Aug 22, 2023·edited Aug 22, 2023Liked by Seaside Joe
I think the problem with Darrell Taylor is that he's a LEO, which was what we played when he got drafted. The scheme changes make him a bit odd. However, when a player is fantastic, the scheme changes to accommodate him, and that may happen with DT.
The Football Almanac from the defunct Football Outsiders listed the Eagles as the best team last year before the season, so some smart minds were predicting that. I didn't read their Almanac this year, so I don't know if they're saying we are the best team.
Pete still calls Taylor the best pass rusher of the group. Maybe he's more of a situational player this year. There is going to be playing time for all the edge guys and it's a long season.
I love this part of the season when hope and optimism bloom. This is the most exciting team to watch come together though since 2012. There is hope that *every position group* will be "better" than it was last year--even the TE room. Why the TE room? The role of the TE in this scheme will be much more sharply defined--less swiss army knife and more scalpal, because all of the other weapons available. The need for run support could mean fewer snaps for the guy who does not excel in that area--Fant. Which might mean Fant is *under the radar*!
Loving the "under the radar" guys... I have Radar Love!
*Dunno if this means anything, but…Cliff Avril totaled 10.5 sacks his first two years as a pro (and 13 sacks his first two seasons in Seattle). Darrell Taylor has 16 sacks total in his first two years
* The Eagle defense may not live up to its reputation. The Iggles played against a lot of weak offenses (including the Cooper Rush Cowboys) and got lit up by good ones (Detroit scored 35; Green Bay, 33; the Dak Prescott Cowboys, 40. We all saw what happened in the Super Bowl). It’s a ways off, but maybe we shouldn’t be quick to write off Week 15 in Seattle
* Noah Fant is one of three Seattle tight ends with at least 50 catches in a season (Jimmy Graham and John Carlson each did it twice. Graham is the one Seahawk TE with 60+ catches—65 in 2016). I don’t see any of the TE group as the next Zach Miller, but Pete Carroll would be elated if one of them turned out to be (looks like Joe and I have a different view of Miller)
Of the names mentioned in the article, Parkinson is the one that stands out to me. He just looks like a football player. Loved watching him move across the formation and whack somebody last year. He moves well, and has really taken the blocking part of his job seriously. Nothing physical will limit his game. If he sorts out the mental side of things, especially zone schemes and coverages, man, he could be really good. And he blasts people after making the catch too, which is always fun to watch.
This isn't really that much of a stretch, but I think Abe Lucas turns into a monster this year. They will run to his side a LOT. A Pro-Bowl nod is the floor for him, and I think he could be the best RT in the league within a year or two. Cross better up his game, as I think defensive coordinators will pretty quickly sort out the weak side of the line, and it ain't going to be Abe's.
I agree with you about Fant. It is hard to explain why he is just not clicking yet. All I know is, I get a lot more excited to see Dissly or Parkinson catch a pass right now.
Nicely done SS. Love the outlook and positivity.
Think it will be Fant that emerges, but we shall see.
Adams would be GREAT for a breakout.
All I have time for- gotta run, loved the article!
I think the problem with Darrell Taylor is that he's a LEO, which was what we played when he got drafted. The scheme changes make him a bit odd. However, when a player is fantastic, the scheme changes to accommodate him, and that may happen with DT.
The Football Almanac from the defunct Football Outsiders listed the Eagles as the best team last year before the season, so some smart minds were predicting that. I didn't read their Almanac this year, so I don't know if they're saying we are the best team.
Pete still calls Taylor the best pass rusher of the group. Maybe he's more of a situational player this year. There is going to be playing time for all the edge guys and it's a long season.
I love this part of the season when hope and optimism bloom. This is the most exciting team to watch come together though since 2012. There is hope that *every position group* will be "better" than it was last year--even the TE room. Why the TE room? The role of the TE in this scheme will be much more sharply defined--less swiss army knife and more scalpal, because all of the other weapons available. The need for run support could mean fewer snaps for the guy who does not excel in that area--Fant. Which might mean Fant is *under the radar*!
Loving the "under the radar" guys... I have Radar Love!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aRlSHG5hRY4
*Dunno if this means anything, but…Cliff Avril totaled 10.5 sacks his first two years as a pro (and 13 sacks his first two seasons in Seattle). Darrell Taylor has 16 sacks total in his first two years
* The Eagle defense may not live up to its reputation. The Iggles played against a lot of weak offenses (including the Cooper Rush Cowboys) and got lit up by good ones (Detroit scored 35; Green Bay, 33; the Dak Prescott Cowboys, 40. We all saw what happened in the Super Bowl). It’s a ways off, but maybe we shouldn’t be quick to write off Week 15 in Seattle
* Noah Fant is one of three Seattle tight ends with at least 50 catches in a season (Jimmy Graham and John Carlson each did it twice. Graham is the one Seahawk TE with 60+ catches—65 in 2016). I don’t see any of the TE group as the next Zach Miller, but Pete Carroll would be elated if one of them turned out to be (looks like Joe and I have a different view of Miller)
* Former Rice University Owl* Myles Adams was once identified as the UDFA most likely to make the Carolina Panthers: https://catcrave.com/2020/04/28/carolina-panthers-myles-adams-best-chance/
My kids’ schools’ mascot was the Owls. The school cheer was “Hey hey hey, nocturnal birds of prey!”
Of the names mentioned in the article, Parkinson is the one that stands out to me. He just looks like a football player. Loved watching him move across the formation and whack somebody last year. He moves well, and has really taken the blocking part of his job seriously. Nothing physical will limit his game. If he sorts out the mental side of things, especially zone schemes and coverages, man, he could be really good. And he blasts people after making the catch too, which is always fun to watch.
This isn't really that much of a stretch, but I think Abe Lucas turns into a monster this year. They will run to his side a LOT. A Pro-Bowl nod is the floor for him, and I think he could be the best RT in the league within a year or two. Cross better up his game, as I think defensive coordinators will pretty quickly sort out the weak side of the line, and it ain't going to be Abe's.
I agree with you about Fant. It is hard to explain why he is just not clicking yet. All I know is, I get a lot more excited to see Dissly or Parkinson catch a pass right now.
Thanks for the late post, bubba. I had several really important things to do before bed. I'm reading THIS instead.
Same Same
Got lots I SHOULD do before bed,but hitching a ride on the S.S. Joe seems like a lot more fun.