MichiganCardinal

I predict the Chiefs beat the Lions by 30-40 today, leading the media to grossly overreact to how much better Chiefs starters are than the Lions backups.

The drama going on in Cincinnati with JaMarr Chase and Dallas with CeeDee Lamb makes me appreciate Holmes even more. He got it done with ASB. It was easy. You can always question the timing, but he got it done before Justin Jefferson or either of these guys, and now both of these guys want to reset the market and are in a game of chicken with their team with the season on the horizon. You can even throw in San Francisco with Aiyuk. No drama in Allen Park, just all ball.

For his long-term career, redshirting this year was probably in his best interests anyway. I’m not sure how much he can do the way of working out with the team while he rehabs, but I don’t think this is any kind of death blow to JJ’s career or the Vikings in 2024 (though I never thought they would be good this year). 2024 Sam Darnold was probably better than 2024 JJ anyway.

Today was supposed to be a scrimmage day but after all the injuries yesterday Campbell changed course and they don’t even have pads on today. Combined with this news and it looks like Team Bubblewrap is winning.

I wonder if the beat writers knew about Carlton Davis’s injury but realized if they reported on three corner injuries in one day they’d be likely to start riots.

And Rakestraw! We can breath again!

And Gibbs.

There are analytics for this kind of thing. This guy uses an algorithm to create the “Adjusted Games Lost” statistic. It accounts for injuries, including those who get a “questionable” tag and still play, and gives more weight to projected starters and more important positions like QB. It’s likely not perfect, but by his measures we were middle of the pack last year. 13th most fortunate on offense, 24th most fortunate on defense, for 18th overall. Luckiest in the league was the Rams. Unluckiest were the Texans. As an aside, I would expect the Lions to sustain more injuries in camp than most because of how physical Campbell runs things.

Hoping no news is good news so far on Rakestraw and Arnold.

They’re typically slow to heal, but the average ‘out’ time for a hammy in the NFL is 13 days. if they shut him down now I’d be surprised if he’s not ready for the opener in a month. The lingering can come when it happens mid-season and guys try to come back too soon, aggravating it.

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Surprised by this. They kept him around all of last year. Must not see the development they want. I think this puts Fountain in the driver's seat for the WR3 role. It's him or DPJ, and DPJ has done himself no favors this camp. I like Isaiah Williams for the 5th spot if DPJ gets cut.

It's good to see, but I also think we knew he had this ability. I would probably prefer a headline like "Jake Bates ends practice a perfect 24/24 from 30-39". In a league decided by 8 points or less more than half the time, I think being absolutely money on extra points and chip shots is more important than the rare 60+ yard attempt. If you miss from 64 as time expires and lose, you can probably point to other times in the game where you could have done more. If you miss an extra point and a 30-yard field goal in a game and lose by 1, well.... Though don't get me wrong, the ability to have this in the back pocket is nice to have.

Per Campbell, Mahogany has returned to the team, Hooker won't be able to return to practice until at least Friday (and they're looking to possibly add a QB to the team in advance of the Chiefs game as a result), starters may play a little against the Chiefs but still TBD, and Nate Lynn suffered a season-ending shoulder injury against the Giants.

