Favorite team:	LSU
Location:	Louisiana
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Number of Posts:	7955
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re: Braves Jurickson Profar did it again.

Posted by infantry1026 on 3/3/26 at 8:56 pm to VADawg

You are correct, it was better than 2024. I can take a 138 OPS+.

Like I said in my post, I am not really worried about Olson…….it’s everything else that I mentioned

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re: Will Clapp has been hired as an offensive assistant on the staff

Posted by infantry1026 on 3/3/26 at 8:51 pm to geauxtigers87

Good move

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re: Taysom Hill replacement

Posted by infantry1026 on 3/3/26 at 8:16 pm to Uncommon Idea

Cole Payton (as you stated) or Haynes King would be the best options for that role.

Daniel Jeremiah actually referenced Haynes King would likely excel in that role.

I definitely think it’s a worthwhile investment of a LATE ROUND pick or a UDFA

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re: Latest ESPN Mock Draft rds 1-2

Posted by infantry1026 on 3/3/26 at 7:55 pm to jkylejohnson

I like both picks, Bernard is a good YAC guy as well.

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re: Braves Jurickson Profar did it again.

Posted by infantry1026 on 3/3/26 at 6:58 pm to Volsfan82169

Been a Braves fan since 1989. Since the offseason leading into the 2025 season…….I have never been this indifferent about the team since I became a fan.

I knew they were going to be bad last year, and a big part of that was that Profar was AA’s genius idea of a big signing. I lambasted the signing at the time (on Battery Power and on here IIRC). It was a moronic signing as Profar had NEVER shown any kind of consistency or ability to live up to his “prospect status”.

AA has done an absolutely HORRENDOUS job since 2021 at solidifying LF and SS.

You also have Harris in CF…..who while immensely talented as a defender, he has never been able to hit consistently. I understood why AA wanted to lock him up so soon, but that was my biggest concern with a long term deal was if his bat would progress enough to justify it. To this point it has not (hopefully he has actually figured something out)

The Sean Murphy trade was an ALL TIME STUPID frickING TRADE. You already had a good hitting C in Contreras (who was progressing defensively), so all you did was POSSIBLY improve marginally…….while paying MORE money to Murphy. Now Murphy is a fricking pumpkin (thank god for Baldwin).

Looking at the lineup:

- Acuña - great

- Profar - MAYBE above average (and now suspended)

- Olson- regressed in 2025 because he tinkered with his swing from 2024 (dumb) - He’s back on track though

- Riley - if he can get his timing back on the fastball (and stay healthy) he can absolutely carry this team with Acuña

- Baldwin - He looked overmatched when he first came up (understandable) but he has an approach at the plate that is beyond his years.

- tKim - inconsistent (probable Hole in the loneup)

- Ozzie - can’t stay healthy…..and has one of the worst approaches I’ve ever seen (love the guy though)

- Yaz - above average- good on the strong side of the platoon, decent defender in LF but older

- Harris - massive hole in the lineup

So you have to figure out the DH, Ozzie is a hole in the lineup (as of now), Harris is a hole, Murphy is a hole (if he starts), Kim is a probable hole………not too promising AA.

Not to mention the issues in the rotation. IMO we may be looking at a repeat of last season….. I DESPERATELY hope that I am wrong though

The best thing I can say right now is at least they drafted some bats higher in the draft this past draft. I think Lodise has some real potential to HOPEFULLY solve the hole at SS longterm

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re: Deion Burks, Zachariah Branch & Zavion Thomas

Posted by infantry1026 on 3/2/26 at 7:31 pm to StrongOffer

quote:
40 times are flashy but Aaron Anderson is a better receiver than all of those guys. Would love to get him in a later round. He'd start in the slot day 1

I wouldn’t mind Aaron Anderson either, he ran a 4.41, which is still really great. He’s pretty good for YAC as well

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re: Clyde Edwards-Helaire

Posted by infantry1026 on 3/2/26 at 7:19 pm to Gordon Hayward

quote:
The only first round running back that won a Super Bowl on the team that drafted him in the last 20 years. He was not an integral part of that. Drafting Love would be awesome but getting him in FA 4 years later sounds like a better deal IMO.

6 of the top 10 rushers in the league last year were 1st round picks at one point in time.

Judging a RBs draft value by winning SBs with the team that drafts them…….is fricking retarded

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re: PFF post-combine mock draft

Posted by infantry1026 on 3/2/26 at 7:13 pm to Zzyzx

quote:
If we passed on Caleb Downs or David Bailey I would break my TV.

Bailey won’t be there at our pick in the real draft, but Downs might.

