Alaskan Grizzly

Seems a lot like the Sowell story from a few years ago that, aside from that one TD of his, never really panned out.

I would agree that he’s still not at the Offense 200 level yet but is doing much better at the 100 level (maybe even 150) and for whatever reason Lazor seems to have figured out what works best. Most of what I saw yesterday was Mitch rollout to his strong side, look for the two or three receivers in his direct sight path (short, medium and long) or handoff to Montgomery and repeat. There were a few plays in there where he stood in the pocket (like the INT in the end zone) but overall he looks a heck of a lot more confident than he ever has. Before, like in 2018, there were games he looked confident (like the 6 TD effort against TB) but other times he mightily struggled. Since he’s come off the bench this year and outside of that GB game, he’s looked like a totally different QB. The oline has looked like an oline. Some of the ‘up the gut’ runs yesterday were beautifully blocked. Where many times in the last several games Monty would hit a wall of defenders and maybe make 2-3 yards. Montgomery also has changed his running to more single step ‘plant and go’ running AND added some edge running. Not something we’ve seen him do a lot before. He has the speed to make those wide turns, we need to see more of that . They need to find him a complimentary back that isn’t named Patterson. As I said yesterday I love the guy but he’s too valuable on ST to keep using in the backfield. If you want to use him on offense put him in the slot occasionally or out wide and let him catch passes. As far as backs go right now the best backup options would be Nall and Pierce.

Unless you’re 0-8 halfway into the season, this is why you never play to tank. I’m so glad they’re showing signs of progress. Helps as we look forward to what may come, IF they can figure out the money problems. This team has the talent to do well; they just need to figure out how to get it all pointed in the right direction at the same time.

He’s been an unsung hero this year. He and Mario Edwards.

SF will be looking for a QB too. Wentz more than likely will be on the market as well. His primary issue is injury and not being able to finish out a season. Although this year he struggled mentally; a la Trubisky..

I think you explained this before but the Franchise or Transtion tag doesn’t work? Still counts towards the cap regardless right? And he’s not an RFA rather than an UFA if he’s left unsigned right?

Is Cairo Santo the new Robbie Gould?

They may have found the future NB in Shelly.

I’ll leave it to Adam to figure out a way to keep him. He’s good at that stuff (lol). I think Mitch is making a case to stick around if not as a backup. Especially if the same regime returns next year.

That TD was a great example of that. Took awhile to get there ... Maybe the change of pace back should be Nall instead? He’s more the North / South style of runner they need. Although Monty does too but he spends a lot of time zig zagging, in the elusive sense, not in a bad way.

No kidding? I didn’t even hear that. Well that explains it.

Still have to ask where Lamar Miller is? As much as I love CP I’m not sure he should be the change of pace back when Monty goes to take a rest.

Quinn shows up after being absent for the last 10-12 weeks.

Trubisky looked like hot garbage coming off the bench that first game (Green Bay?) and after the bye...BUT since then has looked a lot better. Have to say with Lazor calling the O, the current Oline and Mitchell’s smarter play AND his mobility (very important factor) they may be onto something.

That right side is the defense (Vildor) and Nickel cover (Shelly or Smith) will be a place they exploit a lot today. A few weeks ago I saw Philly play someone who had several trip formations. The philly D was really good at identifying their coverage and not losing them in the rubs and picks that come from them. Vildor hasn’t had much opportunity to work on stuff like that I suspect.

Combination of Nickle (Shelly) and CB (Vildor). Vildor followed same pattern Fuller took out of trips on the left side. Shelly was up too close on what I think was flat coverage.

That and it looks like they may have found a decent oline set up. That large gain Monty had was a thing of beauty with blocking. ...and Mitchell looks solid with a TD!!!

This is the first I’d heard you ever mention it. ? When I messed with Jason about this subject before I’d remind him somewhere out the J’Marus Webb is waiting to prove himself. Did you know that in 2016 he scored a 2 year deal with Seattle worth $5.75 million? *wikipedia. ?

Jason did mention Ifedi at Tackle, himself a former 1st round pick and at least during the game against the Texans didn’t look all that bad in that role. And where does Bars figure in all this? Or does he? One thing Jason and I have gone back and forth on over the years is the importance of drafting Oline players. I won’t re-hash that now. But will say I really like the Alabama heavy draft choices he suggests. I think he and I and most anyone else will agree that of all the D1 teams, Alabama is near the top in consistently having NFL ready players.

This is the biggest issue with Pace and you’re right. As we’ve said some years ago he’s got this air about him that he thinks his time as a scout is his golden ticket to greatness. I can’t tell you how many D2 college prospects he “swung and missed” on. Or even lower echelon players like Miller or even Trubiksy who I think were picked too high. You have to wonder had he instead focused more on the higher level value players than sticking with his convictions where this team would be.

So more than likely he’ll become an FA? Since they declined his 5th year option is he still an RFA or UFA? And while watching the Browns - Ravens tilt tonight I can’t help but think if Cleveland makes the playoffs they’ll be out in the first round. Why? Because Cody Parkey is their kicker...he’s missed one FG and one XP. How he’s still kicking in the league is beyond me.

But one season removed from going to the SB. He has had a pretty bad go with injuries and COVID this year. One week they had to work out of Arizona for a week because of it. Not saying that doesn’t happen to anyone else just that it’s a disruptor. I don’t think Mullens is all that good a QB. Rumors are he’s (Shannahan) looking for a QB in the draft. Wouldn’t it be curious if he ended up with Trubisky somehow?

How does a Franchise tag work in that scenario? Is it better to buy time that way? Maybe for as long as the next two years rather than paying him a contract? That is while they sort out the rest and determine if they want to keep him long term?

Well, Hill losing yesterday to Philly helped them a little. Soon he can go back to being a gadget player when Drew returns.

Hindsight being what it is, yes the benching was a bad choice. However Trubiksy had just thrown a horrible INT and Foles coming into the game gave the whole offense some life. You saw that for a few games afterward but then opposing teams figured it out. That being the oline isn’t very good for a true pocket passer like Foles and just started rushing him more and took him off his game. You pair that with the loss of half their starting line about halfway through the season (injury and COVID protocol) and the defense basically giving up, it was bound to all fall apart. They’ve been piecemealing the offensive line since about 3-4 weeks ago and may have finally found their best combo with Leno, Whitehair, Mustipher, Bars and Ifedii...and the return of Trubisky. We’ll see how it plays out.