Christian Wilkins

[*Nate (formerly eliminate08)*]

(Yesterday, 02:41 PM)Luvnit2 Wrote: I think Slayton will prove to be a very good 2 down DT stopping the run. My guess is he exits on passing downs so hopefully that keeos him fresh. He seems to have impressed fellow DT Jenkins. looks like a very stout and strong DT. Our mistake in 2024 was thinking a healthy Rankins could replace Reader. I like the combo of Slayton and Stewart on passing downs to replace Reader a lot better.

Glad to hear Slaton is impressing someone in Kris Jenkins. Rankins was a 3-tech, just wasn't a fit and then he got deathly ill so cannot 
really blame the guy. Expecting a couple rookie DT's to replace Reader was also a mistake by the FO even if they tried, they obviously 
should of picked up a NT rather than a 3-tech. Expect Slaton and Stewart to be in on running downs, but Stewart actually can play DT
on passing downs too and could add another wrinkle. No to Slaton on passing downs, not his strength.

[Soonerpeace]

(Yesterday, 02:35 PM)Nate (formerly eliminate08) Wrote: Agree and vice versa, Shemar will not be the focus of Offenses here, that will be Trey. I think Slaton helps, we needed a NT.

I just cannot put him on par with Reader at all.

Reader in his prime no. But their stats last year comparable. I think he will be a nice addition

[Soonerpeace]

(Yesterday, 02:52 PM)Nate (formerly eliminate08) Wrote: Glad to hear Slaton is impressing someone in Kris Jenkins. Rankins was a 3-tech, just wasn't a fit and then he got deathly ill so cannot 
really blame the guy. Expecting a couple rookie DT's to replace Reader was also a mistake by the FO even if they tried, they obviously 
should of picked up a NT rather than a 3-tech. Expect Slaton and Stewart to be in on running downs, but Stewart actually can play DT
on passing downs too and could add another wrinkle. No to Slaton on passing downs, not his strength.

Slaton can collapse the pocket and takes up double teams on passing downs. That makes it harder to double team Trey. As I mentioned earlier I like the possible combinations and strategy with groupings

[*Nate (formerly eliminate08)*]

(Yesterday, 02:56 PM)Soonerpeace Wrote: Reader in his prime no. But their stats last year comparable. I think he will be a nice addition

Yeah, Reader has definitely fell off a bit after the quad injuries.

(Yesterday, 03:01 PM)Soonerpeace Wrote: Slaton can collapse the pocket and takes up double teams on passing downs. That makes it harder to double team Trey. As I mentioned earlier I like the possible combinations and strategy with groupings

Haven't really heard about Slaton collapsing the pocket, more of the taking up double teams freeing up others like a Nose Tackle is supposed 
to do. BJ Hill is our best pass rushing DT until someone else bursts onto the scene. Could be Kris Jenkins or even McKinnley Jackson this year.

McKinnley actually impressed me late last year more than I thought in getting pressures.

[Soonerpeace]

(Yesterday, 03:04 PM)Nate (formerly eliminate08) Wrote: Yeah, Reader has definitely fell off a bit after the quad injuries.


Haven't really heard about Slaton collapsing the pocket, more of the taking up double teams freeing up others like a Nose Tackle is supposed 
to do. BJ Hill is our best pass rushing DT until someone else bursts onto the scene. Could be Kris Jenkins or even McKinnley Jackson this year.

McKinnley actually impressed me late last year more than I thought in getting pressures.

Slaton is known as a strong run-stopper and led all defensive tackles in ESPN's run stop win rate in 2024.

Shemar was PFF’s #5 best DE run defender

I think we see bettter run defense

[*Nate (formerly eliminate08)*]

(Yesterday, 03:29 PM)Soonerpeace Wrote: Slaton is known as a strong run-stopper and led all defensive tackles in ESPN's run stop win rate in 2024.

