Inside the Den

[badnews3123]

The draft episode. Long but a good watch and nice to able to see inside of some of the process of what they’re thinking. I’m sure there’s some editing, but it’s pretty clear they had some specific targets and strong conviction on day 1 and 2 and came away with them.

[icouldblion]

Pretty interesting. I love getting to see behind the curtain. It looks like they were going to take Gibbs at #6 if they couldn't work out a deal, and were genuinely concerned that he would not make it to #12. Also interesting seeing them discuss taking either Branch or LaPorta at 34, and then still getting Branch at 45.

Love seeing the portions of the interview sessions from the combine with the eventual drafted players.

Mostly, this shows that they really got the guys they wanted in this draft. I love their approach and camaraderie, especially between Holmes and DC. Most of all, I love that we got what seem to be good character guys. That makes it even easier to root for them, as opposed to a (for example) Ndomukong Suh, where you have to hold your nose, lol.

[badnews3123]

Sounds like original plan was to trade back up from 18 to 10-12 for Gibbs after using 6 on someone else(rumor was Witherspoon). But yeah the way they talked about Gibbs he was their guy after that. I’d be interested to know how they ranked Bijan, because it’s clear they seemed to have Gibbs ahead of him.

[badnews3123]

Also Holmes really wanted Brodric Martin.

[rustyhilger]

Anyone else notice the air getting sucked out of the room after Christian Gonzalez was picked?

[badnews3123]

Jul 28, 2023 19:06:34 GMT -6 rustyhilger said:

Anyone else notice the air getting sucked out of the room after Christian Gonzalez was picked?

I thought it seemed that way, which would be odd for them to put in.

[def]

Good group of picks. Like Branch and how respectful Hooker is...

[rustyhilger]

Jul 28, 2023 20:12:06 GMT -6 badnews3123 said:

Jul 28, 2023 19:06:34 GMT -6 rustyhilger said:

Anyone else notice the air getting sucked out of the room after Christian Gonzalez was picked?

I thought it seemed that way, which would be odd for them to put in.

When DC got that pissed-off look on his face, I could tell what he was thinking. We could have gotten both Gonzalez and Gibbs if we had simply flipped the order we picked them.

Holmes redeemed himself when he flipped the order between Branch and LaPorta. That was actually sorta' smart. Or lucky.

[Blaming Brad]

Jul 28, 2023 22:41:27 GMT -6 rustyhilger said:

Holmes redeemed himself when he flipped the order between Branch and LaPorta. That was actually sorta' smart. Or lucky.

Was it? Given they had a first round grade on Branch I was curious why they didn't take Branch first. Did they have inside knowledge that someone really liked LaPorta? I also think it was a mistake taking him over Mayer but time will tell on that one.

[badnews3123]

Jul 29, 2023 8:03:35 GMT -6 Blaming Brad said:

Jul 28, 2023 22:41:27 GMT -6 rustyhilger said:

Holmes redeemed himself when he flipped the order between Branch and LaPorta. That was actually sorta' smart. Or lucky.

Was it? Given they had a first round grade on Branch I was curious why they didn't take Branch first. Did they have inside knowledge that someone really liked LaPorta? I also think it was a mistake taking him over Mayer but time will tell on that one.

I’d assume they also had a first on LaPorta. Or they were just bullshitting for the show. If not if they got 4 of their 14 first round grades in the top 45, that is some magic.

[rustyhilger]

Jul 29, 2023 8:14:08 GMT -6 badnews3123 said:

Jul 29, 2023 8:03:35 GMT -6 Blaming Brad said:

Was it? Given they had a first round grade on Branch I was curious why they didn't take Branch first. Did they have inside knowledge that someone really liked LaPorta? I also think it was a mistake taking him over Mayer but time will tell on that one.

I’d assume they also had a first on LaPorta. Or they were just bullshitting for the show. If not if they got 4 of their 14 first round grades in the top 45, that is some magic.

One theory on allowing Branch to fall, could be the Amon St. Brown effect. He may have had some intel on why teams might be passing on him. And he may also know that, like Rah, he'll be the guy who plays with a chip on his shoulder and use his falling stock as motivation. On the other hand: humble players like Gibbs and/or LaPorta ... might view their higher-than-expected draft positions as confidence boosts. LaPorta was over-the-moon when he was drafted, and his excitement is carrying over big-time. Meanwhile, expect Branch to play like a guy who wants to make other GMs regret passing on him.

I'm giving these guys way too many free passes, because all along I've been beating the same drum: "This team has a legit chance at the playoffs because they have a strong and talented offensive line." I was even saying that when we were losing. And if we were losing, I would be screaming at the top of my lungs over drafting a RB #1. I'd be losing my shit over the way they fall in love with players. 

