re: Jeff Ireland deserves a raise, and here's why:

Fairley as a 16 game starter:
43 tackles (29 solo)
6.5 sacks

Rankins as a 9 games rotational player (0 starts):
20 tackles (15 solo)
4 sacks
1 forced fumble

As a rotational player in about half the games he put up more than half the sacks and almost half the tackles.

They are both 3 techs and will continue to rotate, but if you aren't impressed by what he got done in only half a season in a rotational role then I don't know what to tell you.

He does need work in the run game, but everyone knew his strength was as a pass rusher and it showed.

And Bell was not bad. He wasn't a standout in his first year but he made plenty of plays in the run game and his coverage is coming along.

Bell in 16 games with 13 starts had:
83 tackles (58 solo)
1 sack
2 forced fumbles
1 fumble recovery
4 passes defensed

Those are pretty good stats, and as long as his coverage continues to prove he'll be a good player.

Or we can just start judging players busts after decent rookie years. I mean most rookies don't contribute at all year one except on special teams. The ones that do are usually rotational. The ones that start multiple games are the exceptions.

Circumstances and all that, but the play on the field was pretty good.

And it's not even close to the time to judge Onyemata. Guy came from a different style of football where they played a yard off the line. He had a ton of work to do but still worked into rotation.

Rankins got pounded in the run game if he doesn't get better he can't play on run downs. We're all hopeful but you can't crown that dude just yet



We all love the draft every year at this time. As a fan you want to talk yourself into every player and you justifiably can when they haven't played a damn snap

Yet here we are bitching because we didn't get a pass rusher, but are dismissing someone who is very good at it.

Both ways I guess.

He doesn't have top end speed. He ran a 4.55. Still fast but most corners are faster and many safties just as fast (if not a few faster).

And some guys seem to unlock that next gear when busting free that doesn't show in the 40. AD has that.

Yeah makes sense. Anyway I see Ingram get ragged on a lot because he "gets caught from behind" so it's worth noting that the same thing seems to happen with Kamara.

According to who? PFF? Yeah the gods of football who most of them never played a snap or coached in their lives. Because they know every assignment of every play. Because they never make mistakes looking through hours of tape. Because they aren't inconsistent because different people will grade things differently.

Okay. I guess he sucks because PFF said so. They were much better back when the one guy did it, but it was still more measuring stick than gospel.

That's not ragging, those are grades from unbiased analysts. Only a true homer would argue with .


Let me ask you cause I'm dying to know; what makes your opinion more qualified?

I don't really think this was the year to pick a QB. Yeah a lot of them have the physical tools to make it but I just don't see any of them with that IT factor. Mahomes definitely has the arm you want and perhaps the staff was confident they could turn him into a starter. They managed to turn Chase Daniel into a solid pro that other teams wanted. Next year's class looks more promising in my opinion.

To think that you have more resources or knowledge then the guys that work at PFF is laughable. NFL teams use their service, they aren't reading your posts nor would they trust your opinion considering the next time you mention a players shortcoming will also be the first time

And I understand rookies take time to develop. But You say that, then you try and argue with me when I say we don't know what these guys are yet; that we have to see how they develop.

Then I'll say you argue in circles. Then you'll deny it. But the proof is right fricking there

Um, no. Let's wait and see the results on the field before anyone gets a raise. So far his drafts have not produced world beaters for us. Peat? He's not playing at draft position 13 production although he definitely played well last year. Being drafted that high you should be a good to great player. Peat has shown steady progression so as long as he hasn't hit his ceiling he could end up as that for us. Rankins has potential but he was hurt most of last year. Looked pretty good when he had opportunities to show his disruption ability. Kakaha(sp?) looked completely lost his rookie season even though he raked up 6 sacks. Bell I don't even know if he's a bust or what at this point. Did they draft another S this year because they're uncomfortable with Bell or they want more 3 S sets? Who knows. Anthony...bust. Can't even see the field. LB one of the lowest bust positions in the draft and we apparently whiffed bad here. Thomas looks like a stud. The lone pick so far that looks to be a superstar in the making though I think Rankins could have this potential. We'll know on him this year.

Verdict is still out on him considering how few drafts we've done so far. They look good on paper but it takes years to know if that draft was worth it. Lots of players who have potential but we still don't know what we have.