Sugashane Posted January 16, 2023 Share Posted January 16, 2023 Ok, here is my second-to-last mock before the draft, this one I am putting a few challenges on for myself – no Payne, no Ngakoue, no top OT in FA. No cuts like Bak, or anyone else that could come in as a cheaper surprise addition to the FA class. Scenario It seems that the Bears new President/CEO Kevin Warren is a bit of a cutthroat individual (how he kind of ripped USC and UCLA over to the Big Ten by 2024), and he doesn’t seem to care much for losing. So he tells Poles that he will get the funding and facilities in order, Poles is to go out and win games. Being the former Commissioner of the Big 10 he also has a level of fondness for Fields, and sees not only how many jersey sales Fields generates but the marketing ability aside that. Warren tells Poles, “Go win, you have your QB. If he fails, so do you. Three years is all you get, and you’ll either get a big extention or I’ll find your replacement.” Poles, knowing his leash is shorter but his financial support is going to be there. Poles knows he doesn’t get 3 years to just build through the draft, so he will have to attack with top talents and draft well enough to replace those vets. Coming from KC and their ability to juggle contracts, this is something the Bears will be committed to. **** The last mock will be more realistic, I am just showing that getting impact players CAN be done if the cap is managed correctly **** So lets look at the cap space. Per OvertheCap the Bears are set to have $123.425 mil in cap space. Cuts Whitehair – saves $5.794mil ($129.219 mil) - Lets face it, Whitehair has been up and down all year, and his ‘up’ play isn’t anywhere near the $14.1 mil he is set to make in 2023. Honestly if he hadn’t been playing next to Mustipher I think people would have been FAR more vocal about him being overpaid. He is only worth what he is saving. Justin Jones – saves $4.90mil ($134.119 mil) - Jones has been the best of a bad group. Honestly I think he should be a solid rotational piece, but I am not entirely interested in him being here for $7.40 mil. If he was $3-4 mil I could think about it, but I’d rather move on from almost the entire DL. In this I am assuming he does not want to renegotiate, so he gets cut here so he can go start elsewhere. AQM – saves $4.00 mil ($138.119 mil) - Trash, this guy has been a horrible signing. Nothing more to say than move on and quit wasting more reps or money on this guy. Cap Space - $138.119 mil Cap Rollover - $9.584 mil Bears have the 4th most to roll over into 2023. Cap Space Now - $147.703 mil Trades – Bears trade 1.1 to the Indianapolis Colts. Colts get 1.1 Bears get 1.4, 2(35), 2024 1st , DeForest Buckner. Buckner gets paid for 4 years $79.9 mil, $39.9 mil guaranteed ($19.7/20.2/20/20) Bears get their 3T and extend Buckner since he does not have any guaranteed money. Buckner spoke glowingly of Eberflus and thrived in his time with him, so it is only natural that Eberflus is overjoyed to get the punishing stalwart that is Buckner. The Bears fully guarantee his 2023 and 2024 years and add $20 mil cap hits for 2025 and 2026. He is going to be 29 prior to the upcoming season, so the Bears have him fully guaranteed to the age of 31. After that his contract can be renegotiated if he is still passrushing at a high level, or if he has become a more primary run stuffer then he can be cut or traded for pennies. Cap Space - $127.953 mil There is a second trade. Bears trade for WR DeAndre Hopkins. Colts get 2023 4th (approx. pick 133) and a 2024 3rd round pick Bears get DeAndre Hopkins and 2023 5th round pick (approx. pick 167) Bears get their number one, and to get Nuk to agree to the trade the Bears add a $25 mil year for 2025 AND fully guarantee his contract for 2023 and 2024 (about $34 mil between the two years since AZ is eating $22.6 mil) He will be 31 in this season and by the time the guaranteed cash is up he will be 33. Either that will be the time to extend and finish his career a Bear for a lower price, be cut to go elsewhere, or retire while still a great talent. But for now he has at least 2 years to stack with Fields and be a mentor for the young WR corps. With the trio of Nuk, Mooney, Claypool, and Kmet in the 11 personnel the Bears will give Fields all the size/speed needed to create mismatches with about any team. Cap Space - $119.803 Re-signings LB Morrow – 2 year, $6 mil ($116.803) - Morrow is nothing special but he is not a terrible ‘weak-link’ to a starting LB corps. He is even a solid reserve to keep for one more year as Poles gets to revamp the roster. OT Reiff – 1 year, $3 mil ($113.803) - Reiff has been a solid reserve for us, sadly he has been better than several starters we have had over the last decade or so. I don’t want him to start for us but if there is a 1-2 game stretch and he beats Borom for the swing tackle role I would be plenty comfortable with him plugging the hole for a bit. WR Harry – 1 year, $1.5 mil ($112.303) - While I don’t want him as a starter he is a solid reserve and has a fair bit of time in the system already. With Mooney and Claypool both having missed time this season I want someone with the size to play the X and to be able to go over the middle. S Houston-Carson 2 years, $2.1 mil ($111.203 mil) - DHC is a solid core special teamer and has the ability to sub in at safety. Not ideal to see him out there for defense but there’s a reason he keeps making the vet min or so. LS Scales – 2 years, $2 mil ($110.203 mil) - He keeps making good snaps, why move him? It isn’t like snapping is breaking his body down. WR E. St. Brown – 1 year, $1 mil ($109.203 mil) - I don’t know if he makes the final roster or not, he is the perfect guy to have through TC and preseason since he has the most time in the system of anyone on the team. I’d 100% like to have him as the bottom of the WR corps or PS FB Khari Blasingame – 2 years, $3 mil ($107.703) - I think with a dedicated running game a FB is a