But Holmes is just on a whole 'nother level. I can't keep up with the way he wheels and deals to maximize draft capitol. One minute, he's pulling a Martin Mayhew, drafting a RB #1, and the next minute he's getting Brian Branch with a late 2nd rounder. I want to hate him for blowing his wad on the Williams pick, but don't look now, his fifth-rounder (St. Brown) is playing like Jerry Rice.

I give up.


 

[Vic]

Jul 29, 2023 9:51:59 GMT -6 rustyhilger said:

Jul 29, 2023 8:14:08 GMT -6 badnews3123 said:

I’d assume they also had a first on LaPorta. Or they were just bullshitting for the show. If not if they got 4 of their 14 first round grades in the top 45, that is some magic.

One theory on allowing Branch to fall, could be the Amon St. Brown effect. He may have had some intel on why teams might be passing on him. And he may also know that, like Rah, he'll be the guy who plays with a chip on his shoulder and use his falling stock as motivation. On the other hand: humble players like Gibbs and/or LaPorta ... might view their higher-than-expected draft positions as confidence boosts. LaPorta was over-the-moon when he was drafted, and his excitement is carrying over big-time. Meanwhile, expect Branch to play like a guy who wants to make other GMs regret passing on him.

I'm giving these guys way too many free passes, because all along I've been beating the same drum: "This team has a legit chance at the playoffs because they have a strong and talented offensive line." I was even saying that when we were losing. And if we were losing, I would be screaming at the top of my lungs over drafting a RB #1. I'd be losing my shit over the way they fall in love with players. 

But Holmes is just on a whole 'nother level. I can't keep up with the way he wheels and deals to maximize draft capitol. One minute, he's pulling a Martin Mayhew, drafting a RB #1, and the next minute he's getting Brian Branch with a late 2nd rounder. I want to hate him for blowing his wad on the Williams pick, but don't look now, his fifth-rounder (St. Brown) is playing like Jerry Rice.

I give up.


 

They know they need to run the ball to be successful and didn't feel they had the backs to do it longterm. Montgomery is a better version of Jamal Williams and Gibbs is a better version of Swift. I can see why they did it. These are the finer types of moves you make in the later stages of building a team. We just haven't seen this before with the perpetual rebuild that has been going on for 20 years.

[rustyhilger]

Jul 30, 2023 11:33:39 GMT -6 Vic said:

They know they need to run the ball to be successful and didn't feel they had the backs to do it longterm. Montgomery is a better version of Jamal Williams and Gibbs is a better version of Swift. I can see why they did it. These are the finer types of moves you make in the later stages of building a team. We just haven't seen this before with the perpetual rebuild that has been going on for 20 years.

We didn't need anything other than a defense that wasn't bottom of the league.

As far as the running game, we had exactly what we needed, and that's a guy who can convert on short yardage and goal line, and average over 4 yards per carry, and we had that.

I'm more than fine with the backs we have, but it's a complete waste if the defensive interior plays like it did last year, or if our CB depth gets tested again. The running game is more about controlling the tempo. All that other stuff is mostly just show.

[Blaming Brad]

Jul 30, 2023 11:33:39 GMT -6 Vic said:

Montgomery is a better version of Jamal Williams and Gibbs is a better version of Swift. I can see why they did it.

I agree on Montgomery (or at least he's just a younger version of Williams), but jury is still out on Gibbs. I haven't seen anything to indicate he's got more talent then Swift. I guess the real question is can he stay on the field more than Swift could?

Jul 30, 2023 11:33:39 GMT -6 Vic said:

We just haven't seen this before with the perpetual rebuild that has been going on for 20 years.

20 years, that's cute.

[goldenlions]

Jul 30, 2023 17:36:46 GMT -6 rustyhilger said:

if the defensive interior plays like it did last year, or if our CB depth gets tested again. The running game is more about controlling the tempo. All that other stuff is mostly just show.

Why do you act like they didn't do anything to help the interior DL and the DB group?

[rustyhilger]

Aug 1, 2023 2:46:42 GMT -6 goldenlions said:

Jul 30, 2023 17:36:46 GMT -6 rustyhilger said:

if the defensive interior plays like it did last year, or if our CB depth gets tested again. The running game is more about controlling the tempo. All that other stuff is mostly just show.

Why do you act like they didn't do anything to help the interior DL and the DB group?

Because they didn't do anything to help the interior DL.

[goldenlions]

Aug 3, 2023 23:52:16 GMT -6 rustyhilger said:

Aug 1, 2023 2:46:42 GMT -6 goldenlions said:

Why do you act like they didn't do anything to help the interior DL and the DB group?

Because they didn't do anything to help the interior DL.

