I have gone back and forth about posting this, and I might actually end up deleting it, but I had a moment of clarity after the game on Thursday. Warning: this is a bit of a rant.
I know no decision needs to be made today, but I really think Schoen and Daboll should stay the course and not re-sign Jones or Barkley.
Prior to the season, the thought process was that both of these players were not going to be re-signed and had to have big years to even be in consideration to return. So the question is...what has changed? In my opinion, nothing.
Both Jones and Barkley always leave you wanting more. Jones almost makes the throws. Barkley almost breaks the long ones or almost makes the play. And we are always left thinking what if. What if they could stay healthy? What if they had a better line in front of them? What if there were more weapons? What if they had better coaching/game planning? At some point, the excuses have to stop.
This is who they are. Their only consistent trait is that they are wildly inconsistent. They are injury prone. They have good performances followed by bad performances; good drives followed by bad drives.
Star players lift up players around them. I don't think either Jones or Barkley do that. It seems like they actually hold the offense back at times.
I think the team and this regime will be better off when they can scout, and sign/draft players that fit their scheme and vision. There is no need to devote salary cap space or roster spots to either of these players. Respectively, 4 and 5 years into their careers, these players are who they are.
Any results from this season should not make Schoen deviate from his plan. This is still a total rebuild. Having as much salary cap flexibility and roster maneuverability should be the goal.
Safe to say nobody on this site is going to part of the assessment/negotiation process so chill out. The season will play out whether posters want to give their views or not.
And what's so critical about the last 6 games anyway? If Jones plays very good for 3 games and a bum for the other 3, does that really change the calculus in your view? Or what if he looks great for 5 games and then awful for the deciding game and they miss the playoffs because of it...what then?
If I am not mistaken, Taylor is owed a decent amount of guaranteed money next year and would count as almost $5.5 million in dead cap if cut before 6/1.
I don’t agree. He’s a body that likely can’t play effective football. His value is being able to run the system in practice and in a pinch, a game. That isn’t a bridge, that’s a backup you don’t want playing a meaningful amount of time especially after a stronger than expected season.
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He will almost certainly be here next year. Yes, he was signed to be a capable backup to the injury-prone Jones, but more than that, he was brought here to be the bridge to the next QB. Could Jones be the bridge...potentially, but that would be an expensive bridge.
If I am not mistaken, Taylor is owed a decent amount of guaranteed money next year and would count as almost $5.5 million in dead cap if cut before 6/1.
I don’t agree. He’s a body that likely can’t play effective football. His value is being able to run the system in practice and in a pinch, a game. That isn’t a bridge, that’s a backup you don’t want playing a meaningful amount of time especially after a stronger than expected season.
I agree about TT. If the Lions cut Goff I'd give him a look on a couple year contract, punt TT, and draft a QB.
Jesus.
If I am not mistaken, Taylor is owed a decent amount of guaranteed money next year and would count as almost $5.5 million in dead cap if cut before 6/1.
2 things Joe Schoen did out the gate 1) decline DJ's option year 2) Bring in Tyrod on a 2 year deal that was mostly guaranteed I believe
I agree, Tyrod is for sure back and the writing is on the wall for DJ.
DJ may very well receive a big contract elsewhere. Like Mike Glennon did after maybe possibly being a franchise level player at Tampa. Best of luck to Jones.
Scout QBs carefully and draft them when the value is good until you have an elite player at that position.
That would be my plan.
DJ may very well receive a big contract elsewhere. Like Mike Glennon did after maybe possibly being a franchise level player at Tampa. Best of luck to Jones.
Scout QBs carefully and draft them when the value is good until you have an elite player at that position.
That would be my plan.
Why in heavens name would you want to sign Baker Mayfield? He does nothing to help this team. They already have Tyrod Taylor.
I do think some team will give Jones a decent deal (4 yrs / $100 mill). Maybe the Colts or even Carolina.
I think it’s much more likely that the opposite is true, and the group most likely to instantly turn on Daboll and Schoen if Jones is let go are the people who want him back.
Most others seem to recognize that this isn’t a 1-2 year rebuild, and growing pains are likely. Whereas a significant contingent of the Jones fan club want to blow $30 million on him next year and have spent countless hours making excuses for him.
I’ll be thrilled if Taylor is the QB next year, because to me it guarantees that the current regime understands and is committed to rebuilding smartly over 3-4 years, not deluding themselves into thinking they are one off-season away from being Super Bowl contenders.