Fins stud n dud

[OldSchool101]

The other thing I’d offer is we turn the ball over quite a bit over the first 10 games or so. Thankfully the last couple games were better. We are now a respectable #20 in giving other teams help. Not good but not terrible. Many of our mistakes on Offense led to easier points or less than ideal field position for our Defense. The D gets credit for a Pick6 or short field and I don’t think that’s fair. I remember a few games our opponent average starting position was just on either side of the 50 yard line. You can’t Win games like that unless you are the middle 1980s Bears D

As the O gets more efficient and time traverses in a 4-3. I expect to see more discipline and continuity on D and slightly more stingy feel. I want a good CB in FA like we did with Xavier. Then a great interior DL or DE that can wreck things. I’m fine with another LB after RD2.

 

[gopkrs]

I’ll just offer that we haven’t talked about Hopper. The Packers were thick at LB when they grabbed a 2nd one on Rd3. Make no mistake though Brian expects Hopper to start one day. It’s just normal flow to earn your snaps by starting on Teams first.

I would not be surprised if Hopper needed to get stronger. He needs to be strong the way he plays or he'll get hurt. I'm anxious to see him play. But if last game is an example; our linebackers are looking good imho. I'm referring to McDuffie and Q. I hope they keep it up. I don't really have the same attitude as others about Wilson. The word that describes him for me is serviceable. The D line seems to be coming together also. Probably better for both that Preston is on another team. And I don't know if we used Clark differently last game, but he looked like he was getting after it.

 

[Poppa San]

Nothing better than a turkey leg baked correctly on Thanksgiving or Christmas

Au contraire. Nothing wrong with that smothered in gravy with mashed potatoes. But lobster, prime rib, honey cured ham, the occasional perfect grilled hamburger with the fixins top that. Actually my "death row last supper" would be a 4lbs chuck roast that is 1/3 fat slow cooked for 6 hours with cubed russet potatoes, diced celery, and sliced carrots. Juice turned into a thin gravy. Sunday dinner growing up. Even now a 2lbs roast doesn't leave many leftovers.

 

[gopkrs]

Au contraire. Nothing wrong with that smothered in gravy with mashed potatoes. But lobster, prime rib, honey cured ham, the occasional perfect grilled hamburger with the fixins top that. Actually my "death row last supper" would be a 4lbs chuck roast that is 1/3 fat slow cooked for 6 hours with cubed russet potatoes, diced celery, and sliced carrots. Juice turned into a thin gravy. Sunday dinner growing up. Even now a 2lbs roast doesn't leave many leftovers.

Death row ... OK. But Thanksgiving and Christmas is traditional for me. At least I wish it were.

 

[OldSchool101]

I would not be surprised if Hopper needed to get stronger. He needs to be strong the way he plays or he'll get hurt. I'm anxious to see him play. But if last game is an example; our linebackers are looking good imho. I'm referring to McDuffie and Q. I hope they keep it up. I don't really have the same attitude as others about Wilson. The word that describes him for me is serviceable. The D line seems to be coming together also. Probably better for both that Preston is on another team. And I don't know if we used Clark differently last game, but he looked like he was getting after it.

Eric Wilson is not a world beater, but he offers wealth of experience in a young Defense. He’s has a PFF grade of 74.6 for the 2024 season.
An average NFL LB hovers around ~60 grade +- 60-65 grading would be “serviceable. 70 grading would be a + Starter.
Wilson’s 75 grade is very good. An ~80 grade would get chatter about a Probowl Alternate as a comparison.

What I love about him is he’s consistent and well rounded. He can cover, he can tackle, he can blitz, he can play Teams at a high level. The first play he had in GB was a blocked Punt. He hustles. I’m not embarrassed to say I was a proponent of his when we signed him. He has 1 year in MN that should’ve gotten a Probowl invite. As far as $$ hes FAR exceed $1.4Mil. If we could clone Wilson I’d sign 3-4 more of him. You can’t sign enough guys that far exceed their contract earnings.

 

[Pugger]

Good to see Matt is as PO'd about the defensive offsides penalties as I am.

It's one thing to jump offsides, I can understand that happening once in awhile, but still shouldn't happen too often.

However, lining up off sides? Just stupid, lazy and really not paying attention to basic football. Whether I am at the game or sitting at home watching, I see various guys lined up offsides way too often. Wouldn't surprise me if Dolphins HC Mike McDaniel made the officials aware of it prior to the game.

Gotta clean up those stupid boneheaded mistakes!

MSN

I'm sorry but lining up offsides is unforgivable IMO. And doing it TWICE? Good lord...

 

[longtimefan]

I don't want my turkey to taste like chicken. I want it to taste like .. well .. prime rib.