How many DT does a team usually carry, four, maybe five?  And is this just because they decided to grow their interior DL vs overpaying a veteran or drafting a prospect they had no interest in drafting?  Just not carrying Brockers, is an instant upgrade.  

And you conveniently ignored the DB group part of my query.

[rustyhilger]

Aug 4, 2023 0:54:09 GMT -6 goldenlions said:

Aug 3, 2023 23:52:16 GMT -6 rustyhilger said:

Because they didn't do anything to help the interior DL.

How many DT does a team usually carry, four, maybe five?  And is this just because they decided to grow their interior DL vs overpaying a veteran or drafting a prospect they had no interest in drafting?  Just not carrying Brockers, is an instant upgrade.  

And you conveniently ignored the DB group part of my query.

I'm not "conveniently" ignoring anything. What does that even meaan?   Convenience is having a grocery store just down the street from me, or ordering things via Amazon Prime. This is just football.

If we experience the kind of injuries we had in the secondary last year, then we're right back to square 1 because the interior defensive line is pretty much exactly where it was last year. No upgrades in talent or depth. If we get bit with the injury bug there, then the investments we made in the defensive backfield will be for nothing, because teams will just destroy us up front. I don't see any depth worth mentioning at all.

[goldenlions]

Aug 4, 2023 7:51:51 GMT -6 rustyhilger said:

If we experience the kind of injuries we had in the secondary last year, then we're right back to square 1 because the interior defensive line is pretty much exactly where it was last year. No upgrades in talent or depth. If we get bit with the injury bug there, then the investments we made in the defensive backfield will be for nothing, because teams will just destroy us up front. I don't see any depth worth mentioning at all.

This is quite literally the dumbest thing you ever said. And you say a lot.

[Vic]

Pascall, Hutch, Cominski can also play inside

Buggs, McNiel, Jones, and the rookie are not horrible nose tackles.

On paper certainly looks to be an upgraded group. Also need to see what Campbell can do there at Mike. He's a big kid and much bigger than what they have at MLB currently to stuff the run.

[rustyhilger]

Aug 6, 2023 22:28:43 GMT -6 goldenlions said:

Aug 4, 2023 7:51:51 GMT -6 rustyhilger said:

If we experience the kind of injuries we had in the secondary last year, then we're right back to square 1 because the interior defensive line is pretty much exactly where it was last year. No upgrades in talent or depth. If we get bit with the injury bug there, then the investments we made in the defensive backfield will be for nothing, because teams will just destroy us up front. I don't see any depth worth mentioning at all.

This is quite literally the dumbest thing you ever said ...

That's quite an accomplishment. Didn't think I had it in me.  . 

I don't see where I'm exactly wrong here. If McNeil were to go down, you're seriously okay with Buggs and Benito Jones holding down the fort?

You've always been the optimistic one.

[goldenlions]

Aug 12, 2023 23:59:15 GMT -6 rustyhilger said:

Aug 6, 2023 22:28:43 GMT -6 goldenlions said:

This is quite literally the dumbest thing you ever said ...

That's quite an accomplishment. Didn't think I had it in me.  . 

I don't see where I'm exactly wrong here. If McNeil were to go down, you're seriously okay with Buggs and Benito Jones holding down the fort?

You've always been the optimistic one.

I don't worry about injuries.  You can't build a team with a "break glass, just in case" 

And I am okay with Buggs, Jones, Martin and Paschal can help inside, hell maybe even Levi will stay healthy.  Would I like another stud inside, why not, but I don't see that it was a high priority especially since there was only 1 or 2 in free agency that were really worth anything and they got paid. They got guys that can play all over the line, the the coaches need to put them in position to succeed.

We will see...

[rustyhilger]

Aug 13, 2023 3:39:58 GMT -6 goldenlions said:

I don't worry about injuries. 

This explains a lot. Thanks for pointing that out.

[Blaming Brad]

Aug 13, 2023 9:33:05 GMT -6 rustyhilger said:

Aug 13, 2023 3:39:58 GMT -6 goldenlions said:

I don't worry about injuries. 

This explains a lot. Thanks for pointing that out.

Yeah, that was an odd comment. Injuries are probably the #3 driving force behind a team's success after QB and O-line play. And if either of those 2 get injured you're really fukked.

[Felix]

Aug 13, 2023 9:38:01 GMT -6 Blaming Brad said:

Aug 13, 2023 9:33:05 GMT -6 rustyhilger said:

This explains a lot. Thanks for pointing that out.

Yeah, that was an odd comment. Injuries are probably the #3 driving force behind a team's success after QB and O-line play. And if either of those 2 get injured you're really fukked.

yall are being stupid...question is if it's intentional or if you're really stupid (stoopid Ala sanders97)