end of season grades and next yrs. outlook (offense)

It's a major understatement to say this was an overall dissapointing season, but we did see some bright spots and reason to hope... with that said, there remains some question marks on the roster. This is my attempt to bring clarity to our season and something to look forward to next season.


Qb: ben -- A...... first off he played a full season, which is huge... even bigger is that he played once again at an elite level... considering the poor blocking in the early part of the yr., his play is nothing short of fantastic... I look forward to big things from ben next season

Bruce gradkowski/ landry jones -- incomplete...... anytime you can give your back up qb an incomplete grade is reason enough for celebration... . Expect gradkowski back and another young strong arm in camp to push jones


Rb: leveon bell-- A....... considering that his first month was a redshirt, his production was amazing. ..... if he had been healthy all yr., we would have this season's rookie of the yr.... expect some big numbers from him next yr..... I'm thinking at least 1700 total yds.

Jonothan dwyer-- B-......had the chance to prove he could carry the load while bell was out, and only showed how much we actually need bell in the line up.. that said, as a back up, he was pretty damn effective........look for him to resign and play the same role next yr.

Felix jones -- C...... also looked good as a back up, but as a starter clearly showed why he's a 1st rd. Bust.. as a back up, he ran with some authority, but his breakaway ability is pretty much gone......expect him back for camp, but I fully expect to see a young speed back to push him out the door.

Larod stephens-howling -- inc...... obviously injury ruined his season, but it also showed why we don't need him.... he will get his walking paper next yr.

Will johnson-- B..... grossly under used.. this kid could be a real weapon from the fullback spot, but isn't utilized nearly enough... I would like to see him used more as a receiver out of the backfield to move the chains when heath and cotch are being focused on.... look for him to be included much more in the game plan next season

Wr:

Antonio brown -- A+.....there aren't enough adjectives to describe brown's play this yr.... we clearly extended the right wr.... all I can really say here is thank you mike wallace for being so greedy.... we might be looking at a different story if mike signs the original offer given to him..... look for brown to cement his status as an elite receiver

Emmanuel sanders -- C+......produced fairly well in his first full season, but was still a little too inconsistant for my taste... the kid still has upside though...... while I would like to see him back, look for some team to pay more than we are willing or able to match.... thank you for your contributions and I look forward to a good comp pick in 2015

Jerrico cotchery -- A......hard to believe he was our best red zone threat.. I don't know if that's a statement to his talent or our lack thereof. . In any case, he was huge...... look for him to be resigned and continue his positive contributions

Markus wheaton -- C-......struggled with his timing and the speed of the game, but that is common with many young wideouts... I fully expect him to put in the work in the offseason and develop into a strong compliment to brown

Derek moye. -- Inc...... victim of the numbers game here, but will have his chance if sanders is gone as I expect..... look for another young speedster to be drafted to push him though

Te:

Heath miller -- B-..... very productive, but clearly was not fully back from his knee injury... that was to be expected, but he still had more than enough of a presense to be a factor. .. look for him to be back at full speed next yr., and the rest of the league beware

Matt spaeth -- B....did exactly what was expected of him, but for his size, I would've liked to see h be more assertive in the red zone... look for him to be back though as a primary blocker in double te sets

David paulson -- C-..... has a lot of upside as a receiver, but his blocking is still too inconsistant.. I like the kid, but look for him to be a late cut next yr., especially if we draft an athletic and faster te

Ot:

Mike adams -- D+....a complete turnstile at lt... much better as a blocking te.. appeared to improve though as the season went on... still too early to close the book on him though. .... expect to see him as a back up next yr, with every opportunity to compete for the job..

Kelvin beachum -- imho, the savior of the unit... just like last season, the line seamed to solidify when he was starting.... may very well be our best lineman due his versatility... is he our lt tackle of the future? ?? I Don't know, but I do know that he'll be given first shot.... expect him to be our starter next yr. With competition from an early rd. Draftee and adams

Marcus gilbert. -- B+...... I have a pretty large order of crow coming to me right about now... I have been among gilbert's biggest detractors on this board, but I am happy to say that I've been proven badly wrong... he obviously is not our lt tackle of the future, but he exceeded my expectation on the right side.... he'll also be pushed by adams, next yr., and possibly by beachum depending on the draft

Levi brown. -- inc.... thank god that he wasn't able to receive a grade from me. His pick up was the biggest head scratcher of the yr. For me and I fully expect hI'm to be unemployed next yr.

Guy whimper -- B+.... exceeded my expectations when on the field, but I am thankful that that playing time was not too extensive. .. despite his surprising play, I am hoping he's gone next yr.

Og:

Dave decastro -- B.... this would be a solid A if not for him taking out pouncey in week one (yes, i know i'm being a little hard on him here)....really came into his own as the season went on and the skies the limit... I'm looking for a pro bowl nod for him next yr.

