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Rocky Landing]

1 hour ago, RocCityRoller said:

 

Fun mental exercise.

 

Put Mills on New England and Jones in Houston.

 

Who looks better?

In my opinion, Mills would look worse than Jones did in NE, and Jones would look worse than Mills did in Houston. Jones benefitted from a risk-averse playbook that highlighted his strengths (accuracy, and processing ability) , and protected him from his weaknesses (lack of athleticism, and a weak arm). Mills certainly does not have Jones accuracy, but his toughness, and athleticism allowed him to shine in an otherwise anemic offense. Jones would have been crushed in that situation, but Mills would have had less to offer Belichick*, and the Patriots*.

[Rocky Landing]

4 minutes ago, mjt328 said:

 

Every draft, the experts throw around the concept of "high and low floor/ceiling" prospects.

The idea is that some players come into the NFL more ready to play, but they don't really have the physical traits to become elite.  Other players come in raw, and are bigger projects.  They may struggle more at first.  But if everything clicks in their development, they can eventually become among the league's best at their position.

 

Back in 2018, it was Baker Mayfield, Sam Darnold and Josh Rosen who were considered the most pro-ready by experts.  Josh Allen and Lamar Jackson were the big projects, with tons of physical skill and raw as passers.  Everyone recalls that Mayfield had the best rookie year (by far) and appeared to be a star in the making.  Jackson looked great as a runner.  Darnold flashed, despite being on the Jets.  Only the people in Buffalo noticed some potential in Allen, while Rosen was a total flop.  Fast-forward four seasons.... Allen is a Top 3 quarterback.  Jackson is Top 10.  Mayfield just got replaced.  Darnold is already a backup.  Rosen is almost out of the league.

 

In my opinion, Mac Jones was the 2021 version of Baker Mayfield.  He came into the NFL with good mechanics, and a solid mental grasp of the pro-passing game.  He came from the biggest program in the country, and immediately went to play under Bill Belichick.  He was inserted into an offense that put most of the pressure on the running game, and rarely asked him to win games by himself. 

 

Over the next few seasons, the pressure will be on Jones to prove himself as more than "middle of the pack."  Defenses will realize that Jones doesn't have the arm-strength to make big throws, or the athletic skill to escape the pocket.  They will focus on taking away the run game, and make Jones try to beat them.  That's when the Patriots fans realize there is only one Tom Brady.  And he doesn't play in Boston anymore.

 

 

 

 

 

 

I basically agree with all of this. And I would add (and I have said as much in this, and other forums) that it is a mistake to draft a player based on his "NFL readiness." Zay Jones is an example of this (although he seems to be doing pretty well for himself, production notwithstanding).

 

If the Jets can manage to upgrade their O-line (they seem to be, with the addition of Laken Tomlinson), and with the obvious upgrades in Miami, it's hard to predict who will be the poorest starting QB in the AFCE.

[Motor26]

1 hour ago, YoloinOhio said:

 Noooooo

 

 

The Bills secret weapon vs. KC.

[Warcodered]

 

[Warcodered]

 

context I'm guessing.

 

[HappyDays]

 

[GunnerBill]

2 hours ago, YoloinOhio said:

 Noooooo

 

 

 

This cancels out Hill leaving. Fr. 

[Warcodered]

3 hours ago, YoloinOhio said:

 Noooooo

 

 

To be replaced by an open stretch of field that is still somehow better in coverage than him.

Edited March 25, 2022 by Warcodered

[Slippery Rubber Mats]

6 hours ago, Warcodered said:

 

 

Totally OT, but watching this video you posted reminded me of something.

 

The Tampa game last year, I left my house and went for a skate at halftime. I was recording the game, but I've never watched the 2nd half of that game. Ran into a bunch of Bills fans who were in my area on vacation, and they kept updating me on the score while I skated. Fun and weird experience. Anyway, I think I'll dust that game off tonight and watch the only game I haven't seen the ending to in who-knows-how-many-years.

 

[YoloinOhio]

1 hour ago, GunnerBill said:

 

This cancels out Hill leaving. Fr. 

The NFC is tanking!

[Warcodered]

9 minutes ago, Tom Donahoe, GM said:

 

Totally OT, but watching this video you posted reminded me of something.

 

The Tampa game last year, I left my house and went for a skate at halftime. I was recording the game, but I've never watched the 2nd half of that game. Ran into a bunch of Bills fans who were in my area on vacation, and they kept updating me on the score while I skated. Fun and weird experience. Anyway, I think I'll dust that game off tonight and watch the only game I haven't seen the ending to in who-knows-how-many-years.

 

Josh Allen in the second half made me question his assertion that he doesn't play well pissed off, because he kind of seemed pissed off.

[Warcodered]

1 hour ago, YoloinOhio said:

The NFC is tanking!

NFC East has been doing it for years.

[NewEra]

5 hours ago, YoloinOhio said:

 Noooooo

 

 

Noooooo