OT: NFCN News: Blown opportunity: Are the Lions looking at 3 busts with their 3 top 34 picks?

[iueyedoc]

Using the 12 OA on a backup RB? A gadget rb that can't get it done between the tackles and seems to not have an actual position. Is Gibbs ceiling a poor mans Tarik Cohen?

David Montgomery is the lead back as of now, but head coach Dan Campbell will likely go to a committee approach. Montgomery's presence could limit Gibbs' carries, especially in short-yardage and goal-line situations
The fact that head coach Dan Campbell and offensive coordinator Ben Johnson are experimenting with Gibbs splitting out wide could be a sign that they intend to get both Gibbs and Montgomery on the field at times.

An ILB at 18 that is struggling with the speed of the NFL game and acting like a petulant 4 year old in practice.

Third-year Lions coach Dan Campbell has noticed the first-round pick becoming frustrated with himself upon making a mistake.

As is the case with any rookie, the Iowa product is struggling to adapt to the speed of the game. When he comes up short on an assignment, he has a tendency to become aggravated with his performance.

"With any young player, he's smart enough to understand what's going on, but he's not processing it fast enough because he's young," the coach explained.

The 34th pick on a TE possible burried 3rd on the depth chart that can't block and looks to not be able to beat out an former UDFA with 30 career catches and a backup level TE without an ACL.

While LaPorta is the most talented tight end on the roster, I don’t think he’ll fulfill the starting role. The Lions value blocking ability, which is a lesser part of LaPorta’s game. For reference, the Lions tight ends combined for 784 blocking snaps to 625 receiving snaps in 2022. Asking rookie tight ends to block NFL-caliber defenders is a big ask, so I’d expect the Lions to take it slow with LaPorta as a blocker. Instead, LaPorta could see action as a de facto slot receiver thanks to his combination of size, speed, and after the catch skills.
Mitchell has a lot of fans within the community and, more importantly, the coaching staff. Wright looks like the obvious starter given his role in 2022, but it’s worth noting what Mitchell had to deal with. Rookie tight ends typically have quiet a first season, but Mitchell was also coming off a significant college injury. That limited his involvement early on, and when Hockenson was traded away, he likely wasn’t ready for the starting role.

That won’t be the case in 2023, and I think Mitchell has a good shot to push Wright for a starting role.

 

[MikeDitkaPolishSausage]

Didn’t expect anything less from a dumpster of a franchise. Really a second round LB at 18? Laughable.

 

[Noonthirtyjoe]

It was a very Detoilet like draft.

 

[ZOMBIE@CTESPN]

@nc0gnet0 thoughts and prayers ?

 

[nc0gnet0]

@nc0gnet0 thoughts and prayers ?

Save it for yourself.

Ranking 5 Worst Defenses in the NFL Entering 2023

No matter your preferred way of describing the importance of defense in the NFL, there is one clear takeaway. Ya gotta have a good one. Elite defenses are not…

bleacherreport.com

1. The bright side is the Chicago Bears should be improved. They spent plenty of money in free agency—most notably on linebackers Tremaine Edmunds and T.J. Edwards—and have a decent secondary.
   However, the 2022 defense set an awfully low bar. Chicago finished 31st in yards allowed per play and 32nd in scoring.
   Can't get much worse, really.
   DeMarcus Walker is the lone player who tallied more than 3.5 sacks last season. Given the current personnel, it's tough to envision a defense that ranked 31st in pressure rate creating more havoc. The limited amount of disruption may be difficult for the Bears to overcome.
   Chicago should be optimistic in the calculated approach that general manager Ryan Poles has taken, but the promise of a brighter future still likely requires a trek through one more frustrating year.

2) LaPorta was a standout at Lions OTAs and minicamp over the spring, and he’ll enter training camp with high expectations.

“He’s right where he needs to be,” tight ends coach Steve Heiden said this week. “He’s doing a good job, every day. We’re trying to implement the things that we’re teaching, within the gameplan and the scheme, so he’s right where he needs to be.”

 

[ZOMBIE@CTESPN]

Year 2 of rebuild I have low expectations for the bears. Lions have been rebuilding for a decade. Thoughts and prayers @nc0gnet0 ?

 

[playthrough2001]

If they wanted a RB, why not stay at 6 and take Robinson? It’s pretty dumb. Also, they could have added Gonzales, Carter or Wilson to a defense that was pretty awful last year.

At 18, Quentin Johnston would have been a great complement to Amon St. Brown and provided Goff with a size, speed deep threat.

I would have taken Mayer over LaPorta.

