2019 STILLERS Thread

[willeyeam]

I'm more excited for this season than most in recent memory. Especially with all this underdogs to the Browns BS. gtfoh

I know 'preseason', but they've looked pretty good in all three phases so far. Looking at the schedule, 11-12 wins feels legitimately within reach.

I'm going to the game against the Chargers in October with a few friends. Will be only the second NFL game I've been to, and the first since like 1982 or something.

The Indy game just got moved into the expected win column from the toss up column as well

[NTP66]

With the Browns being the new darling of the division, we’re finally underdogs.

[tifosi77]

I do not know where the Browns-are-favored-to-win-the-division talk came from, but at no point in the past 12 months have I felt that a team other than one with a name beginning and ending with an 'S' would win the AFC North. The Browns have been the only one of the four that has been trending upward, imo, sure, and they have a great roster. But I still see them peaking at no more than 9 wins this year, max. Could be wrong, but there's still too much noise around them for me to take them seriously. I guess we'll see come December.

[Troy Loney]

NFL.com current power ranking has the Browns below both the Steelers and Ravens.

I actually see both the Rams and Saints being non-factors this season. I can also see the Chiefs taking a step back. Patriots still play in the worst division in all of sports, so they get another automatic bye, but there is a lane for the AFC north winner to be a factor.

[skullman80]

I think its the Chiefs, Pats.. then a pretty huge drop off to everyone else in the AFC.

[NTP66]

I think its the Chiefs, Pats.. then a pretty huge drop off to everyone else in the AFC.

I don’t know about a huge drop off, but those two are probably the top two as of right now. If we can keep the offense going, we’ll be up there.

[tifosi77]

Disagree re both the Rams and the Chiefs; I think they're poised for many years of high-level play, although the sophomore slump may be a thing for Mahomes. The AFC team I think will be the bigger bust (compared to 2018) will be the Chargers. (And, obviously, the Colts just lost like three or four wins off their realistic expectations.)

Tombrady had an uncharacteristic drop off late in the year; even looking at his playoff games, he was only situationally great. (Basically, one drive each against the Chiefs and Rams) At some point, even TB12 has to become normal, and I'm hoping 2019 is that year.

[tifosi77]

With Luck's retirement there are no reliably elite starters at QB in the AFC between the ages of 25 and 35. It's Mahomes, Watson, and Darnold in the U25 group (and I think including Watson in that as 'elite' is sort of 50/50), and then TB, Ben, and Marmalard (who probably aren't going to be playing in 3 years). Everyone else in the Conference is just sort of meh. (At one point, I definitely would've included Carr in that 25-35 elite crowd, but since his big leg injury he sort of plateaued.)

[Troy Loney]

Disagree re both the Rams and the Chiefs; I think they're poised for many years of high-level play, although the sophomore slump may be a thing for Mahomes. The AFC team I think will be the bigger bust (compared to 2018) will be the Chargers. (And, obviously, the Colts just lost like three or four wins off their realistic expectations.)

Tombrady had an uncharacteristic drop off late in the year; even looking at his playoff games, he was only situationally great. (Basically, one drive each against the Chiefs and Rams) At some point, even TB12 has to become normal, and I'm hoping 2019 is that year.

No NFL team, besides the Patriots, is poised for many years of high level play. Goff and Mahomes could both struggle as defenses adjust, and the Rams defense is an Aaron Donald injury away from being middle of the pack.

[NTP66]

Watson is trash.

[tifosi77]

Disagree re both the Rams and the Chiefs; I think they're poised for many years of high-level play, although the sophomore slump may be a thing for Mahomes. The AFC team I think will be the bigger bust (compared to 2018) will be the Chargers. (And, obviously, the Colts just lost like three or four wins off their realistic expectations.)

Tombrady had an uncharacteristic drop off late in the year; even looking at his playoff games, he was only situationally great. (Basically, one drive each against the Chiefs and Rams) At some point, even TB12 has to become normal, and I'm hoping 2019 is that year.

No NFL team, besides the Patriots, is poised for many years of high level play. Goff and Mahomes could both struggle as defenses adjust, and the Rams defense is an Aaron Donald injury away from being middle of the pack.

The Rams already are a middle of the pack defense.

[DigitalGypsy66]

Watson is trash.

Whoa, watch your mouth!

[NTP66]

NO!

[Dickie Dunn]

Players who are bad:

- Josh Dobbs
- Bennie Snell

Players who are not bad:

- Mason Rudolph
- Devin Bush

[Lemon Berry Lobster]

Don't you be talking about Benny Snell Football like that

[Dickie Dunn]

Dude sucks. He’s slow, can’t block, can’t shed tacklers. He’s Terrell Watson, but with catchy marketing.

[Freddy Rumsen]

This game is my only reference, but...

Mason Rudolph > Josh Dobbs

[blackjack68]

Players who are bad:

- Josh Dobbs
- Bennie Snell

Players who are not bad:

- Mason Rudolph
- Devin Bush

Correct

[nocera]

[NTP66]

That is completely unsurprising.

[mikey]

Players who are bad:

- Josh Dobbs
- Bennie Snell

Players who are not bad:

- Mason Rudolph
- Devin Bush

Yup.

[NTP66]

On offense the team released quarterback Devlin Hodges, running backs Trey Edmunds, Travon McMillian and Malik Williams, receivers Trey Griffey, Johnny Holton, Tevin Jones, Brandon Reilly, Eli Rogers and Diontae Spencer, and tight ends Micky Crum, Kevin Rader, Christian Scotland-Williamson and Trevor Wood. On the offensive line Garrett Brumfield, Derwin Gray, J.C. Hassanauer, Patrick Morris and Damian Prince were released.

Defensively the team let go of defensive backs Marcus Allen, Dravon Askew-Henry, Marcelis Branch, Jhvonte Dean, P.J. Locke and Trevon Mathis, linebackers Jayrone Elliott, Christian Kuntz, Tegray Scales, Sutton Smith and Robert Spillane, and defensive linemen Winston Craig, Greg Gilmore, Henry Mondeaux, Casey Sayles and Conor Sheehy.

In the battle for kicker and punter, the incumbents won out, with Matthew Wright and Ian Berryman both being released.

[blackjack68]

Can’t say there are any surprises there.

Maybe Eli Rogers, but not really.

[mac5155]

Good on the skipper for getting a roster spot.

[tifosi77]

Yeah, I think Rogers will find a spot somewhere in the League. Even if it's just a practice squad.