05-23-2020, 06:19 PM
(05-23-2020, 05:12 PM)Isaac Curtis: The Real #85 Wrote: Thanks for the props.
We'll just have to agree to disagree on Finley and Glenn.
On Cordy, he graded out as our best lineman last year (PFF grade of 68.4). He started 5 of the last 6 games, starting with Game 11, so I do not know what you are talking about there (Pitt, NYJ, Cle, NE, Miami). Johnson started once. Yeah, there were some issues on his return. Rust. And likely some anger about how his injury was handled. But he played pretty well. I trust PFF grading every play a hellava lot more than Minnich, who has an agenda.
We won the Jets game, nearly the Fins game, and were quite comprtitive in the first Cle game and v Pitt. We likely win the Pitt game if Dalton is at QB. Which brings me to Finley.
Taylor's job is to make us better. Not win meaningless games after an 0-8 start. There were 2 very winnable games in the 3 Finley started (Raiders, Steelers). I think we lost 17-10, 16-10? A little better offense and we are 4-12.
Once the season is bust, I have no problem with a coach evaluating the depth on the roster. Especially a first year coach who had a short pre-season. Pratt for Brown. Finley for Dalton. Johnson for Glenn last game.
At 0-8 we were going nowhere. Dalton was gone anyway. A QB was a likely choice for the pick. So he knew Finley likely won't play much this year. It was a chance to look at him. In the unlikely event he tears it up, then you have your QB. If not, you have lost 2 winnable games and improved our draft position.
So yes, I fully believe Taylor knew we had a better chance to win with Dalton, but started Finley anyway. Call it what you want. I call it a smart move that made our team better.
Setting most of that aside, I just want to be clear about the Finley part. I too think it was a good decision, just not because it was a tank job to net a higher pick. It was smart to evaluate Finley, and I supported it. The term 'tank job' seems to imply a deliberate strategy to lose games, which would not be good, ever. That is not a "winning culture," and NFL coaches whose careers depend on wins don't do it. But if by tank job you mean acknowledging the season was lost and gathering info for the future - absolutely.
