Pondering Her Percy wrote: ↑Sat Sep 03, 2022 12:02 am
JJBreaksRecords wrote: ↑Thu Sep 01, 2022 11:19 am
Saving a million is the only reason I like this. I was big on watts, and we ended up with one of the worst DL's on any team. He flat out stinks and wont be as good as watts was in a 3-4. Makes no sense, nor did waiving ISM. Looks to me like KAM just wants to get rid of Ricks trash draftees. Still, ISM is going to be a hit on another team. Wont surprise me if he is WR4 or maybe even 3 this season. And Raegnor will be dropping passes and fumbling punts/KR's.
I’m not quite sure why you’re speaking on Blacklock in this scheme as a fact. You haven’t seen a single player on this roster in a 3-4 outside of Zadarius smith and Jordan Hicks. So I’m not sure how you know what Watts’ play would be like in this scheme.
As for ISM and Reagor, Marsette WAS the #4 on this team. And had zero shot passing any of the guys in front of him. He’s now on the bears who have arguably the worst WR group in the nfl. If that guy can’t break the #4 WR in that group, than he really was going nowhere. As for reagor, I said it once and I’ll say it again, his ceiling is much higher than marsettes. It was exactly why reagor was a first round pick. So that alone gives reagor an advantage. Now if KOC can crack that potential, this could be a great move. Either way, reagor is still sitting in a #4 role just like ISM would be. But he might be that much more dynamic if he does get involved.
To be honest, we replaced guys like ISM and Watts with near equivalent guys that have higher ceilings. Will they hit those ceilings, we will see. But it’s funny how you talk like we just traded away Justin Jefferson and Danielle Hunter. We simply recycled what we had with room for a potential breakout. I don’t see anything wrong with either of those trades
So … having done some reading up and catching some podcasts on the guys we acquired, here’s what I’ve learned.
DISCLAIMER: I am NOT, in any way, saying these guys will be either busts or sure things for the Vikings. If anyone accuses me of that, I won’t reply.
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ROSS BLACKLOCK
The first thing to note about Blacklock is that he played in one of those janky 3-3-5 defensive schemes at TCU. He played int the middle on the D-line, and once teams figured out that he was really explosive, they began double- and triple-teaming him on passing downs, which you can do against a 3-man front.
In Houston, he was played as a nose tackle. Yes, he struggled against the run, but at less than 300 pounds, that’s not a surprise. The Vikings believe they can get more out of him playing him as an end in their 3-4, where he won’t face as many double teams, and they’re intrigued by his explosiveness in pass rush situations. Obviously there’s no guarantee any of this will work, but from what I can find, that’s the Vikings’ thinking. And yes, there’s the cap savings.
JALEN REAGOR
Here’s an enigma if there ever was one. The potential is obvious by watching about 10 seconds of his college tape. He’s incredibly explosive, especially after the catch. PFF rated him with the highest athleticism score they had ever given a WR at that time. His official 40 time at the combine was slow, in the 4.4s, but he was laser timed in 4.3 at his pro day. Also, his 10-yard split was off the charts fast — quick acceleration is a trait that KOC covets for his offensive scheme.
But the production — his production has not been great, neither at TCU nor with Philly. That’s a concern. One time, he’ll make an incredible catch in traffic, while another time he’ll get stripped easily. One throw, he looks natural as could be catching the ball, the next one he’ll drop. He’s an enigma.
However, the thing some scouts are saying is that he’s never had an accurate quarterback delivering the ball to him. TCU’s quarterbacks were nothing much, and Jalen Hurts, while a winner, isn’t an accurate passer. Kirk Cousins will be, by far, the most accurate passer he’s ever worked with. Will that translate into production? No way to know.
The fact that he’s an experienced punt returner helps his cause and fills a real need for the Vikings. And it won’t hurt having Adam Thielen and, yes, Justin Jefferson mentoring him. Of course, ISM had those guys helping him, too … probably a big reason he had the good camp he did this year.
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Again, this is NOT A PREDICTIVE ANALYSIS. I am not saying Blacklock and Reagor are locks to be studs or busts. The only way any of us will know is by evaluating what they do now that they’re Vikings. This is just a summation of things I’m reading and hearing. And yes, if you research analysts who cover the Texans and Eagles, they trash both guys. I’m not particularly interested in the frustrations of Eagles and Texans fans, nor am I trying to predict what they’ll do with Minnesota. I’m just trying to understand the thinking behind KAM and KOC in acquiring them.
Hope this is of some help.