Gerald McCoy. Atkins has help; McCoy is playing with a bunch of injury replacements.
Atkins, with 2 picks, 2 pass defensed, and 3 forced fumbles, is having a great year. But what do we mean when we say, DT? Are we limiting the discussion to 4-3 DT’s? Certainly, 3-4 NTs have a different job description and gap assignment than most 4-3 DTs.
From what I’ve seen—you would probably know this much more than me—Atkins plays primarily a 3-technique. If we’re opening the discussion to guys that play some 3-technique, then my vote is for J.J. Watt. Admittedly, Watt plays more 5-technique than 3-technique (and is listed as a 3-4 DE, to boot), per articles like this, but he does a play a significant amount of 3.
I’d like to see D-linemen, in this day and age, identified more by their gap assignments, than by their ostensible positions. Because with the increased frequency of formations like the “amoeba”, psycho, or the 11 angry men, never mind all of the ordinary stunting that goes on in the game, it gets difficult for me at least to say that this guy’s a DT or DE. But Atkins is certainly a great player this year, and you guys look like you’ve a shot for the last WC slot.
So Vick is out for the rest of the season now. What happens to him going forward? I don’t believe for a minute he’s changed since he left prison. I don’t see him as being a good fit in a backup role.
He’ll probably end up with the Jets
What do you mean by “changed since he left prison”? Presumably he’s no longer killing dogs. He was doing alright as Kolb’s backup when the Eagles first signed him, too.
I image he’ll get signed by one of the teams that thinks it’s just a quarterback away and wants to roll the dice. Arizona, Minnesota, New Jersey Jets, etc.
One of the first things Vick did after leaving prison was to throw a party with his gangster buddies which resulted in a shooting.
I’d vomit if the Cardinals even considered him. Thankfully they won’t, he’d be killed behind their O-line.
You’re probably right about which metrics to use to compare them and also what type of system they play in. IIRC on top of what you mentioned Atkins also has 9 sacks as well. He’s been an amazing player. Another impact player the Bengals unearthed is Vontaze Burfict, formerly projected to be a first round pick that tumbled out of the draft and is playing kick ass as an undrafted FA.
Josh Gordon is leading rookie receivers in yardage by a good margin and I think touchdowns too. Which is especially good since he had a shortened offseason and is considered a very raw prospect. And he’s doing it on a shitty offense. I’m becoming a big fan.
Edit: Cancel, missed Cecil Shorts. Still, pretty good, especially since Gordon is one of those raw/upside guys.
Woops, Shorts is a second year player, so cancel that cancel.
If it helps, our secondary is really really terrible. Is Nicks playing? If he is he and Cruz should be able to beat them easily. Cruz could probably take them single handed. I’m not joking by much.
Should be an interesting game.
I’ve only seen a bit of him, but he reminds me Torrey Smith. One of those guys who excels going deep, and coaches hope will develop into an all around threat. I’m not enamoured with his sub .500 catch rate or his negative DVOA, but as you said, he’s raw.
Seeing as how the Browns used a draft pick in the 35-45 range for him, for your sake I hope he continues to develop. But he’s clearly way ahead of the Michael Floyd/Brian Quick/AJ Jenkins curve.
Wow. RG3 magic. Even his mistakes score touchdowns.
“The magic of RG3!”
Gimme a fricking break, Gruden – fumbles are mistakes, not magic!
Gruden has a stroke over every player who makes any play at all.
God wanted them to score
The skins have no fucking defense. None. Horrible pass coverage and Bradshaw is running straight up their ass.
Damn, our secondary really is awful.
I was also thinking our receivers need to drop more passes. 50% isn’t enough. Morris is on a mission now after than fumble too. Wasn’t much he could do about that one though, it was punchd right out of his arms while he was upside down.
This one could be tight…
Jaysus this is tense.
What the Hell? Darnell Docket spit on the face of a teammate? While I don’t agree with letting the Jets score and trying to force overtime if the offense gets the ball back, if coach tells you to do something, you do it.