must. As a former RB I wish he was more versatile, and he isn’t a really violent blocker either. But he is quick enough to get to the defender even if well outside the box and allows the RBs to run off his backside while he shields his guy. Still would like to see someone come in for competition at least as he is still so one dimensional. Practice Squad Signings - LB Adams - LB Thomas - TE Griffin - DT Blackson - TE Wesco - C Kramer Let Walk HB Monty - I’m a big Monty fan but he has really only outdone Herbert due to volume IMO. If he would want to come back at $4-5 mil I’d be fine with it but I want more dynamic play. Monty is a goddamn warrior but he’s not going to give you a lot of chunk plays. With Herbert taking the lead role I’m not sure I want to overpay him for 30% of the carries. WR Pringle - With Mooney and Claypool we don’t really need a WR4 to be paid much. I think he gets $4-5 mil elsewhere due to the WR FA class sucking. QB Peterman - He sucks, you know it, I know it, the coaches know it, his parents know it, he is starting to wonder… Extension CB Jaylon Johnson – 5 years, $75 mil ($33 mil guaranteed) – Starting 2023 6/12/12/13/16/18 Johnson has been a good player and while he isn’t a top 10 CB he is still going to get paid. This puts him as the 11th highest paid CB by AAV. A bit of an overpayment since he doesn’t generate turnovers but with $4 mil going to add on the 2023 cap hit it makes his contract more affordable. The last two years there’s really no guarantees so it can be a clean cut of there are contracts that need to take priority. Free Agency (after extension) Cap Space is $103.703 mil So in this remember Conklin and Elgton Jenkins were re-signed, I’m putting McGary as a franchise tag or re-signing with ATL, and Brown, Taylor and McGlinchey got ridiculous deals elsewhere. Payne got over $20 mil AAV from someone too! Panic floods through Bears fans! Hahahaha!! DT Javon Hargrave – 4 years, $72 mil, $52 mil guaranteed (25/13/14/21) - $78.703 “But the Bears just traded for Buckner?!” IDGAF. You need more than one talent on the DL if you’re rushing 4 and there isn’t a great DE available. Look at PHI this year, SF, KC had 20 sacks from DEs to add to Chris Jones being a monster, DAL had 20 sacks to help Parsons, NE had 3 guys add up for over 30 sacks, etc. With Ngakoue being signed to a big deal there is little else to go for at EDGE as a pure passrusher. Payne is the hot commodity in large part due to his youth, but Hargrave has been absolutely dominant. Plant him anywhere in the interior and you have a guy ready to whoop someone with reckless abandon. Eberflus has a 3T so Hargrave can provide that immediate pressure in the face of the QB while being the NT. He is currently 29 so this deal will have 3 fully guaranteed years through age 32, and at that point Hargrave will have to either restructure/extend or be a clean cap cut. This is one of the 3 big deals being made, and likely will be part of the plan to add as much talent around while Fields and the young talents develop to replace them. LB Tremaine Edmunds – 6 years, $86 million, $53 mil guaranteed (15/12/12/14/14/19) - $63.703 mil The Bears have added the 3T, got Fields a WR1, and even added another stud DT to help the passrush and run stopping, so the only spot that critical is the WILL. In a season where the Bears are adding a number of older players they will try to attack the WILL immediately with a young and still ascending talent. Edmunds combines with Sanborn to create a physically imposing duo, both showing the ability to knife through gaps and blow up ballcarries. Edmunds might not be the normal speedy safety hybrid but his immense length helps offset that. Edmonds is the first player set up to potentially be retained even if Fields gets a megadeal after his 5th year. He has the versatility that he can play any spot but will be a foundational player for the next 5 years, then can be restructured/extended for the last part of his career if he is still playing at a high level. And yes, getting $8 mil more guaranteed was a small FU to Roquan. Lol DE/3T Zach Allen – 4 years, $38 mil (14/7/6/11) – 49.703 Eberflus likes to have at least one DE to have some size to him, and Allen is that guy. He is 6’4” and 280 lbs and has a relentless motor. I feel like he is a long-lost Watt brother. He is not the athlete that JJ and TJ are so he doesn’t have the impact they do, but has the same non-stop pursuit. In the family it would be JJ and TJ at the top, Zach in the middle tier, and then Derek at the bottom. Lol. Really though he is a guy who is stout vs the run and can beat people with a few moves besides bullrushing. He is strong enough to be a 3T and has the length and athleticism to be a base end, so I REALLY enjoy his versatility on the DL. He allows you to go after the best players possible and can fill the hole wherever you need him, and be damn good there. C Ethan Pocic – 4 years, $32 mil, $22 mil guaranteed (10/6/6/10) – 39.703 We finally got a good OL signing. Whiffing on the OTs was brutal, but now we at least have a great starter at C. Pocic will fit right in next to Jenkins. He isn’t near the athlete Jenkins is but has the same nasty demeanor and can anchor as well as almost any C in the league. Fields will love being able to trust his C to keep the NT out of his face for a bit. DE Justin Houston – 2 years, $10 mil, $12 mil guaranteed (5/5) –34.70 I don’t think Justin has 3 years left in him, but he showed he can still turn it on when he needs to this year. I put him as a primary pass rush specialist, he won’t be a starter on the DL. As with numerous other FAs – if he doesn’t retire – will be merely an agent year. But for the next two years he is a guy who offers more than what Robert Quinn was offering this year. If he does drop off then the cost isn’t ridiculous, he is still a savvy veteran who may be able to help the young guys like Robinson and Gipson develop. DE/DT Taven Bryan – 3 years, $12 mil (3/4/5) –31.703 Bryan hasn’t lived up to the hype he had coming in from the draft, but he is still a solid piece to add to the DL. He – like Allen – has played both inside and out. While Allen is more skilled, Bryan is an athletic freak and is cheap. With the signing of Houston this gives Bryan a chance to set the edge and do the grunt work. He can come off in the NASCAR package or can bump down to the NT role if needed. Low risk, potentially moderately high reward signing. Clearly you don’t change your draft board due to Bryan, but that also means you don’t have to overrate players to replace him. S Jabrill Peppers – 2 years, $6 mil (2.5/3.5) – 29.203 Peppers hasn’t looked the same since the 2020 season but still has enough athleticism to warrant a spot to compete. He signed a 1 year deal in NE and hasn’t started for them but a handful of games, but is still getting on in packages. I bring him in and give him a chance to fight for a S spot opposite of Brisker. SS Keanu Neal – 2 years, $6 mil (2.5/3.5) – 26.703 Same as Peppers, Neal has not been the same as he was a few years ago. While he has never been a great cover S, he was at one time a damn good run defender. Honestly he can rotate in as a sub-LB as well. In TB he is under Bowles, who values versatility. I think with a simpler system like we have here and like ATL had under Quinn that Neal could do better. Brisker is versatile enough to play FS or SS well, so I am really pitting Peppers and Neal against one another and making the best duo possible. Regardless, I think both are upgrades from DHC and Hicks. Neal also has the athleticism and violent nature to be a solid ST ace. Cap Space Left - $26.703 mil Post June 1st cap Cut- Eddie Jackson While it was awesome to see Eddie Jackson come back and be an impact player, the Bears have a 3 year plan as that is all Warren gives Poles, and paying a 30-year old safety $17 and $18 mil per year isn’t going to do it. I would be more than willing to negotiate with him and get his cap down for the next 2-3 years but I think with all the draft capital there is more than enough reason to be able to cut him and open the cap space for 2023 and 2024 with a post June 1st cut. This will add $13 mil back to the cap space for 2023 and allow the Bears to get back to the 10% mark, allowing them to roll over as much as possible for 2024. Several of the players like Hargrave, Allen and Pocic all got heavily front loaded deals to eat some more of the cap and make their deals more team friendly from here on out. They took up an extra $23 million that will be able to be allocated towards Hopkins and Johnson’s cap numbers for 2024, making sure the Bears still have a lot of room for additions. The goal is to add as much high quality or versatile talent as possible while keeping the ability to roll over cap next year. The teams are required to spend approx. 90% of their cap space and I believe the remainder can be rolled over. So with the cap being about $250 million the contracts have been set up to use all but $35 mil prior to rookie contracts, dead caps to be added, and signing any depth/emergency pieces. Draft All should offer a silent prayer to St. Lovie, bane of the Texans, for his gift of the 1st overall pick and keeping IND in the top 4. The trade was noted above. 1(1) – IND selects QB Bryce Young – they wanted a QB, they got one. Clearly talented but we will see how he does in IND. 1(2) – HOU takes QB Will Levis – Assuming Stroud doesn’t declare here, HOU knows Mills isn’t the answer and the new HC wants his guy now. Levis has tools to be excited about. 1(3) – AZ takes DL Jalen Carter – With the retirement of JJ Watt the Cardinals decide to get potentially the most dominant player in the class in Carter. Good pick up by them honestly. 1(4) – CHI takes EDGE Will Anderson Bears see AZ take JJ Watts’ replacement and refuse to move back from 1.4. They grab Anderson, who is the best passrusher in the draft, and a highly underrated run defender. With the ability to stunt, win with speed, and having a crazy motor and burst to attack opposing QBs. Now the Bears feature a defense with Hargrave pushing up the middle, Buckner attacking from outside the OG, and Anderson attacking from the other side. Fields won’t have to have shootouts to compete in 2023, this DL will make sure he gets the ball back with regularity. … … 2(35) – OT Dawand Jones Big boy! He will have to lose a bit of weight but I’m not overly concerned about that. He is a brutal blocker and it will be heaven to see Pocic – Jenkins – D. Jones all thrashing people along the DL. I think Kmet will have to help chip some people into him when he is facing an elite EDGE but like Orlando Brown was known for – when he gets his hands on you, you’re done. I think he experiences a drop due to the Combine, while not as dramatic as Orlando Brown did I think he is not going to look as good in non-contact. With the love of length in Halas Hall he should be in high demand with his ridiculous wingspan. That being said Getsy should have plenty of film to see that there is no issue having a TE help chip when he is faced with elite speed. 2(55) – OT Darnell Wright When I said Pocic-Jenkins-Jones. Wright is a highly underrated passblocker and being more nimble I think he gets the nod at LG while Jones gets to be a wall on the outside. Wright’s athleticism is slightly better so it allows him to get to the second level. If Getsy would refuse to chip I would feel more comfortable with Wright on the outside, he did well when blocking Anderson and I think he has better technique. 