2020 TPB Charger’s Draft Prediction Game

[Rambler]

I'm seeing a couple of recent mocks posted here identifying Tristan Wirfs as our first round draft pick, and I can see that. What I like about Wirfs--besides his allpro upside-- is positional flexibility. He can play LT, RT, or guard on either side (in fact, some see him as a better prospect at guard than at tackle). So let's say Pipkins makes a big jump from year 1 to year 2, and looks like he's developing into a starting LT. That's great, we shift Wirfs to LG, which upgrades that position (sorry, Feeney and Lamp, but neither has shown enough yet to suggest that would be much of a contest). Maybe that shifts Feeney to center, or maybe Feeney is going there anyways, as there is no assurance yet that Pouncey will return, or that the Chargers won't let him go to save salary. We pick a pure LT like Thomas or Becton, and if Pipkins develops, we sit or are forced to eventually trade one of the two. And if someone goes down during the season, or simply can't get the job done? Wirfs is a moveable piece, to help us avoid what happened last year, when we were forced to continue to play game after game players who couldn't get the job done at key positions on that line.

I get that Simmons is a physical freak, but what position would he play? Not strong safety, that's Derwin James. We've tried before to convert a college safety to a pro linebacker (Kyzir White), and it's not a sure thing. Does he take the place of Phillips, who played only 50% or less of the defensive snaps, and sit him the rest of the time? Is Gus Bradley creative and aggressive enough to design some new scheme that puts both out on the field at the same time for most of the defensive snaps and takes advantage of both of those special talents?

We've seen too many years wasted because we had a shitty Oline. I hope they finally invest the resources necessary to fix it.

[Steve]

Why is everyone so concerned with what position Simmons would play in the base D?

It has been 40 years since NFL teams played their base D the majority of the time. Right now, as of last season, with some of our best DB's hurt, we STILL played our nickel and dime 70% of the time. The season before it was 75%. The year before was between 70 and 75%. Under McCoy and Norv it was 70%. This isn't some flight of fancy. And that is the NORM for NFL defenses.

LB are jack of all trade LB, and we play 4 of them in our D. He is probably the best fit at WILL LB in the base, with Perryman, Tranquill and White splitting time at Mike and White continuing to split time with Nwosu at OTTO/SAM.

As far as a concern, it is less of a concern with Simmons than White for a couple of reasons. 1). Simmons is far and away the better player. 2). Clemson has already been using him as a matchup LB/DB in their D for the last 2 years anyway, so he has already been playing a similar position already. 3). Simmons is not dealing with the injured knee that White is (see TT pre draft press conference). White and Phillips were both traditional DB for most of their time in college, and Phillips was ALWAYS a traditional DB who never played LB until 3 years ago, and he made the transition so well that we played almost 50% of our snaps in the dime that year, and that includes the snaps when we didn't use a dime package (prior to the Giants game, when we used to suck on D).

Even the remaining snaps, you play some goalline and short-yardage sets, which is another place that Simmons is a mismatch nightmare for offenses.

As far as where he lines up in the dime, I would play him at MLB. Put either King (dime LB) James (SS) and Jenkins/Adderley (FS), with Davis (LCB), Hayward (RCB), and Harris (sCB). If we can get a better CB, or if Davis finally starts to play consistently, then that is a very strong group that forces teams to play alternative personnel against us. So they have to react to what our D is doing, instead of just going out and doing what they want. They REACT to US.

Modern NFL football is about getting mismatches. Playing traditional LB types on D are players we have to protect so they don't give up big plays. Simmons is the kind of guy that they have to avoid or he is a big play waiting to happen for our D. Again, force the teams we play to REACT to us.

[like54ninjas]

Why is everyone so concerned with what position Simmons would play in the base D?

It has been 40 years since NFL teams played their base D the majority of the time. Right now, as of last season, with some of our best DB's hurt, we STILL played our nickel and dime 70% of the time. The season before it was 75%. The year before was between 70 and 75%. Under McCoy and Norv it was 70%. This isn't some flight of fancy. And that is the NORM for NFL defenses.

LB are jack of all trade LB, and we play 4 of them in our D. He is probably the best fit at WILL LB in the base, with Perryman, Tranquill and White splitting time at Mike and White continuing to split time with Nwosu at OTTO/SAM.

As far as a concern, it is less of a concern with Simmons than White for a couple of reasons. 1). Simmons is far and away the better player. 2). Clemson has already been using him as a matchup LB/DB in their D for the last 2 years anyway, so he has already been playing a similar position already. 3). Simmons is not dealing with the injured knee that White is (see TT pre draft press conference). White and Phillips were both traditional DB for most of their time in college, and Phillips was ALWAYS a traditional DB who never played LB until 3 years ago, and he made the transition so well that we played almost 50% of our snaps in the dime that year, and that includes the snaps when we didn't use a dime package (prior to the Giants game, when we used to suck on D).

Even the remaining snaps, you play some goalline and short-yardage sets, which is another place that Simmons is a mismatch nightmare for offenses.

As far as where he lines up in the dime, I would play him at MLB. Put either King (dime LB) James (SS) and Jenkins/Adderley (FS), with Davis (LCB), Hayward (RCB), and Harris (sCB). If we can get a better CB, or if Davis finally starts to play consistently, then that is a very strong group that forces teams to play alternative personnel against us. So they have to react to what our D is doing, instead of just going out and doing what they want. They REACT to US.

