Your best guesses foe one each on offense and defense, and the reasons for your selection.
Offense - WR Sterling Shepard. The mantle has been passed from OBJ to SS and the word coming out of Spring practices was that SS is "easily the best WR in camp" - vis a vis all criteria - separation, route running, consistency catching, and most importantly his sync with Eli.
Defense - Lorenzo Carter, OLB. For all the ballyhoo about what Markus Golden can be in JB's system, the guy who stayed on the field 100% of the time with the first unit defense was Carter. Carter's an athletic freak, we all know, but it seems now he's developed some knowledge about how to play his position, and especially how to approach pass rushing vs NFL level OTs (although he really hasn't faced any in Spring with Mahalik and Wheeler the defacto 1st team OTs.)
Anyway that's my two guys, and if they don't step up at least, we're unlikely to crack .500 W-L %.
Defense - Lorenzo Carter, Carter posts 8–10 sacks this year becoming a fixture at OLB.
Anyway...Lorenzo Carter, double-digit sacks. Olivier who?
Anyway...Lorenzo Carter, double-digit sacks. Olivier who?
I left it there rather than redo the thread -
For you.
Defense - Lorenzo Carter, Carter posts 8–10 sacks this year becoming a fixture at OLB.
I posted this earlier. Both times OBJ went out his numbers jumped. If he stays healthy he very well could and should have a big. season
I went from hating the Collins draft pick to loving it (when he had his ALL PRO year), to disappointment when he couldn't follow up and then on to the Skins .
Now ex 1st round pick Peppers is poised to making it all better (which I think he will). Maybe the Cleveland Browns poisoned water stifled his progress, and is ready to show who he really is - a Pro bowl type player.
Conrad is not the pure athlete that Jeremy Shockey was nor the silent assassin that Bavaro was, but I think he just might have enough of both to beat Engram out of starting TE position. (If he does I think it would be the best thing that could happen for the team, Engram and himself).
On O, I'll go with Engram. Once he got healthy he started coming on.
Markus Golden should be able to fill OV roll and may even have a better year
Hernandez, IMO has a solid shot at being a 1st or 2nd team All Pro OG. Quinton Nelson is also an OLG. But last years ORG was Zack Martin, and Hernandez can be better IMO.
On defense, I have no idea, but Carter is in the best position to break out after a solid rookie season. Hill could really take off, and McIntosh is a sleeper to break out, but really, I don't have any facts behind any of this...
Me too
Defense - Bethea on the backend of our defense can be a huge upgrade with his experience, leadership and centerfield potential in Betcher's defense
Pio - ( New Window )
Engram will be on the field at a position called TE (but with motion and receiver alignment flexibility could end up anywhere) on passing downs. Conrad will not be on the field for passing downs.
Engram will line up as an H-back on run downs splitting time with a FB. If Shurmur is smart, the bias towards number of snaps will be based on opponent matchup strengths and weaknesses. The best blocking TE (probably between Conrad and Simonson) will get the snaps at in-line TE.
That said, Engram and Carter are my picks too, unless Golden can return to Pro Bowl level.
Either way, Center is the weak link until proven otherwise.
I cheer for big blue regardless.