3(64) – NT Mazi Smith I think this year was a good lesson for Eberflus and Williams – you need some big bodies that can refuse to give up ground. They have invested in Hargrave, Buckner, Anderson, and two big DEs who can kick down as intrior passrusher. So they’re good on the DL right? No. Mazi is a monster of a man and with Hargrave and Buckner there will need to be a rotation. Allen and Bryan help in that but I am not putting them at NT and I would like to have a pure NT that can still collapse a pocket. Smith is that guy. He is a freakish athlete that may prove to be a better pro than college player, and getting to learn from two other brutally strong guys in Hargrave and Buckner should allow him to see how to put it all together. PHI has proven – as others have – that a deep and talented DL can 0make the entire defense much more dangerous. Mazi will be the one doing the dirty work for the next 8 years. 4(103) – HB Sean Tucker The Bears liked what they saw from Herbert and did not want to keep Monty to be the expensive reserve, so that leave Evans and Ebner as the 2 and 3. I liked the little I saw from Evans but Ebner was bad and may be on the PS next year. Tucker is a tough runner who has more speed on a field than we have seen in a Bears jersey at the RB spot that I can remember. He has more speed than rookie Cohen did at 210lbs. A former track star, he has the speed to make chunk plays like Fields, and while he might not have the greatest vision or hands he is a violent runner. 5(136) EDGE/LB Brenton Cox Jr Cox Jr is likely a top 50 player in the draft if he doesn’t get dismissed. BUT, look at what the Bears have missed on for being too conservative with their picks. Tunsil’s bong photo scared them off, Hunt’s legal history scared them off when he was available for a steal, Tyreek Hill went in the 5th or 6th because of the DV charge and even then some people were going crazy over his drafting, etc. Cox Jr falling is purely based on the dismissal and with a 5th rounder I have no concerns over him acting stupid to walk himself out of the league. GMs get fired for failing to put together good teams, they get fired for squandering massive contracts, and for missing repeatedly on picks in the top rounds… no GM gets fired for gambling in the 5th. Cox is a unique talent that I think he could be a standard EDGE, but I actually want to move him to the SAM backer spot (will post why later). 5(149) – C/G Joe Tippmann Hell yes. I’m not getting stuck with Mustipher being the best C option ever again, and Tippman has the athleticism, strength and aggression that mirrors Jenkins. Tippmann is another great athlete who is brutally strong and mean as hell. He is able to learn from Pocic and if the Bears want to go heavy, he may be the quickest OL on the team. Seeing this guy as a heavy FB or an extra OL would put a smile on my face. If Pocic does happen to get injured he can step in and anchor, and may end up being the super-sub for the IOL until he takes over for Pocic. 6(167) – WR Charlie Jones Kid from Purdue caught over 100 passed for 1300 yards and 12 TDs this year. Everyone that played him from like week 3 on knew he was going to be the one getting the lion’s share of the targets and no one could really stop him. Even when he went against Michigan he went off for 13/162. He has done some kick and punt returning before too, so he can compete there. 7(197) – QB Malik Cunningam Fields doesn’t have many who can equal him athletically, but Cunningham comes as close as you can without spending a premium pick. Over the last few years we have seen offenses get railroaded into two different styles when QB1 was out. We went from Tru/Daniel to Tru/Foles to Fields/Dalton and now Fields/Siemian. It is easy to keep things similar when you have a statue back there but finding a super athletic QB is hard to do, and there are obviously going to be shortcomings as a runner and passer when trying to pair someone with Fields. But Cunningham is athletic enough to challenge defenses as a runner – possibly even being looked as a potential conversion candidate – and has experience with RPOs. I want him to learn the system and allow us to keep at least the heavy run game and quick passing attack if Fields is out for a game or two. Also having his mobility on the practice squad is something I can’t state enough. Final Depth Chart QB – Fields, Siemien, Cunningham HB – Herbert, Tucker, Evans (V. Jones - gadget) FB – Blasingame WR – Hopkins, Mooney, Harry, V. Jones, E. St Brown, C. Jones Hybrid - Claypool TE – Kmet, Howard, Wesco LT – B. Jones LG – Wright/Leatherwood C – Pocic, Tippman/Patrick RG – Jenkins, (Borom)/Leatherwood RT – D. Jones, Reiff/Borom Notes – Claypool will spend the majority of his time at WR but will also function as a move TE, allowing the offense to run with 11 and 12 personnel without allowing the defense to adjust their groupings. He was often spoken of as a TE until his 4.4 40 at the Combine, but his speed can still be easily utilized there. Velus will be a depth receiver and can be a receiving back in long 3rd downs, as neither Herbert nor Tucker have shown much receiving ability beyond being able to catch the occasional screens or flats. Wright will have to beat Leatherwood but I think that becomes a relatively easy competition to win. After Hopkins, Mooney, and Claypool the WR group is completely up for grabs, no one has a guaranteed role to rotate. Regardless the OL is damn imposing, strong, and mean as hell. The OL needs to be able to move people, not just shield and be in the way. LE – Allen, Bryan, Gipson NT – Hargrave, M. Smith, (Bryan) 3T – Buckner (Bryan), (Allen) RE – Anderson, Houston (PRS) SAM – Cox Jr, Robinson, (Thomas) MIKE – Sanborn, (Morrow), Thomas WILL – Edmunds, Morrow CB – Johnson, J. Jones/(Vildor)/Blackwell NB – Gordon, Vildor S1– Brisker, Houston-Carson S2 – Peppers/Neal K – Santos/UFA P – Gill LS – Scales RET – V. Jones, C. Jones Notes – It was noted that Eberflus likes to have bigger DEs, so outside of Anderson (his new Ngakoue) they have now added serious size to the DE group. Both Bryan and Allen can and will kick into DT to rotate or as pure rush DTs, basically what I call the Izzy Role. Mazi will see plenty of rotation and if Bucker needs to come off then Hargrave will kick to 3T as Smith goes to NT. If Hargrave needs a breather, the Mazi obviously just goes to