The Steelers are either having a moment of clarity or a midlife crisis. The Rams just lost a legend. And the Saints are no strangers to Faustian bargains.
"The Saints may still have a surprise in the works, though it might be something like trading all of their draft picks for Haason Reddick or bringing back Pierre Thomas."
Pierre Thomas would be a good shout for FFHOF. How can you not have a soft spot for a waiver wire scrub who comes in and steals all Reggie Bush's touchdowns? Good times.
I feel like the Fields analysis is a bit harsh. When the debate was over keeping Fields vs moving on, his detractors pointed out how his statistical output tended to be around 30th in the league. Even if you ignore context or don’t believe that the Bears put him in a bad situation, that’s still borderline starter (though obviously not one you would commit strongly to, or God forbid pay like an NFL starter). Having watched many of his games, I believe 15th-20th best in the league is still a possibility. Which, again, is not someone you want to pay $45M a year but is more like a bridge starter than a journeyman backup.
Also, FWIW, no one in Chicago thinks that the Bears had categorically given up on Fields but rather that when they lucked into the number one pick in a year with a QB who projects to be very good, that made the decision for them. I’ve heard beat reporters say that if they didn’t have the Carolina pick and were only picking 9th, they’d most likely be staying with Fields.
Of course, given the Bears and their historical incompetence with offensive football, maybe that’s the biggest red flag of all on Fields…
the thing about Fields is the ways in which he's bad are idiosyncratic and hard to describe. Saying someone doesn't read the field well usually makes someone picture a Testeverde type of interception line, not someone just sitting there like he's staring at the Netflix menu.
There's an elaborate alternative history around Fields, and it's still going on with this whole "the Bears coulda gotten more in trade but chose to 'do right' by Fields" bullsnot. I am harsher than most observers on him; I think colleagues factor Fields' popularity into their evaluation of him.
I would probably stick with him if I were picking ninth, too. The Bears have known they were picking first or second since about November!
I think Justin Fields is well described as “borderline” starter but QB evaluation is becoming more binary - either you’re the QB that makes us a contender or you’re not. Borderline starter = not = <$5m and a day 3 pick
Kirk Cousins puts the Falcons in the contention list?? He’s a doughnut - all delicious flavor, no actual nutritional value. He is the stereotypical “lots of stats, no actual meaningful production” QB. He is not getting anyone to the Superbowl
The Falcons are -125 to win the NFC South right now! They won seven games with Desmond Ridder and a labradoodle licking peanut butter off a Madden controller calling plays!
Fair point! I suppose the word “rising” just means “ going upward from where you are right now,” not “ moving to a level of actual competency.” I sit corrected.
"The Saints may still have a surprise in the works, though it might be something like trading all of their draft picks for Haason Reddick or bringing back Pierre Thomas."
Pierre Thomas would be a good shout for FFHOF. How can you not have a soft spot for a waiver wire scrub who comes in and steals all Reggie Bush's touchdowns? Good times.
OMG I should bring the Fantasy Football Hall of Fame back.
Yes please!
Great stuff. Someday I’d like to hear your thoughts on the “pick the best player available” vs “pick to fill a need” debate.
The answer is "yes".
I feel like the Fields analysis is a bit harsh. When the debate was over keeping Fields vs moving on, his detractors pointed out how his statistical output tended to be around 30th in the league. Even if you ignore context or don’t believe that the Bears put him in a bad situation, that’s still borderline starter (though obviously not one you would commit strongly to, or God forbid pay like an NFL starter). Having watched many of his games, I believe 15th-20th best in the league is still a possibility. Which, again, is not someone you want to pay $45M a year but is more like a bridge starter than a journeyman backup.
Also, FWIW, no one in Chicago thinks that the Bears had categorically given up on Fields but rather that when they lucked into the number one pick in a year with a QB who projects to be very good, that made the decision for them. I’ve heard beat reporters say that if they didn’t have the Carolina pick and were only picking 9th, they’d most likely be staying with Fields.
Of course, given the Bears and their historical incompetence with offensive football, maybe that’s the biggest red flag of all on Fields…
the thing about Fields is the ways in which he's bad are idiosyncratic and hard to describe. Saying someone doesn't read the field well usually makes someone picture a Testeverde type of interception line, not someone just sitting there like he's staring at the Netflix menu.
There's an elaborate alternative history around Fields, and it's still going on with this whole "the Bears coulda gotten more in trade but chose to 'do right' by Fields" bullsnot. I am harsher than most observers on him; I think colleagues factor Fields' popularity into their evaluation of him.
I would probably stick with him if I were picking ninth, too. The Bears have known they were picking first or second since about November!
I think Justin Fields is well described as “borderline” starter but QB evaluation is becoming more binary - either you’re the QB that makes us a contender or you’re not. Borderline starter = not = <$5m and a day 3 pick
Kirk Cousins puts the Falcons in the contention list?? He’s a doughnut - all delicious flavor, no actual nutritional value. He is the stereotypical “lots of stats, no actual meaningful production” QB. He is not getting anyone to the Superbowl
He gets them on the "risers" list.
Yeah, I went back to edit it but apparently that is not allowed. I still think that gives cousins too much credit though. ;)
The Falcons are -125 to win the NFC South right now! They won seven games with Desmond Ridder and a labradoodle licking peanut butter off a Madden controller calling plays!
Fair point! I suppose the word “rising” just means “ going upward from where you are right now,” not “ moving to a level of actual competency.” I sit corrected.
They are broad categories!
Yes, I am on your page now
I've never bought a McCartney album. "RAM" or "Band on the Run? "Speed of Sound and "Venus and Mars" are not in the running. You make the call!
"All Things Must Pass."
Which is a George Harrison album.
Band on the Run. Any other answer is misinformation.
Not sure about RAM, but band on the run has a lot of Beatles covers, so if you were a fan of Eleanor Rigby, that’s the way to go
?? Band on the Run has no Beatles covers.
You are right, I am an idiot, I was thinking of Give my Regards to Broadstreet