Stinger226

I think the piece that gives us that edge is Caleb. If he reaches his ability level, that could happen this year especially with the hype of Ben Johnson. If we get 3 starters in free agency and add 2-3 in the draft, we are so very close. Detroit will be in big adjustment period, Minnesota changes over to JJ and Love continues to be mediocre. We could win the division.

I think if we fill 2 free agency spots on the OL that that will be in play. We could easily get a IOL starter in the second round and still draft a DL addition. Scenario: Dalman and Kevin Zeilter then draft Donavon Jackson. Fixes our OL. Here's an interesting take from Matt Miller on Campbell

I would totally agree with you but Washington was a bad team that made the playoffs last year. The year before Houston won a playoff game. It can be done and I would say our talent level is comparable to both those teams.

I think last year the biggest problem was a lack of communication and lack of accountability. No huge personality to demand accountability. Olin and urlacker were best at it. We need to add that kind of toughness back in the recipe.

I think they're 2 OL that are worth the 10th pick. Campbell and Banks. If not hurt, Simmons would probably be the top rated OT. Of course Campbell could play LT and probably be above average. Seen a podcast Olin Kreutz was on,he stated , would you rather have a player be all pro at a position or above average at another position? Some players are blue chip everywhere, I don't think Campbell is one of those. I seen one video stating that Campbell would be a day one starter if put at center for many reasons and future all pro. His opinion. It might have been Dane Brugler, can't remember right now. Not defending Jones but our IOL is a bigger need than either OT. Olin said you need to build a line for certain types compliment the player next to them. A large fluid LG next to Jones could improve his play. Did the fact several people played next to Jones with Tevin Injury issues cause his play to regress? Did lack of proper line calls affect his play? Several times a TE or RB chipping could have helped Jones when bull rushed while on an island. I trust them to sort it out and evaluate the players to fix the LT spot. Needs in order: OC, OG, DE, DT, then LT

It comes down to their evaluation of players. It's kind of BPA at the point of being drafted. Taking the 34th ranked player at 10 because he might be better than Jones or Kiran is how GMs get fired. Obviously we're not taking a CB or WR at 10 when we have people in place. We have several weaknesses that could be filled at 10, and if we traded back maybe a OT equals a value at that spot and we get extra assets. We're going to find out what they value and want.

Most high level free agents stay with their teams unless someone overpays for their service. If you were Smith, 2 SBs in KC compared to the Bears? We may pay a couple of million more but you up routing, up your family for that? Same for Dalman, unless a team has a cap problem and can't make a decent offer, tendencies say they stay home. We have a better shot at someone like Kevin Zeitler that has has played for several teams and only been in Detroit for 2 years.

IMO they got a great coaching staff. Now they need to work together to get results. I think we are now in a competing mode instead of still building. Even though some of that applies. There is enough talent here plus assets to at least make the playoffs.

Campbell and Banks are the highest rated LTs but Campbell has short arms so probably an IOL. Simmons is coming off an injury so I'm not sure if he will draft injured OT 2 years in a row. They're not drafting a second round OT at 10. It's how they rate them that will determine the first pick. You need to draft a blue chip player that high. Whether O or DL. They may find one in the second round but not able to start the first year. Last year if Kiran wasn't coming off an injury, he was projected to be a second round pick. So by their evaluation, there may only be one or two worth taking in the first round and they may be gone. They may decide Kiran is the best option to replace Braxton instead of another developmental OT. I suspect they draft a versatile player that could play OG and later take over LT. Booker, Jackson, Membou, Zabel or Savaiinaea could start at OG and later convert to LT in a couple years. It's all about evaluation of draftees.

Olin Kreutz praises him all the time. I think he likes the current one also. Injuries happen even under the best supervision. I think where he Jones did the best when someone was around after a couple of years. It takes that long to incorporate his advice.

I get Braxton Jones didn't progress but if not replaced by a high draft pick, could still be the starter this year with Kiran A pushing him for time. Everyone thinks he's trash but by comparison of the rest of the league ( ranked 20th out of 141 Ts) . He is an average starter in the league. If they see Campbell, Simmons, Banks or Membow as their first pick to replace him then probably the swing T. We have no idea how the OL coach views these players. I think they should draft a OL that could play several positions and let training camp sort out the best 5. We automatically think they're all done but maybe the new coach can develop Jones more, Kiran A shows what he can do. Bates stays healthy, Ricky Stromberg is now healthy. OR all new guys. I didn't think Dalman was very good but the more tape I watched on him, he's top 5- 10 in the league. His injuries affected him this year.

Shelton is a free agent but Bates is still under contract. No guarantee money though. Wright, Jones, Bates , Kiran A., Ricky Stromberg, Jordon McFadden , Joshua Miles, Theo Benedet are all under contract for 2025. The last 4 are minimum vet deals. I actually forgot about Stromberg being here. If not for an injured past, he could be considered an option. He was a third round pick by Washington . He carried some creed out of college.