NT. For the LB group there is more size than expected but that is because this is the base, and they will be in nickel for over half the reps and dime for another amount. Cox Jr has solid athleticism, size, and passrushing ability so he will be able to be a base SAM. I have seen enough to be comfortable with Cox Jr being in space, but as noted below Cox Jr might still be on the line. His coverage would be more simple flats or short zones, much like Lance Briggs did. Dime can either include Peppers or Neal for extra coverage or run support if they are wanting speed. This is also assuming Jackson heals, if not then he can be cut to add that money to pay an upgrade at CB or WILL as well, or to go toward extending Mooney or Claypool. For the CB spot I am letting them fight for the spot opposite of Johnson and Gordon. There is enough money left that if they are really struggling with what should be a SIGNIFICANTLY upgraded passrush then the Bears can get a FA vet to bring in as well. For the safety tandem both Peppers and Neal will find time on the field I am sure, but they will compete to see who fits the best alongside Brisker. Brisker can play SS or FS with Jackson being gone, so they will fight to see who is the better fit with Brisker. That person will start. Explanations – · Why I have Cox and Robinson as SAM backers instead of base ends Simply put, its too crowded at DE. With Anderson, Allen, Houston, and Bryan all there it is hard to get room in the position for either. But these two are fantastic athletes for EDGE rushers. Cox Jr has top 50 athleticism and is a really good run defender. Robinson is a former WR who is ridiculously athletic for a late round DE. So why move them to SAM besides open spots? Their fits! In a 4-3 the SAM usually has the B gap behind the NT. Cox Jr. is stout vs the run and Robinson explosive to the gap. But in other looks their tasks change. In an Under look it basically turns the 4-3 into a 5-2, with the SAM on the EDGE. I’d REALLY like to use Cox Jr on the end by Allen while Wilson is the open end. In an Over they take the B gap and any puling OL or FB that comes up. Again, Cox Jr is damn good vs the run so he can do that very well I’d wager. Eberflus even was quoted on what the SAM was in his defense – “The SAM is usually our heavy guy who likes to hit. He’s in the bubble here so he will do a lot of things like turning the ball back inside and those types of things.” Well both these guys are about 250 and have experience in setting the edge. Then if they are needed, since the SAM doesn’t get a ton of snaps they can still put their hands in the dirt as a rotational EDGE. Most of the DEs on the team have the size/versatility to kick inside on passing downs, so there is still room. Eberflus has switched from using more Under and Over based on who his same was (more Under with Adams as the SAM as he set the edge well and more Over with Okereke there, as he was more suited to space) 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sugashane Posted January 16, 2023 Author Share Posted January 16, 2023 These moves set up for there to be a substantial amount of cap space in 2024 even before rolling over more than the Bears did this year. They will have enough to re-sign Mooney, Claypool, and even throw a decent deal towards Kmet if the so choose. Gipson, Vildor, Siemian, and Patrick all go off the books as well as almost all the dead cap left. The Bears spend super heavy but will have next almost all starters returning and have a great deal of draft capital due to the trade with IND. If they would decide that Claypool and/or Mooney aren't who they want to keep building around, that Marvin Harrison Jr would be a great protege for Nuk to teach, and two first rounders should be more than enough to go get him... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StLunatic88 Posted January 16, 2023 Share Posted January 16, 2023 Im not sure Warren is going to be that heavy handed walking in the door, at least on the football side. Im not saying that he is going to ignore it, and let Poles/Eberflus do whatever they want for the next half decade. But those guys sold a vision and a plan for the on field product, Im pretty sure Warren had to be made abreast of it through this process, and will allow them to continue on that path. Now that changes if things get catastrophic, and there is no improvement or fans start to turn, or they lose the locker room, but those are extremes. Basically, I dont think there will be some Mandate that "its time to win now" immediately after tanking for the #1 pick and clearing out the bad Cap. Warren is being rough in to reset the foundation of the business side of the Franchise, as well as maneuver the New Stadium and everything that goes along with it. All in efforts to set up the Sale of the Franchise in the near future. Ill go through the moves, but overall, why are we carrying $20m in Cap Space into the season? And why did we cut 2 productive players (Cody & Jones) to save a total of $10m? And replace them with similar players/ not at all? Cut AQM, thats fine, but he also is only like $1.2m against the cap if you keep him around till camp at the least and you know that we actually have his replacement (as a backup) set I think Whitehair is still a big part of this OL for '24. He could definately be restructured, but a straight up cut for him, to hope we can find a draft pick that will be able to replace him seems short sighted And why are we cutting Jones? He is in the final year of his deal, and you ate $2.5m of dead money to sign Taven Bryan? Ew Eddie is another guy Im not sure why we are cutting, unless his injury is so significant that he cant play in 2024, or wont ever be the same player again. Especially as a Post June 1st cut, where you are pushing $5.5m to next season for no reason. And we are going to try to replace him with two vets who frankly just arent good anymore. A restructure seems more likely if he is healthy. Id