2021 Off-Season Thread

[nicksaviking]

 

At this point I don't see any changes coming for the O-line scheme, especially since Dennison is returning as the OL coach. Bradbury and Cleveland are clearly zone guys who likely wouldn't work in a power scheme. Reiff and O'Neill would likely be fine in either. They really can't reboot the entire interior of the line since they just sunk 1st and 2nd rounders into Bradbury and Cleveland... it's not an ideal situation. 

 

Right, just like continuing to defer Cousins' salary and holding on to increasing ineffective vets over young guys. They shouldn't be tied to a zone blocking scheme, they only are out of desperation. They should be able to go out and hire the best upstart OC available, not the best upstart OC who utilizes zone blocking.

 

They make these decisions that keep coming back to haunt them just to delay the reboot. They're backing themselves into a deep dark corner and the longer they refuse to come out, the longer it will take to put a championship caliber team on the field.

 

 

 

 

[Vanimal46]

 

Woof...bad DT class this year.  That is the need most pressing.

 

Yeah, and the free agency class deserves a woof too. I don't see them clearing enough space to afford Leonard Williams. The rest are mostly bad. I could see a team reaching for someone like Christian Barmore or Daviyon Nixon in the first round, and that would be a mistake. Either we're going to have to find a diamond in the rough in the mid rounds, or hope that James Lynch makes huge strides this offseason. 

[Vanimal46]

Would the zone blocking scheme be ruined with the addition of beefy maulers in the interior? I really think that's what we need to fix the OL. With the exception of 2016 when our line was complete trash, we've typically been good at run blocking, and bad at pass blocking. The last 3 years we've seen interior DL bull rush our guards and center with ease, resulting in Kirk curling up in the fetal position or running for his life. Maybe we should be looking at more of a hybrid approach with beefy power in the middle, and light, athletic tackles for the speedy edge rushers. 

[ashbury]

Would the zone blocking scheme be ruined with the addition of beefy maulers in the interior? I really think that's what we need to fix the OL.

I doubt if tactical use of man-to-man is ruled out in a zone scheme. "See that guy there? He's your zone."

 

[TheLeviathan]

 

Would the zone blocking scheme be ruined with the addition of beefy maulers in the interior? I really think that's what we need to fix the OL. With the exception of 2016 when our line was complete trash, we've typically been good at run blocking, and bad at pass blocking. The last 3 years we've seen interior DL bull rush our guards and center with ease, resulting in Kirk curling up in the fetal position or running for his life. Maybe we should be looking at more of a hybrid approach with beefy power in the middle, and light, athletic tackles for the speedy edge rushers. 

 

They wouldn't be as good at it.  The zone blocking scheme is used as part of the outside stretch play.  Put simply - big fat guys can't get out there fast enough.  

 

Statistically speaking the most effective passing attack is a play-action driven attack.  And the stretch, outside zone gives you a LOT of options on that front.  Most of the better offenses in the league use it to varying degrees.  I think once we put Cleveland into the line we got markedly better and we saw the center take a nice step forward this year.  He's not great, but he didn't get his lunch handed to him nearly as often.  Another year of strength training for these guys and I think we have 4/5 of a line.  (Unless we have to cut Reiff)

 

There are some really good linemen in this draft that can both move and hold up strength wise from day one this year.  Slater from NW and Davis from OSU would be fit in from day one and make an impact.

 

Given how crappy the DT class is, my hope is Trey Lance or one of those guys at 14.  But I haven't looked at the edge rushers enough to know if one of them might be worth it too.

[cmoss84]

Want to really shake things up?

 

Find a way to trade Cousins and Reiff or Barr for Deshaun Watson.

 

Maybe the Texans pull Hopkins trade part II...

[nicksaviking]

 

Want to really shake things up?

 

Find a way to trade Cousins and Reiff or Barr for Deshaun Watson.

 

Maybe the Texans pull Hopkins trade part II...

 

I just read something speculating a Hunter for Watson swap.

 

Don't remember what, it was on my Google feed. It was a blogger, not someone in the know. But it makes sense. Well, except for the Vikings defense.

 

[Vanimal46]

The NFL Draft Combine is canceled this year, for obvious reasons. Instead, any evaluation of prospects will occur at their college campus. All GMs and coaches will have is virtual interviews and pro day measurements. It’s going to be must watch TV this year! Every team with an advanced scouting department will leap ahead of the ones behind the times.