 

[msadows]

nerdc0gnet0 is now referencing bleacher report to get good takes on the lions. LOL

If they wanted a RB, why not stay at 6 and take Robinson? It’s pretty dumb. Also, they could have added Gonzales, Carter or Wilson to a defense that was pretty awful last year.

At 18, Quentin Johnston would have been a great complement to Amon St. Brown and provided Goff with a size, speed deep threat.

I would have taken Mayer over LaPorta.

Because they wanted a gadget running back....Not an actual running back. Love me some runningbacks but if you tell me he becomes Alvin Kamara I still want nothing to do with a RB that high.

Also, they could have gotten Bijan AND gonzales. So dumb.....

Legit all 3 of those players they drafted 10-20 spots too high.

 

[MikeDitkaPolishSausage]

Save it for yourself.

Ranking 5 Worst Defenses in the NFL Entering 2023

No matter your preferred way of describing the importance of defense in the NFL, there is one clear takeaway. Ya gotta have a good one. Elite defenses are not…

bleacherreport.com

2) LaPorta was a standout at Lions OTAs and minicamp over the spring, and he’ll enter training camp with high expectations.

“He’s right where he needs to be,” tight ends coach Steve Heiden said this week. “He’s doing a good job, every day. We’re trying to implement the things that we’re teaching, within the gameplan and the scheme, so he’s right where he needs to be.”

So he is where he needs to be with helmets and shorts on. He’s a for sure HOF player!!!

 

[msadows]

So he is where he needs to be with helmets and shorts on. He’s a for sure HOF player!!!

This is the guy that nerdc0gnet0 is getting his lions news from:

 

[bamainatlanta]

If they wanted a RB, why not stay at 6 and take Robinson? It’s pretty dumb. Also, they could have added Gonzales, Carter or Wilson to a defense that was pretty awful last year.

At 18, Quentin Johnston would have been a great complement to Amon St. Brown and provided Goff with a size, speed deep threat.

I would have taken Mayer over LaPorta.

This is the problem I have with their draft. They addressed luxury positions with high picks when they had obvious pressing needs next year. You can find a player that produces like Gibbs, LaPorta & Campbell elsewhere in the draft. Those are still fine players but everything comes down to QB & the trenches. Mayer was a much better fit for their offense than LaPorta.

 

[dabears70]

Save it for yourself.

Ranking 5 Worst Defenses in the NFL Entering 2023

No matter your preferred way of describing the importance of defense in the NFL, there is one clear takeaway. Ya gotta have a good one. Elite defenses are not…

bleacherreport.com

1. The bright side is the Chicago Bears should be improved. They spent plenty of money in free agency—most notably on linebackers Tremaine Edmunds and T.J. Edwards—and have a decent secondary.
   However, the 2022 defense set an awfully low bar. Chicago finished 31st in yards allowed per play and 32nd in scoring.
   Can't get much worse, really.
   DeMarcus Walker is the lone player who tallied more than 3.5 sacks last season. Given the current personnel, it's tough to envision a defense that ranked 31st in pressure rate creating more havoc. The limited amount of disruption may be difficult for the Bears to overcome.
   Chicago should be optimistic in the calculated approach that general manager Ryan Poles has taken, but the promise of a brighter future still likely requires a trek through one more frustrating year.

2) LaPorta was a standout at Lions OTAs and minicamp over the spring, and he’ll enter training camp with high expectations.

“He’s right where he needs to be,” tight ends coach Steve Heiden said this week. “He’s doing a good job, every day. We’re trying to implement the things that we’re teaching, within the gameplan and the scheme, so he’s right where he needs to be.”

You have these people so bothered that they even start troll threads just to **** with you.

 

[msadows]

This is the problem I have with their draft. They addressed luxury positions with high picks when they had obvious pressing needs next year. You can find a player that produces like Gibbs, LaPorta & Campbell elsewhere in the draft. Those are still fine players but everything comes down to QB & the trenches. Mayer was a much better fit for their offense than LaPorta.

If you want gibbs they should have just fucking traded for Austin Ekeler.

 

[msadows]

You have these people so bothered that they even start troll threads just to **** with you.

I think nerdc0gnet0 is the one thats bothered. He's having a meltdown over all 3 of the Lions top 34 picks being backups.

 

[bamainatlanta]

If you want gibbs they should have just fucking traded for Austin Ekeler.

