There's very little insight into what the team is trying to do. So let's speculate based on zero information.
Gettleman was a mixed bag of comments. In one sentence he acknowledges that his job is to win, then next that it's his job to safeguard the long-term view of the franchise.
He establishes that the OL is a problem and must be fixed. No idea if Norwell was a real target or not.
Suggested Eli has years left, but concedes he has to go back and watch the games again.
Where's this boat headed?
agreed.
(1) Mara wants Eli's farewell tour to be memorable to make up for the fiasco he helped create last year. Or...
(2) They truly want to gear up for a big run these next two years because they actually believe there is enough left in Eli's tank.
I think it's both, but more weight on #2. So this is a fluid process and we need to see what continues to transpire in the free agency and the draft.
He should be a productive player through the length of his deal.
So, that move doesn't tell me they're trying to win now rather than plan for the future - it kind of satisfies both criterion.
(1) Mara wants Eli's farewell tour to be memorable to make up for the fiasco he helped create last year. Or...
(2) They truly want to gear up for a big run these next two years because they actually believe there is enough left in Eli's tank.
I think it's both, but more weight on #2. So this is a fluid process and we need to see what continues to transpire in the free agency and the draft.
Roster building around a 37 year old QB in serious decline is a fireable offense.
Quote:
by committing to Eli. Which, to me, suggested one of two things:
(1) Mara wants Eli's farewell tour to be memorable to make up for the fiasco he helped create last year. Or...
(2) They truly want to gear up for a big run these next two years because they actually believe there is enough left in Eli's tank.
I think it's both, but more weight on #2. So this is a fluid process and we need to see what continues to transpire in the free agency and the draft.
Roster building around a 37 year old QB in serious decline is a fireable offense.
Serious decline? Didn't you see that Eagles game last year?
Quote:
In comment 13862160 bw in dc said:
Quote:
by committing to Eli. Which, to me, suggested one of two things:
(1) Mara wants Eli's farewell tour to be memorable to make up for the fiasco he helped create last year. Or...
(2) They truly want to gear up for a big run these next two years because they actually believe there is enough left in Eli's tank.
I think it's both, but more weight on #2. So this is a fluid process and we need to see what continues to transpire in the free agency and the draft.
Roster building around a 37 year old QB in serious decline is a fireable offense.
Serious decline? Didn't you see that Eagles game last year?
I hope you’re being sarcastic.
Intent may not be to hit the reset button on a full rebuild, and with current roster composition they might have no choice but to plug holes, hit the draft, and play the 2018 season.
Full reset, rebuild from scratch isn't happening now.
But, to expect to plug holes and make a run behind Eli does not compute any longer, that's sentimentality given the Eli I've watched the past three seasons along with the current roster with some upgrades.
Because whether we agree with it or not, I think they want Eli to be the transition guy for the next QB.
My guess is that we do draft a QB, and that Eli continues starting for a bit - possibly all of next season.
I think they want the next guy to have some time to learn from the sidelines before he gets thrown into action.
But we'll see.
I suspect this is closest to what the plan is. If Eli proves effective in the new system, then they'll contend while grooming his replacement. If he bombs out, then they'll go to the new guy sooner, without any backlash.
The danger with this approach is that if Eli is mediocre or only plays adequately and the coaches stick with him, there'll be plenty of folks who will argue the org is wasting time instead of giving the future franchise QB playing experience. But as with everything concerning Eli, there's never one clear-cut opinion about him, is there?
Quote:
It is what it is. Credit Gettleman for not overspending here. Now it's onto more journeyman options. Yeah sucks, but it could be worse.
I think that's a perfect assessment.
You cut your losses and you move on...that's football.
You're not going to win every battle.......
Quote:
In comment 13862168 The_Boss said:
Quote:
In comment 13862160 bw in dc said:
Quote:
by committing to Eli. Which, to me, suggested one of two things:
(1) Mara wants Eli's farewell tour to be memorable to make up for the fiasco he helped create last year. Or...
(2) They truly want to gear up for a big run these next two years because they actually believe there is enough left in Eli's tank.
I think it's both, but more weight on #2. So this is a fluid process and we need to see what continues to transpire in the free agency and the draft.
Roster building around a 37 year old QB in serious decline is a fireable offense.
Serious decline? Didn't you see that Eagles game last year?
I hope you’re being sarcastic.
How are they building around a 37 year old QB?
The QB is, at best, going to be here two more years.
He probably is the best option to use as a bridge to the next guy - which they may draft this year or even next year. It all depends on how they feel about this year's crop of QBs.
DG is trying to build a team, gathering the best pieces, period.
Quote:
In comment 13861454 Bold Ruler said:
Quote:
It is what it is. Credit Gettleman for not overspending here. Now it's onto more journeyman options. Yeah sucks, but it could be worse.
I think that's a perfect assessment.
You cut your losses and you move on...that's football.
You're not going to win every battle.......
Not confident we were outbid. No Income tax and the franchise is in a MUCH better position. We needed to outbid Jax by a lot.
Was less a matter of being outbid and more that Norwell simply preferred to play for JAX.
Can't blame him.
I agree that Eli + rookie QB is suboptimal. To me that shows a lack of direction.
I think they're locked in to Eli for at least 2018. I'm not sure that it's tricky to have him share a room with a rookie QB, because I don't think Eli's capable of doing any harm. He doesn't have to be a mentor if he doesn't want to be, but there cannot be any draft decision made out of any kind of loyalty to the guy. That's inexcusable, and it's really hard to see John or even Gettlemen see past the emotional attachment to the guy.