I think this undersells Russell Wilson’s value. 1.2 million for a QB that puts you in the ten win range is huge when the Falcons just paid 45 million for a QB that puts them in the 10 win range.
Agree. I also rather have Wilson than the other realistic alternatives at quarterback. Although it would be nice if they could get Justin Fields at some sort of get-him-out-of-our-hands-discount like the one Cowboys payed for Trey Lance last year. And then just get rid of Pickett.
I also don’t like the Barkley signing, but thought that the Eagles front office is a lot smarter than me and they haven’t a history of overpaying the RBs. Glad to know my initial instinct wasn’t crazy.
I have to imagine that anyone who follows the Eagles was very surprised by that move (I certainly was). I didn't like it either, but I will get over that very quickly if it brings us another championship. Time will tell.
The Barkley signing feels to me like Roseman & co. know something we don’t. It was no secret that Jerry Jones would want Barkley, so if they thought he was washed up, they’d happily let Dallas waste the GDP of a small country on him.
Barkley is probably an overpay, but I just don't care. Bring me cool players and win football games. Howie has proven that he can generally find money when he needs it and it doesn't matter if the accounts get ulcers. That's a problem for their gastroenterologists.
"By signing the one and only Kirk Cousins for four years at a cool $100 million guaranteed, the Falcons just doomed themselves to being the world’s first late-2010s Minnesota Vikings tribute band."
The release of Aaron Jones has left Wisconsin heartbroken - Jones is a fantastic person - but it's football. When I saw Barkeley's numbers, I figured Jones wasn't planning a hometown discount. Jones flashed in the season opener against the Bears, pulled hammy, followed with other injuries, and blazed in the final three regular season games and the two playoff games. It was a typical Aaron Jones season.
Most importantly, what Jones demonstrated is just how important the run game is to Matt LaFleur's offense. With Jones out, AJ Dillon and 3rd back Wilson couldn't carry the load. I'm not sure Jones ever had a stretch with 20 carries per game like the final 5 games; he's had several seasons with 130 to 180 carries. He's never had 300 carries. His running style is hugely fun to watch.
Jacobs seems a midpoint between Dillon and Jones. The contract is Packer friendly. My hope is the Packers use a day two draft pick on a top RB if available. Get the best college guy on board backing up Jacobs for a year or two before taking the reins. Of all the free agent RBs, I may have preferred Swift as a backup to Jones, but with Jones' departure, we're better off with Jacobs than Swift. Gutey didn't overpay.
Best of luck to David Bahktiari, a great player and fine person. He's missed two of the last three seasons to injury and the odds are stacked against him playing 17 games this year. He'll be a great fit filling the fourth chair in the clubhouse card game with Rodgers, Cobb and Lazard in NY.
Oh, and the Packers signed Xavier McKinley, an up and coming safety. With D coordinator Jeff Hafley's hiring, we've heard extensively how much importance his defense places on an assassin patrolling the center of the field. With the tears shed over the Jones and Bahktiari departures and the meh of the Jacobs signing, the late day news that we got Hafley's ninja at safety marked the day as a net positive. And Kirk Cousins' Atlanta bank robbery leaving Minnesota bereft at QB tucked us all into bed with smiles on our faces.
As to the Cousins signing, I can't imagine Falcon GM Terry Fontenot would've survived an actual rebuilding. Cousins is certainly his best shot at keeping his job, and I don't begrudge a man prioritizing that.
I do worry that the Eagles paid a premium because of Saquon's name value, but as a fan I can't help but be excited by the talent they have on offense now. I kept watching Swift last year and thinking he was leaving a lot of yards out there; this move might end up being a perfect fit for everyone.
The Bears did indeed scheme for Justin Fields these past 3 seasons. Given which, it's absolutely hilarious how badly they did so. (while granting the likelihood that Fields is simply bad enough at this that it wouldn't have made all that much a difference anyhow)
Not a fan of either the Barkley or Jacobs contracts -- then again, I'm not a fan of the majority of veteran running back contracts, though I understand to a point that some should get rewarded. Still, Barkley and Jacobs benefitted from the "former first-round pick" aura.
Jacobs, in particular, concerns me because he's averaged 261 carries per season. What are the odds he winds up like Ezekiel Elliott?
As for Cushenberry, he was good in pass protection this past season but in run blocking, not as much. Still, I wish him well and don't blame him for taking the money. I just question whether the Titans should have paid him as much as they did.
I think this undersells Russell Wilson’s value. 1.2 million for a QB that puts you in the ten win range is huge when the Falcons just paid 45 million for a QB that puts them in the 10 win range.