Beef can't taste like chicken for most part

 

[OldSchool101]

I'm sorry but lining up offsides is unforgivable IMO. And doing it TWICE? Good lord...

I agree.

Against 49ers:
Van Ness Offsides
Kenny had a Neutral Zone infraction

This week against Miami:
Rashan Gary Offsides
TJ Slaton had a Neutral zone
Enagbare had an offsides
Wyatt had Encroachment

It actually got 2X as bad. That tells me they didn’t address it. Granted it was on a short week. Next week they’ll have zero excuses.

Let me just offer something about Detroit in particular. Most every game I watch they get someone to jump. Goff uses cadence almost as good as Rodgers. Sometimes his own guys jump, mostly it’s Detroits’ opponents. It’s like a bunch of frogs out there minus the belching. After working on it this week I’d buy some Rubber Fake Frogs. First guy that jumps in Detroit? has to carry that damn Frog around until the next guy Frogs. If it gets bad we go week to week and everyone on D will be carrying a frog around until it stops belching and we go Frog Free for an entire game. I’ll get them to stop Frogging trust me here I’ve got some next level stuff if that doesn’t work.

 

[Thirteen Below]

Something I've never understood is why turkey manufacturing companies don't market small turkeys. Not everyone wants or needs a 14-lb bird.

I do all the cooking, and my wife has several genetic mitochondrial disorders that mean she basically can't eat most spices and seasonings without massive migraines and other neurological reactions - and I spice and season the hell out of everything.

So it just makes almost zero sense for me to buy a turkey so large I can barely fit the damned thing into the oven.

But - if turkey companies sold little bitty tiny turkeys, like the size of chickens (I dunno, 3 or 4 pounds or so, or whatever roasted chickens weigh), I'd grab one up every week or two. I love dead turkeys, I can eat 'em every day. Very healthy and al that. I'm just not going to go to all the trouble of cooking 4-6 weeks worth of turkey at a time, then breaking it down and freezing the packages and cleaning up the big roaster.

But there must be some point in the progression of a baby turkey all the way up to a huge, dinosaur turkey where it's a smaller and more marketable creature. Seems to me there should be a market there somewhere.

 

[Heyjoe4]

Need to keep Clark's contract in mind when shopping. (Forgive me if these don't line up correctly)

Year Cap hit Dead cap
2025 20+ 26+
2026 31+ 17+
2027 27+ 7+

You're correct and I completely forgot that Clark just got an extension. The other guys on the DL are fairly young and promising. Gotta wonder if Clark, and a few other guys like Gary, have just been slow to adapt to Hafley's 4-3. I'd say yes, certainly for the first month. But I'd expect an adjustment number now, for what that's worth.

The DL has played better the last couple of games. Gary has been playing better and even LVN is getting involved. And if Gluten is gonna spend money in FA again, I'd rather he focus on the CB group.

 

[tynimiller]

You're correct and I completely forgot that Clark just got an extension. The other guys on the DL are fairly young and promising. Gotta wonder if Clark, and a few other guys like Gary, have just been slow to adapt to Hafley's 4-3. I'd say yes, certainly for the first month. But I'd expect an adjustment number now, for what that's worth.

The DL has played better the last couple of games. Gary has been playing better and even LVN is getting involved. And if Gluten is gonna spend money in FA again, I'd rather he focus on the CB group.

I also think we've just grown so accustomed to Kenny's consistently high level production that a normal ebb and flow of your typical NFL biggun isn't something we've experienced with him much. He's still this year despite putting up numbers constantly getting doubled and at times even a triple hand check quick on snaps - its' impressive how targeted he is right now by other teams still despite it seeming he's down some this year.

 

[Heyjoe4]

I agree.

Against 49ers:
Van Ness Offsides
Kenny had a Neutral Zone infraction

This week against Miami:
Rashan Gary Offsides
TJ Slaton had a Neutral zone
Enagbare had an offsides
Wyatt had Encroachment

It actually got 2X as bad. That tells me they didn’t address it. Granted it was on a short week. Next week they’ll have zero excuses.

Let me just offer something about Detroit in particular. Most every game I watch they get someone to jump. Goff uses cadence almost as good as Rodgers. Sometimes his own guys jump, mostly it’s Detroits’ opponents. It’s like a bunch of frogs out there minus the belching. After working on it this week I’d buy some Rubber Fake Frogs. First guy that jumps in Detroit? has to carry that damn Frog around until the next guy Frogs. If it gets bad we go week to week and everyone on D will be carrying a frog around until it stops belching and we go Frog Free for an entire game. I’ll get them to stop Frogging trust me here I’ve got some next level stuff if that doesn’t work.

