Cheese Curds - News Around The League 2025

[Yoop]

We have seen quite a few less than elite QBs win the SB. My opinion is that they all have a very common trend which is a dominant front 4. I think the league knows the front 4 it’s important but they don’t focus it as a data point as much as they should.

Like Eli was a pretty good QB but not elite. He won both his SBs on the back of one of the more deep front 4s ever. How Flacco won with a dominant front 4. Nick Foles won with a dominant front 4.

Now the Eagles key to their last success came against on the back of a dominant front 4. Even the 49ers despite not winning a SB have been to the bowl a few times because they had what was probably a league best defensive front to include LB between P Willy and Warner.

how does a defense throw a game winning pass, Purdy who is not a HOF QB still had to make the play, same with Eli Manning, defense helps keep the offense on the field, but the offense still has to score points to win.

defense doesn't win championships, it makes it possible for the offense to have more chances, Look at who has the ball last and scores in recent playoff wins, typically we see high scoring games, or scoring in the 20's,
The era of run, run, run, with stout defenses and low scoring games is long gone, thankfully, the NFL realized how boring that was to watch, they wanted to increase fanship, and did so by helping the offense.

Only a handful of teams in the last 40 years had such a dominating defense (pass rush)that it could take over a game, and the longevity of those defenses is short lived, a couple maybe 3 years, it's easier to find a very good QB, WR's and put together a good defense, then to spend all resources to build that dominating front 4, that's why so few teams attempt it.
we could draft the best pass rusher in this class, LVN could play up to draft slot and we most likely would not have a dominate defense, it's like chasing a dream

[Half Empty]

Based on what I've read from this short exchange, I agree with you. Curious, though. Would you consider 2007/2011 NYG to qualify?

My reply was to the claim that you can win Superbowls with Case Keenum quality as QB1. No, you can't. That happened like two times (Keenum notably not being one of the two). And no, Eli Manning may not have been an elite QB, but he was FAR better than Case Keenum.

Correct. And I’d go so far as to say Eli Manning is an all time elite postseason QB. Without seeing the stats.

How about with seeing the stats?

https://www.statmuse.com/nfl/ask/eli-ma ... yoff-stats

https://www.pro-football-reference.com/ ... nnEl00.htm

[musclestang]

Eli was a mediocre QB with some good fortune and a defense that rose up when it mattered. That's it. Without the name or the defense and some crazy catches, he's one that is good enough to stick in the league, but teams are always trying to upgrade from.

[Labrev]

Eli was a mediocre QB with some good fortune and a defense that rose up when it mattered. That's it. Without the name or the defense and some crazy catches, he's one that is good enough to stick in the league, but teams are always trying to upgrade from.

Okay, he wasn't THAT bad lol. He didn't just have the Manning name and nothing else, he did have the prototype size, more than adequate arm, and good football IQ that people associate with the name. And he notably performed very well in big games, picking apart some really good playoff defenses.

NYG never tried to upgrade over him. He was their undisputed Franchise QB.

[musclestang]

that describes almost everyone that will be drafted between tomorrow and Saturday at the QB position. They almost all have adequate arms and relatively same stature. I don't know that football IQ was that much better, better than a lot probably. Not nearly as good as a lot, also probably. To me, average.

I guess I remember some crazy individual plays in those big games more so than Eli picking anyone apart or moving chains on his own accord. He played his part. Afforded the ability to do that by really good defenses mostly IMO. I can't think of any games where I just thought, Man Eli Manning was unbelievable for them and won that game.

[Yoop]

that describes almost everyone that will be drafted between tomorrow and Saturday at the QB position. They almost all have adequate arms and relatively same stature. I don't know that football IQ was that much better, better than a lot probably. Not nearly as good as a lot, also probably. To me, average.

I guess I remember some crazy individual plays in those big games more so than Eli picking anyone apart or moving chains on his own accord. He played his part. Afforded the ability to do that by really good defenses mostly IMO. I can't think of any games where I just thought, Man Eli Manning was unbelievable for them and won that game.

unless the Giants where playing GB I rarely tuned in, saying that I always thought Manning was a good starting QB, at least when I did watch, here's what I found from AI, People tend to be harsh on Manning

Where does Eli Manning rank as a QB?
Voters and fans will oppose Manning's Hall of Fame candidacy based on his 117-117 (. 500) record and 244 career interceptions. However, at the time of his retirement, Manning ranked seventh all-time in completions (4,895), passing yards (57,023), and touchdowns (366). He ranks 11th in all categories as of today.Feb 5, 2025

[musclestang]

AI can bit my ass LOL I watched the games not digested people's interpretations I'm not saying he was trash. He did have a long career, where he hardly missed any games. He was average otherwise, really, it's all he was. The WOW plays were the skill player making it WOW. His biggest WOW play wasn't much to speak of. Outside of avoiding a sack from a player reaching over another play to grab the back of his jersey, he threw up a ball for grabs that 9 times out of ten is and incomplete pass at best and it turns into a type of catch we've never seen in the NFL. Cool, yes, sign of greatness? not really.

There are so many more QB's who's level of play and plays were far better.

