We're Forgetting about Bowles

For Brick, I definitely agree. Mangold isn't necessary as he probably can play well for 2 more seasons, but it would be at least wise to upgrade his backup if nothing else. Revis and Harris would be the next most important imo. While finding a replacement for Marshall is important, I don't think it will happen in this draft, as it's not a very good draft for WRs. Besides, finding an OLB, a RT, RG, P and PR are more important.

 

I totally agree....I was going to say Marshall can go strong for another 2-3 years. They could in theory draft a center in the 4th or 5th round like Iowa's Austin Blythe and play him at RG for the next couple of years while Mangold is still going strong. I think they are drafting an OT high regardless of the smokescreen Mac is putting out there.....the LB class is strong this year - a lot of talent throughout the draft.

 

I disagree, and based on what Mac has said, he does too. Adding speed at pass rusher is his stated #1 priority. He could just be blowing smoke, but imo you're underestimating the impact of the pass rush. Defensive rankings are nice, but don't mean jack in the end. How many times could our D not get off the field on 3rd down? How many times on 3rd and long? OLB is the toughest position for a rookie to learn, and if he gets to play, play well.

Mac has also said that in general, he doesn't believe in spending high draft picks on the OL. For LTs one has to, and usually also for RTs, but Cs and OGs can be found in middle and lower rounds.

My personal hopes for the draft are as follows.

1 - OLB or OT
2 - If he took an OLB in round 1, either get an OT, RB or ILB. If he took an OT in the first round, then an OLB, RB, or ILB (in that order).
3 - I hope he has taken an OLB and OT in the first 2 rounds, and takes a RB here
4 - OG or a WR or RB who returns punts and kicks
5 - P
7 - STs player: CB, S or WR

 

Bowles needs to clean up a lot of things. I like him and he did a good job this year but he made some pretty puzzling mistakes at times. Not sure exactly who was at fault at times whether it be Gailey, Rodgers or Bowles but I place full blame on the head coach.

Couple of examples off the top of my head.

- No offensive urgency or hurry up offense vs. Philly when we were down two scored playing against a pretty average defense. I initially defended it but looking back on that game, that was awful because if we got moving we easily could've forced overtime.

- Zero adjustment throughout all 4 quarters to stop Watkins and the Bills receivers catching 10 yard stop time and time again.

- Coming out terribly flat vs. Houston. They went into that game ready to lose straight up.

- Again, zero offensive urgency against Oakland. I get he was dealing with a backup quarterback but we kept letting the fucking play clock run down when we were fighting back from at least two scores down the entire second half.

- The misuse of Ivory vs. Buffalo is still one of the most puzzling things I've ever seen in an NFL game, and to say they game planned basically not to use him after the game.

NFL coaching is all about progress and cleaning up your mistakes. He is not a good coach with challenges yet, and we often came out flat. The one thing that tells me he's going to be a good successful coach is he MOSTLY makes good half time adjustments which is a mark of the great ones.

 

It sure as hell didn't feel like it, specially against the Bills, holy shit I was ripping the hair out of my head every fucking time Watkins burned Revis on 3rd down.

 

My biggest concern is the fanbase. Will they give these two the opportunity to build a solid team over a couple years, without putting up fuckin billboards.

 

Last year they had an easy schedule and enough cap space to plug some major holes.

Now they have a tough schedule, key free agents looking to get paid, and very little cap space.

Difficulty level has jumped from lazy river to roaring rapids.

 

I think Mac will not only get Marsh, Mangold, Brick, and Harris to fiz their contracts but he'll find their replacements via draft. For those asking about replacing Mo, he already did that last year. I think once we bulk our o-line up everything else will fall in to place rather beautifully. Chan will utilize his weapons given well and Bowles will utilize his defense to play to it's strengths and best disguise it's weaknesses.

 

I don't see how our schedule is that much harder this year than last.
We had a 4 game skid in the middle, losing to a couple bad teams.

We should have a better offense with a full year together, TB should have a better idea of what our defense can do. We should have a few players coming off injuries on defense and offense.

The Cap remains an issue, but that's where we see what Mac can do.

11-5 is not hard to see for us... but we will have to dump a few big contracts. Mo for one, Cro is already gone, some of the other deadweight has to step up, or be gone.
We will be fine.

 

We've seen this before Mangini, Rex, and now Bowles having good 1st years. I am reserve judgement for another year or 2. We could be looking at this thread 2 years from now in disgust that we ever thought this way. I like Bowles, but I am not convinced of his greatness after one solid season.

 

Bowles will need at least three years to have his chance, look at Ron Rivera and Pete Carroll it pays to let these guys take their time

 

I count myself as a Bowles supporter, very much so. But there's substance to your point here. Still I count the general concerns about him more as these being cases of learning on the job as a rookie HC. And you are right to point out he generally seemed to be making good halftime adjustments. Fwiw the one I think was most on him from your list was the first one, the Philly game. But I take some comfort that that one was very early in the season, and his first real adversity he faced.

 

Great post bud, just highlighting the thing that really stood out to me.

We saw the best Rex Ryan had to offer in his first 2 years, I hope we haven't seen the best of Bowles yet. I like his attitude and approach to the game. I hope he's only scratching the surface of his potential because having the ability to adjust at half-time is a great coaching component. But I want to see better pre-game preparation, innovation, and of course better decision making.

 

Bowles has the makings of a fine coach, but I worry about a second year let down. Same goes for Fitz when/if he gets his contract. That's something he has to go through and we have to give him that opportunity to make some mistakes. Let's build something and quit being so damn reactionary - How many fire Bowles threads/posts do you think there were last season? I would really like some continuity at HC and GM, and see us develop young talent and an identity instead of making splash signings and changing things every few years. Oh look, Kellen Winslow III is making a comeback - We have nobody at TE - SIGN THIS BEAST!

 

Yes so do I ,He was the coach who didn't have the team prepared to play a win and in game and lost to Rex Ryan twice

 

If billboards somehow prevent them from doing their job then they likely couldn't handle being the coach and GM of a little league team.

 

So how do you plan to do those considering we have a hard salary cap to deal with?

 

Once in a while you make sense.