Don’t F this up

I am a huge fan of Caleb Downs, and I definitely would love to have him………BUT he’s not THAT much better than Thieneman. Which is why Thieneman has started moving up the board by many pundits (some showing him top 15).

So if I had to pick between Bailey or Downs…. I would take Bailey.

Between Downs and Thieneman……I think downs is better, but I would be happy with either. I don’t think the Saints would pick a S in the top 10 with the needs we already have on the roster (with really good prospects on the board to fill those needs)

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re: Deion Burks, Zachariah Branch & Zavion Thomas

Posted by infantry1026 on 3/1/26 at 6:59 pm to blueboxer1119

quote:
Steve Smith was drafted as a return specialist.

Just like Thomas.

Thomas will end up being a really good player and we just sent our return specialist packing.

That’s why I like Zavion, and he has shown an ability to do a lot of things out of the backfield as well.

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re: Deion Burks, Zachariah Branch & Zavion Thomas

Posted by infantry1026 on 3/1/26 at 12:47 pm to Weekend Warrior79

quote:
How much of his can’t get YAC was because of who he had throwing the ball. Seemed like the team had in YAC in 2024, or beginning of 2025. Then Shough games over, and some of those same guys starting breaking some routes open. They were setting the world on fire, but there was a noticeable difference

Definitely a fair point. Shough definitely helped throw guys into YAC opportunities (which helped), but it still wasn’t very good…..just better than terrible.

The difference in the offense from Rattler to Shough was ENORMOUS. He definitely elevated everyone else’s play…..but we still need to put weapons around him if we want this offense to hit another level

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re: Deion Burks, Zachariah Branch & Zavion Thomas

Posted by infantry1026 on 3/1/26 at 11:56 am to Lester Earl

quote:
I’m not against small WRs. To be clear. Thought that was clear but maybe that’s on me

Ok, I misunderstood you I guess lol. I agree that I don’t want to use a high pick on one…..which is why I am really looking at Zavion Thomas….. I still think we could probably get him after the 3rd (hopefully).

I also agree with you on being sick about paying Olave that much. Is one of the best route runners in the game, but that is really his only elite skill. He can’t fight through contact, can’t make contested catches, or get YAC. You couple that with the very real injury concerns, and it’s a HUGE gamble to give him a big contract. They are going to give it to him though. Hopefully Loomis and Co are smart enough to build in protections for the organization in the contract.

I would also love to get Gyllenborg from Wyoming in the middle rounds (maybe even a 5th?) as well to pair with Juwan as another contested catch option.

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re: Deion Burks, Zachariah Branch & Zavion Thomas

Posted by infantry1026 on 3/1/26 at 11:41 am to infantry1026

I was just rewatching the Titans game, and it just reaffirms that this team needs some playmakers around Shough (and a G…..maybe 2).

Shough played a great game, against a good front, with NOBODY but Olave and Juwan.

Vele is a great contested catch guy for us (didn’t play in that game), but with his injury history it’s probably a good idea to get one more contested catch option (either at TE or WR). We could have used on in that game and didn’t have it.

We had a little bit of YAC from Olave and Juwan in that game, but it has not been consistent enough on this roster.

I think if we can fix the G issue (which will help the run game tremendously) and the receiving issues I referenced…….this offense takes a big leap.

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re: Deion Burks, Zachariah Branch & Zavion Thomas

Posted by infantry1026 on 3/1/26 at 10:48 am to Lester Earl

quote:
Steve Smith was a unicorn. He was drafted 25yrs ago, how many Steve smiths have there been since lol?

Antonio Brown (5'10"): Arguably the most dominant receiver of the 2010s, regardless of height. Between 2010 and 2019, he recorded over 11,000 receiving yards and 75 touchdowns.

Tyreek Hill (5'10"): Known for his elite speed, Hill has been a consistent All-Pro performer and deep threat since entering the league, often leading in explosive plays.

Odell Beckham Jr. (5'11"): Burst onto the scene with historic early-career production, maintaining high-level performance throughout the late 2010s.

T.Y. Hilton (5'9"): A long-time top receiver for the Indianapolis Colts, ranking among the top receivers of the 2010s in receiving yards.

Wes Welker (5'9"): Dominated the slot position in the early 2010s for the Patriots, consistently recording over 100 receptions in the 2010-2012 seasons.

Stefon Diggs (6'0" - listed, often considered smaller/compact): A premier route-runner who became a top-tier receiver in the late 2010s and early 2020s.

Doug Baldwin (5'10"): A key playmaker for the Seattle Seahawks, known for his consistency, toughness, and efficiency.

