Alaskan Grizzly

So I watched some Youtube videos on Ragland, Lee and Jack last night to see what the hype was about. Agreed that of the three Lee appears to be the most 'athletic' but small. Although one of the other two (Jack?) also played some RB which to me could be factor. As I said before, diverse players like that make for a better all around prospect (IMHO). He seems to definitely have speed. But.. the one I'm most impressed with was Ragland! At least in the videos I saw. That guy simply stuck to those he tackled and stopped them in their tracks. Sometimes he simply flattened them. Although watching some of his tackles made me think of that hit Bostic put on Bridgewater a few years back when they were still in college. And well, we know how Bostic worked out. But to me Ragland looks to be a monster. That being said pre-combine and of the three I'd say Ragland and Jack are 1a and 1b then Lee.

..or.... He (Pace) could be entering this similar to how Emery did and say 'my way or highway', with a hint more respect. No real way for us to know but surely does give us (at least me) reason to pause. So far he's let BM go and we saw how that affected the WR game. And now he's letting go a cog in the running game...how that turns remains to be seen. As others have said, if it fails...so too could Pace. TD might be right in looking at him with less than rose colored glasses.

As they say in France: "Moi aussi". I agree. And as much as it pains me I also agree with Jason. I feel there should have at least been an effort to sign him. I'd much rather have read something along the lines of "...neither camp could come to an agreement..." rather than what appears to be no attempt at all. I get the 'why' of Chicago not signing him but like has been already said can we really trust what Langford has to bring? If not he then what about Carey? Carey's already been dinged a few times and Langford has just the one year. The question of 'what if' is a valid concern. I would be a little less concerned if I knew the team at least tried and /or offered him some sort of minimal contract offer. Or is just the traditionalist in me that hates to see important pieces to the team leave?

I think the way Fangio constructs defense he gets (or will get) ILBs that are speedsters to shoot gaps and OLBs that can set the edges and maintain outside contain. With Young, McPhee and Houston I think he has what he needs in the OLB positions...or at least models for that. Of those three McPhee might be able to do the occasional drop back (not sideline to sideline) coverage on slower receivers. Think Kony Ealy in the Super Bowl last weekend. But in order to have it work for the front seven you need speed in the middle, strong edge setters and beef in the front middle to clog the line and keep the interior OL busy.

Funny how just a few days ago my wife and I were discussing how reminiscent the play of Davis and Keuchley are/were to Briggs and Urlacher. Hmmm. But in considering an idea of putting more speed on the field, especially defensively. I think the idea of looking at converted players like those that go from Safety/CB to LB is the wave of the future. Urlacher proved it can work. Another up and comer on the Panthers is Shaq Thompson (their 1st rounder from last year) is a converted safety who now plays LB. (Taylor Mays was another I felt could have had that potential). He (Thompson) was someone last year that was discussed for our team but obviously passed on. I think we still need to consider someone like that. Especially if we are going to emphasize defense in the earlier rounds.

Dp

Other than the obvious at pick one, no id say no major objections. And other than spew my normal skill player vs Oline stuff I'll say that between the two first round picks they kept comparing last weekend, Newton and Miller, the defensive player outshone the offensive player. I'll even throw in that another former 1st rounder, Oher, looked pedestrian in comparison. The revision to my counter now would be not only is it more important to draft a skill player in early rounds but that player should be defensive as the adage "defense wins championships" seems to consistently ring true.

Not sure I'm completely sold on QB for 1. Especially if Prescott is available in later rounds. I'd rather make my choice closer to draft and certainly after the combine. Leaning defense at the moment.

When we say 'yes' are we saying we like the mock or confirming the 1st pick?

"If..." only indeed. Fact he has been there (not to the SB-but lost due to poor play) and acted very similarly. And been "blasted" because of it. And rightly so. But as did Jay, so too will Cam eventually learn to cope with the losses better than he has the wins. Jay has come a long way in how he deals with the press and addressing the tough to answer questions. And instead of pouting about he's accepted that he oft times is the face of the team and must act accordingly. Difference is how many opportunities will either have in addressing the super bowl media?

Im pulling for "the sheriff" myself. And for the love of God, I just saw Joe DeCamillis on Denvers sideline Wtf?!?? How the hell???

Gotta say somethings not right with the planets but i like most of it. Seems almost too defensive heavy. But if done right and as you suggest should Fangio pull it off, our defense would be young and volatile. This I like. And I see your hard on for Oregon OLmen continues as does your man crush on Johnstone. If Prescott is available anywhere between 2nd round or 6th round you take him. That would be sweet.

Yeah I know. I was more trying to lift up TDs spirits. But, theoretically speaking, if Johnny Dipshit goes to Dallas and plays behind a predominantly 1st round Oline, he's sure to win the Super Bowl -yes?

I got one better for you (although Ive accepted that Jay is coming back): I'd be super pissed if I heard: "With the 11th overall pick the Chicago Bears trade their pick to the Cleveland Browns for rights to Johnny Manziel." So it's possible it could be worse.

Like picks 4 and 5 (another Oregonian OLman?). Hogan isn't Luck but he has some of his tendencies from what I've read.

2007 - 28th defense 2008 - 21st 2009 - 17th 2010 - 9th 2011 - 17th Seemed to be on the anti-decline until his last year.

Think all you want, Lovie made attempts (whether pushed or not) to fix things the way he thought would fix them. (He did the same in TB - with Logan Mankins being a prime example of that). And to suggest that Lovie sacrificed the O at the expense of the D is ironic.... Given that people will always tell you that 'defenses win championships' I will always take a stellar defensive performance over a potent offense any day. But I digress. I eventually will learn my lesson and 'let bygones be bygones' and move on. Like I said, I am a fan of Fox' so I'm consoled in having him running the show now. And I'm glad you appreciated my sarcasm. That warms my heart.

Gasp!!! That suggests Lovie could have been coach of another Super Bowl run!!! OH THE HORROR!!! And I thought he never tried to better the offense? Hey, had it not worked out the way it did we wouldn't have Fox as coach. I'm down with that.

He (Groh) was a carry over from the previous regime. The fact he survived a dramatic transition like the Bears did (and with an established coach like Fox nonetheless) should say something of his clout. I recall reading about him a year or so ago about how well liked and respected he was not just with the WRs but the offense players in general. Seems overall very respected. The reason I brought it up was more to see how things progress next year with two 'key' pieces gone to the offense starategists. Groh and Gase (to me) leaving seem a bit more significant than just 'meh'. Guess we'll see.

To work for Jeff Fisher in LA. Ouch.... http://chicago.suntimes.com/sports/7/71/12...ars-back-market

Dp

This is where he started: "I have no knowledge of anything." Using linguistics and how the human body acts when it attempts to deceive you would know this is classic 'deviation of the truth'. Then of course after that it all went downhill. But here's an article that sums up my thoughts. Sans whether Tom will serve a suspension. After it's said and done it's a moot point though. https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/sports/...open-to-debate/

Yet the question still remains; why did Brady lie and destroy evidence? Ask the professor to figure that out.

What about (the other) Brandon Marshall? Wasn't he tagged last year? I know they could do it again if so but would he also not be a possibility? Or is he still one of those weirdly classified FAs?