Personnel Failure?

[sandtrap]

Our last 2 first round picks have been offensive weapons in the passing game. I know Kyle Pitts has improved his blocking skill set but let’s not sit here thinking they drafted him because of his blocking potential. Both Pitts and London are guys that can easily win one-one-one match ups and even draw safety attention towards them, freeing up the other. 
 

We have incredible draft capital invested in 2 offensive weapons, specifically as receivers. We can argue why they’re not getting the ball but the issue still remains that these two who we are heavily invested in are not getting involved to the level of the draft capital invested. 

I personally think it’s time to give Ridder reps and see what we have but that’s not the point of this post. It’s my personal opinion that Ridder would be a better passer than Mariota has been. That’s irrelevant though.

I feel like it was a failure from a personnel perspective either 1) assuming our line could protect enough to get the ball into these receivers hands or 2) assuming you didn’t need to game plan like you have a jr college quarterback you’re afraid will immediately lose the game for you if they throw the ball. 

If the failure is due to #1 above, we should have invested in shoring up our deficiencies on the line instead of getting offensive weapons we can't even get the ball to. It's not like we had a significant injury to our line that altered our plans. We knew what we had. 
 

if the failure is due to #2, Do you think Mariota’s ability has degraded that significantly from what AS and his brain trust thought when they signed him before the draft? Or did their opinion of his ability change because he became a fumble machine? I mentioned in another thread but Mariota has NEVER thrown for over 3,500 yards in his career. Yes the turnovers were problematic but Mariota is largely who he's always been. So I don't buy that his ability has deteriorated that significant from what they though they were getting when they signed him. 
 

The other option could be that yes we’re rebuilding, so they liked Drake enough to want him for next year, you know, when we're not rebuilding anymore and trying to win? Yes, I agree, weird argument. That thinking conflicts with the pick of Kyle Pitts last year with the 8th overall pick and goes against everything AS says in public about wanting to win. I find it hard to believe that he really doesn’t see a chance to win at all and is planning some grand scheme to crush it a year or two from now while expecting to lose this year. 
 

Everyone is frustrated but I'm curious where you guys put the blame in this context. I'm still not sure which is more likely. I guess the most likely thing is that it's a combination of the two and other factors but either way they need to get their ish together  🤣. Whichever it is, what's clear is that there was a failure from a personnel perspective. 

 

[PriMeTiiMe]

I can tell you right now this thread will just be a lot of replies that says Marcus Mariota sucks and he is the reason for the wasted talent we have in Drake London and Kyle Pitts. 

And they are 100% right. I'll keep supporting and waiting for a real QB to line up under center.

[arrogantBEAST]

All I would say is let's allow AS and TF build their team. So far, they have been doing a great job.

We add fans have complained at every move they have made but every move has been as success

[sandtrap]

3 minutes ago, PriMeTiiMe said:

I can tell you right now this thread will just be a lot of replies that says Marcus Mariota sucks and he is the reason for the wasted talent we have in Drake London and Kyle Pitts. 

And they are 100% right. I'll keep supporting and waiting for a real QB to line up under center.

I don't doubt it. Really disappointed that AS continues to defend and baby Mariota inst ad of raising expectations and/or making a change. 

[Herr Doktor]

Let's Face it, Bridge is what he is.  Never was a passer, never really will be.  He does not have the processing prowess, or the vision needed to pick apart a defense from the pocket.  He is a one read, then scoot QB.  He is what he is.  A college QB with enough wherewithal in the game to be serviceable at the pro level.  He is what he is.

[sandtrap]

2 minutes ago, arrogantBEAST said:

All I would say is let's allow AS and TF build their team. So far, they have been doing a great job.

We add fans have complained at every move they have made but every move has been as success

As fans this is all we have. I've supported most of the moves we've made, with the exception of how the Ryan trade went down but I don't really fault them for it anymore. It was a fluid situation and they made the best of it. Still, you can support and agree with moves the front office makes and still criticize those yoy disagree with. I think it's so laughable it is when some fans get upset that others think differently. Nothing we do or say has any impact on what happens. We're basically all just ranting to a degree. 

[PokerSteve]

I said basically the same thing in another post covering this disconnect between AS, Mariota, our two budding star receivers and a balanced offensive attack. If AS doesn't trust Mariota to be able to throw a couple dozen times a game and have a good ratio of TD's to INT's and yards gained per attempt, then he should put in Ridder. 

[sandtrap]

1 minute ago, Herr Doktor said:

Let's Face it, Bridge is what he is.  Never was a passer, never really will be.  He does not have the processing prowess, or the vision needed to pick apart a defense from the pocket.  He is a one read, then scoot QB.  He is what he is.  A college QB with enough wherewithal in the game to be serviceable at the pro level.  He is what he is.

Totally agree. My issue is, did they think that when they signed him or did they think more highly of him. I can't imagine AS planned to scale back his play calling to this ridiculous level when they initially signed him or oddly declared him the QB 1 early, out of nowhere and totally unprovoked. 

[Lethal]

People really be waking up thinking “You know what TATF needs?  Another Mariota/Ridder thread!”

[Sun Tzu 7]

This is why people questioned drafting pass catchers with the #1 pick because they are dependent on someone that can throw the ball instead of building from the inside out.

Theres a reason TEs are not typically drafted in the top 5.

Cant be a game changer at that position by yourself

[Herr Doktor]

1 minute ago, sandtrap said:

Totally agree. My issue is, did they think that when they signed him or did they think more highly of him. I can't imagine AS planned to scale back his play calling to this ridiculous level when they initially signed him or oddly declared him the QB 1 early, out of nowhere and totally unprovoked. 