Brandin Cooks (5'10"): A consistent deep threat who has recorded multiple 1,000-yard seasons with different teams.

Jamison Crowder/Cole Beasley (5'9"-5'10"): Highly productive slot receivers who served as reliable possession targets.

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re: Deion Burks, Zachariah Branch & Zavion Thomas

Posted by infantry1026 on 3/1/26 at 10:25 am to Suntiger

quote:
KC Concepcion

He is another YAC/Return guy that I am excited about but I forgot to list him. Thanks for adding him.

Like I said earlier, height is not as big of a concern for me as having the ability to get open and get YAC. This team needs playmakers on offense in the worst way.

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re: Deion Burks, Zachariah Branch & Zavion Thomas

Posted by infantry1026 on 3/1/26 at 10:20 am to Lester Earl

Steve Smith was 5’9”.

I don’t give a frick about their height if they can be explosive playmakers. Shough is 6’5” and has no problems seeing the field……their height will not be as big of a problem as if it were Rattler or someone else shorter under center.

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re: On the flip side of Sonny Styles, Ruben Bain is off my list.

Posted by infantry1026 on 3/1/26 at 10:15 am to Marrero

quote:
We had Trey Hendrickson on our team. They called him “T rex”. Guess why he got that name?

And his were still a little over 32”……that is a pretty big difference.

Look, this MAY end up being a nothing burger regarding his arm length……but they don’t just measure your arm length for shits and giggles.

What I worry about with him is that he is built in a way that he may outgrow being a stand up Outside rusher.

The positive for him is that his motor is RELENTLESS and by all accounts he absolutely LOVES the game (even stating that he doesn’t have or want hobbies).

With all of that said, it looks as though we have something in Moore as a HC……and the roster is starting to trend in the right direction. Do we really want to draft someone with a TOP TEN PICK who may have a high ceiling…..but also has a high bust potential. Him being a bust would be a MAJOR setback.

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re: Deion Burks, Zachariah Branch & Zavion Thomas

Posted by infantry1026 on 3/1/26 at 10:01 am to msstate7

quote:
Don't forget the sec's #2 yards receiving guy, Brenan Thompson from miss state that ran a sub 4.3

Yea he ran a 4.26, I hadn’t watched much of him last year to form much of an opinion on him. He runs really smooth in the 40……but he didn’t really pop for me in the drills.

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-1

Deion Burks, Zachariah Branch & Zavion Thomas

Posted by infantry1026 on 3/1/26 at 9:22 am

I’m afraid Branch may end up sneaking into the first so we may not have a shot at him in the second.

Burks I believe we should have a shot at him from rounds 2-4

Thomas was projected around the 5th (may rise some following that 4.28.

The reason I bring these guys up is because I have said many times that we need explosive YAC guys desperately on this roster. Well these 3 have that in spades, with the added ability that all three can return on ST.

Also keep an eye on Kaden Wetjet from Iowa as a late round/UDFA possibility. Watched him several times last year, and his return ability REALLY explosive. There may also be some untapped potential at WR for him, as Iowa is one of the worst colleges I’ve ever seen at utilizing receivers lol

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re: Draft Prospects Thread

Posted by infantry1026 on 2/28/26 at 11:35 am to Lester Earl

quote:
Yea, this draft is a little weird. There are not guys at front line positions to grab at 8, but there are front line talent at B positions that are exactly what the team needs.

This, normally I don’t like a RB in the 1st…..but right now this team needs explosive playmakers (especially on offense). This run game needs explosiveness……DESPERATELY

AT WR, Olave is very good, but he’s more of a technician than a creator. He runs great routes, but he’s terrible at contested catches and YAC. Vele appears to be a big help in the contested catches area……now we need help in the YAC department.

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re: Draft Prospects Thread

Posted by infantry1026 on 2/28/26 at 11:19 am to GynoSandberg

quote:
Sadiq is 6’3” too not 6’6”

6th Percentile arm length
9th Percentile weight
15th Percentile height

As much as I am intrigued by Sadiq & Stowers athleticism……I would much rather Gyllenborg (or someone similar) that we can steal a little later.

The good thing about Juwan having a good connection with Shough is that we can draft a TE to develop a little later. It’s a need, but not as big of a need as at RB or a YAC WR.

It looks like the class will be fairly deep at TE, Edge, and WR…..which are all positions of need for us. There is not much to be excited about at RB in the draft (as of now at least) and it looks like the best RBs in FA will be tagged, which makes Love at 1.8 look really good. Especially with some of these defenders (along with Sadiq and Stowers possibly moving up), Love could fall to us.

Either way, FA and the draft are shaping up to be VERY interesting for us.

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