Ramon foster -- B..... solid and stepped up as one of the leaders of the o-line.. I've always liked him, and love the odds he overcame to be our unquestioned starter, but through no fault of his own, I expect him to be a bac up next yr.... if we resign velasco, then foster's position clearly will belong to pouncey... it's hard not to pull for foster, but this choice is just to obvious

C:

Fernando velasco -- A-..... not sure how he was available when pouncey went down, but he was a godsend and solidified the position until he went down... expect him to be brought back if healthy

Cody wallace -- A-..... WHO???? just when you thought we were done finding diamonds in the rough out pops wallace... really surprised when velasco went down, and plays with a bit of a mean steak.... if velasco isn't healthy, or signs elsewhere, I am comfortable with him either starting or backing up pouncey.... in either case, the interior of our line is looking like a major strength


Be on the lookout for my defensive grades....
Warning: I don't plan on being nearly as nice

 

I believe it was during the Vikings game where Brown dropped a sure touchdown, plus, he stepped out of bounds in the Miami game. Two plays and the Steelers could be playing this weekend. So, I downgrade Brown to a C...just kidding, an A

 

guessing Beachums grade is an A+

and Cody Wallace's grade is a little "tainted"

I'm kind of liking our oline for next yr
hoping Velasco stays

 

b&gp, I don't think you should be eating crow with gilbert. I also think you are ranking him way too high. we can do better.

as far as grad, I think the new guy will be making him expendable. jones has had the same amount of time as jones in this offense and there is a ton of talent in this draft and after, if we want to grab a guy as a number 3. we will be young there but I trust fichtner to have jones ready to show something next year if needed. grad doesn't have a great deal of field time either. we need the loot.

 

Agree on both, especially having two young QB's. If we can save $600K by not bringing Gradkowski back then I say go for it.

 

I'd have no problem if the got a guy like Kenny guiton as an UDFA.

 

Marcus gilbert. -- B+...... I have a pretty large order of crow coming to me right about now... I have been among gilbert's biggest detractors on this board, but I am happy to say that I've been proven badly wrong... he obviously is not our lt tackle of the future, but he exceeded my expectation on the right side.... he'll also be pushed by adams, next yr., and possibly by beachum depending on the draft

 

Of course we can do better, but I've dogged gilbert so much that I had to give him a fairly high grade.

 

we are to close to settle for guys that just don't have the footwork we need.

 

I wouldn't rate Gilbert that high, maybe C+. If someone better comes along, take them, though I think LG is our biggest need on the line.

 

I agree. adams can play RT. we need a LG though with some mobility. I like foster and he was the first guy to say he needed to lose weight before the season started. he said he was north of 350. I can say for sure by seasons end he was bigger than that. I hope he does take it off. I hope the line gets together again and works out like they did last year too. we are close with this group.

 

Mac
Agree with you on Ben. I think next year Haley pushes Ben to keep getting rid of the ball and, Haley now knows that Ben makes us money in the no huddle. We should see more of it.

I think Larod Stevens Howling will make Feilix expendable next year
Agree on Will Johnson
Agree on Receivers and think Sanders will be gone and Moye and Wheaton get more time on the field. I think Moye would have shown more if he was used and bet Wheaton shows up big next year too

Agree with TE’s and Tackles. I do hope if Adams is not shown much improvement in pre season we either get rid of him or get something for him. Trouble there is no one will give up anything for him

Ditto on Guards

Also agree with you on Centers.

You do great work Mac! Glad you cruise our Message board.

 

Mac when you do the defense, please don't throw my buddy Big Play Willie Gay under the bus!

Edit: Note to Coastal. Make sure you know who you are talking to when you answer a post. I was talking to blackandgoldpatrol, Sorry Mac, thought it was you

 

Gilbert - C
Sanders - C
Brown - A (not A plus)

Agree on the others

 

Man that's a lot of high grades for an 8-8 team, wish you were a teacher of mine back in the day. Ben with an A despite 20 turnovers and Bell with his 3.5 YPC. Not saying they didn't have good years, but an A?

 

Stats do not tell the whole story ...Ben only had 4 ints the last 7 games of the year...He should have received an A++ for his play...


Bell as well...the kid is a horse...did you not watch the end of the season...averaged nealry 5 ypc his last 5...once he got healthy and his feet got wet...look out next year

 

Ramon foster -- B..... solid and stepped up as one of the leaders of the o-line.. I've always liked him, and love the odds he overcame to be our unquestioned starter, but through no fault of his own, I expect him to be a bac up next yr.... if we resign velasco, then foster's position clearly will belong to pouncey... it's hard not to pull for foster, but this choice is just to obvious



if we resign velasco, then foster's position clearly will belong to pouncey---This makes absolutely no sense? ---


Why do people keep calling for foster to be replaced at guard but another player who plays another position and who was on the street at the beginning of the year...he was probably the best pass protector throughout the season...

The fact that people keep calling him "fat" is absurd...he has very good mobility and is able to pull fairly well...it just goes to tell me that people have certain bias and do not even attempt to watch the game.

 

Nice job, B&G. I agree with your assessment of Will Johnson. That guy's a beast and we need to figure out how to get the ball in his hands more often.

 

Guys, lets stop with this bull**** of the last 7 games soooo great. The first 9 killed us.
Headline. ALL 16 games count! Translation. WE SUCKED THE FIRST 9 GAMES, that is we sucked on 63% of our games the year

 

I think everyone is aware of that.

The point is that the last few games showed what this team could be next season.

It's not really a thread for reminding us yet again what our record was, as far as I can tell. There's enough of them around. The thread is about assessing individual talent and where we might be next season.

(I do agree the grades are a little high all around, but then that depends on what they're relative too I guess. As a way of ranking the current team, I'm fine with players getting an A.)

 

I agree and there is reason to be excited about next year, but let's remember that next season will be it's own individual entity. The chemistry of the team will be different and we know that the personnel will be different so there's no guarantee we'll find the same success that we found the second half of this season. And while the last few games did give us optimism, I think it also frustrates many of us because we're wondering where that was early in the year where the season was lost.