do a whole lot to get Buck on this team, guy is the perfect UT for this defense, and has proven so. But saying that, it really makes Hargrove redundant. I get your point about "never having too much" but you suddenly have 2 UTs, and then later other 5-tech/UTs that you sign. I think we still get run on a whole lot here. If Buck is the plan, feels like we should be looking at a more primary Run Defender at the other Tackle spot. Im not saying get a plugger only, there are some good DTs who can play Nose in this system, but still provide pass rush pressure, out there as FA. Nuke is obviously the best scenario for giving a Top Weapon to Fields. The more I look at the situation though, the more its going to be tough to get him. Hes basically going to get to pick where he goes, I hope were on that list for him, but who knows (still think that was a big part of the Cooper deal that no one wants to acknowledge, its just easier to bash Poles about it) As far as re-signings, Marrow I could take or leave. Not sure why everyone always brings back DHC, hes fine but not a priority for me. Dont want to be saving less than $3m to go from Whitehair to Reiff on this roster. I would like Harry as another Flyer on the bottom of the Receiver room. KB is a solid FB so sure. I already started on some of the Free Agents brought in Hargrave seems redundant, but I wouldnt be mad about it, just seems better spent on a run stopper Not sure were paying Edmunds after not seeing Roquan as worth it, but hes getting very popular around here recently Zach Allen I like alot, he would be a really nice Big End and would continue to add versatility on the line. Pocic has become very overrated around here, I dont think he is all that some of you are making him out to be. Like his attitude, but not much else Im not sure I see the Houston fit, even if he wasnt more likely to be Ring chasing Dont know why we could go Bryan over Justin Jones and Peppers/Elam seem more like just names we know, not good fit/talent any longer I will be shocked if Jaylon doesnt get his extension this offseason In the draft, thats a Great return for dropping to #4 Anderson is great, hes a tad undersized, and I think you're overstating his Run D, but its not like its a minus or anything. Hes definitely closer to Murphy/Wilson than Carter is to Bresee Not sure on Dewand yet, other than his size he hasnt wowed me. And Orlando Brown is the exception, not the rule. Love Darnell, think hes just going to keep rising on draft boards I dont have alot on the rest of these picks, havent done enough on those guys, but as a team who passed on Pickens, not sure were taking on Cox 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sugashane Posted January 16, 2023 Author Share Posted January 16, 2023 1 hour ago, StLunatic88 said: Im not sure Warren is going to be that heavy handed walking in the door, at least on the football side. Im not saying that he is going to ignore it, and let Poles/Eberflus do whatever they want for the next half decade. But those guys sold a vision and a plan for the on field product, Im pretty sure Warren had to be made abreast of it through this process, and will allow them to continue on that path. I'm sure he won't, I just wanted to make a sense of urgency. As always I never try to guess what Pace, Poles, or anyone will do. This is just a time burner when things are slow for me. 1 hour ago, StLunatic88 said: Now that changes if things get catastrophic, and there is no improvement or fans start to turn, or they lose the locker room, but those are extremes. Basically, I dont think there will be some Mandate that "its time to win now" immediately after tanking for the #1 pick and clearing out the bad Cap. Warren is being rough in to reset the foundation of the business side of the Franchise, as well as maneuver the New Stadium and everything that goes along with it. All in efforts to set up the Sale of the Franchise in the near future. The whole stealing of USC and UCLA made me want him to be the mean, hard-*** SOB. That was part of my fun. 1 hour ago, StLunatic88 said: Ill go through the moves, but overall, why are we carrying $20m in Cap Space into the season? And why did we cut 2 productive players (Cody & Jones) to save a total of $10m? And replace them with similar players/ not at all? Being aggressive means setting up for big contracts, which meant I wanted to front load a number of deals to make them more favorable from 2024 on. Their cap savings weren't as much for 2023 as it was to endure more to roll over for 2024 and to provide an emergency cushion if needed. Or for an extension. 1 hour ago, StLunatic88 said: Cut AQM, thats fine, but he also is only like $1.2m against the cap if you keep him around till camp at the least and you know that we actually have his replacement (as a backup) set I think Whitehair is still a big part of this OL for '24. He could definately be restructured, but a straight up cut for him, to hope we can find a draft pick that will be able to replace him seems short sighted For 2023 I'd bet he is but 2024? I'd imagine they want to see how the team shapes up before actually planning anything with hom for 2 years away. Braxton absolutely, but they have no real ties to Whitehair. 1 hour ago, StLunatic88 said: And why are we cutting Jones? He is in the final year of his deal, and you ate $2.5m of dead money to sign Taven Bryan? Ew Eddie is another guy Im not sure why we are cutting, unless his injury is so significant that he cant play in 2024, or wont ever be the same player again. Especially as a Post June 1st cut, where you are pushing $5.5m to next season for no reason. And we are going to try to replace him with two vets who frankly just arent good anymore. A restructure seems more likely if he is healthy. That's why I said I would be open to restructure. Those two are bandaid work in the event that he would refuse. 