$35.5M in cap space

[Krangodnzr]

When you say "One of them" you mean Christian Wilkins? He was the only "Big John" DT available in FA.

Maybe they did target him but didn't want to pay $27.5m a year to a guy that averaged less than 3 sacks a year in his 1st 4 years before having one great season with 9 sacks last year?

I wanted Wilkins but this is all true. He had a huge season, but the rest of his career he's just been a really good run stuffer.

 

[BritCard]

I wanted Wilkins but this is all true. He had a huge season, but the rest of his career he's just been a really good run stuffer.

Yup, I was interested in Wilkins at like $20m APY. $27.5m is a stretch and one the Cards aren't in a position to make. It's one the Raiders aren't in a position to make either.

Would anyone be surprised if Wilkins had an average season with about 4 sacks?

 

[BullheadCardFan]

Would anyone be surprised if Wilkins had an average season with about 4 sacks?

No and I would like to revisit this at the end of the season to see if we were correct

 

[phillycard]

That is history. You can't live in the past. I don't see any of the rookie CBs making a serious impact this year.

Yes we have competition at LG but we said that last year.

We had the fourth best rushing attack because of Conner not the OL. He was third in the league for yards after contact. I saw a stat during the season where he had the least amount of yards before contact.

Yes, it is better than last year but still not good.


I hope you are right. The preseason is always full of hope. Everyone has a plan until they get punched in the mouth.

GC, my Lord, why so negative? Literally everything you said is based on conjecture and to not give the OL ANY credit is insane. JC has always been a physical runner and contact is part of the position so it's a combo of the two. As the season waned, Carter and Demarcado had some nice holes created for them when they got their chances and I'll give credence to cohesion along the front. You're certainly entitled to your outlook on the season, but I refuse to take a Deb Downer viewpoint when we've not even hit training camp.

 

[Krangodnzr]

That is history. You can't live in the past. I don't see any of the rookie CBs making a serious impact this year.

Yes we have competition at LG but we said that last year.

We had the fourth best rushing attack because of Conner not the OL. He was third in the league for yards after contact. I saw a stat during the season where he had the least amount of yards before contact.

Yes, it is better than last year but still not good.


I hope you are right. The preseason is always full of hope. Everyone has a plan until they get punched in the mouth.

Eh I love Conner, but Conner is one of the single slowest RBs who gets a lot of carries that I've ever seen.

There were countless times last year that Conner was really slow to get to the hole and had to muscle yards that other RBs would have easily gotten because they have more speed.

 

[dreamcastrocks]

Eh I love Conner, but Conner is one of the single slowest RBs who gets a lot of carries that I've ever seen.

There were countless times last year that Conner was really slow to get to the hole and had to muscle yards that other RBs would have easily gotten because they have more speed.

He doesn't have breakaway speed, but he also led the league in rushes 20+ yards. It is a weird statistic, one that points to the a lot of the credit going to the Line.

 

[Krangodnzr]

He doesn't have breakaway speed, but he also led the league in rushes 20+ yards. It is a weird statistic, one that points to the a lot of the credit going to the Line.

Because Conner is a problem for DB in the open field. He usually doesn't go down with just one tackler.

If Conner had average speed, he'd be a superstar.

 

[Mainstreet]

Because Conner is a problem for DB in the open field. He usually doesn't go down with just one tackler.

If Conner had average speed, he'd be a superstar.

Connor can shift it into another gear once he has an opening. Some players have that ability and he is one of them.

 

[Redsz]

He doesn't have breakaway speed, but he also led the league in rushes 20+ yards. It is a weird statistic, one that points to the a lot of the credit going to the Line.

This is true. Micheal Carter certainly showed it with less carries. But just to be clear, I am a big fan of Conner. Dude is a leader and tough as nails.

 

[Chopper0080]

Yet again, Chopper is right.

2024 year of the Chopper

Sweet, sweet music to my ears.

 

[Krangodnzr]

I can. They always rave about him. What we call an awesome year is very different to what the team does. They like Zaven because he can do a lot of things for them and do them at a decent level. He was actually the highest graded defensive player last year per PFF with a 72.1 grade.

It's just that one of the things he can't do (so far) is win a pass rush against a tackle 1 v 1.