Shemar was PFF’s #5 best DE run defender

I think we see bettter run defense

I agree, it will be better than last year for sure unless injuries happen knock on wood.

[J24]

(Yesterday, 03:29 PM)Soonerpeace Wrote: Slaton is known as a strong run-stopper and led all defensive tackles in ESPN's run stop win rate in 2024.

Shemar was PFF’s #5 best DE run defender

I think we see bettter run defense

(Yesterday, 03:57 PM)Nate (formerly eliminate08) Wrote: I agree, it will be better than last year for sure unless injuries happen knock on wood.

To add to the run defense being much better in the upcoming season.
Kris Jenkins was an elite run defender in college, McKinley Jackson had an elite run defensive grade in the last 4 games of season(85 rating and 2nd overall), Logan Wilson was top 10 LB in run defense last season(90 pff grade), and BJ Hill was 12th in run stops last season according to pff.

[Isaac Curtis: The Real #85]

(Yesterday, 03:29 PM)Soonerpeace Wrote: Slaton is known as a strong run-stopper and led all defensive tackles in ESPN's run stop win rate in 2024.

Shemar was PFF’s #5 best DE run defender

I think we see bettter run defense

Agreed. Plus, Hill was the NT/run stopper last year eith Rankins/Jenkins next to him. This year, Slaton is the NT/DT guy with Hill next to him. Uogrades at both spots: Slaton over Hill at DT/NT and Hill over Rankins/Jenkins at DT/3T. 

Jackson and Jenkins should both improve. They both missed time to start  got thrown intonthe fire early, and Jenkins had a club instead of a hand. 

But just having Slaton/Hill/Jackson/Jenkins available from jump (knock on wood) will be a help. Stewart is good vs the run. And so is Cam Sample, who is also back healthy. 

The run D should be better. The CB play should be better with Turner & Hill healthy, Fig in Y2, and Golden playing more man. The LB play should slso be better. Better depth. More speed. Logan healthy. 

How much better is the question. But I think the D will improve more than the OL..

[*Nate (formerly eliminate08)*]

(Yesterday, 04:29 PM)J24 Wrote: To add to the run defense being much better in the upcoming season.
Kris Jenkins was an elite run defender in college, McKinley Jackson had an elite run defensive grade in the last 4 games of season(85 rating and 2nd overall), Logan Wilson was top 10 LB in run defense last season(90 pff grade), and BJ Hill was 12th in run stops last season according to pff.

Good stuff J24. I don't think the players are the problem especially against the run. Geno Stone on the back end is the one player that is 
weak against the run but he is a FS so he doesn't have to be great at it as long as they are gang tackling in Golden's Defense. Was kind of
surprised by Logan being that good last season as I saw him miss some angles badly at times and let some big runs happen.

Slaton at NT so BJ Hill can move back to 3-tech should really help the run Defense. 

[Luvnit2]

(Yesterday, 04:50 PM)Isaac Curtis: The Real #85 Wrote: Agreed. Plus, Hill was the NT/run stopper last year eith Rankins/Jenkins next to him. This year, Slaton is the NT/DT guy with Hill next to him. Uogrades at both spots: Slaton over Hill at DT/NT and Hill over Rankins/Jenkins at DT/3T. 

Jackson and Jenkins should both improve. They both missed time to start  got thrown intonthe fire early, and Jenkins had a club instead of a hand. 

But just having Slaton/Hill/Jackson/Jenkins available from jump (knock on wood) will be a help. Stewart is good vs the run. And so is Cam Sample, who is also back healthy. 

The run D should be better. The CB play should be better with Turner & Hill healthy, Fig in Y2, and Golden playing more man. The LB play should slso be better. Better depth. More speed. Logan healthy. 

How much better is the question. But I think the D will improve more than the OL..

I agree the 2nd year guys will be better and they were not great, but not horrible as rookies and one hurt in TC and one playing with a cast.