1 hour ago, StLunatic88 said: Id do a whole lot to get Buck on this team, guy is the perfect UT for this defense, and has proven so. But saying that, it really makes Hargrove redundant. I get your point about "never having too much" but you suddenly have 2 UTs, and then later other 5-tech/UTs that you sign. I think we still get run on a whole lot here. If Buck is the plan, feels like we should be looking at a more primary Run Defender at the other Tackle spot. Im not saying get a plugger only, there are some good DTs who can play Nose in this system, but still provide pass rush pressure, out there as FA. I was going to sign Poona but wanted to double down on interior passrush since I put the limitation that Ngakoue was off the table. Clowney is a d-bag who I wasn't going after and Houston too old to rely on for major snap counts, so I doubled down at DT. Plus if one gets injured you still have an interior rush. 1 hour ago, StLunatic88 said: Nuke is obviously the best scenario for giving a Top Weapon to Fields. The more I look at the situation though, the more its going to be tough to get him. Hes basically going to get to pick where he goes, I hope were on that list for him, but who knows (still think that was a big part of the Cooper deal that no one wants to acknowledge, its just easier to bash Poles about it) Agreed. If he says no then move on. Not sure but might throw a contract offer to Michael Thomas for something like 1 year, up to $15 mil if he his markers or something. Base of $12 to try and get a number one, because I don't believe Metcalf is on the move and OBJ is someone I wanst interested in. 1 hour ago, StLunatic88 said: As far as re-signings, Marrow I could take or leave. Not sure why everyone always brings back DHC, hes fine but not a priority for me. He is there for special teams. Min contract for a special teamer, thats all. 1 hour ago, StLunatic88 said: Dont want to be saving less than $3m to go from Whitehair to Reiff on this roster. I'm not sure what to me of that, one is a swing tackle and the other is an OG. Has Reiff ever been an OG? 1 hour ago, StLunatic88 said: I would like Harry as another Flyer on the bottom of the Receiver room. KB is a solid FB so sure. I already started on some of the Free Agents brought in Hargrave seems redundant, but I wouldnt be mad about it, just seems better spent on a run stopper I think he and Buckner would both be rotating at 3T a lot as well. Buckner averages in the 70s for snap count percentage and Hargrave for the 60s. So hebwouldnt be there to be a pure run stopper by any means. 1 hour ago, StLunatic88 said: Not sure were paying Edmunds after not seeing Roquan as worth it, but hes getting very popular around here recently I don't believe Poles goes after him fwiw. 1 hour ago, StLunatic88 said: Zach Allen I like alot, he would be a really nice Big End and would continue to add versatility on the line. Pocic has become very overrated around here, I dont think he is all that some of you are making him out to be. Like his attitude, but not much else I think hes a good value for the spot. No one is expecting Kelce or Fredrick but he os a significantly better option than we've had in years. 1 hour ago, StLunatic88 said: Im not sure I see the Houston fit, even if he wasnt more likely to be Ring chasing Dont know why we could go Bryan over Justin Jones and Peppers/Elam seem more like just names we know, not good fit/talent any longer I will be shocked if Jaylon doesnt get his extension this offseason I have his extension included. Do you mean his cap hit added on 2023's being a bigger deal? 1 hour ago, StLunatic88 said: In the draft, thats a Great return for dropping to #4 Anderson is great, hes a tad undersized, and I think you're overstating his Run D, but its not like its a minus or anything. Hes definitely closer to Murphy/Wilson than Carter is to Bresee Not sure on Dewand yet, other than his size he hasnt wowed me. And Orlando Brown is the exception, not the rule. I like the aggression and strength. He isn't agile to be compared to Orlando Pace in any way and isn't the athlete Mailata is, so I went with the closest comparison I could think of. 1 hour ago, StLunatic88 said: Love Darnell, think hes just going to keep rising on draft boards I do too. I'm hopeful he is there and I wouldn't be upset in the slightest about taking Wright over Jones. I think I favor him but I'm not sure if it is bias or not. 1 hour ago, StLunatic88 said: I dont have alot on the rest of these picks, havent done enough on those guys, but as a team who passed on Pickens, not sure were taking on Cox I'm sure Poles wouldn't but I never try to guess their picks. Just what I would like to do. I'm pretty limited on my "scouting" since I've been a worse and worse football fan each year. So I'm often trying to find names I know. Lol. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Madmike90 Posted January 16, 2023 Share Posted January 16, 2023 First man, I appreciate the work that always go into these…tons of details and explanation… No issue with cutting Whitehair or Muhammad…Jones I think has proven to be good enough that with the amount of cap we have we can have a highly priced rotation player at a primer position for another season… No issue with getting Hopkins via trade for Fields…I feel a short term but elite presence would really help this entire offence and especially help develop Fields as a passer… The Buckner trade I also have no issue with in isolation but where it falls down is when you then sign Hargrave…year 1 it would be great but then we are in the same situation as we were with Mack & Quinn…two 30+ pass rushers on the wrong side of their careers…for me it would have to be either or then build a young pass rush around them…love the pick-ups of Edmunds & Allen…both fit the young versatile long athletic defenders…Pocic would be a really nice pick up on the OL…not sure Houston goes anywhere but Baltimore and might just retire…Bryan is another bottom of the roster defender I like…not sold on the two safety pick-ups…lot of