REAL FOOTBALL Thread

[Tapate50]

Broke the broke tackle record. Actually smashed it to bits

[zitothebrave]

Whether Robinson was worth the pick depends on the way he'll be used. If the Falcons don't pigeon hole him as a RB and instead are creative and move him all over the offense then he'll absolutely be worth a top 10 spot. Robinson is rare in that he can do everything well. He can run for power, he can change directions on a dime, he has great burst, he can hit HRs or pick up tough yards, he can block, and he has excellent receiving skills. The only weak spot in his game, if you can call it that, is lack of elite top end speed though running a 4.46 isn't exactly slow.

Robinson's excellence in nearly all areas makes him uniquely suited for creative use. If the Falcons move him all over and plan plays around his abilities then he'll be worth that pick. He'll provide value other backs simply can't provide. But it will take the right kind of offensive mind to unlock the full potential he brings. If the Falcons don't make the most of Bijan, it won't be because Bijan wasn't worth the pick, it will be because the coaching staff wasn't good enough to take advantage.

The dream is he's LT/AP.

He can be a RB, but he needs to be a multi-threat. I think the Falcons won't use him exclusively as a RB because of Allgeier, but the goal is for him being in there not as a single threat option. He's lined up in the backfield and needs to be taken seriously as a receiving threat.

[zbhargrove]

I'm more meh on Bergeron. Im not convinced he's a tackle at the pro level. His pass protection leaves a lot to be desired. Still, he improves the line. Ridder will have no excuse if he's not successful.

Drafted him as a guard. Some were mocking him in the first. Was almost taken in the first by Dallas. I’ve seen some analysts saying he may end up being the best run blocking guard in the draft. Jets and Saints wanted to take him just a couple picks later.

[Carp]

Robinson is legitimately an elite back like Saqoun and Zeke when they came out. Providing he's healthy, he should be a top 5 back for the next 6 years or so.

Whether that's deserving of a top 10 pick is debatable. But the Falcons are a currently a team without an identity. Bottom 10 in offense and defense. Bijan should give them an identity. Now they gotta hope Ridder is a franchise guy or they'll be in the market for a QB this time next year and wasting Bijans best years.

[Heyward]

Robinson is legitimately an elite back like Saqoun and Zeke when they came out. Providing he's healthy, he should be a top 5 back for the next 6 years or so.

Whether that's deserving of a top 10 pick is debatable. But the Falcons are a currently a team without an identity. Bottom 10 in offense and defense. Bijan should give them an identity. Now they gotta hope Ridder is a franchise guy or they'll be in the market for a QB this time next year and wasting Bijans best years.

Falcons have at least built up their roster where they can trade the picks to move up for a QB next year. On offense and defense. I dont think Ridder is that guy though, wasnt a big fan of him at Cin.

[cajunrevenge]

Agreed. Jalen Carter was an awesome choice with the Saints pick at number 9.

Good for them. Saints wouldn't have picked him anyways.

[cajunrevenge]

Whether Robinson was worth the pick depends on the way he'll be used. If the Falcons don't pigeon hole him as a RB and instead are creative and move him all over the offense then he'll absolutely be worth a top 10 spot. Robinson is rare in that he can do everything well. He can run for power, he can change directions on a dime, he has great burst, he can hit HRs or pick up tough yards, he can block, and he has excellent receiving skills. The only weak spot in his game, if you can call it that, is lack of elite top end speed though running a 4.46 isn't exactly slow.

Robinson's excellence in nearly all areas makes him uniquely suited for creative use. If the Falcons move him all over and plan plays around his abilities then he'll be worth that pick. He'll provide value other backs simply can't provide. But it will take the right kind of offensive mind to unlock the full potential he brings. If the Falcons don't make the most of Bijan, it won't be because Bijan wasn't worth the pick, it will be because the coaching staff wasn't good enough to take advantage.

Just seems a little ass backwards to be worrying about a RB before even getting a franchise QB. Best case scenario he balls put and Falcons are a perpetually mediocre team for the next few years. Good luck finding a franchise QB picking in the 20's.

[striker42]

Just seems a little ass backwards to be worrying about a RB before even getting a franchise QB. Best case scenario he balls put and Falcons are a perpetually mediocre team for the next few years. Good luck finding a franchise QB picking in the 20's.

I agree that QB is a huge question mark for the Falcons and that's a problem for a rebuilding team. Problem is there was no QB after Young and Stroud that is clearly a better option than sticking with Ridder and the Falcons had no real chance of trading up to 1 or 2.

What Ridder will be is the wild card. He didn't look terrible at the end of last year. If he could take that second year leap forward then QB might not be a need. If he doesn't then the Falcons won't be too low on the draft board.

When the Falcons picked at 8, there was not a choice clearly better than Bijan. There were other guys you could argue were better options but no one you can point to and say the Falcons really flubbed it.

[Tapate50]

Just seems a little ass backwards to be worrying about a RB before even getting a franchise QB. Best case scenario he balls put and Falcons are a perpetually mediocre team for the next few years. Good luck finding a franchise QB picking in the 20's.

Is that where the Saints have found success finding QBs? The top 5?

