D.Mitchell situation

[TecnoGenius]

And who is going to back up Peterson? Chris-Ike and Demski? Doesn't seem practical.

I'd get Cooley on the roster and use the rules to get him 10-15 touches.

Never gonna happen.  To Mafia that 25-snap rule doesn't even exist.  It's literally not a thing to them.  They'll get their free 2RDP in '25.

Peterson was astounding.  I'm not even sure Brady would have done better!  As for who backs him up... Ike was a RB, right?  However, then we are getting really thin on O... do we have any other NAT that can step in at REC, RB or hybrid, besides already-AR'd Corcoran?

Hopefully Brady is ok and we don't have to find a solution.  Otherwise I don't see how you don't bring in Cooley, even if he's just a normal DI.  Corcoran can step in for Sterns (he didn't do much tonight).

[Blue In BC]

Getting Cooley on the roster is one thing about the ratio. Getting him on the field means taking an import off ( receiver ) when he steps on the field and using Corcoran as a receiver replacement.

I don't think anyone wants to lose Ayers or Griffin on the ST / defensive side of the ball. Someone suggested using a Canadian as our returner instead of Vaval. That's not happening either.

IMO we'll see Oliveria play game 2. On TV it appeared he might have been kept out for concussion protocol. If he can't play, then the conversation will continue.

[bwiser]

Injuries surely to come, probably around week 6 they'll decide to run with Mitchell or cut bait, they won't stick with a non-productive receiver for long with Reggie White on the PR. Not much chance of trading him away to a greater fool either.

I think if Mitchell does get in the lineup at some point he will be highly motivated. Competition for starting jobs is never a bad thing as it gets everyone involved working harder in practice to get in or stay in the lineup

[theaardvark]

After last nights game, Mitchell may have a hard time cracking the lineup other than through injury.

Every REC got some love, and all took advantage of their targets. Looks like Wheatfall has claimed the spot Mitchell was brought in to fill.  Too early to say he's Pokey #2, but he looked good with our #2 QB throwing at him.

Not going to displace Schoen, and Sterns showed a little of what we thought he could be, trusting him on the fly sweep.  Could Mitchell take Sterns' spot?  He'd have to really outplay him in practice, or Sterns have a meltdown in game.  Other than that, I can't see Sterns losing his spot.

Great place to be, having a Mitchell trying to break into the roster.  And with the bonus being sunk money, he's not costing alot on the IR, just in case.

The question is, will being a "healthy" scratch motivate him or demotivate him?  If he takes it as a challenge, nothing but good things happen.

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

After last nights game, Mitchell may have a hard time cracking the lineup other than through injury.

Every REC got some love, and all took advantage of their targets. Looks like Wheatfall has claimed the spot Mitchell was brought in to fill.  Too early to say he's Pokey #2, but he looked good with our #2 QB throwing at him.

Not going to displace Schoen, and Sterns showed a little of what we thought he could be, trusting him on the fly sweep.  Could Mitchell take Sterns' spot?  He'd have to really outplay him in practice, or Sterns have a meltdown in game.  Other than that, I can't see Sterns losing his spot.

Great place to be, having a Mitchell trying to break into the roster.  And with the bonus being sunk money, he's not costing alot on the IR, just in case.

The question is, will being a "healthy" scratch motivate him or demotivate him?  If he takes it as a challenge, nothing but good things happen.

Zach will determine a lot, expect him to rely heavily on Schoen and Demski, everyone else takes a back seat including Wheatfall.  Could see him looking for Stern as an inside target but he doesn't have the build of Bailey or Woli so I don't know how long he'll last in that role.  Mitchell isn't really a quick shifty route runner so he probably isn't well suited for the inside routes either. Clercius may be the best option for that job.

[Blue In BC]

Anyone at the stadium have an impression on Sterns. He wasn't targeted much but how was his route running and blocking?

It's too early to pull him for Mitchell and Collaros will have a lot to say about that.

[TecnoGenius]

Anyone at the stadium have an impression on Sterns. He wasn't targeted much but how was his route running and blocking?

Sterns was pretty invisible.  There was one guy who attempted a block who got literally thrown aside like a rag doll, and I couldn't tell if it was Peterson or Sterns (or someone else) -- it was a smaller guy.

I don't like the fact that Sterns wasn't getting open enough for Strev to consider him.  As the new waterbug, he should be twisting all over the place and getting open, possibly way downfield.

That said, I think he was off the field a ton whenever jumbo was in.  And he is arguably the 5th read (maybe 4th) in the normal scheme.

We may need to grow him into the role.  He should go watch some old Dressler film.

[Blue In BC]

Sterns was pretty invisible.  There was one guy who attempted a block who got literally thrown aside like a rag doll, and I couldn't tell if it was Peterson or Sterns (or someone else) -- it was a smaller guy.

I don't like the fact that Sterns wasn't getting open enough for Strev to consider him.  As the new waterbug, he should be twisting all over the place and getting open, possibly way downfield.