injuries and not a ton of speed which is important on the back end of this D… I wouldn’t cut Jackson at this stage unless we are replacing him with another young stud safety to pair long term with Brisker… Anderson might not be the perfect fit in this scheme but would still be hard to pass on at #4…he is an alpha and this D needs more of them…not sold on Jones at all for this scheme or that high…big risk with him IMO…love Wright he is just a beast and has potential inside & out…Mazi at that pick would be nice value and would be an excellent fit on the nose in a scheme where the nose still needs to provide some pass rush…big fan of Tucker and in the 4th he could be a steal…Cox Jr as a SLB who can also rush the passer would be an excellent pick up if his head is right…he is another long, athletic & versatile defender…huge fan of Tippman as a develop centre…I doubt Jones makes it that far down the draft but would be a nice pick up for his ST value as well…Cunningham I am not sold on being an NFL backup but in this scheme he would have a better chance than in most…outside of Jones I would be really happy with the draft aspect of this. Overall I think this would be great with a few tweaks to who we keep (Monty & Jackson) & Trade/FA (not having both Buckner & Hargrave) & the draft (not taking Jones). 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sugashane Posted January 17, 2023 Author Share Posted January 17, 2023 2 hours ago, Madmike90 said: First man, I appreciate the work that always go into these…tons of details and explanation… Much appreciated man! 2 hours ago, Madmike90 said: No issue with cutting Whitehair or Muhammad…Jones I think has proven to be good enough that with the amount of cap we have we can have a highly priced rotation player at a primer position for another season… No issue with getting Hopkins via trade for Fields…I feel a short term but elite presence would really help this entire offence and especially help develop Fields as a passer… The Buckner trade I also have no issue with in isolation but where it falls down is when you then sign Hargrave…year 1 it would be great but then we are in the same situation as we were with Mack & Quinn…two 30+ pass rushers on the wrong side of their careers…for me it would have to be either or then build a young pass rush around them…love the pick-ups of Edmunds & Allen…both fit the young versatile long athletic defenders…Pocic would be a really nice pick up on the OL…not sure Houston goes anywhere but Baltimore and might just retire…Bryan is another bottom of the roster defender I like…not sold on the two safety pick-ups…lot of injuries and not a ton of speed which is important on the back end of this D… Definitely a valid concern about their ages. That is one reason I wanted to get Mazi as Hargrave's potential heir and I wanted to get Bryan and Allen. They can kick inside to help and the cap hit for Hargrave should cause less concern for his post-2023 years. I'm kind of banking on their strength/physicality being able to be retained into their early 30s better than the need for explosiveness and agility that Mack and Quinn needed. Not sold on the safeties either, but I wanted to focus on the trenches and surrounding Fields with talent this year, then Poles could have his pick or who to re-sign or draft for 2024. 2 hours ago, Madmike90 said: I wouldn’t cut Jackson at this stage unless we are replacing him with another young stud safety to pair long term with Brisker… Anderson might not be the perfect fit in this scheme but would still be hard to pass on at #4…he is an alpha and this D needs more of them…not sold on Jones at all for this scheme or that high…big risk with him IMO…love Wright he is just a beast and has potential inside & out…Mazi at that pick would be nice value and would be an excellent fit on the nose in a scheme where the nose still needs to provide some pass rush…big fan of Tucker and in the 4th he could be a steal…Cox Jr as a SLB who can also rush the passer would be an excellent pick up if his head is right…he is another long, athletic & versatile defender…huge fan of Tippman as a develop centre…I doubt Jones makes it that far down the draft but would be a nice pick up for his ST value as well…Cunningham I am not sold on being an NFL backup but in this scheme he would have a better chance than in most…outside of Jones I would be really happy with the draft aspect of this. I REALLY wanted to draft either O'Cyrus Torrence or Vorhees but they both went a few picks before me. I think either of them and Wright would have been better but with how well Braxton Jones did for his draft slot I would be banking on the OL being able to get D. Jones to use his size and ridiculous length better. I don't think Cunningham has it either but for a 7th I think he is more valuable in practice for the DL and during blowouts. Likely just a PS stash but I was running out of names I knew. lol 2 hours ago, Madmike90 said: Overall I think this would be great with a few tweaks to who we keep (Monty & Jackson) & Trade/FA (not having both Buckner & Hargrave) & the draft (not taking Jones). Outside of the mock I really hope Jackson is back next year if he is healthy. He is a limited tackler but it was nice seeing him out and making plays again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StLunatic88 Posted January 17, 2023 Share Posted January 17, 2023 17 hours ago, Sugashane said: I have his extension included. Do you mean his cap hit added on 2023's being a bigger deal? 19 hours ago, StLunatic88 said: I was just agreeing with you, ha. Realize that wasnt very clear there 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sugashane Posted January 17, 2023 Author Share Posted January 17, 2023 7 hours ago, StLunatic88 said: I was just agreeing with you, ha. Realize that wasnt very clear there Ah gotcha. Damn. I spent way too much time trying to figure out the simple answer. 😅 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.