Whole Lotta Change

[*SHRacerX*]

(03-26-2020, 12:35 PM)fredtoast Wrote: Additions
DT- DJ Reader.....Awesome signing for 32nd ranked run defense.
LB- Josh Bynes…..Career back up, not an upgrade.
CB- Trae Waynes..Great signing
CB- Mackensie Alexander..Great signing
CB- LeShaun Sims...Meh
CB- Winston Rose...Meh
CB- Tony Brown......Meh
SS- Vonn Bell...……..Fantastic signing.  I actually value it more than the CBs we signed.
OG- Xavier Sua-F'ilo..Not really better than Miller, but if he fits our scheme better it is an upgrade
WR- Mike Thomas...Meh

Subtractions
TE- Tyler Eifert...wanted to re-sign him but not at the price he got (2 yr $15 mill)
OT- Cordy Glenn.had to go, but the o-line was much better when he was in there.  
OG- John Miller....see: Xavier Sua-F'ilo
DT- Andrew Billings..planned on re-signing him but not in Readers class 
LB- Nick Vigil......not a big loss, but Bynes is no better
SS- Clayton Fejedelem..Meh 
CB- Darqueze Dennard..Planned on re-signing him, but we signed upgrades 
CB- BW Webb...Maeh
CB- Tony McRae...Meh


Still have big holes at OG and LB.

Two points:  One, the career backup label for Bynes isn't very accurate.  He was a starter in base defense, and was superior against the run (there are those words again) compared to his other Raven LBs.  To say he isn't an upgrade when you consider the player that played his role at the beginning of last season was Preston Brown is foolish.  Or even at the end of the year, Vigil whiffs on far too many tackles.  Bynes is a solid run-stuffing LB and that is an absolute upgrade over what we had.  

Two, the comment about the line being better with Glenn in there is accurate, but it is also what gives me hope this year.  We lost the starting and backup LTs early last year.  The line started to improve when Glenn was back as you mentioned.  When you consider Williams, who although is a complete unknown talent at the NFL level, we do know the kid is a football savant and works his ass off in both preparation and study.  The rest of the line seemed to take shape once the LT position was solidified by an uninterested, out of shape, Cordy Glenn.  Think of what an offseason with Williams at LT, Jordan in year 2, XSF (possibly at LG and Jordan at RG since XSF is known for his strength as a pulling guard), and an ascending Hart.  I can't believe I wrote that last line, but he will have Fred Johnson breathing down his neck if he doesn't show up ready to go and continues to improve.

I just think the line isn't as bad as we all have made it out to be.  It was just the perfect storm last season.  And I think Burrow's vision and pocket awareness will shine as he will not always roll out to his right.