Modern NFL football is about getting mismatches. Playing traditional LB types on D are players we have to protect so they don't give up big plays. Simmons is the kind of guy that they have to avoid or he is a big play waiting to happen for our D. Again, force the teams we play to REACT to us.

PREACH BROTHER STEVE PREACH!

You are spot on good sir!!

[blueman]

Who knew LB was so essential?

[like54ninjas]

Who knew LB was so essential?

Me, myself, and I for 3 or 1.

[richpjr]

1. Justin Herbert, QB Oregon
2. Ezra Cleveland, OL Boise St
3. Chase Claypool, WR Notre Dame
4. Anthony McFarland RB Maryland
5. Colby Parkinson, TE Stanford
6. Joe Bachie, LB Michigan St
7. Nick Coe, Edge Auburn

[beachcomber]

As far as where he lines up in the dime, I would play him at MLB. Put either King (dime LB) James (SS) and Jenkins/Adderley (FS), with Davis (LCB), Hayward (RCB), and Harris (sCB). If we can get a better CB, or if Davis finally starts to play consistently, then that is a very strong group that forces teams to play alternative personnel against us. So they have to react to what our D is doing, instead of just going out and doing what they want. They REACT to US.

Modern NFL football is about getting mismatches. Playing traditional LB types on D are players we have to protect so they don't give up big plays. Simmons is the kind of guy that they have to avoid or he is a big play waiting to happen for our D. Again, force the teams we play to REACT to us.

meanwhile our O is going three and out, and.... we're putting the likes of Denzel, Drue, Kyzir and Vigil all on the bench for the majority of our defensive snaps.... that's alotta draft capital sittin' on the pine.... not to mention a (very) slippery slope for our Oline.

[blueman]

meanwhile our O is going three and out, and.... we're putting the likes of Denzel, Drue, Kyzir and Vigil all on the bench for the majority of our defensive snaps.... that's alotta draft capital sittin' on the pine.... not to mention a (very) slippery slope for our Oline.

Beachy, you sly like a fox.

[like54ninjas]

meanwhile our O is going three and out, and.... we're putting the likes of Denzel, Drue, Kyzir and Vigil all on the bench for the majority of our defensive snaps.... that's alotta draft capital sittin' on the pine.... not to mention a (very) slippery slope for our Oline.

Denzel took a pay cut to stay on the roster for 1 more season. He plays limited snaps.
Drue will rarely come off the field.
Kyzir is our OTTO which is a limited snap position and his knee seems to be a lingering issue.
Vigil is a backup/ST player. 1 year minimal contract as an UFA not a long term keeper.
So that is one 2nd rounder, two 4th rounders, and a minor UFA signing (3rd rounder) compared to our Oline investment in personnel. Two UFA (both former 1st rounders), trade acquired 3rd rounder (5 time ProBowler, one 2nd rounder, two 3rd rounders, one 5th rounder, and one 6th rounder.
So what group is wasting far more draft/FA capital?

How is this a lot of draft capital on the bench?
Perryman is the only non day 3 guy and he is the most limited as a 2-down banger.

[beachcomber]

point taken, and.... in a 4-1-6.... Drue is on the pine.... (along w/the others)

and while on the other hand, @least Lamp/Feeney and Pipkins, and perhaps Qberry are on the field.... leaves Scott 'n Tevi holding the short straws, and....

if you're gonna add in Trai/Bulaga…. that's five Olinemen (starting, not sitting on the pine) to 1-3 LBs.… so of course it's gonna be more/ an uneven comparison.

[like54ninjas]

point taken, and.... in a 4-1-6.... Drue is on the pine.... (along w/the others)

and while on the other hand, @least Lamp/Feeney and Pipkins, and perhaps Qberry are on the field.... leaves Scott 'n Tevi holding the short straws, and....

if you're gonna add in Trai/Bulaga…. that's five Olinemen (starting, not sitting on the pine) to 1-3 LBs.… so of course it's gonna be more/ an uneven comparison.

Where have we made the bigger investment Oline or LB?
beach I know you want 3 new Oline on top of the investments made but come on it is not close in comparison. Performance is a different proposition.

[beachcomber]

Where have we made the bigger investment Oline or LB?
beach I know you want 3 new Oline on top of the investments made but come on it is not close in comparison. Performance is a different proposition.

again.... point taken, and.... we're not just talking about investment made, but to be made, and.... there is also the (draft capital) consideration of Jatavis and then Thomas Davis as a FA, and even Rayshawn who could play some LB/S (dimebacker) if need be (me thinx/suspex) ?? ….and that's before you add the likes of Isaiah.

and agree, we have brought in a fair bit of Oline FAs, which has been helpful when on the field, and yes.... do think we need to bring in reinforcements for the left side of the Oline.

which unit do you feel more comfortable w/as is ??

LT * Pips
LG * Lamp, Scott
OC * Pouncey, Qberry
RG * Trai, Feeney
RT * Beluga, Tevi

or

SAM * Kyzir, Egbule (if you want to get technical, you could add Uchenna here, even tho as you know, he largely spells Mel @LEO)
MIKE * Denzel, Malik
WIL * Drue, Vigil

and btw, and as a reminder, the suggestion is to leave all of the above LB corps on the pine/bench, and simply have Simmons as your MLB in there w/your six DBs (not bad btw)