Why Not?

[casear2727]

(03-10-2022, 10:29 AM)Wyche Wrote: We have Awuzie and Hilton. I actually think they bring Apple back too. We don't have to draft a FS, we could've traded for one, get one in FA, etc and probably get the same production for cheaper. I like Jesse a lot, and he played well in the post season....but..... he's not worth being the highest paid safety in the league. In fact, I'd wager you could get very similar production for cheaper. Can you get a sure handed 1000 yd WR that easily? I don't think you can. Zac utilizes WR3 more than any HC in the league. We don't have to have a guy as good as Tyler, but we can't have a scrub either. Trent Taylor is not an option, sorry.

I noted earlier, and it never got noticed, you point to having Taylor and a RG vs Boyd as being a sure thing we win the SB. I would counter with this....do we even make the Bowl without the clutch performance in critical situations by TB? No one, that's right...no one, in the league has been as good on 3rd and 4th down as Tyler Boyd over the last few years. You're kinda glossing over that fact. 

As I mentioned, I'd be game with trading him so long as the return was worth losing him. I'd rather have traded Bates. However, neither are going anywhere.

I appreciate the good points.

Awuzie and Hilton fill 2 out of the 3 CB spots - as of right now one is open with the most likely option being Eli Apple - thus I say Bates is crucial.  An upgrade here lessens this of course.  But my thoughts are based on current roster and the risk of replacing a player.  FS replacement, especially with a rookie is way riskier than replacing WR3 with a rookie.

I am absolutely against Bates being the highest paid Safety - he hasnt earned that, but again as of today this is simply position priority with current roster over the actual player.

"do we even make the Bowl without the clutch performance in critical situations by TB?"

If we had a $10M RG and Trent Taylor, or whoever, I would say yes of course we do.  Boyd averaged 28 yds in the playoffs.  His 800 yards during the season is very productive but my theory is that we were forced to play the short/quick pass game.  Improved blocking opens up the run game and we are able to actual incorporate 5-7 drop pass concepts.  Our offense was quick hitches/slants due to so much pressure and these plays benefit the WR3 with LB coverage.  

If we get the oline help we need this league hasnt seen what our offense can really do. We led the league in every long pass category and we literally ran one quick go route for each of them.  Imagine the deep posts and double moves with Higgins & Chase?   This offense does not need a 10M guy at WR3, we can draft a guy everyone will love that is dangerous every time he touches the ball with 4.3 speed or just a good hands guy.  If we keep both Higgins and Chase, while we have Mixon, the WR3 and TE become check downs.  We need to dispense with fan favs and direct dollars to the most crucial positions.  Just my opinion.