EC34 Posted March 10 Report Share Posted March 10 Here were the general principles I thought the team should follow: A few principles that I would hope we follow: - Boring (build from the lines out - which suggests a C/G on offense (if Zeitler doesn't resign), DE/DT & Edge on defense. - Don't overpay for marginally better WR talent in free agency. - Don't create holes that can't be filled in free agency or through the draft (for instance, back up QB). - Lean into the strengths of the draft class (quality mid rounders at DE/Edge, DB, LB, WR) while structuring free agency to solve other issues. - If a true blue chip/All Pro talent is available in either the draft or free agency - take the player/buy the player. For instance, Love and Linderbaum. Other than Jeff/Peter, Titans don't have true blue chippers on the roster. Adding a few, even at secondary import positions, makes this team far more dangerous. I wish I had said: - Sign guys that you know and that you know can work in the new system. (the theme of yesterday's signings) - Stay young. Sign guys who still have upside potential. - Sign smart. Largely two-year deals with relatively painless to get out of 3rd/4th year options. If I had said that, this is how I would evaluate Day 1. OL: (D) We signed back-up depth in Schlottman and Volson. We still have the Cushenbury/Levin hole. Not a great draft for C's, so we didn't exactly lean in here to the vet opportunity. A few guys with name recognition still available (Parham, GB Center), but at this moment, hoping for more. DE/DT: (A-) Massive overpay on Franklin-Myers, and a bit of an older player, but he has the juice and is exactly what we needed next to Big Jeff. Excited about Jermaine Johnson on the edge, a guy who Saleh knows well. I'm far more of a Femi still can be the guy than not, but I think the draft will bring at least one DE/Edge - though I don't think it's mandatory at the 4th pick in round 1. WR: (B+). I like Wan'dale. Had him on a fantasy team this past season so I watched him a ton. If we keep Ridley, we have two WR 2s. Not particularly concerned that he is primarily a slot guy or that he isn't a redzone target. He is a helluva sticks mover and provides YAC opportunity. Given the current salary cap in the NFL, I think he was paid about right. My hope is that he becomes Nate Washington-like. I still think WR is a real possibility in round 2, preferably a bigger body guy to compete for the X. Unless we do something crazy on day 2, I would hold on to Ridley. QB: (B) We solved the back up issue with Trubisky. Knows the system. Won't steal practice reps from Cam. Won't create competitive anxiety. Allows us to move Will for a day 3 pick. FUnny if he ends up in Miami backing up Malik. DB: (B+) The room needed a complete rebuild and it got it. Taylor, Flott, Williams along with Harris and two draft DBs feels like it has a fighting chance to be good. As for the rest. I think Bellinger was the right replacement to Chig. Surprised that we couldn't get either Chig or Zeitler under contract. Hope that Zeitler can be resigned but that C/G position feels like it really needs help unless team is convinced that Slater is ready to take a starting position. Curious to see what happens with Hekker and Slye. Punters got some cash yesterday. All in all, I though we had a (B) good first day. I remain convicted in the belief that free agency is a stopgap until you can draft and develop effectively. Thought the team plugged the right holes ... while leaving the powder dry for additional moves on the OL/DE/ILB/S positions. Thrill, airmcnair22, and DCTitan 3 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Justafan Posted March 10 Report Share Posted March 10 You can take big steps using FA to get there. The trick is picking the right guy. It often doesn't work out and teams get themselves in holes overpaying for players who don't move the needle. Generally, guys like Bellinger who fit the system are the guys who end up being value in FA. No matter how you slice it, there is a very good chance not all of these moves will work out. You just have to hope that the GM has a clear vision for building the roster and understands the type of players needed to maximize this scheme and that they actually work out. Some of it is out of your control with injuries and everything else. Still, felt like they got contributors and I think you have to feel better about the team today than you did yesterday. EC34, DCTitan, and IowaOiler 3 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
EC34 Posted March 10 Author Report Share Posted March 10 Titans seemed to mitigate risk yesterday in taking guys that they had direct connections with: Daboll: Robinson, Bellinger, Schlottman, Trubisky, Flott Borgonizi: Williams Saleh: Franklin-Myers, Johnson (trade) Zero doubt that several will still bust. But the approach seemingly emphasized familiarity over film. In some ways, it was an extension of draft and develop (allowing that other teams drafted, but your staff has been involved in development). We still have cap room not to be done. Yesterday was fun. Hope there is still some gas left in the tank. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
socaljake Posted March 10 Report Share Posted March 10 18 minutes ago, Justafan said: You can take big steps using FA to get there. The trick is picking the right guy. It often doesn't work out and teams get themselves in holes overpaying for players who don't move the needle. Generally, guys like Bellinger who fit the system are the guys who end up being value in FA. No matter how you slice it, there is a very good chance not all of these moves will work out. You just have to hope that the GM has a clear vision for building the roster and understands the type of players needed to maximize this scheme and that they actually work out. Some of it is out of your control with injuries and everything else. Still, felt like they got contributors and I think you have to feel better about the team today than you did yesterday. I'm curious what the actual hit rate is across the league. Look how many guys get cut after a few years. Definitely not all guys will hit especially with how many they signed. It's more about the vision and thought process. Justafan 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
socaljake Posted March 10 Report Share Posted March 10 5 minutes ago, EC34 said: Titans seemed to mitigate risk yesterday in taking guys that they had direct connections with: Daboll: Robinson, Bellinger, Schlottman, Trubisky, Flott Borgonizi: Williams Saleh: Franklin-Myers, Johnson (trade) This was a common Parcells strategy. It mitigates risk since you already have familiarity with these players, know what type of locker room guy they are, how they'll fit in the scheme, etc It also makes it easier to deduce who is going to keep playing for you once they get paid. Some guys work hard and play great......................until they get paid (Sneed). Then they go in the tank. Face, and Justafan 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
airmcnair22 Posted March 10 Report Share Posted March 10 (edited) I’m still concerned about Center and RG (if they can’t bring back Zeitler). Keeping Ward from getting demolished is priority 1 and we’re still iffy on what protection looks like for now. I understand it’s only day 1 and they have plenty of time to add help here Edited March 10 by airmcnair22 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
AvgJoe Posted March 10 Report Share Posted March 10 The biggest addition yesterday without question is JFM. But adding those two CB’s will drastically improve the defense Starkiller, and OILERMAN 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Justafan Posted March 10 Report Share Posted March 10 1 hour ago, socaltitan said: I'm curious what the actual hit rate is across the league. Look how many guys get cut after a few years. Definitely not all guys will hit especially with how many they signed. It's more about the vision and thought process. If you find it, let me know. I would be curious as well. Don't know that I've seen that quantified anywhere. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Face Posted March 10 Report Share Posted March 10 2 hours ago, socaltitan said: This was a common Parcells strategy. It mitigates risk since you already have familiarity with these players, know what type of locker room guy they are, how they'll fit in the scheme, etc It also makes it easier to deduce who is going to keep playing for you once they get paid. Some guys work hard and play great......................until they get paid (Sneed). Then they go in the tank. IMO the best coach in NFL history at transforming organizations. He was really also the de facto GM & that’s exactly what he would do, great point. It was a while ago but do you remember Jason Ferguson, the NT? He literally took him wherever he went, he’d be a way under the radar guy, and always produced. Towards the end of his career Saban, who was close to Parcells & BB brought him to Miami with him. There was a reason everybody knew JFM was coming here for example. SleepingTitan, and Justafan 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bongo59 Posted March 10 Report Share Posted March 10 Best moves were the DT and two CBs Everything else I do not like at all. Wasted a lot of cap on garbage. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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