Even if he has a year like last year without a great pass rush performance I can see him signing a 1 year $5m deal or similar. I think he likes it here and they like him.

That's what I've heard about Zaven is that he is a good overall defender but he has no pass rush moves whatsoever.

 

[Stout]

That's what I've heard about Zaven is that he is a good overall defender but he has no pass rush moves whatsoever.

Then he can't be an edge. What is his position, then?

 

[SECTION 11]

Then he can't be an edge. What is his position, then?

Odge.

 

[Chopper0080]

Then he can't be an edge. What is his position, then?

30%-40% rotation EDGE player.

 

[Stout]

An edge with zero pass rush moves. Just what this defense needs.

There should be no debate about re-signing him. An edge that can't rush the passer is about as useful as a water bucket with a hole in it, to put it kinder than usual.

 

[Chopper0080]

An edge with zero pass rush moves. Just what this defense needs.

There should be no debate about re-signing him. An edge that can't rush the passer is about as useful as a water bucket with a hole in it, to put it kinder than usual.

It's all about the % of snaps per game.

 

[oaken1]

An edge with zero pass rush moves. Just what this defense needs.

There should be no debate about re-signing him. An edge that can't rush the passer is about as useful as a water bucket with a hole in it, to put it kinder than usual.

Yeah because we never need a guy to "set the edge" against the running game on early downs... downs where a pass rush specialist is just wasted

 

[Stout]

Yeah because we never need a guy to "set the edge" against the running game on early downs... downs where a pass rush specialist is just wasted

I see what you're saying. Guys that can set the edge against the run are a dime a dozen. Will he take a cheapo contract to stay? Like, a JAG contract? If not, he'll be easily replaceable.

 

[Stout]

It's all about the % of snaps per game.

I'd rather bring in a young player with potential than waste $$$ on him. Or sign a JAG for less money that can easily do what he does.

 

[oaken1]

I see what you're saying. Guys that can set the edge against the run are a dime a dozen. Will he take a cheapo contract to stay? Like, a JAG contract? If not, he'll be easily replaceable.

I dunno.. have to wait and see. But what's cheapo?? Other than pass rush he is a solid defender..decent against the run and in coverage...and he is still learning pass rushing...
7 to 8mil a year??

I'm pretty certain he won't accept 2mil... but I'm also certain I don't want to pay him 12mil...

We need guys like him so guys like gardeck only have to be on the field in passing situations

 

[BACH]

Then he can't be an edge. What is his position, then?

Base defense OLB with Robinson on the DE. In pass situation replaced with BJ with Robinson sliding inside and Gerdeck on DE

 

[BritCard]

I'd rather bring in a young player with potential than waste $$$ on him. Or sign a JAG for less money that can easily do what he does.

Plenty of players have made careers in the NFL playing like Zaven. Guys like Samson Ebukam who'd been a career 50% snap guy and 4 sacks. Until last year, in his 7th year, he had 9 sacks.

Guys like Brandon Graham have had 14 years in the league averaging just over 5 sacks. Or Derreck Barnett who averages less than 4 sacks a year over 7 years.

Barnett got 2 years at $7m APY in 2022 in a similar role to Zaven.

Got to give him a break too. He was dropped into a new position just last year while also having to learn a new scheme. I'm actually optimistic for him this year. I think he might surprise.

 

[Garthshort]

Any chance we extend a player before the end of OTA's?

 

[QuebecCard]

Any chance we extend a player before the end of OTA's?

Monti here. Thank you for the question.

There is and isn't a chance we extend a player before the end of OTAs.

I hope this is helpful, and thank you for your support.

 

[HairZach]

Plenty of players have made careers in the NFL playing like Zaven. Guys like Samson Ebukam who'd been a career 50% snap guy and 4 sacks. Until last year, in his 7th year, he had 9 sacks.

Guys like Brandon Graham have had 14 years in the league averaging just over 5 sacks. Or Derreck Barnett who averages less than 4 sacks a year over 7 years.

Barnett got 2 years at $7m APY in 2022 in a similar role to Zaven.

Got to give him a break too. He was dropped into a new position just last year while also having to learn a new scheme. I'm actually optimistic for him this year. I think he might surprise.

PFF loved Zaven last year. If our upgraded DTs are able to be more disruptive than they were last year I think our Edges will have a much easier time getting to the QBs.