I suppose none of this is really shocking. I was hoping (selfishly) that Njoku would be back - but if he is grading out as a 1st rounder as he should, then go get that money son.

Gus...Jenkins...meh, I would hope they would stick around for depth but if they feel their opportunities are better elsewhere, I guess I can't really be mad about that.

Tad Footeball said:

Peter Ariz said:

Tad Footeball said:

This is why I don't like the new way the NFL does the Draft evaluations for kids. They offer 3 grades- Potential 1st Rounder, Potential 2nd Rounder or Neither. Too many kids get that "Neither" and probably assume they're sitting right outside the 1st two rounds and can move up with a good Combine or Pro Day. I personally like Njoku as a pro but I bet he doesn't go before the 4th round if the supposed Draftniks are even close to right. Hopefully the kid isn't sacrificing a lot of money AND the chance to play with his brother.

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Njoku is already getting some first round buzz. After workouts, he's probably a lock for 2nd round or better

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Well he absolutely should go then. My issue would be IF he got an evaluation back that said he wasn't a 1st or 2nd rounder and then he somehow works his way into the 1st round at the Combine. This whole Draft evaluation process by the NFL advisory committee is almost pointless then.

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It happens all the time. All it takes is for 1 team to fall in love with you.

deerob305 said:

luciano.8 said:

Homer and McFarland as our 2 and 3 will be so fun to watch!


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Trayone Gray will have say so in that

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It's surprising he's still on the team, it would be shocking to see him contribute. The fact he wasn't returning kicks should tell you something.

Tad Footeball said:

This is why I don't like the new way the NFL does the Draft evaluations for kids. They offer 3 grades- Potential 1st Rounder, Potential 2nd Rounder or Neither. Too many kids get that "Neither" and probably assume they're sitting right outside the 1st two rounds and can move up with a good Combine or Pro Day. I personally like Njoku as a pro but I bet he doesn't go before the 4th round if the supposed Draftniks are even close to right. Hopefully the kid isn't sacrificing a lot of money AND the chance to play with his brother.

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I think the way the NFL does Draft evaluations for juniors is spot on.

It indicates whether you're seen as a first or second rounder. If you're not then you're taking a massive risk leaving school early. It's aimed at reducing the number of raw kids leaving college early for the NFL - it's plagued both systems for a while. They're chasing the money, they're leaving their college team in the lurch and they're not ready for the NFL. It leads to lower quality play in both formats.

Obviously if a 20/1 year old misreads 'neither' as "well I'm a good Combine from being taken in the second round" then there's nothing you can do about that.

Someone like Njoku has NFL GMs are licking their lips thinking they can get an athletic freak of a TE later than his physical talent indicates he should go because he's not mastered his craft in college yet. He can't block in-line. He has concentration drops all the time. The perfect guy to draft in the third round and stash away.

Peter Ariz said:

DNordy said:

You would think Njoku leaving for the league becomes a selling point for McKitty.

Also, I guess that idea of Homer trying CB diminishes


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They were testing Homer there to see if they maybe had something special. Heard he was good but they really like him on offense.

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That makes sense. They must be confident in the incoming DB class.

Plus with how the WR recruiting has gone we need as many game breakers as possible on O - Homer has that type of speed.

kryptonite said:

deerob305 said:

luciano.8 said:

Homer and McFarland as our 2 and 3 will be so fun to watch!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Click to expand...

Trayone Gray will have say so in that

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It's surprising he's still on the team, it would be shocking to see him contribute. The fact he wasn't returning kicks should tell you something.

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Yep, if you can't at least return kicks with a torn acl, gtfo

Jenkins is a nose in a 3-4 Defense. For what they're trying to do, and how they want their DT to shoot the gaps, he's a terrible fit. Go back and watch the games this year, and spotlight him. He's dam near using the same technique the last coaching staff taught him.

I like Gus, but yea, I don't blame him for wanting to bounce. He looks the part, but not sure if he was ever Starting RB material in college. Now, he can develop into a **** of a pro RB, especially with a cold weather team, but it is what it is.

If I was Njoku, I would bounce too. I understand people say he should come back, but he's going to hit that combine and tear every test up. I guarantee he'll be at the top of every test at TE. He screams First rounder, but he'll go in the second, and that's about as high as it's going to get at TE.

A lot of the players on Defense were built to be a certain part in a terrible scheme, so It is what it is. Sidenote: Willis played on a torn Meniscus, Dam...that's tough as ****!