Gibbs is a threat in the passing game but he does have the dropsies at times. He actually had a negative efficiency rating running the ball even behind a typical dominant Alabama offensive line. They could have been setup for the long run in the trenches with this draft. It’s Hutchinson and a bunch of complimentary rotational pieces but imagine if they moved up for Anderson? Or drafted Tyree or Carter. Or even took a shutdown corner or a wide receiver that won’t be injured or suspended

 

[dabears70]

I think nerdc0gnet0 is the one thats bothered. He's having a meltdown over all 3 of the Lions top 34 picks being backups.

Is that what your years of being a scout or being in the NFL in any way what so ever is telling you?

 

[dabears70]

Gibbs is a threat in the passing game but he does have the dropsies at times. He actually had a negative efficiency rating running the ball even behind a typical dominant Alabama offensive line. They could have been setup for the long run in the trenches with this draft. It’s Hutchinson and a bunch of complimentary rotational pieces but imagine if they moved up for Anderson? Or drafted Tyree or Carter. Or even took a shutdown corner or a wide receiver that won’t be injured or suspended

They're good in the secondary after adding Gardner Johnson and C.Sutton but they sure could of been better off getting Hutch some help on that DL.

I like J.Gibbs and think he can be special. I actually like all 3 of Gibbs, Campbell and LaPorta but in my fan on a message board opinion, i think Gibbs went early and Campbell definitely went much earlier than i thought he would. I thought 3rd round or maybe slides into the end of the 2nd but definitely think he'll be a long time starter in this league.

 

[bamainatlanta]

They're good in the secondary after adding Gardner Johnson and C.Sutton but they sure could of been better off getting Hutch some help on that DL.

I like J.Gibbs and think he can be special. I actually like all 3 of Gibbs, Campbell and LaPorta but in my fan on a message board opinion, i think Gibbs went early and Campbell definitely went much earlier than i thought he would. I thought 3rd round or maybe slides into the end of the 2nd but definitely think he'll be a long time starter in this league.

There is no question they can be long time pieces, although Gibbs will be utilized more out wide or out of the backfield. But the concern is: why use those picks on guys that can be commonly found elsewhere in the draft?

 

[ZOMBIE@CTESPN]

There is no question they can be long time pieces, although Gibbs will be utilized more out wide or out of the backfield. But the concern is: why use those picks on guys that can be commonly found elsewhere in the draft?

How often in modern nfl is a rb a long term piece

 

[abegibronlives]

Using the 12 OA on a backup RB? A gadget rb that can't get it done between the tackles and seems to not have an actual position. Is Gibbs ceiling a poor mans Tarik Cohen?

David Montgomery is the lead back as of now, but head coach Dan Campbell will likely go to a committee approach. Montgomery's presence could limit Gibbs' carries, especially in short-yardage and goal-line situations
The fact that head coach Dan Campbell and offensive coordinator Ben Johnson are experimenting with Gibbs splitting out wide could be a sign that they intend to get both Gibbs and Montgomery on the field at times.

An ILB at 18 that is struggling with the speed of the NFL game and acting like a petulant 4 year old in practice.

Third-year Lions coach Dan Campbell has noticed the first-round pick becoming frustrated with himself upon making a mistake.

As is the case with any rookie, the Iowa product is struggling to adapt to the speed of the game. When he comes up short on an assignment, he has a tendency to become aggravated with his performance.

"With any young player, he's smart enough to understand what's going on, but he's not processing it fast enough because he's young," the coach explained.

The 34th pick on a TE possible burried 3rd on the depth chart that can't block and looks to not be able to beat out an former UDFA with 30 career catches and a backup level TE without an ACL.

While LaPorta is the most talented tight end on the roster, I don’t think he’ll fulfill the starting role. The Lions value blocking ability, which is a lesser part of LaPorta’s game. For reference, the Lions tight ends combined for 784 blocking snaps to 625 receiving snaps in 2022. Asking rookie tight ends to block NFL-caliber defenders is a big ask, so I’d expect the Lions to take it slow with LaPorta as a blocker. Instead, LaPorta could see action as a de facto slot receiver thanks to his combination of size, speed, and after the catch skills.
Mitchell has a lot of fans within the community and, more importantly, the coaching staff. Wright looks like the obvious starter given his role in 2022, but it’s worth noting what Mitchell had to deal with. Rookie tight ends typically have quiet a first season, but Mitchell was also coming off a significant college injury. That limited his involvement early on, and when Hockenson was traded away, he likely wasn’t ready for the starting role.

That won’t be the case in 2023, and I think Mitchell has a good shot to push Wright for a starting role.

Since none of them have played so much as a single play yet in the NFL, it is perhaps premature to label these players as "busts".

Silly thing to worry about, IMHO.