Thanks for the summary. That's a lot of penalties I could maybe live with in September, but now? And lining up offsides or in the neutral zone or whatever they call it is unacceptable. A good QB will spot that and take a free play.

Overall they have cleaned up penalties the last two games, the pass rush has gotten better, the run
D has been very good, and the CBs have played pretty well without JA. So in fairness they've cleaned up stuff I was complaining about not too long ago. The team overall is starting to play like it's December because, well it is......

 

[Pugger]

Something I've never understood is why turkey manufacturing companies don't market small turkeys. Not everyone wants or needs a 14-lb bird.

I do all the cooking, and my wife has several genetic mitochondrial disorders that mean she basically can't eat most spices and seasonings without massive migraines and other neurological reactions - and I spice and season the hell out of everything.

So it just makes almost zero sense for me to buy a turkey so large I can barely fit the damned thing into the oven.

But - if turkey companies sold little bitty tiny turkeys, like the size of chickens (I dunno, 3 or 4 pounds or so, or whatever roasted chickens weigh), I'd grab one up every week or two. I love dead turkeys, I can eat 'em every day. Very healthy and al that. I'm just not going to go to all the trouble of cooking 4-6 weeks worth of turkey at a time, then breaking it down and freezing the packages and cleaning up the big roaster.

But there must be some point in the progression of a baby turkey all the way up to a huge, dinosaur turkey where it's a smaller and more marketable creature. Seems to me there should be a market there somewhere.

I don't get a whole bird because there is just the 2 of us. I get turkey tenderloins and season them myself. They cook great in a slow cooker and come out moist. Love it.

 

[Heyjoe4]

I don't get a whole bird because there is just the 2 of us. I get turkey tenderloins and season them myself. They cook great in a slow cooker and come out moist. Love it.

Yeah and you can buy uncooked turkey breast, just one, and it's great for two to four people. It's a lot easier.

As to why smaller turkeys aren't sold - no idea why......

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

Next week they’ll have zero excuses.

They ran out of excuses for lining up offsides when they signed an NFL contract. That is about as basic as it gets.

I get the occasional jumping offsides due to QB cadence, slight head or body twitch by the opponent, etc. but if you do it too often, your coaches better tell you to watch the ball and DO NOT move until you see it snapped.

 

[OldSchool101]

Thanks for the summary. That's a lot of penalties I could maybe live with in September, but now? And lining up offsides or in the neutral zone or whatever they call it is unacceptable. A good QB will spot that and take a free play.

Overall they have cleaned up penalties the last two games, the pass rush has gotten better, the run
D has been very good, and the CBs have played pretty well without JA. So in fairness they've cleaned up stuff I was complaining about not too long ago. The team overall is starting to play like it's December because, well it is......

Yeah. I’m always being tough on our guys for flags, but it’s because I believe in them. I actually believe if we could run clean (call it 0-2 flags or 0-20 yards) it would help us immensely. Like you said, it’s too late in the season to see the same repeating mistakes. It’s hard to have more than about 5 flags without repeating the same mistakes.
Matt did say they’ve got a Referee at practice. I’ll Be watching closely this Thursday to see if we Run clean at DL because it was brought to his attention and it’ll be a point of emphasis.

 

[mradtke66]

Something I've never understood is why turkey manufacturing companies don't market small turkeys. Not everyone wants or needs a 14-lb bird.

My understanding is there is a minimum viable weight to purchase turkeys at. It's been too long since a small turkey has been viable at our gatherings, but anything smaller than ~10 pounds is a waste of money. The skeleton is always there, so the smaller the bird, the more expensive per pound the usable meat is.

It could be as low as 6 or 8 pounds, but both are smaller than your desired 3-4. I think butterball sells a sub-6 sometimes, but it's again, it's been a long time.

Suggestion: get something in the 8-10 pound range and spatchc0ck it. Cut it in half. Freeze one, cook one.

 

[Poppa San]

Something I've never understood is why turkey manufacturing companies don't market small turkeys. Not everyone wants or needs a 14-lb bird.

They're called chickens. Actually most birds are sold by the same 2 or 3 companies and the marketplace has decided against 5-8 pound turkeys when chickens have that market cornered. As stated, just get the parts you want. Or get pheasant or duck.

 

[Heyjoe4]

Yeah. I’m always being tough on our guys for flags, but it’s because I believe in them. I actually believe if we could run clean (call it 0-2 flags or 0-20 yards) it would help us immensely. Like you said, it’s too late in the season to see the same repeating mistakes. It’s hard to have more than about 5 flags without repeating the same mistakes.
Matt did say they’ve got a Referee at practice. I’ll Be watching closely this Thursday to see if we Run clean at DL because it was brought to his attention and it’ll be a point of emphasis.