Preseason 53-Man Prediction 1.0 Quarterbacks (2): Jared Goff and Hendon Hooker Despite the words by the coaches, I don't think this has ever really been a competition. You can't release Hooker and still keep him on the practice squad. You can release Nate Sudfeld and keep him on the practice squad, and that is what I expect will happen. They like him as a scout team QB, so he's probably going to be around. But I pray I never have to see him behind center in a real game. Running Backs (4): Jahmyr Gibbs, David Montgomery, Craig Reynolds, and Sione Vaki RB1 by committee and RB4 are decided, so this is just up to what they want to do for RB3. I think they will give Jermar Jefferson a long, hard look, because I don't think it's a given that he will make it through the waivers to the practice squad for a third straight year. Jefferson is 24 to Reynolds' 28, but I think ultimately Reynolds' reliability, as well as his contributions on special teams, will make the difference. Wide Receiver (5): Amon-Ra St. Brown, Jameson Williams, Antoine Green, Kalif Raymond, and Isaiah Williams With the rookie developmental additions, I don't think they will have the luxury of not dressing a WR each week like how they treated Green last year. Plus, no one seems to want the WR5 job, let alone be pushing them to keep a WR6. DPJ was assumed to be the guy, but he failed conditioning and hasn't impressed since. I think he's good as gone. It's probably between Fountain and Williams. The other seems headed for the practice squad. Williams has more upside, so I'll go with him. Tight End (4): Sam LaPorta, Brock Wright, Shane Zylstra, and Parker Hesse Unlike the WR room, there is reason in the TE room to justify keeping an extra man. The battle between Zylstra, Hesse, and Mitchell for one or two spots is probably as good a battle as we have in camp. Zylstra is probably the best backup for LaPorta as a pure receiver, especially given the lack of reliability on the depth of the WRs. Behind that, if they keep a 4th, I think Hesse's contributions on special teams, and his pure physicality as a blocker, give him the narrow lead. I would hate to see Mitchell leave though, so hopefully he clears waivers. Offensive Line (9): Penei Sewell, Graham Glasgow, Frank Ragnow, Kevin Zeitler, Taylor Decker, Colby Sorsdol, Kayode Awosika, Dan Skipper, and Giovanni Manu The starting five are the best in the league, but if any of them go down, we immediately have a glaring weakness. Particularly at center, considering Ragnow may be our most injury prone lineman. They're throwing a lot at the wall in training camp but I am guessing they go with their known commodities. Sorsdol is their backup tackle, Awosika is their backup guard with NFCCG experience, and Skipper is their jumbo package lineman. Manu probably won't dress all season and Mahogany will start the season on the PUP list. Edge Rusher (5): Aidan Hutchinson, Marcus Davenport, Josh Paschal, James Houston, and Mitchell Agude The depth here leaves something to be desired as well. I think the top four are entrenched, despite Houston's recent struggles. That said, I don't think Houston is guaranteed to dress week-to-week if everyone is healthy. Agude's contrast with Houston likely makes him a matchup decision for Tyrell Williams. Defensive Interior (6): Alim McNeill, DJ Reader, Levi Onwuzurike, Kyle Peko, Brodric Martin, and Mekhi Wingo This seems pretty set in stone after Cominsky's injury. They're not cutting Martin or Wingo and Peko has outperformed them both. I actually like the depth here. Linebackers (5): Alex Anzalone, Jack Campbell, Jalen Reeves-Maybin, Malcolm Rodriguez, and Derrick Barnes I don't see any surprises here, though it's possible they keep a Ben Niemann or Malik Jefferson for special teams. We don't see enough of this to know who contributes the best. Cornerback (6): Carlton Davis, Terrion Arnold, Amik Robertson, Ennis Rakestraw, Kindle Vildor, Khalil Dorsey I will never forgive Vildor for the NFCCG, but his experience by force can't be questioned. He's a good fit as a backup, he's just a terrible starting corner, which is a spot he never should have been put in. Dorsey is a good special teams contributor as well, gaining him a spot as well. Gilmore is the odd man out here, but I could be wrong between him and Dorsey. This competition feels close. Safety (4): Brian Branch, Kerby Joseph, Iffy Melifonwu, and CJ Moore I don't think the Lions would have brought back Moore after his suspension if they didn't see him as one of the 53 best on their team. They don't have space beyond that, and will hope the UDFAs who have been camp battles will make it to the practice squad. Special Teams (3): Jake Bates, Jack Fox, and Scott Daly I think they're going to give Bates a shot. Not because he's earned it, but because they don't see a better option right now. I hope the long field goal in the rain against the Giants is a sign of things to come.

I'm kind of intrigued honestly. No one has ever told the NCAA to **** off like this so publicly. Most schools just kiss the ring, fake an apology, and move on. The NCAA is probably going to try and go nuclear on Michigan at this point.

Josh Allen, Jordan Love, Patrick Mahomes, and Joe Burrow are all playing today. I don't get it at all. If they need a quarter to warm up, it should come in September against real action instead of against 3rd string defensive linemen who will be insurance agents in two years. Why bet your entire season on this meaningless nonsense?

Finally got a chance to watch the second half of the first preseason game this morning. Campbell said that he thought Hooker's concussion came from one of his runs, but I think it came from the roughing the passer penalty. He took a shot to the chin on that play, I didn't see any helmet contact on his runs. That said, he needs to get much better at going through his reads in the pocket instead of just taking off when his first read isn't there, and he needs to get much better at avoiding contact when he does take off. Right now, he's Malik Willis or Pat White. He'll be a great preseason QB, because third-string linebackers won't be able to keep up and he can get away with it. But he won't have any sustained success in the league, because he'll be constantly hurt and a defensive scheme that contains his legs will vex him. If he can develop those skills though, I think Hooker will at least be a fine backup, which is all we need from him. Putting him behind an elite offensive line will give him time to make those reads, because he won't be feeling pressure. It will also allow him to make the most use of his legs when he does take off. If he's back there for 3, 4, 5 seconds and nothing is open, he will be able to gain many yards on the ground, because ASB, Jamo, LaPorta, et al. will all be 15+ yards downfield. Hope he doesn't get any regular season action though. Except to maybe take a knee or two when we are up 30.

I think Hooker has backup upside in how different he is from Goff too. If Goff goes down in the 2nd quarter, no one who comes in for him will be able to do what Goff does. But with Hooker, at least the change will force the defense to abandon the game plan they had against our offense. Hooker adds an additional element to the offense.

TP is good. He took a break after the NFCCG and says life has been busy. He’ll be back by opening kick (whether y’all like it or not!!)

The preseason always amazes me as I see how these are allegedly among the 64 best players at their position in the world.

Punting?!?! Instead of a 66-yard field goal?!? Disappointing.

Just how we planned it. Two two-minute drills in one half.

Get... *checks notes* Maurice Norris out of there!

Using a 3rd round pick on a developmental QB is not something I’ll lose sleep about no matter how his career turns out.