(11-26-2023, 10:24 PM)Nepa Wrote: The defense has been bad. But I can't blame Lou when he told us in the off-season that we had to hang onto at least one of the safeties. That if we lost both, it would be "a dark day." He added that losing both "would be huge," and that they lost not only talent but leadership.

When the DC tells you that, the front office has to find a way to keep one. Or get a stellar replacement.

(11-26-2023, 10:55 PM)jj22 Wrote: They were able to cover TEs with Flowers. A big corner. They have a big corner they were high on in Ivey. They should let him settle in at that role… see if he can at least for 2024.

(11-26-2023, 11:07 PM)casear2727 Wrote: Ivey has been inactive when everyone is healthy, who are you taking off the roster on game day?

(11-26-2023, 11:15 PM)jj22 Wrote: Awuzie, Scott, Davis, Irv, Anyone at this point given the season is over. I was surprised they still had Hubbard, Hendrickson, and Hill out there given they were or have been dinged up. All rookies withstand need reps need to be in there. Brown over Williams (who I had hopes for but has gotten his shot and hasn’t done much with it). 

While we are at it IR Higgins and bring on up someone from the practice squad. Get Lassiter and Prior some reps. See if Gunter developed. Browning probably more comfortable throwing to those wideouts anyway. Maybe he can anticipate better and not hold on to the ball waiting for someone to get open. 

(11-26-2023, 11:01 PM)casear2727 Wrote: No reason to make excuses.  Safeties dont cause RBs to gain 4 yards before contact. 

This revisionist memory that Bates was some Ed Reed ballhawk is comical.  He was not a good tackler and gave up both TDs in the AFCCG.  He is a good player but had one really good season for us, laid down the next, and then was ok.  He did have a grasp of the defense.

Bell was unathletic and limited the defense's flexibility.  He had one interception in his first 2 seasons here.  Again, he knew the defense.

Players come and go in the NFL.  It would had been stupid to have paid Bates.  Bell wanted more guaranteed money that would cause issues next season.

Lou was given a 1st Round safety with excellent athleticism.
A Super Bowl starting vet, who has played like shit.
A 2nd round safety from a national power.

He needs to work with what he has if he is to live up to his reputation.  If he needs a bunch of stellar players then he isnt a great DC.

(11-26-2023, 11:21 PM)casear2727 Wrote: This makes zero sense and would get us into a ton of trouble with the league.  Not to mention negatively impact careers of multiple players resulting in a terrible reputation for the org.

I'm sorry I asked.

(11-26-2023, 11:23 PM)Nicomo Cosca Wrote: Battle was a 3rd rounder, but the rest of your point stands.

(11-26-2023, 11:24 PM)jj22 Wrote: Why would we get in trouble? Hubbard, Hill, Hendrickson, Tee all been in and out with injuries. Sitting them due to that wouldn’t be an issue. Everyone knew they were dealing with things.

(11-26-2023, 11:29 PM)casear2727 Wrote: Because teams cannot intentionally tank.  What you are suggesting is intentionally tanking.

You are also screwing with players careers - Awuzie, Irv, and Higgins are free agents this coming year.

Getting young guys reps is great but being stupid and losing draft picks and never signing another free agent doesnt make a lot of sense. 

(11-26-2023, 11:39 PM)jj22 Wrote: Intentionally tanking? That would insinuate they can win if the starters played. They can’t. Having to tank in fear of winning sounds like a good problem to have going into 2024. Unfortunately that isn’t the case. 

All those players been on the injury report, and Irv, Higgins stock is only going to get worse given Browning at QB and Awuzie has had 11 games to make money…… and hasn’t. That’s on him too with younger talent at his position set to replace him. 

Free agents will come where the money is.

(11-26-2023, 11:01 PM)casear2727 Wrote: No reason to make excuses.  Safeties dont cause RBs to gain 4 yards before contact. 

This revisionist memory that Bates was some Ed Reed ballhawk is comical.  He was not a good tackler and gave up both TDs in the AFCCG.  He is a good player but had one really good season for us, laid down the next, and then was ok.  He did have a grasp of the defense.

Bell was unathletic and limited the defense's flexibility.  He had one interception in his first 2 seasons here.  Again, he knew the defense.

Players come and go in the NFL.  It would had been stupid to have paid Bates.  Bell wanted more guaranteed money that would cause issues next season.

Lou was given a 1st Round safety with excellent athleticism.
A Super Bowl starting vet, who has played like shit.
A 2nd round safety from a national power.

He needs to work with what he has if he is to live up to his reputation.  If he needs a bunch of stellar players then he isnt a great DC.

(11-26-2023, 11:01 PM)casear2727 Wrote: No reason to make excuses.  Safeties dont cause RBs to gain 4 yards before contact. 

This revisionist memory that Bates was some Ed Reed ballhawk is comical.  He was not a good tackler and gave up both TDs in the AFCCG.  He is a good player but had one really good season for us, laid down the next, and then was ok.  He did have a grasp of the defense.

Bell was unathletic and limited the defense's flexibility.  He had one interception in his first 2 seasons here.  Again, he knew the defense.

Players come and go in the NFL.  It would had been stupid to have paid Bates.  Bell wanted more guaranteed money that would cause issues next season.

Lou was given a 1st Round safety with excellent athleticism.
A Super Bowl starting vet, who has played like shit.
A 3rd round safety from a national power.

He needs to work with what he has if he is to live up to his reputation.  If he needs a bunch of stellar players then he isnt a great DC.

(11-23-2023, 11:42 AM)Destro Wrote: Defense does not have a player who is on a level of the QB and WR group the offense has. Who is the best player on defense? Trey? He has high impact games and others where you don't know if he got six snaps. 

Defense I see that can be fixed. Offense needs playcalling and O-line. Fixable, for sure. Will it happen? It's been the same for years, so....

(11-26-2023, 06:46 PM)Synric Wrote: That's what happens when you keep giving an offense chances to move the ball. Its a miracle there was only 16 points. Just wait until they keep handing the ball back over to a real offense...

(11-26-2023, 06:50 PM)Rubekahn29 Wrote: Pittsburgh had 9 offensive drives. That’s really not that bad. This was more about the defensive being extremely poor on 3rd down and not being able to get off the field, than anything else.

(11-27-2023, 03:53 PM)THE PISTONS Wrote: Bates was thoroughly average many games, then he'd crank it up and just have a great came or string of games. He's paid as an elite safety.

Guys like Ed Reed had great games often.