[Raptorman]

Eli was a mediocre QB with some good fortune and a defense that rose up when it mattered. That's it. Without the name or the defense and some crazy catches, he's one that is good enough to stick in the league, but teams are always trying to upgrade from.

Um, here I thought defenses didn't win championships. Kinda of amazing when you think of it, the only Packer Super Bowls/Championships came with top defenses(4th or better) attached to them. But Eli was mediocre because the defense stepped up in the playoffs.

[musclestang]

I’ve never made that proclamation. I’ve always been a thousand ways to Rome type guy. So many ways to reach it. Offense, defense, special teams, health, luck, coin flips, cheating, weather, whatever and any combination of those and a thousand other things influence seasons and Super Bowl championships.

But Eli was still mediocre and that it

[paco]

Sam Howell is being traded to the Vikings.

[JKB]

Eli was a mediocre QB with some good fortune and a defense that rose up when it mattered. That's it. Without the name or the defense and some crazy catches, he's one that is good enough to stick in the league, but teams are always trying to upgrade from.

Good fortune?
Sometimes you make your luck, sometimes it makes you

[YoHoChecko]

I just want to throw it out there that the Raiders had the absolute most fun NFL draft you could possibly imagine.

On Days 1 and 2, yeah, they got their elite RB, a very solid possession WR, a high-upside athlete at corner, and two developmental OL that have a real shot of panning out. Porter is an athletic freak, but for the most part, pretty traditional players to fill traditional needs.

On Day Three they were like F it, let's go nuts.

They drafted not one, but TWO DTs who take goalline snaps in college. They drafted TWO FCS QBs who might switch positions, one of whom is definitely more of a gadgety offensive player. They took the big fast receiver from Tennessee. Like every player they got is some sort of gadet/role player to be creative with.

Is that going to work? Who knows. I trust Carrol to get the most out of Porter on and the two OL are guys I personally liked a lot; and NBech is a pretty safe, dependable pick at receiver. So they did eat their vegetables.

But giving Chip Kelly all that candy on Day Three is going to be highly amusing, I think.

[Crazylegs Starks]

The Bills GM has had enough

"Listened to the last few minutes of your show before I came on, waiting on here, sounds like it's 2018 all over with you guys," Bean said as soon as he got on air. When co-host Jeremy White asked, "How so?" Beane immediately continued.

"Well, you guys were b------- in 2018 about Josh Allen," said Beane. "You guys wanted Josh Rosen. And now you guys are b------- that we don't have a receiver. I don't get it."

[YoHoChecko]

Just noticed the Dolphins drafted three DL whose best position is probably nose? Grant, Phillips, and Biggers. Sure, they could have some versatility, but man, that's a funny amount of investment in bigs.

[APB]

Posted while blowing a kiss @Raptorman’s way…

[Raptorman]

Posted while blowing a kiss @Raptorman’s way…

It's been so damn long, it doesn't even bother me anymore. But thanks for thinking of me.

I would bet that most people here never even saw the Vikings in the Super Bowl. Maybe 4 of us.

At least we didn't lose 4 in a row like the Bills.

[YoHoChecko]

Just a random thought with no where to put it:

I am not saying I would do what the Falcons did with their trade-up. But most of the commentary about the trade haul ignores the 3rd round pick they got back this year, or down plays it.

My framing of the trade is that the Falcons traded back from the 2nd round to the 3rd round for the ability to use next year's 1st round pick a year early. Instead of taking a player next year, they take one this year. And the price for that time gap was moving back one round (2 to 3) and a 7th round pick. It's a much more rational move viewed that way. They didn't LOSE a first round pick. They spent it early.

[NCF]

They didn't LOSE a first round pick. They spent it early.

I think the biggest problem is the likelihood that they will be picking in the top half of The Draft next year and potentially even Top-10. Things change quickly, but this seems overaggressive and probably a year or two too early.

[YoHoChecko]

I think the biggest problem is the likelihood that they will be picking in the top half of The Draft next year and potentially even Top-10. Things change quickly, but this seems overaggressive and probably a year or two too early.

Yes, and I totally understand that; and like I said, I wouldn't make that deal.

But by most accounts, the Falcons were eyeing Pearce at their original pick. It was reported by Peter Schraeger and Todd McShay in advance of the draft. I mocked it there based on reporting. And in the aftermath, the explanation is that they didn't expect Walker to fall to them, they would have drafted Pearce if he hadn't, and now they get BOTH guys they wanted by using next year's first to draft their guy for the cost of trading back from 2nd to 3rd round and a 7th round pick.

It will hurt next year for sure. But I think the Falcons are perfectly comfortable with Pearce being their 2026 first round pick. I wouldn't be because he's such a risky profile, but they wanted him in the first already. So they clearly like the value.

[Labrev]

I think the biggest problem is the likelihood that they will be picking in the top half of The Draft next year and potentially even Top-10. Things change quickly, but this seems overaggressive and probably a year or two too early.

Yes, and I totally understand that; and like I said, I wouldn't make that deal.

But by most accounts, the Falcons were eyeing Pearce at their original pick.

And that's the other part of the equation that's so bewildering. Even if you can justify the draft pick value side of the trade.... WHY HIM?!?!?