Post by sadface on Apr 28, 2019 8:34:08 GMT -5
I wanted to do a simple breakdown of the roster to see how we may improve this season.
+ = Improved
- = Worsened
/ = Push
Let's start by saying that I think we all agreed our biggest needs were:
1. Pass rush
2. Protect Darnold
3. Give Darnold weapons
4. Pass coverage
Coaching + Bowels was hot garbage, Williams is that dude tho
QB / Darnold should be better but in fairness this is a push
HB +++ Bell way better than Crowell
WR ++ Crowder better than Kearse
TE / I like Wesco but too soon to call him an upgrade
OT / I like Chuma but too soon to call him an upgrade
OG +++ Osemele way better than Carpenshit
C / Harrison was slightly better than Long last year and he's the guy right now, but jury out if this is an upgrade.
DL +++ QW goes without saying. He will make the others better.
LB +++ Mosley is just another universe above Lee. He will make the others better.
DB / I'm sure Poole is an upgrade over Buster Stink but jury is out.
If we look at it less positionally and more situationally it's still good.
Pass game +++ Crowder, Bell
Pass protection + Osemele (would give more + if Harrison and Chuma were certain upgrades, but they ain't)
Run game +++ Bell
Run blocking ++ Osemele, Wesco
Pass rush ++ QW, Mosley, Poole is an excellent blitzer and QB hitter, maybe Polite
Run defense ++ QW, Mosley
Pass defense / this is up to Poole being a good cover corner. If Trulame is back to old form obviously big upgrade.
I know every team feels they've upgraded tremendously but it's simply not true for a lot of teams. Dolphins, Ravens, Seahawks, Steelers, Giants are examples of teams that got worse.
So for our 4 big needs, I feel like we hit 2.5. Definitely improved the pass rush and Darnolds weapons. Somewhat improved his protection, but need to do more on that front. Didn't really improve the Pass coverage though.
1. Pass rush ++ improved
2. Protect Darnold + improved a little
3. Give Darnold weapons ++ improved a lot
4. Pass coverage / push, for now
2.5/4 IMO, not so bad but could have been better. However I think the talent we acquired at the improvement areas range from Good to Excellent, which put this off season in the B range as opposed to the C+ range. Which is fine by me.
And let us remember: if Darnold improves, everyone improves. And if Bell is old Bell and Mosley shows he's worth the money and QW lives up to the hype (unlike our other Williams on the DL) then everything else looks a lot better. And those are good bets in my opinion.
Last year's off-season felt OK. Risky, as I didn't trust Trulame and I didn't love the draft outside of Darnold. This off-season feels significantly better and more guided with an actual vision. Was it perfect? No. Not acquiring an upgrade at Center, or just more OL in general, hurts. Not being sure about the top-3 corners corners hurts. Not having a proven edge rusher hurts. But everything else looks clear and sunny and I'm excited to see this team play.
+ = Improved
- = Worsened
/ = Push
Let's start by saying that I think we all agreed our biggest needs were:
1. Pass rush
2. Protect Darnold
3. Give Darnold weapons
4. Pass coverage
Coaching + Bowels was hot garbage, Williams is that dude tho
QB / Darnold should be better but in fairness this is a push
HB +++ Bell way better than Crowell
WR ++ Crowder better than Kearse
TE / I like Wesco but too soon to call him an upgrade
OT / I like Chuma but too soon to call him an upgrade
OG +++ Osemele way better than Carpenshit
C / Harrison was slightly better than Long last year and he's the guy right now, but jury out if this is an upgrade.
DL +++ QW goes without saying. He will make the others better.
LB +++ Mosley is just another universe above Lee. He will make the others better.
DB / I'm sure Poole is an upgrade over Buster Stink but jury is out.
If we look at it less positionally and more situationally it's still good.
Pass game +++ Crowder, Bell
Pass protection + Osemele (would give more + if Harrison and Chuma were certain upgrades, but they ain't)
Run game +++ Bell
Run blocking ++ Osemele, Wesco
Pass rush ++ QW, Mosley, Poole is an excellent blitzer and QB hitter, maybe Polite
Run defense ++ QW, Mosley
Pass defense / this is up to Poole being a good cover corner. If Trulame is back to old form obviously big upgrade.
I know every team feels they've upgraded tremendously but it's simply not true for a lot of teams. Dolphins, Ravens, Seahawks, Steelers, Giants are examples of teams that got worse.
So for our 4 big needs, I feel like we hit 2.5. Definitely improved the pass rush and Darnolds weapons. Somewhat improved his protection, but need to do more on that front. Didn't really improve the Pass coverage though.
1. Pass rush ++ improved
2. Protect Darnold + improved a little
3. Give Darnold weapons ++ improved a lot
4. Pass coverage / push, for now
2.5/4 IMO, not so bad but could have been better. However I think the talent we acquired at the improvement areas range from Good to Excellent, which put this off season in the B range as opposed to the C+ range. Which is fine by me.
And let us remember: if Darnold improves, everyone improves. And if Bell is old Bell and Mosley shows he's worth the money and QW lives up to the hype (unlike our other Williams on the DL) then everything else looks a lot better. And those are good bets in my opinion.
Last year's off-season felt OK. Risky, as I didn't trust Trulame and I didn't love the draft outside of Darnold. This off-season feels significantly better and more guided with an actual vision. Was it perfect? No. Not acquiring an upgrade at Center, or just more OL in general, hurts. Not being sure about the top-3 corners corners hurts. Not having a proven edge rusher hurts. But everything else looks clear and sunny and I'm excited to see this team play.