That said, I think he was off the field a ton whenever jumbo was in.  And he is arguably the 5th read (maybe 4th) in the normal scheme.

We may need to grow him into the role.  He should go watch some old Dressler film.

It was noted that Peterson was doing very well blocking. Not sure which one was involved in the play you mentioned.

We'll see how involved Sterns is when Collaros plays. He spreads the ball around more because of his experience.

[Jesse]

Sterns was pretty invisible.  There was one guy who attempted a block who got literally thrown aside like a rag doll, and I couldn't tell if it was Peterson or Sterns (or someone else) -- it was a smaller guy.

I don't like the fact that Sterns wasn't getting open enough for Strev to consider him.  As the new waterbug, he should be twisting all over the place and getting open, possibly way downfield.

That said, I think he was off the field a ton whenever jumbo was in.  And he is arguably the 5th read (maybe 4th) in the normal scheme.

We may need to grow him into the role.  He should go watch some old Dressler film.

Don't need to go down to your 4th option when the top 3 are running open. I don't think KC got any catches either, but it's only been one game.

[jdrattops]

But Mitchell was paid lower-top-tier money to come in and be the main guy after Dalton.  He wasn't paid to come and lose out in TC competition.

It shouldn't have mattered how good Wheatie showed -- Wheatie should be the one headed for the PR as depth.

I'm not saying what Mafia is doing is wrong, I'm just saying that's not how it was supposed to be.  If things didn't go according to plan, then that's a fail.

They scouted Mitchell's talent: but did they scout his attitude?

It's a fail?  Finding a younger talent (Wheatfall) is a fail?  It's a fail for Mitchell right now, but not for Walters and O'Shea.  I think they have this right, Wheatfall is a stud hopefully he stays healthy this year.  He has also bought into the O'Shea/Bomber way. 
Onto Sterns, I really think he is going to be a go to guy for Collaros.  The guy is a great route runner and has good hands.  When Collaros can't find a deep threat he will go to Sterns.  There's going to be  some 10 catch/2 TD games in the near future for him. 
Mitchell is the odd man out right now, hopefully he sticks around and gets a chance at some point.  But it's going to take an injury for him to get in.

[markf]

It's a fail?  Finding a younger talent (Wheatfall) is a fail?  It's a fail for Mitchell right now, but not for Walters and O'Shea.  I think they have this right, Wheatfall is a stud hopefully he stays healthy this year.  He has also bought into the O'Shea/Bomber way. 
Onto Sterns, I really think he is going to be a go to guy for Collaros.  The guy is a great route runner and has good hands.  When Collaros can't find a deep threat he will go to Sterns.  There's going to be  some 10 catch/2 TD games in the near future for him. 
Mitchell is the odd man out right now, hopefully he sticks around and gets a chance at some point.  But it's going to take an injury for him to get in.

Putting in the best player is the way to win. Regardless of contract, reputation, management or scouting error.

Sometimes O'Shea is criticized for not doing that. 

[dd]

Putting in the best player is the way to win. Regardless of contract, reputation, management or scouting error.

Sometimes O'Shea is criticized for not doing that. 

Agreed and I think we are doing that by putting Wheattie in, he has responded marvelously to the challenge and is a stud reciever. Not sure what's up with Mitchell, but no way do I pull Wheattie out of the lineup for him, I think Mitchell is proving to be a bust and needs to change his attitude or changes in the roster will be made

[TecnoGenius]

Well either BC has a bunch of no talent guys, or our receivers looked awesome.

BC's REC corps is extremely weak this season.  Maybe worse than SSK.  Losing the 2nd H was a dumb idea.  Remember, this is a team that had the 2 H's, plus McInnis PLUS Burnham at one time.  Now that was a corps!

The 2 NATs BC has look fine on paper, but Cottoy is limited to the Thick Nick routes and plowing.  McInnis has been figured out, as seen by us shutting him down last season (minus the 1st game) and in the game on Thurs.

WPG REC group is surprisingly strong: and even stronger because our depth has at least 2 massively legit threats on the PR... AND Pokey may come back.  Yikes!

[TecnoGenius]

It's a fail?  Finding a younger talent (Wheatfall) is a fail?  It's a fail for Mitchell right now, but not for Walters and O'Shea.

Not a fail in that Wheatie beat him out, a fail in that we hired a potential non-starter for huge coin and 50% in signing bonus (flushed down the toilet if we cut him).

Good to have the depth, but we may need the $... might we try to market him for a trade?  Some decent (2R?) DP, or... what do we still need, hmmm...

[TecnoGenius]

Don't need to go down to your 4th option when the top 3 are running open. I don't think KC got any catches either, but it's only been one game.

Clercius had a very good clutch 2nd down conversion (or within 1 of it) early on.  He was probably stuffed for a punt situation but freed himself enough to get forward enough.

In fact, our RECs were all doing that all night: stretching to get within 1 to save the punt.  Love to see it!  Big part of why we won.