I think he was hired and brought in because of his knowledge of the system.  Arthur is still installing schemes and building that culture.  You need folks who know his ways.  The wasted NO TIME signing him.  They targeted him specifically because of what he brought to the team.  Definitely not for his passing ability FO SHO.

[FalconAge]

13 minutes ago, PriMeTiiMe said:

I can tell you right now this thread will just be a lot of replies that says Marcus Mariota sucks and he is the reason for the wasted talent we have in Drake London and Kyle Pitts. 

And they are 100% right. I'll keep supporting and waiting for a real QB to line up under center.

[sandtrap]

3 minutes ago, PokerSteve said:

I said basically the same thing in another post covering this disconnect between AS, Mariota, our two budding star receivers and a balanced offensive attack. If AS doesn't trust Mariota to be able to throw a couple dozen times a game and have a good ratio of TD's to INT's and yards gained per attempt, then he should put in Ridder. 

I can't believe that this was AS's plan all along to limit the QB to 13 attempts. It's not who he has ever been. I'm holding out hope that it isn't the case but he just seems stubborn here. I understand some don't want him to give Rudder a look because he's "so unprepared" but it's clear this isnt working with Mariota either. Why draft 2 of the best offensive receivers to come out in the last 2 years to play a QB who you don't trust to throw the ball. 🙄

[PriMeTiiMe]

5 minutes ago, sandtrap said:

I think it's so laughable it is when some fans get upset that others think differently. Nothing we do or say has any impact on what happens. 

I'm a 77x offline Madden SB champ & an unpaid secret advisor for Mr. Fontenot. Your opinion does not matter.

[sandtrap]

3 minutes ago, Lethal said:

People really be waking up thinking “You know what TATF needs?  Another Mariota/Ridder thread!”

Say you didn't read the OP without saying you didn't read the OP. 👎

[Lethal]

1 minute ago, sandtrap said:

Say you didn't read the OP without saying you didn't read the OP. 👎

I read it and it came off more aggressive than I intended tbh.  At least you put some thought into it I’m just so over the subject at this point.  Nothing against you.

[Herr Doktor]

3 minutes ago, PriMeTiiMe said:

I'm a 77x offline Madden SB champ & an unpaid secret advisor for Mr. Fontenot. Your opinion does not matter.

DAMMIT MAN!  I AM IN A TEAMS MEETING WITH MY MIC ON AND I LAUGHED TOO HARD.  GETTING THOSE LOOKS FROM MY BOSS NOW........

[PriMeTiiMe]

Just now, Lethal said:

I read it and what I meant to say was Ridder should be starting for the Falcons.

FIFY

[sandtrap]

1 minute ago, Lethal said:

I read it and it came off more aggressive than I intended tbh.  At least you put some thought into it I’m just so over the subject at this point.  Nothing against you.

Thanks. I know it's an annoying topic and the intention really wasn't to make this about Ridder vs Mariota. Just wish I knew what AS was thinking 😂

[LightningDawg58]

18 minutes ago, sandtrap said:

I don't doubt it. Really disappointed that AS continues to defend and baby Mariota inst ad of raising expectations and/or making a change. 

At least we can sleep at night knowing that AS feels like he can be tougher on Ridder because “he can take it.”

[Lethal]

3 minutes ago, sandtrap said:

Thanks. I know it's an annoying topic and the intention really wasn't to make this about Ridder vs Mariota. Just wish I knew what AS was thinking 😂

You ain't alone brother.  Every Sunday I have similar thoughts lol

[Killing Floor]

The O line is holding a lot better than last year. 

And flame away, we could get 2-3 solid picks for Pitts. There are a lot of teams who would pay handsomely for him. He’s a very meh blocker. Even his draft profile called him out for that. But on the right team he’d be the difference between playoffs and Super Bowl. 
 

I think there’s some stubbornness involved up top. I don’t think a different quarterback on this team equals more throws to Pitts this year. 

[Herr Doktor]

6 minutes ago, sandtrap said:

Thanks. I know it's an annoying topic and the intention really wasn't to make this about Ridder vs Mariota. Just wish I knew what AS was thinking 😂

Another thought Thiccolas might be having is that he is showing his team that he will commit to his leader.  Yeah, he knows Bridge has the passing ability of a Smart Car, but he is also playing the role he is being asked.  Does he leave wide open guys wide open by having periscope vision? Yes, yes, he does.  But he is currently still giving us a solid shot to win.  I think Des will come out when given a chance, has his ups and downs but will take that chip on his shoulder and torch the league.  He has a grudge, I like that.  

[sandtrap]

3 minutes ago, LightningDawg58 said:

At least we can sleep at night knowing that AS feels like he can be tougher on Ridder because “he can take it.”

Literally just laughed so loud I got looks from people around me lol 

[sandtrap]

2 minutes ago, Killing Floor said:

The O line is holding a lot better than last year. 

And flame away, we could get 2-3 solid picks for Pitts. There are a lot of teams who would pay handsomely for him. He’s a very meh blocker. Even his draft profile called him out for that. But on the right team he’d be the difference between playoffs and Super Bowl. 
 

I think there’s some stubbornness involved up top. I don’t think a different quarterback on this team equals more throws to Pitts this year. 

I agree that the line isn't as bad as last year. I think moving the pocket and having a more mobile QB have helped with that. Just annoying that we don't do more of those designed moving the pocket and throwing down field type plays.