I also agree the defense will be better, let's hope they can get to at least 18 to 20th best, if so with our offense (I agree OL will improve, not just more than defense) it will make for a run back to the playoffs. Get us in and let Joe work his magic.

[Luvnit2]

(Yesterday, 04:29 PM)J24 Wrote: To add to the run defense being much better in the upcoming season.
Kris Jenkins was an elite run defender in college, McKinley Jackson had an elite run defensive grade in the last 4 games of season(85 rating and 2nd overall), Logan Wilson was top 10 LB in run defense last season(90 pff grade), and BJ Hill was 12th in run stops last season according to pff.

Great points.

[Soonerpeace]

(Yesterday, 04:50 PM)Isaac Curtis: The Real #85 Wrote: Agreed. Plus, Hill was the NT/run stopper last year eith Rankins/Jenkins next to him. This year, Slaton is the NT/DT guy with Hill next to him. Uogrades at both spots: Slaton over Hill at DT/NT and Hill over Rankins/Jenkins at DT/3T. 

Jackson and Jenkins should both improve. They both missed time to start  got thrown intonthe fire early, and Jenkins had a club instead of a hand. 

But just having Slaton/Hill/Jackson/Jenkins available from jump (knock on wood) will be a help. Stewart is good vs the run. And so is Cam Sample, who is also back healthy. 

The run D should be better. The CB play should be better with Turner & Hill healthy, Fig in Y2, and Golden playing more man. The LB play should slso be better. Better depth. More speed. Logan healthy. 

How much better is the question. But I think the D will improve more than the OL..

If Golden can make a moderate difference and they solve RG we are top 5. The things I’m looking hard at are RG, S, and actually RB. If Chase Brown can become a household name (so to speak) or the general viewing audience as the Cincy RB we could offensively explode.

[Luvnit2]

(Yesterday, 05:37 PM)Soonerpeace Wrote: If Golden can make a moderate difference and they solve RG we are top 5. The things I’m looking hard at are RG, S, and actually RB. If Chase Brown can become a household name (so to speak) or the general viewing audience as the Cincy RB we could offensively explode.

Yes I forgot about safety. I am not a huge fan of Geno or Battle. I like safeties to be able to tackle, cover and splash with big plays. Geno has some splash, but Battle does not and I don't think either were great at wrapping up tackles.

Maybe one of the young guys like Anderson can emerge and take one of their spots or hopefully they are better in 2025. Golden has a news set of eyes and the call to see who starts so a nice camp battle to watch, if there is a battle. Excuse the pun

[Soonerpeace]

(Yesterday, 04:29 PM)J24 Wrote: To add to the run defense being much better in the upcoming season.
Kris Jenkins was an elite run defender in college, McKinley Jackson had an elite run defensive grade in the last 4 games of season(85 rating and 2nd overall), Logan Wilson was top 10 LB in run defense last season(90 pff grade), and BJ Hill was 12th in run stops last season according to pff.

Even better. There’s a lot to a defense. One thing is over looked. If you make a team one dimensional it sure takes a lot of guessing out for the DC. In some respects we are one dimensional offensively and it limits us. But it also makes a huge difference if teams can’t run on you in the red zone. I continue to feel better about the defense.

[Isaac Curtis: The Real #85]

IDK if Bryan makes the team, and he isn't a particularly good run defending 3T, but he likely is an upgrade from Tufele as the 5th DT. Though he is 3T only while Tufeke could cover both spots.

[Sled21]

I see Slayton as our new Peko.

[*Nate (formerly eliminate08)*]

(Today, 12:04 AM)Isaac Curtis: The Real #85 Wrote: IDK if Bryan makes the team, and he isn't a particularly good run defending 3T, but he likely is an upgrade from Tufele as the 5th DT. Though he is 3T only while Tufeke could cover both spots.

I like Taven Bryan, he is more of a pass rusher than a big DT like Tufele was though. Which is nice actually now that we have our NT in Slaton.

Bryan was an early round pick for a reason.