Well, Steelers were already in the ten win range. Nine win range, anyway.
Agree. I also rather have Wilson than the other realistic alternatives at quarterback. Although it would be nice if they could get Justin Fields at some sort of get-him-out-of-our-hands-discount like the one Cowboys payed for Trey Lance last year. And then just get rid of Pickett.
I also don’t like the Barkley signing, but thought that the Eagles front office is a lot smarter than me and they haven’t a history of overpaying the RBs. Glad to know my initial instinct wasn’t crazy.
I have to imagine that anyone who follows the Eagles was very surprised by that move (I certainly was). I didn't like it either, but I will get over that very quickly if it brings us another championship. Time will tell.
The Barkley signing feels to me like Roseman & co. know something we don’t. It was no secret that Jerry Jones would want Barkley, so if they thought he was washed up, they’d happily let Dallas waste the GDP of a small country on him.
And the winner of Supporting Actor least likely to succeed in a Leading Role is.... Sam Darnold!
Barkley is probably an overpay, but I just don't care. Bring me cool players and win football games. Howie has proven that he can generally find money when he needs it and it doesn't matter if the accounts get ulcers. That's a problem for their gastroenterologists.
"By signing the one and only Kirk Cousins for four years at a cool $100 million guaranteed, the Falcons just doomed themselves to being the world’s first late-2010s Minnesota Vikings tribute band."
Ha!
The release of Aaron Jones has left Wisconsin heartbroken - Jones is a fantastic person - but it's football. When I saw Barkeley's numbers, I figured Jones wasn't planning a hometown discount. Jones flashed in the season opener against the Bears, pulled hammy, followed with other injuries, and blazed in the final three regular season games and the two playoff games. It was a typical Aaron Jones season.
Most importantly, what Jones demonstrated is just how important the run game is to Matt LaFleur's offense. With Jones out, AJ Dillon and 3rd back Wilson couldn't carry the load. I'm not sure Jones ever had a stretch with 20 carries per game like the final 5 games; he's had several seasons with 130 to 180 carries. He's never had 300 carries. His running style is hugely fun to watch.
Jacobs seems a midpoint between Dillon and Jones. The contract is Packer friendly. My hope is the Packers use a day two draft pick on a top RB if available. Get the best college guy on board backing up Jacobs for a year or two before taking the reins. Of all the free agent RBs, I may have preferred Swift as a backup to Jones, but with Jones' departure, we're better off with Jacobs than Swift. Gutey didn't overpay.
Best of luck to David Bahktiari, a great player and fine person. He's missed two of the last three seasons to injury and the odds are stacked against him playing 17 games this year. He'll be a great fit filling the fourth chair in the clubhouse card game with Rodgers, Cobb and Lazard in NY.
Oh, and the Packers signed Xavier McKinley, an up and coming safety. With D coordinator Jeff Hafley's hiring, we've heard extensively how much importance his defense places on an assassin patrolling the center of the field. With the tears shed over the Jones and Bahktiari departures and the meh of the Jacobs signing, the late day news that we got Hafley's ninja at safety marked the day as a net positive. And Kirk Cousins' Atlanta bank robbery leaving Minnesota bereft at QB tucked us all into bed with smiles on our faces.
It’s true it is an emotional burden to be a falcons fan
Nailed it.
As to the Cousins signing, I can't imagine Falcon GM Terry Fontenot would've survived an actual rebuilding. Cousins is certainly his best shot at keeping his job, and I don't begrudge a man prioritizing that.
I do worry that the Eagles paid a premium because of Saquon's name value, but as a fan I can't help but be excited by the talent they have on offense now. I kept watching Swift last year and thinking he was leaving a lot of yards out there; this move might end up being a perfect fit for everyone.
The Bears did indeed scheme for Justin Fields these past 3 seasons. Given which, it's absolutely hilarious how badly they did so. (while granting the likelihood that Fields is simply bad enough at this that it wouldn't have made all that much a difference anyhow)
Your writing kinda suggests McNair led the 2005 Ravens to that 13-3 record. It occurred in 2006.
Not a fan of either the Barkley or Jacobs contracts -- then again, I'm not a fan of the majority of veteran running back contracts, though I understand to a point that some should get rewarded. Still, Barkley and Jacobs benefitted from the "former first-round pick" aura.
Jacobs, in particular, concerns me because he's averaged 261 carries per season. What are the odds he winds up like Ezekiel Elliott?
As for Cushenberry, he was good in pass protection this past season but in run blocking, not as much. Still, I wish him well and don't blame him for taking the money. I just question whether the Titans should have paid him as much as they did.