Lots of interesting discussion points in this thread.
- agree with rp . . . there were probably as many or more questions about ARod 15 years ago as there are about Love. While it would be crazy to think Love will be as good as maybe one of the 3 most talented QBs I've ever seen, neither of them was a sure thing at draft time. ARod was talked about at #1, but plenty of teams clearly didn't think he was worth that spot in the draft. The majority of Rd1 QBs bust or are underwhelming. Highly likely Love will bust, but the starting point is that he has the raw physical tools to be as good as anyone. The rest of what it takes? We'll see.
- the last draft seemed to be about ML getting what he felt he needed to run his offense or a modified version of it. As I recall his running game seemed to evolve a little as the season wore on last year. Outside runs were still there, but less of them as the season wore on and they were having more success on the inside. Dillon seems to affirm that maybe there will be more of that tendency. Deguara gives him that versatile H-back/FB type guy. No change to the offense, just some expansion of the offense and a little different emphasis.
- I don't think the 3 lineman drafted signifies any sort of change on offense but rather a recognized need to fix the CAP situation at the OL positions. They need to get rid of Linsley and Taylor after 2020, and Turner after 2021, if not earlier. Those 3 guys will be needed to be cheap options at those spots. It'll free up a bunch of money so they can keep BahkT if needed. I would not be surprised if they draft another 2-3 OL in 2021 - especially an early OT.
- I think Love and the team's success will determine what they do with AR. (Unless of course AR makes some sort of independent decision.) 2020 is a given. 2021 seems iffier, maybe 60/40 he stays. Depends on what AR and the team look like. If he or the team regress significantly from last year, they might look to move on, but only if Love looks capable. If Love sucks, or the team looks poised to win it all, it forces their hand and AR will stay on. You can probably say the same for 2022, but more like 30/70 he stays. Sure, money is a big deal, but Murphy and Co. won't shoot themselves in the foot to save a buck.
- lastly, the whole 5th year option is just a little overblown. Sure, you'd prefer to know by the end of year 3 what you've got but even Money Man Murphy won't press the issue if a likely title chance would be sacrificed. Given that AR is gone by year 5 even a miscalculation on the option year for Love won't put them in any sort of CAP bind. If he's the real deal it'll be worth it, if not they pay him for 1 year and he's gone. My bet would be he plays in 2022 but if he doesn't, then pass on the option year knowing that if he doesn't start until 2023, a 1 year guy will likely have a very workable contract/CAP number even if he looks pretty good.
- agree with rp . . . there were probably as many or more questions about ARod 15 years ago as there are about Love. While it would be crazy to think Love will be as good as maybe one of the 3 most talented QBs I've ever seen, neither of them was a sure thing at draft time. ARod was talked about at #1, but plenty of teams clearly didn't think he was worth that spot in the draft. The majority of Rd1 QBs bust or are underwhelming. Highly likely Love will bust, but the starting point is that he has the raw physical tools to be as good as anyone. The rest of what it takes? We'll see.
- the last draft seemed to be about ML getting what he felt he needed to run his offense or a modified version of it. As I recall his running game seemed to evolve a little as the season wore on last year. Outside runs were still there, but less of them as the season wore on and they were having more success on the inside. Dillon seems to affirm that maybe there will be more of that tendency. Deguara gives him that versatile H-back/FB type guy. No change to the offense, just some expansion of the offense and a little different emphasis.
- I don't think the 3 lineman drafted signifies any sort of change on offense but rather a recognized need to fix the CAP situation at the OL positions. They need to get rid of Linsley and Taylor after 2020, and Turner after 2021, if not earlier. Those 3 guys will be needed to be cheap options at those spots. It'll free up a bunch of money so they can keep BahkT if needed. I would not be surprised if they draft another 2-3 OL in 2021 - especially an early OT.
- I think Love and the team's success will determine what they do with AR. (Unless of course AR makes some sort of independent decision.) 2020 is a given. 2021 seems iffier, maybe 60/40 he stays. Depends on what AR and the team look like. If he or the team regress significantly from last year, they might look to move on, but only if Love looks capable. If Love sucks, or the team looks poised to win it all, it forces their hand and AR will stay on. You can probably say the same for 2022, but more like 30/70 he stays. Sure, money is a big deal, but Murphy and Co. won't shoot themselves in the foot to save a buck.
- lastly, the whole 5th year option is just a little overblown. Sure, you'd prefer to know by the end of year 3 what you've got but even Money Man Murphy won't press the issue if a likely title chance would be sacrificed. Given that AR is gone by year 5 even a miscalculation on the option year for Love won't put them in any sort of CAP bind. If he's the real deal it'll be worth it, if not they pay him for 1 year and he's gone. My bet would be he plays in 2022 but if he doesn't, then pass on the option year knowing that if he doesn't start until 2023, a 1 year guy will likely have a very workable contract/CAP number even if he looks pretty good.
