Monday Practice; Flynn is Back, Jackson is Hurt, and Who Will Start

yes, it would be a horrible idea to move driver for Marshall. I have no problem with his skills, or his wanting a new contract. I have more a problem that he’s one more pop of the wife away from a 4 game suspension.

Why Hawk Starts. 5th overall pick. This is his last shot, so unless he gets un-fat, I don’t see him sticking around as the starter much longer.

I really hope that they do rotate the LB’s (especially the MLBs) as much as is feasible. I hope that Bishop plays on most running downs.

Hawk’s play last year was drastically impacted by injuries he played through, so throw that out the window. Players just don’t drop off a cliff 3 years before they hit their prime. Everyone playing hurt throughout the course of the season would be much better off in the eyes of the fans by just admitting they’re doing just that, but that flies in the face of the tough-guy, expose-your-weakness mentality of the NFL.

Sure, Hawk is slightly worse against the pass than Chillar and not as stout in the run as Bishop. But he’s still better against the run than Chillar, and much better agasint the pass than Bishop and is the most complete LB of the 3. The effectiveness of this defense is predicated on disciplined play, something Winston Moss thinks he offers in spades. It’s no coincidence Chillar has been able to rack up the stats he has so far with Hawk clearing the way for him with the pre-designed kamikaze action of Capers scheme.

We still don’t know about Bishop. He’s blown up back-ups all camp, but has been shown to be an utter liability in the passing game when it counts. His performance in pre-season and training camp so far hasn’t changed my perception of him. This next game against Tennessee will help though. Jeff Fisher always uses this as his Late Summer Super Bowl, so Bishop and the back-ups will get plenty of chances to go against better competition. That will be a more accurate assessment of his progress.

And for all we know Hawk could be just as flashy as Bishop going against other teams back-ups, but we’d still downgrade him because as the 5th over-all pick, he’s supposed to do that. As a high draft pick, he’s just never been given the opportunity. With other playmakers like Jenkins, Woodson, Collins, Barnett, Kampman, etc on the defense, the solid and consistent play Hawk has displayed in a starting role the past will more than do.

I don’t see the donkeys making the trade for DD and Lee. They already have an up and coming TE in Scheffler. Lee would not really interest them tthat much, IMO…That and Drivers advancing age, make that particular trade extremely unlikely.

Any trade on the Packers part would have to include a new contract, that includes a very harsh behavioral clause on Marshall! Thompson would never trade for him w/o that being in place prior to the trade. ANd the trade agreement would have to have a bitter pill for Denver to swallow should he have any more issues!

Just don’t see any way the trade happens… None!

Bishop has been excellent in passing situations. He has two interceptions while dropping back into coverage, and the second one was a beautiful diving interception against the grain in front of the receiver. Additionally, he’s been the best blitzing linebacker. I’d love to see him on the field on passing downs if MM won’t get him on the field in running situations.

Anthony Smith should move ahead of Bigby. Smith has made two heads up picks. Against Cleveland, Smith dropped into zone into the end zone. Rather than simply stare at the quarterback like most safeties do, he glanced to his left and saw Brandon Edwards running along the end zone back line. Smith immediately began moving to his right and picked off the pass intended for Edwards. In the Arizona game, Packer LBs constantly were matched one-on-one with the slot receiver and were beaten often. On one play, the Cardinal receiver had Chillar beat for a long gain until Smith swooped in front of the receiver for the pick. Smith has 3-4 experience from Pittsburgh and should move into the starting role.

MM will never trade Lee. Have two starting TEs creates so many problems for the defense. MM will not give up Lee.

Kuhn and Johnson will make the squad as fullbacks. Kuhn is too good on special teams. Johnson has a big upside, and MM won’t have drafted Johnson if he was happy with Kuhn and Hall.

…and MM won’t have drafted Johnson if he was happy with Kuhn and Hall.

MM didn’t.
TT did.