Why do people keep mentioning depth at rb? Even if gus leaves there will be 5 rbs on the roster. 5 is more than enough.

At least landing Juedy softens the blow...

Njoku is going to absolutely destroy the combine. He will easily grade out the best of all the TEs, ebron-esque coming out.

While Edwards leaving is not horrible news as Homer will likely be very good, he hasn't proven anything yet. McFarland hasn't even committed yet, let alone signed. Him leaving, along with Yearby means we'd have 1 proven RB heading into next year. While it might (probably will) work out, it's still a bit worrisome.

I'm really glad Willis is going to stay (if he is). I still think he can (will) be a beast on the DL. A little upset about Jenkins, but he can be replaced. But, you can never have enough bodies on the DL.

While we knew (or sensed) that Njokou was leaving, it still hurts. While he struggled with drops, he was still a unique talent and had the potential to have an amazing junior season.

I'm a fan of Jenkins, I hope he sticks around and makes a bigger impact for us next season. We'll survive without Gus, losing Njoku is a big loss. He would be huge for us next season especially with the questions at WR outside of AR.

Peter Ariz said:

nbrunner38 said:

This is all bad news. We may be high on their replacements but the fact is we need depth still

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Njoku is the only real loss IMO

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Will Hoskins replace him?

OldhamA said:

Tad Footeball said:

This is why I don't like the new way the NFL does the Draft evaluations for kids. They offer 3 grades- Potential 1st Rounder, Potential 2nd Rounder or Neither. Too many kids get that "Neither" and probably assume they're sitting right outside the 1st two rounds and can move up with a good Combine or Pro Day. I personally like Njoku as a pro but I bet he doesn't go before the 4th round if the supposed Draftniks are even close to right. Hopefully the kid isn't sacrificing a lot of money AND the chance to play with his brother.

Click to expand...

I think the way the NFL does Draft evaluations for juniors is spot on.

It indicates whether you're seen as a first or second rounder. If you're not then you're taking a massive risk leaving school early. It's aimed at reducing the number of raw kids leaving college early for the NFL - it's plagued both systems for a while. They're chasing the money, they're leaving their college team in the lurch and they're not ready for the NFL. It leads to lower quality play in both formats.

Obviously if a 20/1 year old misreads 'neither' as "well I'm a good Combine from being taken in the second round" then there's nothing you can do about that.

Someone like Njoku has NFL GMs are licking their lips thinking they can get an athletic freak of a TE later than his physical talent indicates he should go because he's not mastered his craft in college yet. He can't block in-line. He has concentration drops all the time. The perfect guy to draft in the third round and stash away.

Click to expand...

It's vague on purpose, they want more raw kids leaving early and getting picked for cheap in the Late rounds as opposed to staying an extra year and potentially getting more expensive.

2018 DT is looking bleak too

Why isn't the staff taking 2 or 3 DTs this year

2018 DT - If McIntosh, Norton, and Willis stay for SR year

McIntosh - Ford - Martin

Norton - Willis - Fines

2018 DT - If all 3 leave for NFl (Highly likely)

Ford - Bethel (Maybe moves inside)

Martin - DJ Johsnon (Maybe moves inside) - Fines

ScubaCane said:

I'm a fan of Jenkins, I hope he sticks around and makes a bigger impact for us next season. We'll survive without Gus, losing Njoku is a big loss. He would be huge for us next season especially with the questions at WR outside of AR.

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Jesus ppl. Jenkins was left home from a road game because of his lack of discipline and Edwards was buried on the depth chart essentially all season. Now they are losses?

I'm gonna miss Jenkins running up and flopping on the pile 5 seconds after the play has been whistled dead.

Peter Ariz said:

They are very high on Homer

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I can't wait for him to get his opportunity. No offense to Gus but he is awful and why he started getting carries over Yearby I didnt understand, if you were going to give someone carries it shouldve been Homer. Maybe it had something to do with with how unbelievable Homer was on special teams. The size, speed and tackling ability he is a dog and a old school ball player and excited to watch him next year.

caneinpsl said:

I'm gonna miss Jenkins running up and flopping on the pile 5 seconds after the play has been whistled dead.

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He was like Cogsden 2.0

The Gerald Willis stuff is not surprising. He had been rumored to be out first chance, but it definitely hurts. If he, Norton and Mcintosh all leave next year, we're in some trouble for the following year.