[zitothebrave]

Is that where the Saints have found success finding QBs? The top 5?

Nah they find QB success via Free Agency.

The second leading passer in NO history is Archie Manning who only won 35 games in 12 seasons

Their third leading passer is Aaron Brooks.

[Tapate50]

If Trey Lance didn't look SO poor at QB last year, I'd say roll those dice. But he looked rough.

[zitothebrave]

If Trey Lance didn't look SO poor at QB last year, I'd say roll those dice. But he looked rough.

I mean I would love to gamble on Lance. But I won't pay the big price. At this point I don't expect anything to happen with him because Purdy could be out all season and there's no way Darnold gets the keys to the kingdom.

But if Purdy is ready to come back week 1 he could be an early trade. I wouldn't hate it at all.

[cajunrevenge]

Is that where the Saints have found success finding QBs? The top 5?

Saints have a 100% hit rate on top 5 qbs. They have a zero percent hit rate on running backs in the top 5. They have had 6 top 5 picks and taken a RB 4 times. I really don't think using the Saints as an example is a good idea when they never draft a QB top 5 and only have 2 good QB in their 60 year history.

[cajunrevenge]

Nah they find QB success via Free Agency.

The second leading passer in NO history is Archie Manning who only won 35 games in 12 seasons

Their third leading passer is Aaron Brooks.

The Saints were 5 years old when they drafted Archie. And then refused to draft a decent OLine so he spent much of his time running for his life..... which gets to my point that teams that want to win should be fortifying their O and DLine with top 10 picks. And by DLine I don't mean undersized speed edge rushers.

[Carp]

Saints have a 100% hit rate on top 5 qbs. They have a zero percent hit rate on running backs in the top 5. They have had 6 top 5 picks and taken a RB 4 times. I really don't think using the Saints as an example is a good idea when they never draft a QB top 5 and only have 2 good QB in their 60 year history.

How was Ricky Williams not a hit? Dude ran for 10k yards. Granted like 80% of that came with teams other than the Saints, but that's the Saints fault. Dude was a stud.

[cajunrevenge]

The best thing Ricky Williams did for the Saints was get us a first round pick back when we traded him. He got hurt his first year. He broke his leg on his 1000th yard in his second year. Had a good year in his third. Then was traded to Miami. I can see how he wouldnt be considered a bust. If it wasnt for the massive trade haul we gave up I think I would agree. I think that just sets the expectations a little higher. Dont really matter how good you are if you play 3/4ths of it and that was 2 out of 3 seasons with the Saints and its not like he was a top 5 RB when healthy. Thats not what you expect from a RB you take top 5. Would Falcons fans be okay if Robinson is just a top 10 RB in the league?

[Carp]

Again, for the Saints he was good not great. But he went to the Dolphins and balled out. 10k yard RBs are not common.

[zitothebrave]

How was Ricky Williams not a hit? Dude ran for 10k yards. Granted like 80% of that came with teams other than the Saints, but that's the Saints fault. Dude was a stud.

Also the Saints hate him because Ditka traded the whole draft for him and he then proceeded to not like Ditka or New Orleans.

Consider some facts about guys selected in top 10 at RB since lets say 2000. As that's the more modern era of NFL

Saquon - Legit stud
Fournette - Great RB not worth it
McCaffery - Legit Stud
Elliot - Legit Stud
Trent Richardson - Bum
Spiller - Not a good runner. But not a terrible one.
McFadden - Good RB, not worth it
Peterson - Hall of Famer
Reggie BUsh - Good RB, not great, not worth it
05 Draft - WIlliams, Benson and Brown all were pretty meh.
Tomlinson - Hall of famer.

So that's something like a 33%+ hit rate. With many of the bums being guys who were considered stretches. Bijan is closer to Zeke, Saquon, and McCaffery than he is to Benson, Bush, or McFadden.

[zitothebrave]

Again, for the Saints he was good not great. But he went to the Dolphins and balled out. 10k yard RBs are not common.

Only 31 have done it all time. He also basically missed 3 seasons for retirement and suspension.

If he had another 2000 yards he'd be around 16th/17th all time.

[Carp]

Also the Saints hate him because Ditka traded the whole draft for him and he then proceeded to not like Ditka or New Orleans.

Consider some facts about guys selected in top 10 at RB since lets say 2000. As that's the more modern era of NFL

Saquon - Legit stud
Fournette - Great RB not worth it
McCaffery - Legit Stud
Elliot - Legit Stud
Trent Richardson - Bum
Spiller - Not a good runner. But not a terrible one.
McFadden - Good RB, not worth it
Peterson - Hall of Famer
Reggie BUsh - Good RB, not great, not worth it
05 Draft - WIlliams, Benson and Brown all were pretty meh.
Tomlinson - Hall of famer.

So that's something like a 33%+ hit rate. With many of the bums being guys who were considered stretches. Bijan is closer to Zeke, Saquon, and McCaffery than he is to Benson, Bush, or McFadden.

McFadden could have been elite had he been able to stay healthy. Elite skillset that he finally displayed in 2010. No one questioned that pick at the time. He was a Heisman finalist and ab elite prospect.