The penalty situation has definitely gotten better in the last 2 or 3 games. Even so, lining up off sides by the D is maddening. I get that these players are sometimes rushed into setting up - two-minute drill or a no-huddle offense. But just take a quick Look at your hand relative to the ball, or just the guy next to you. Well, easy for me to say......

A lot of penalties are just unforced errors. They should be minimal by now.

 

[Heyjoe4]

They're called chickens. Actually most birds are sold by the same 2 or 3 companies and the marketplace has decided against 5-8 pound turkeys when chickens have that market cornered. As stated, just get the parts you want. Or get pheasant or duck.

Makes sense. And a smaller turkey is still growing, and will grow a lot bigger. I know calfs are used for veal, but don't think that's apples tp apples. Jesus - apples, turkeys, chicken, duck - I'm getting hungry.

 

[PackerRyche]

They ran out of excuses for lining up offsides when they signed an NFL contract. That is about as basic as it gets.

I get the occasional jumping offsides due to QB cadence, slight head or body twitch by the opponent, etc. but if you do it too often, your coaches better tell you to watch the ball and DO NOT move until you see it snapped.

Agree completely - this has really bugged me over the past few games as well. And while to line up in the neutral zone is always stupid and unnecessary, it also seems to occur in momentum killing scenarios. 3rd and 10 becomes 3rd and 5 or at least once I recall gave away a 1st down.

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

Agree completely - this has really bugged me over the past few games as well. And while to line up in the neutral zone is always stupid and unnecessary, it also seems to occur in momentum killing scenarios. 3rd and 10 becomes 3rd and 5 or at least once I recall gave away a 1st down.

Yup.

I almost feel the same way when offensive players move early. Doing so, tells me that they weren't paying full attention in the huddle. Do these same guys occasionally walk up to the line not knowing the play called as well? If that happens to a player (doesn't know snap count), instead of guessing, he is better off just watching for the ball to be snapped and then moving.

These are the little things that don't seem like much at the time, but they can make or break a drive, on either side of the ball and lead to an opponent scoring or your team not scoring. Which very well could be the difference between a W or an L at the end of the game.

 

[Magooch]

It also makes me wonder...a lot of times for example when a WR goes to check if he's lined up properly, the ref will usually give them the OK. But also sometimes you'll see where the ref is proactively saying, "hey, you're not on, check your spot" or whatever. And in those cases, it's usually not until a player is persistently having to be reminded, toeing the line, etc that they will eventually get flagged for it.

So all that to say, I have to wonder if the same thing isn't happening on the defensive side of the ball. Like, the ref is saying "hey, you're over, back it up" or "check your position" or whatever and the player keeps pushing it before actually calling it for a flag. If that's the case, that's even worse IMO. But I can't say for sure if that's actually going on or not, to be fair. Just thinking out loud...

 

[OldSchool101]

Agree completely - this has really bugged me over the past few games as well. And while to line up in the neutral zone is always stupid and unnecessary, it also seems to occur in momentum killing scenarios. 3rd and 10 becomes 3rd and 5 or at least once I recall gave away a 1st down.

Exactly what I was going to say. Reverberation of Hafley the other day. He specifically mentioned the Miami game where we stopped then on 3rd down. Then the flag gave them a redo and we stopped them again. Coach Haf said in the Detroit game we stopped Detroit for a FG try on 4th n 5, but TJ jumped and gave them 4th n 2.5 and the Lions left the Offense out there and scored 7 points the next play.
Jeff rarely shows negative emotion because he’s a very optimistic guy. But he even admitted that he can’t stand those type flags. The ones like you mentioned in a 3rd or 4th down scenario where you know they are baiting us for free yards.

I think whoever is calling the play on D needs to remind the D in between plays not to move until the ball is out of the Centers’ hands and to recheck neutral position or if in question on neutral zone, backing up a couple inches and make it noticeable for the line judge.

 

[OldSchool101]

Yup.

I almost feel the same way when offensive players move early. Doing so, tells me that they weren't paying full attention in the huddle. Do these same guys occasionally walk up to the line not knowing the play called as well? If that happens to a player (doesn't know snap count), instead of guessing, he is better off just watching for the ball to be snapped and then moving.

These are the little things that don't seem like much at the time, but they can make or break a drive, on either side of the ball and lead to an opponent scoring or your team not scoring. Which very well could be the difference between a W or an L at the end of the game.

It’s essentially what happened with Chicago. During that last drive, anytime that clock stops the QB needs to communicate to his players to hustle to the Line quickly AHEAD OF TIME. Also that getting out of bounds to stop the clock is equivalent to adding 5-10 yards to the end of the play. Unless it’s gets a 1st down or TD?use the sideline.