The only center still on the roster is Ryan Bates. He has arthritis issues in his shoulder. He did stem cell therapy, the question is, did that fix it? If Poles keeps him we will know the answer to that. Bring back Shelton? I would think more for depth than as a starter. I would say one of these 2 will be back at least as a backup. Dalman is the prize and will earn 10-15 Mil. Poles could decide to bring him in instead of the big spend on Trey Smith. Sign Kevin Zeilter and could get 2 players for the same money as Smith. Another option in free agency is Evan Brown from AZ. He played well last year and would be cheaper than Dalman. Then the draft. Lots of options there. Wilson, Majors are the top rookie centers and are considered 3rd or 4th round picks but not sure they could start day one. Several OL rookies that could play center. Will Campbell -Zabel- Mbow- and Joshua Gray. The first 3 would have to be taken at ( Campbell) in the first or Zabel and Mbow as second rounders. Heard a podcast with the Shrine Bowl organizer, Eric Edhohm and he said Joshua Gray was the best OLman at the bowl. Played center and thought he would be a first year starter. He would be a 4 th or 5 th pick. That would be great to find a potential starting center in the 5 th round. I think the best option would be to get Drew Dalman and draft Joshua Gray that could also play OG as the backup. Sign Kevin Zeilter, draft a starter at LG.

Both are good players and are needed.

The drop off was progressive, Billings was a downturn also. We were 3-2 when Brisker got hurt. The next game was the jaguars game and they clearly didn't show up. The next game was Washington where we gave up 170 yards rushing and lost, Billings played. The next game was AZ, we lost 29-9 and Billings was injured in the third quarter. Obviously we were on a losing streak. Sweat sat out the AZ game also. The combo of several injuries pushed us further in a hole and a long losing streak. I wasn't rating players value just that they affected the play of the defense.

Actually that is the connection. It seems to worked with the bears hires. You may be right, I seen one X account say it was down to 2 guys. I never looked further into it.

He is one of two finalist for the GM job and has a relationship with Cohen., he Coach they hired . It's supposed to be announced on Friday.

There are some day one starters in the guard position. Booker, Jackson, Milium. We hired a OL coach from Oregon State (assistant) , he had the most outstanding OL player in the Shrine Bowl, Joshua Gray. He played center and is projected as a late round pick. We could literally get a starting center in the 5 th round if it worked out that way.

I think there's enough talented coaches in the room now, they will sort that out. Brisker has some risk but they're not righting him off just yet. Once he got hurt, our defense tailed off. Draft a rookie and develop him.

I've been looking at IOL prospects and would love a trade back at 10 to get an extra 2nd round pick. Take Tyler Booker - Donavon Jackson and Zabel to play Center. And still add a Edge and DT. Mike Green would look good but he won't be there in the second round. T J Sanders looks good and could be there in the second round. Would have to take Booker in the first round trade back scenario.

Thanks, I'm fine, I changed my diet 15 years ago, and other than some pain killers, I get around just fine. Activity is important even when it's not comfortable. Take lots of healthy support. My biggest screw up was breaking my neck 15 months ago, couldn't do anything for 4 months. It slowed my health habits but 4 months in Thailand gives me plenty of time to work on my body. One day I'll be in a wheelchair but a long ways from it right now.

Thanks for something I haven't seen before. Eric Lambert isn't known for trustworthy information but Biggs is. Being a plumber all my life both my shoulders are wasted. I have both knees and hips replacement so have just accepted the pain not wanting more surgeries. Coming to Thailand, a chiropractor has recommended stem cell injections for my joints. I have yet to check the cost but definitely will be cheaper than USA. That makes this story more interesting for me. That actually could make Bates a viable rostered player next year since he can play all 3 IOL spots. At least a backup at those spots.

Free agents I think he brings back of our own: Not Keenan Allen, for his money we can have a OL and Edge rusher Shelton/ interm center as we draft one Matt Pryor Josh Blackwell Jack Sanborn Jaylon Jones Patrick Scales The next list will be minimum contracts that could easily be replaced if find upgrades in FA or the draft Johnathan Ford/ DT Bill Murray/OG Cris Williams/ 3T Collin Johnson/WR Jacob Martin/ edge Future contracts that become potential rostered players Carl Jones/ LB Jamree Kronah/ edge Ricky Stromberg/C Samori Toure/WR Joel Wilson/TE

If you look at his history, he fits the Laporte role in Detroit. No way Johnson thinks he's not a fit. With a better offense, he will be a top 10 TE next year and 10 mil will be considered a bargain.

I have arthritis, just never seen the story that that is the case. I trust AZ54 more so than probably anyone else on this site, but have never heard that statement applied to Bates up until this moment that he missed the year because of that. I would have thought that was known information before this point in time.