[nicksaviking]

 

The NFL Draft Combine is canceled this year, for obvious reasons. Instead, any evaluation of prospects will occur at their college campus. All GMs and coaches will have is virtual interviews and pro day measurements. It’s going to be must watch TV this year! Every team with an advanced scouting department will leap ahead of the ones behind the times.

 

This should help Levi's chances of Trey Lance falling. He surely would have tested out as the best athlete, the fastest and likely the strongest arm. Now without the actual side by side (by side, by side) comparison with the other three top QBs, it may not be as glaring.

[TheLeviathan]

 

This should help Levi's chances of Trey Lance falling. He surely would have tested out as the best athlete, the fastest and likely the strongest arm. Now without the actual side by side (by side, by side) comparison with the other three top QBs, it may not be as glaring.

 

Agreed.  This is an advantage for the team.

 

But this will only make not choosing him even more disappointing.  Current prediction:  We deal down about 6-7 spots, pick up an extra pick, draft an OL.  There are some good offensive lineman readily available throughout the first.

[nicksaviking]

 

Agreed.  This is an advantage for the team.

 

But this will only make not choosing him even more disappointing.  Current prediction:  We deal down about 6-7 spots, pick up an extra pick, draft an OL.  There are some good offensive lineman readily available throughout the first.

 

Yeah, Zimmer doesn't seem to want to look long term, I don't see him wanting a rookie QB no matter who it is or under any circumstances.

 

While I want an entire overhaul, Spielman included, hopefully he at least feels secure enough to start looking long term and starts making some moves that go against Zimmer's wishes. Hopefully Spielman looks to move some of the pricey vets and picks up the extra picks he likes to hoard that way, even if they're token late round picks.

[Mike Sixel]

 

Agreed.  This is an advantage for the team.

 

But this will only make not choosing him even more disappointing.  Current prediction:  We deal down about 6-7 spots, pick up an extra pick, draft an OL.  There are some good offensive lineman readily available throughout the first.

 

I agree. That trade of a 2nd on a team with all rookies at DB was a huge blunder.......this team was never going to be great, adding a DE for a year was firable.

[TheLeviathan]

 

Yeah, Zimmer doesn't seem to want to look long term, I don't see him wanting a rookie QB no matter who it is or under any circumstances.

 

While I want an entire overhaul, Spielman included, hopefully he at least feels secure enough to start looking long term and starts making some moves that go against Zimmer's wishes. Hopefully Spielman looks to move some of the pricey vets and picks up the extra picks he likes to hoard that way, even if they're token late round picks.

 

I could see Spielman going QB, but I can't imagine with Zimmer on the team we have a rookie QB starting.  I just can't see it happening.  Even Teddy, who he professed to love, struggled to get on the field.

 

I won't complain about getting a guy like Slater or Davis or Darrisaw, but as Mike said....losing 50 spots in value with that DE trade was a horrifically poor move.  That 2nd rounder would've likely had a really good shot at a high end safety or OL with that pick.  Now we likely have to move back to recoup that value.

[howeda7]

 

Klint Kubiak does check off some boxes that fans look for in offensive coaches. 31 years young, showing some success working with Kirk Cousins. If it turns out he’s the best candidate for the job, I’ll accept it. It’s just weird that our team is being used as the hypothetical torch passed down from father to son. It would make more sense if Gary built a legacy here, but he’s only been in the organization for 2 years.

His legacy is in Houston and Denver, but so what? It's just as valid. Kyle Shanahan is part of his coaching tree, so is Klint.

 

All that said, if Kyle Shanahan will take Cousins off our hands, I'm all for that trade and moving on to a new OC if it makes sense.

[nicksaviking]

That 2nd rounder would've likely had a really good shot at a high end safety or OL with that pick.  Now we likely have to move back to recoup that value.

Well, we don’t HAVE to, but Spielman......

[nicksaviking]

His legacy is in Houston and Denver, but so what? It's just as valid. Kyle Shanahan is part of his coaching tree, so is Klint.

 

All that said, if Kyle Shanahan will take Cousins off our hands, I'm all for that trade and moving on to a new OC if it makes sense.

Pittsburg and Indianapolis surely don’t want to rebuild and they draft too late to get a top rookie. I’m hopeful they’d be interested as well. Maybe Washington too; winning the NFC East was not a victory, but that division is terrible, they might want to keep the momentum going. Rams would also make sense if they can get someone to take Goff.

[TheLeviathan]

 

Pittsburg and Indianapolis surely don’t want to rebuild and they draft too late to get a top rookie. I’m hopeful they’d be interested as well. Maybe Washington too; winning the NFC East was not a victory, but that division is terrible, they might want to keep the momentum going. Rams would also make sense if they can get someone to take Goff.

