04-26-2020, 10:15 PM
(04-26-2020, 06:40 PM)J24 Wrote: 2011 QB Vs 2020 QBThe big difference that jumps out to me still is better Oline and Dline in 2011. Besides QB they are the most important position groups on the field for a reason. You can’t win many games if you are getting bullied on both sides of the ball in the trenches. I think we are all just hoping the Oline gels like they were at the end of the season last year and really learns how to play together as a unit. Hopefully we really did find something Fred cause if Hart wins the job I just really have no confidence in him to play consistently well and Joe is gonna take some big hits because of him. I still would love to spend our 1st round pick next year on the highest rated tackle and it's not even really close.
Dalton VS Burrow- I would Say Edge goes to Burrow by a large Margin
2011 RB Vs 2020 RB
Benson + Scott vs Mixon + Bernard- Again have to give 2020 the edge here by a large Margin
2011 WR/TE Vs 2020 WR/TE
Green, Simpson, Shipley, Caldwell, Gresham vs Green, Boyd, Ross, Higgens, CJ UZ- Edge again goes to 2020.
2011 O- Line vs 2020 O- Line
Whitworth, Livings, Cook, Williams, Smith Vs J. Williams, Jordan, Hopkins, Xavier, Fred/Hart- Edge by a large Margin goes to 2011. Whit & Smith are undeniably the better pairing at Tackle. Also Cook & Williams were pretty established at that time.
2011 D- Line Vs 2020 D-Line-
Geathers, Peko, Atkins, Johnson, Dunlap, Fanene, Rucker, Sims vs Dunlap, Reader, Atkins, Hubbard, Lawson, Brown, Tupo- Edge goes to 2011 but it's by a tiny Margin. The difference to me is what type of Atkins we have. If Geno plays like he did from 15-19 then 2020 is better but if he plays like he did last season then it's 2011.
2011 LB Core vs 2020 LB core
Howard, Rey M, Lawson, B. Johnson vs Pratt, Bynes, Wilson, Gaither- Slight Advantage goes to 2011. Howard & Johnson were complete players who could cover a ton of ground in the middle of the field. Rey M was physical and Lawson had rush ability. I like the potential of the 2020 group but only Bynes is the only truly established as a player right now.
2011 Secondary vs 2020 secondary
Hall, Clemments, Jennings, Jones, Nelson, Crocker vs Jackson, Wayne's, Alexander, Phillips, Bell, Bates. - Advantage 2020 I really Think Jackson will be a stud @ CB+ Bates will also put himself back into the best Safety conversation. Hall got hurt that year which really screwed that Secondary because neither Jennings nor Clemments were any good at CB.
2011 Specialists vs 2020 specialist
Nugent, Huber vs Bullock & Huber- Even
2011 coaching vs 2020 Coaching
Marvin, Zimmer, Gruden, Simmons vs Taylor, Lou, Callahan, Simmons- Advantage 2011 Marvin had already proven himself as a coach + Zimmer is one of the best defensive minds ever to coach on the sideline. Other than Simmons Zacs staff has a ton to prove. I like the current staff though but there unproven at this point.
I bring this up because like this current squad the 2011 team was expected not to do that much. However that team went on to make the playoffs. The 2020 team is in a similar situation this season to that team. We have the talent to surprise people this season.
As for the Dline though, I feel like this unit has every chance to be as good and possibly better than that unit in 2011. It all depends on a few things in my opinion. Hopefully DJ with Geno and Wren/Tupuo rotating out helps spark some life into Geno and he can wreak some havoc on QBs this year. Geno is a HOF in my book and this might just be what he needs to get a gold jacket and possibly have 1 of his best years ever in a slightly more limited role. Dunlap needs to stay playing at a high level (not that he didn’t last year) but Father Time is catching up. And the BIG one to me is Carl Lawson staying healthy. He always seems to get nicked up here and there and if he can just stay healthy this year rotating in and out with Hubbard in different packages I think this can be one of the best D-lines in the league.
Great post and I really agree with just about everything. Nelson and Crocker were a nasty safety duo that year and I do remember Hall getting hurt but that secondary was pretty good.
