Let's hope they really want Alex and they give us that 1st round pick back. lol

Ragland is a stud. I still think Eigwe is the guy to replace DJ though.

At this point he's not worth the minimum and a roster spot. If you want him around to coach the LBs, make him a coach.

DJ getting smoked by Antonio Gates and his OL speed pretty much closed the book on him. He doesn't look like an NFL player anymore. he almost has to retire.

Buffalo will certainly be one to keep an eye on... clearly good trading partners. Can't see them giving up the 1st though.

lol that would be something wouldn't it?

I don't think AS warrants a 1st rd pick given his age though. If we get even a 2nd rd pick I'd be surprised.

I saw that Terez Paylor said about a week ago that he thought DJ was playing overweight this year because he couldn't properly train this offseason, instead rehabbing his Achilles.

He mentioned that if he was willing to take a big pay cut, they might keep him around because if he loses weight he might get some of his quickness back. I don't know though, kinda hope he just retires.

I'm starting to think we just won't have one.

Eligwe is unlikely to be the intuitive, do everything 'backer that Johnson was. Ragland seems to have that kind of field awareness but is not quite the athlete DJ was.

I think we'll just have something of a rotation with the Mike just like we've had with the Ted in the past. 1st and 2nd down will probably end up Ragland territory with the possibility of Eligwe coming in as the Nickel-Backer in obvious passing downs.

Ragland's demonstrated enough coverage ability that I think he's a plenty credible replacement for DJ on most downs, he just isn't going to be quite that all-world, swiss army knife type that DJ was.

LMAO @ the idea of Buff giving our 1st back for Smith. Even Belichick would be Jealous.

That's a pretty diplomatic way of saying "DJ is 35 years old and coming off two major lower body injuries..."

I mean c'mon, Terez. Let's be realistic and honest about what we're seeing here. The last thing we need is to watch DJ chase plays like he's a punch-drunk boxer out there. He's getting beat to the edge buy guys that would've been run down by Mauga at this point. That's not just playing overweight - that's just the cold reality of time and injury.

Then they beat us in Camarohead

Off topic somewhat... but as I look more and more at this FA class, and understanding that Veach went after Kenny Britt, I won't be surprised to see him go after Josh Gordon.

He's a shithead, but Andy has a long history of trying to straighten those guys out. The shiny young toy, sir Patrick Mahomes, will be taking the reigns of the offense. There aren't many other good options in this year's FA class to fill other holes for certain.

You just have to consider the possibility. An offense that features Kelce, Hill, Gordon, Hunt.... what the f**k would a team do? That might honestly be the single greatest 4-man offensive personnel grouping in decades. I'm in love with the idea.

EDIT: Apparently Gordon is a ERFA, and I don't know how. Virtually no chance CLE lets him go in that case.

All the suspensions and stuff have Gordon still stuck as an Exclusive Rights free agent; if Cleveland wants him back, they'll get him back cheap. And I can see him having a pretty stout trade market.

I mean if they want to ship him here as part of an Alex Smith trade - sold! But I don't think it's likely. He's established that the skills are still there and he's been contrite/forthright enough that I think they'll take the gamble with him.

Home run here for Veech. Very good trade.

How did the founder of Wendy's become such an expert on NFL defensive lineman? That's quite a career transition.

Well that happens when a sub 4.3 receiver runs a crossing route in zone coverage and he gets ****ed by being in that situation in the first place.