 

Part of the problem is that he's just so damn expensive.  There may be fits in terms of teams that need QBs, but not many fits in terms of cap space.

 

I still think the 49ers are our best bet.

[Vanimal46]

The QB market is going to be fascinating this offseason. We’re seeing the end of an era with Brees and Rivers retiring. Big Ben shouldn’t be far behind... He’s cooked like 2016-2018 Phil Hughes. It looks like McVay is getting tired of Goff, Shanahan is tired of Jimmy G, Denver hasn’t had a decent QB in a decade. Not to mention the possibility Deshaun Watson is traded.

 

From my eye there’s more available QB opportunity than QB talent available.

[nicksaviking]

Part of the problem is that he's just so damn expensive.  There may be fits in terms of teams that need QBs, but not many fits in terms of cap space.

 

I still think the 49ers are our best bet.

He is expensive, but the Vikings will be the team taking the dead money hit next season. Any team that trades for him should be able to renegotiate and extend him to whatever terms best fit them.

 

I think.

[TheLeviathan]

 

He is expensive, but the Vikings will be the team taking the dead money hit next season. Any team that trades for him should be able to renegotiate and extend him to whatever terms best fit them.

I think.

 

Yeah but the covid impact on the cap is going to alter the market.I want to move on but I am pessimistic about much happening.

[Mike Sixel]

 

Yeah but the covid impact on the cap is going to alter the market.I want to move on but I am pessimistic about much happening.

 

9 wins, and they keep spielman and zimmer around....."look at the improvement!"

[gunnarthor]

Kubiak retirement is now official. 

[nicksaviking]

I can't imagine Kubiak the Younger won't be the OC now. Every other team has already gotten a headstart on picking through the  candidates. Pretty sure the Rooney Rule now applies to the coordinator positions doesn't it? 

[TheLeviathan]

 

I can't imagine Kubiak the Younger won't be the OC now. Every other team has already gotten a headstart on picking through the  candidates. Pretty sure the Rooney Rule now applies to the coordinator positions doesn't it? 

 

Bienemy and give him a "wink wink the big job is yours soon" kinda thing?

[nicksaviking]

Bienemy and give him a "wink wink the big job is yours soon" kinda thing?

I really want to want Bienemy, but I’m still stung by the last Andy Reid OC this team hired as head coach. I’m hesitant.

[Danchat]

 

I really want to want Bienemy, but I’m still stung by the last Andy Reid OC this team hired as head coach. I’m hesitant.

According to sources he's been flunking all his interviews, so he's still available. He might be the type of guy who maxes out as a coordinator.

 

My #1 target would be Bills' OC Brian Daboll - he played a large part in developing Josh Allen and turned the Bills offense from subpar to juggernaut quite quickly. I'm surprised he hasn't gotten hired yet.

[Mike Sixel]

Lots of passing today on plays Zimmer gets conservative and runs or punts.... he's not a coach for this era.

[Vanimal46]

According to sources he's been flunking all his interviews, so he's still available. He might be the type of guy who maxes out as a coordinator.

 

Was there a job better this offseason than his current role? Jacksonville maybe for the chance to work with Trevor Lawrence... Other than that, the other openings wouldn’t instill confidence that he would stay long term. I would want to continue working with the best QB on the planet as OC than go to Houston and navigate through a rebuild without Watson.

 

Who knows, he could be the next in line in KC after Reid retires in a year or 2. Then of Mahomes stays healthy he’s set up for a decade of success.

[Danchat]

 

Was there a job better this offseason than his current role? Jacksonville maybe for the chance to work with Trevor Lawrence... Other than that, the other openings wouldn’t instill confidence that he would stay long term. I would want to continue working with the best QB on the planet as OC than go to Houston and navigate through a rebuild without Watson.

Who knows, he could be the next in line in KC after Reid retires in a year or 2. Then of Mahomes stays healthy he’s set up for a decade of success.

That does make sense, he could be like Josh McDaniels with the Patriots. 

[TheLeviathan]

 

According to sources he's been flunking all his interviews, so he's still available. He might be the type of guy who maxes out as a coordinator.

 

My #1 target would be Bills' OC Brian Daboll - he played a large part in developing Josh Allen and turned the Bills offense from subpar to juggernaut quite quickly. I'm surprised he hasn't gotten hired yet.

 

I love the way they work that offense there.  If he's still available in a year it'd be a perfect hire.