Chris Simms' 5 things I like and don't like, including dominant rookies.
by JAMoney14 | 7 years ago | 0 Comments
1. Dominant Rookies
The Red Zone draft and specifically the rookies that are birthed from it have always been an incredibly tantalizing part of the Red Zone experience. Last year, we were all witness to possibly the best rookie performance in Miles Rachal in Oakland. Sure, many would consider Eric Haskins SB winning playoff run amazing, but you also must consider the situation both teams were in at the time of the acquisition. Haskins walked into possibly the cushiest spots in the Red Zone with a top 5 defense every year and a team that was competing for the title year in and year our.
Compare that to Rachal, who was asked to dig the 4-12 Raiders out of a last place AFC West finish. Needless to say, he delivered. Rachal led the Raiders to an incredible 11-5 record behind some un-Raider-like numbers. 4144 yards, 33 TD's, and 9 INT's. 9 INT's is a Raider low for the cycle and possibly for coach Sampson's career. Both were rewarded handsomely with many RZ awards on awards night, and rightfully so.
It doesn't always have to be the QB that turns the tide for RZ franchises. 5 years ago, under the guise of one of the best coaches in the league, the 49ers still somehow found themselves at 6-10 wondering where things went wrong? Of course, drafting a great QB could have turned things around, but knowledge and GM aptitude led GM Honeycutt to draft WR Iran Bodiford in the first round of the following season. As a rookie, Bodiford dominated the entire league, recieving more than 1500 yards and 16 TD's. To this day, Bodiford carries the legacy left behind when the Honeycutt administration left town this past offseason.
Sometimes, it's not even the names you can expect. Late in the 3rd round of the Season 39 draft, a young cornerback named Nikloss Carlson was taken out of Temple by the Los Angeles Rams. 8 months later, that CB had amassed 8 QB sacks and 4 interceptions and was rewarded with a pro bowl. The rest is history, behind Carlson as a lockdown threat, the Rams were able to post their very first top 5 pass defense since coach Chapstick took over the reigns.
Even teams with perhaps the best player at the position spend the offseason manuevering to get the next big thing. We saw that this year with the release of All-Pro QB Russell Wilson, so the Seahawks to rebuild under the leadership of 3rd round pick Mitchell Layow.
At any rate, all eyes will be on this incredibly talented class of individuals. From the flashiest, most skilled HB's in Kendrick Preston (1st OVR), the blue collar, trench warriors like Allen Foster (26th OVR) and even the ones that were counted out last night like Markeith Sullivan (202nd OVR), one thing is for certain.
Rookies are, have been, and forever will be one of the most and important parts about building a team in the Red Zone.
2. Kelly's Departure
I think I speak for everyone when I say the loss of GM Honeycutt and coach Bryant was devastating news for the league. Aside from the fact he was a great user, he was an even better lover.
No but seriously, we will all miss everything provided by Kelly during his tenure in our league. One of the most active media contributors and chat junkies, Kelly provided amazing analytics that are hard to replicate without someone with his drive.
Fortunately, the 49ers should be in good hands under new management in Roc (AKA Leonard Washington). Hopefully, as a league and a community of the best dudes in the industry, we can find a way to replicate all the great things Kelly did for our league.
3. Parity, Please
Last year we got to watch a truly awesome sight in the Raiders winning +7 games from the year prior, especially considering they were coming off of a season where they started 4 players at QB and had a bottom 8 pass offense and a defense that scared nobody. That RGIII led team led the Raiders to a 4-12 season, however it paved the way for them to draft MVP Miles Rachal which, as I mentioned, turned around their entire franchise.
This is not the first time we've seen tides turn in a dramatic fasion. The Miami Dolphins were able to turn a disastrous 3-13 team to a 10-6 playoff team (in an incredibly challenging AFC East) in only 2 seasons. The Colts are another example of a team perennially on a roller coster, swapping between success and lacktherof. However, this is not always bad when discussing parity. Sure, we all want to see a losing season from the Jets, Ravens, and Eagles here and there, but past that, watching teams that have the capability of changing their fortunes is all we can ask for. Gone are the days of sure-fire 10 playoff teams and today, it would not be inconcievable to see a Panthers, a Steelers, or even a Chargers make a deep run into the playoffs. These middling teams are the reason our parity has been so good.
Going forward, I'd hope to see Dallas, Cincinnati, and Houston make some quantifiable progress and even the Chicago, Los Angeles (Rams), and Kansas City teir start to press forward and show some real elbow grease. With the activity this past offseason from guys that are usually absent, hopefullt that day is now.
4. Veterans
After speaking on the importance and love of all things 'rookie', I feel it an important duty to address the other side of the coin.
Veterans, especially at the skill positions were a big focus of the off-cycle and I don't really think it has had that much of a change. Perhaps on the field itself, we have been missing the true affects of the way aging works these days. I believe veterans are still playing a perhaps undervalued part in team building in the Red Zone.
Obviously names like Aaron Rodgers and Odell Beckham stick out, despite their age. However, the real meat and potatoes of a Red Zone roster lies in the middling 27-32 veterans signed in the latter stages of free agency. Especially now, with our first class of rookies is hitting that savvy age, it has become obvious how important player development is even with backup players. Look at the Season 40 Carolina Panthers, a top 5 scoring defense led by young talented players like Derek Barnett true, but there is something to be said about the value of Jordan Hicks and Sheldon Rankins. Both fitting into that brand of aging veterans capitalizing on what they bring to the table even 6-10 years after they entered the league.
This effect isn't the flashiest business, but it's the reason our FA classes have been more valuable than ever. We've seen 32 year old CB's get massive $10m deals and look across every roster if you want to find players in this range that have a very under appreciated effect on the success of teams once the teams get deep into the regular season.
Veterans are still important, and they can still be the difference between a playoff win and a playoff loss.
5. Nick Caiello
Since branching out and joining the Red Zone last cycle, Nick has been a massive source of entertainment and value for everyone here. He is a person that provides a lot of smiles in many ways to many people. Stepping away from this virtual entertainment and community we enjoy so much, I think I speak for everyone when I say that we love you Nick. Possibly the league's biggest heel means nothing right now. I know we all understand that in our hearts. It hurts me so much to type this and to imagine what it is that you're going through. None of us can fathom your pain right now and above all else, I hope you know we're all here for you and will be ready and willing to jump at the first call if you need anything from us.
We love you Nick, good luck to you and regardless of what has happened or ever been said, you'll always be a strong member of the RZ Family.