I had in fact mentioned to another commenter that I had traded Bryce. We do finally have a deep CB room but I think with, Sauce, Reed, Echols, Carter, and Guidry we still have a very deep, talented and young room. I believe we went in with the same amount last year (gained 2 lost 2) and could get a 3rd round pick for a starting CB on his rookie contract.
I honestly don't understand all the love for Flacco. He has already been handed the backup QB spot on the depth chart. I thought White showed enough against the Bengals to deserve to be #2 for now. I understand Flacco brings some veteran mindset to help Wilson, but isn't that what an OC or QB coach is for?
It is June 26; today's depth chart is all but meaningless. I agree wholeheartedly that coaches coach, players play; the "mentor" crap is way overrated and should not be used as a reason to burn another roster spot. On the other hand, going with only two QBs leaves an uncomfortable shortage when injury rears its ugly head.
Yeah, I'm tired of the "mentor qb". The best arms of the past 20 years, how many of them needed a mentor? Especially one that has publicly stated his distaste for the role.
Here's my quaranting with COVID pre training camp roster projection: QB (3): Zach Wilson – Joe Flacco – Mike White If they can hold onto all three, I’d do it. Mike White could be a longer-term backup RB (3): Breece Hall – Michael Carter – Tevin Coleman Surprise that it’s only 3, but given where they took Hall and how good Carter was, I think it’s more of a two-headed backfield with Coleman spelling occasionally. They keep at least one RB on standby on the PS FB (1): Nick Bawden Bawden seems to be the better fit at FB WR (5): Elijah Moore – Corey Davis – Garrett Wilson – Braxton Berrios – Jeff Smith 5 seems light, but I don’t buy the Mims hype until I see it and don’t see another rosterable WR. Smith offers more on offense and ST and feels like more of a roster lock than he’s getting credit for. I might add Mims to the PS if possible, but he might get a fresh start. They’ll likely run a lot of 2-TE sets also, making 6 WRs less necessary TE (3): Tyler Conklin – CJ Uzomah – Jeremy Ruckert I went back and forth on keeping one of Cager and Yeboah, but I think the last spot for me, another DT, is a greater need whereas there would no role on offense for Cager or Yeboah if the top three are healthy. OT (4): George Fant – Mekhi Becton – Riley Reiff – Max Mitchell I’d swap McDermott for a vet like Reiff. Mitchell is next year’s swing OT or starter IOL (5): Alijah Vera-Tucker – Connor McGovern – Laken Tomlinson – Dan Feeney – Nate Herbig Toyed with cutting Herbig, but unsure of Reiff’s versatility to play inside. If he can, I’d consider going down to 4 here. Feeney played well along the interior when called on 24 DE (5): Carl Lawson – Jermaine Johnson – Jacob Martin – Bryce Huff – Michael Clemons No surprises, but Huff is too good of a pass-rusher to cut. They need to find space for him. DT (5): Quinnen Williams – John Franklin Myers – Nathan Shephard – Solomon Thomas – Jonathan Marshall Tough choices here. I think Rankins is a goner if he doesn’t show improvement this offseason. I also don’t think Thomas is a lock. I do think they like Shephard more than us fans do and wonder if he could have something of a breakout year. I’m just going to guess Marshall shows something, especially as a run defender, enough to warrant keeping him over Rankins. It’s a lot of DLs but they need more depth and size inside. Plus, they rotate linemen often LB (5): CJ Mosley – Quincy Williams – Jamien Sherwood – Hamsah Nasirildeen – Marcel Harris I think they have two starters set. Wouldn’t rule out a vet though also feel they could opt for fewer 3-LB sets. CB (6): DJ Reed – Sauce Gardner – Bryce Hall – Brandin Echols – Michael Carter – Javelin Guidry Wanted to cut someone else (Hardee is below), but unsure who. Guidry was a close call, but he’s decent depth in and out and plays ST S (4): Jordan Whitehead – Lamarcus Joyner – Jason Pinnock – Ashtyn Davis I’d like to keep Riley, but he’s probably not good enough unless Davis faceplants, but I do think they still like Davis. Hopeful Pinnock is starting eventually 25 K: Eddy Piniero P: Braden Mann ST: Justin Hardee LS: Thomas Hennessey I added Hardee here as he doesn’t play defense. Tempted to cut him but I want to value ST. He needs to reduce penalties this year. Piniero gets the nod over Zuerlein but wish his leg was stronger 4 Notable cuts: Ty Johnson, La’Mical Perine, Denzel Mims, Kenny Yeboah, Lawrence Cager, Connor McDemott, Chuma Edoga, Vinny Curry, Jabari Zuniga, Del’Shawn Phillips, Isaiah Dunn, Elijah Riley, Greg Zuerlein Some Practice Squad Ideals RB Ty Johnson WR Denzel Mims TE Kenny Yeboah TE Lawrence Cager OT Connor McDermott DT Jonathan Marshall CB Isaiah Dunn S Elijah Riley
Just a pick I believe you got rite that most people don't like....Ed Piniero. He doesn't have the strongest leg but last year he hit a 51 & 52 yarder, & made all his FG attempts, I believe 9 & had a PAT blocked. I'll take the accurate kicker from 52 yards or less than a big leg who is not so accurate.
On the subject of the mentor QB, none of us have any idea how important it might be to a random young QB. Obviously no great QB's "needed" a mentor, but that doesn't mean they couldn't have benefited or didn't benefit from one. At the same time, you can't just install any old grizzled vet as a mentor. It completely depends on the dynamic between the two players. If the two QB's get along great, and the kid ends up learning strong habits and this helps the game slow down, how can you put a price tag on that? But if they don't click personally, meh. Nothing burger.
