Are any worth keeping?

[Kray007]

Originally Posted by omahacolt

I understand what you are saying. its just what your saying is moronic and nobody should want to do what you are saying.


any lbers can replace speed. carlies is already here to do it. Kelly is old, hurt a lot and is marginally, if at all, a better player that bortolini

So, you’re saying we entrust a starting LB position to a player who missed half his rookie year to injury; a guy who, in the one full game he played, got a run D grade of 38?

As far as Kelly’s concerned, Bortolini might be the future, but the line simply performs better when he’s on the field.

[rm1369]

Originally Posted by Kray007

So, you’re saying we entrust a starting LB position to a player who missed half his rookie year to injury; a guy who, in the one full game he played, got a run D grade of 38?

For me the point is that accepting mediocrity just become someone is “our guy” is stupid and just breeds more mediocrity. That’s what Ballard keeps doing and what retaining Speed would be. Speed isn’t good enough, so why reward his play? His level of performance is easily replaceable. Replace him with someone who either has a chance to grow or someone who is on the down swing that brings an intangible that Speed clearly doesn’t - like leadership or professionalism. The culture in that locker room sucks. They need to quit rewarding mediocrity for the sake of continuity.

[ChoppedWood]

Originally Posted by rm1369

For me the point is that accepting mediocrity just become someone is “our guy” is stupid and just breeds more mediocrity. That’s what Ballard keeps doing and what retaining Speed would be. Speed isn’t good enough, so why reward his play? His level of performance is easily replaceable. Replace him with someone who either has a chance to grow or someone who is on the down swing that brings an intangible that Speed clearly doesn’t - like leadership or professionalism. The culture in that locker room sucks. They need to quit rewarding mediocrity for the sake of continuity.

Yep. The holdover for the sake of holdover until the next draft / FA to replace, has led us to this very shitty landing spot. The time has come to shed all the chafe in that motherfucker, and there is a LOT of it!

[YDFL Commish]

Originally Posted by rm1369

For me the point is that accepting mediocrity just become someone is “our guy” is stupid and just breeds more mediocrity. That’s what Ballard keeps doing and what retaining Speed would be. Speed isn’t good enough, so why reward his play? His level of performance is easily replaceable. Replace him with someone who either has a chance to grow or someone who is on the down swing that brings an intangible that Speed clearly doesn’t - like leadership or professionalism. The culture in that locker room sucks. They need to quit rewarding mediocrity for the sake of continuity.

Fuck, let both LB's go. Franklin is a cancer. WTF is this stupid shit with 8 captains anyway?

[Discflinger]

I liked Speed when he first got called up from st. I think he just got complacent.

[Kray007]

Originally Posted by rm1369

For me the point is that accepting mediocrity just become someone is “our guy” is stupid and just breeds more mediocrity. That’s what Ballard keeps doing and what retaining Speed would be. Speed isn’t good enough, so why reward his play? His level of performance is easily replaceable. Replace him with someone who either has a chance to grow or someone who is on the down swing that brings an intangible that Speed clearly doesn’t - like leadership or professionalism. The culture in that locker room sucks. They need to quit rewarding mediocrity for the sake of continuity.

I’m not suggesting, for a moment, that you reward him with a fat, long term deal. I recognize that he isn’t a strength, that he’ll eventually have to be replaced. But, I have other, more immediate, priorities I want to address before I get around to LB. Sign him to a chump change contract, draft a guy in the 4th round, and let him, Carlies, and the draft choice compete for the starting position in camp.

[Mr. Session]

Originally Posted by Kray007

I’m not suggesting, for a moment, that you reward him with a fat, long term deal. I recognize that he isn’t a strength, that he’ll eventually have to be replaced. But, I have other, more immediate, priorities I want to address before I get around to LB. Sign him to a chump change contract, draft a guy in the 4th round, and let him, Carlies, and the draft choice compete for the starting position in camp.

I'm in the same place with Franklin.

I wanna see some legit competition at LB. Fanklin and Speed would both probably be very good special teams guys for us, where they belong.

[Kray007]

Originally Posted by Mr. Session

I'm in the same place with Franklin.

I wanna see some legit competition at LB. Fanklin and Speed would both probably be very good special teams guys for us, where they belong.

Part of the frustration is Franklin’s utter inconsistency. At his best, he plays at a pro bowl level. But, there are stretches/games when he seems to be a step away from where he ought to be if he’s going to make an impact. No idea how the new D Coordinator is going to see things, but I wouldn’t be surprised to see new faces at the position before too very long.

[ChaosTheory]

Originally Posted by Kray007

Part of the frustration is Franklin’s utter inconsistency. At his best, he plays at a pro bowl level. But, there are stretches/games when he seems to be a step away from where he ought to be if he’s going to make an impact. No idea how the new D Coordinator is going to see things, but I wouldn’t be surprised to see new faces at the position before too very long.

Franklin was never a dynamic LB. He's not a coverage guy, he's not a turnover guy. At his best, he translated that ST mindset and was an absolute missile to the ball carrier. He had moments, even games, like that this year, but inconsistent for sure. Personality shit tips the scales and I'm ok dumping him, I just haven't looked at the contract situation to know if that's realistic.

Also, unless there is an issue with his leg recovery, Will Fries has to come back. That dude worked himself into a premier guard and there was a big drop-off when he went down.

Kelly is better than Bortolini, but the gap is mainly mental and is closer than Fries-Tucker or even Fries-Glowinski.

[IndyNorm]

On Franklin - it sure seems like he's the biggest problem w/ the team culture, at least player wise. If this is correct then we really need to release him. Per OTC he'll count $9.5M in dead money which is ($2M) in pressure towards the cap, which isn't too terrible and will be worth it to get the locker room turned around.

On Speed - seems like he's possibly the 2nd biggest problem as he's in lock, stock w/ Franklin. The question is whether or not he's just going along w/ Franklin and his attitude will improve if we make an example of his leader, or if he'll continue to be a douche. If those in the know think it's the latter then just let him go. If it's the former then maybe re-sign him on the cheap, but don't just hand him a starting job. Have some real competition for this spot.

On Kelly - I can see both sides. The OL plays better with him, but he's hurt like half the time now. IMO if he's willing to take a decent pay cut and sign a 1-2 year deal then it's probably worth keeping him around.

On Fries - Agree that we should re-sign him as long as it doesn't look like his injury is going to be a long term issue. I made the comment earlier, but w/ his injury we could maybe sign him to a 1 year show it deal or 2 year reasonable contract.