You found the gold dust from the pressers! I wonder if they have any intention or retaining Payne and this is a tryout? Or is this we dont want a big hole to fill?
I think it’s more the latter at this stage. Certainly Peters said they aren’t interested in exploring a new deal for him right now. He said maybe they’d revisit that at the end of the season, so of course if he has a great year they could be open to doing a new deal then, but I think it would be tough.
The downside of letting him play out on this contract is it makes a new deal next year harder. Payne has an insane cap number of nearly 28m for this year. He’s not worth that and there’s no way the Commanders could do a new deal at that price. But from his perspective, why would he accept less? Just thinking about it in the real world, if you or I were being paid X amount for a job, and your employer came to you at the end of your contract and said “We’d like to keep you, but for less than what we’re currently paying you”, you’d probably feel a bit insulted and want to go look elsewhere.
So I think this likely sets the table for a clean break from Payne next year, which is probably right anyway given his age and performance levels to date. He’s still a good player, very good against the run. But he’s never become the dominant pass rusher that he showed the potential of being in college. But for this season alone, that flexibility that DQ talked about - being able to play 3-4 end, being able to play NT - that has value in this defense.
The Vikings had a lot of flexible pieces and changed the personnel a lot, blitzed guys, dropped different guys into coverage, very aggressive and did a lot of different things. But the big consistent on that defense was the 3 interior DL all being able to hold up against the run and buy a gap back so that the defense could stay in 2-deep structures all game and still be sound against the run. Those guys weren’t always great pass rushers. Some were, but that was a bonus. The pressure comes from the blitz schemes and number of rushers. The DL were obviously involved in that but their primary job was run defense. That suits a guy like Payne very well.
As I’ve said before, anyone who doesn't want in-depth answers can head over to Short Attention Span Theater. When it comes to long-form replys, I say: "Lay on, Macduff!" 😜
Full disclosure: I fret over the same thing—and fear becoming a steaming pile of … prolixity. (Had you thinking something more earthy, right?? 😂) Keeping with the Shakespeare motif, I try to remember that wise fool Polonius’ advice that brevity is the soul of wit—but I follow it about as rarely as he did! 😱
Glad you enjoyed it! I always worry about these types of posts because they’re not my normal style. I feel like the thing you all subscribe for is my breakdowns of players and plays with video footage. Stuff like breaking down press conferences and contract details is the stuff beat reporters normally do and I typically avoid. But I sometimes feel like breaking up the constant breakdowns of players/schemes and stuff and just giving my opinions on things, like these pressers.
I won’t be transitioning from film breakdowns to full time presser breakdowns any time soon, but it’s a nice change for me to just give my opinion on things and not have to edit clips and break down individual plays etc. So hopefully you guys are ok with me occasionally doing these types of just text posts without any clips/film breakdowns from time to time.
Also, your writeups also have something extra. You bring your knowledge of the team to it. That shows up here and there. You often have a bit of additional insight or commentary that doesn't show up in the stuff written by reporters.
The reporters cover the team, but they don't watch and break down film the way you do, and that shows up in how they report this kind of stuff.
Thank you! I do try to add something extra instead of just posting the quotes. I always feel like “what can I offer that people won’t get elsewhere” so I always try to give a different insight or relate those quotes to the scheme or players or whatever. I’m very glad to hear that is getting picked up by you guys.
Me & the fam spent a week in Tottenham, crashing with some friends for the 2012 Olympics. It wasnt like a week in Palm Springs, but I really liked the place. Real people live there!✊ Only a short tube ride from London.
Both my sons studied there! Had a couple of visits, including the Olympics; Wembley Stadium, the O2 Arena, & the Horse Guard Parade in Whitehall (beach volleyball!😄).
Thank you! I don’t know if I can do anything about the font and the brightness levels on Substack personally, but I will look into that.
What I do know is that if you have the Substack app, there’s a settings menu that lets you adjust all of that kind of thing. When you click on an article in the app, there’s a three dots in the top right corner. Click on them and it comes up with a menu. If you click on the Display Settings part of that menu, it gives you options to adjust the font type and text size. I don’t think I can do anything about the brightness/darkness but that might help at least!
Like you’ve said from the start, MB, if the B&G traded for Tunsil without a plan to pony up for a top-of-the-market extension this offseason, it would have been a case of major malpractice. It’ll get done and probably sooner than later.
Re: Payne; I’m one of those fans who says let him play out this final year and take whatever work we can get—knowing it’s "hasta la vista, baby" at season’s end. Luckily, the Commanders' cap situation allows them to absorb that cost.
Who could have predicted the market we’re seeing for Chris Paul? A year ago, he was almost an afterthought; now, estimates range from $5M to over $10M per year! (Despite the belief that his run blocking falls way short of his pass blocking; 38 to 78 @ PFF) Luckily, the B&G still have Brandon Coleman under contract. That, combined with some serviceable and reasonably priced guards available in the UFA market, makes the Paul decision feel a lot less crucial if they don’t wanna meet his number.
Also, I’d previously heard AP say that he didn’t want to tamper with Aiyuk, so he had to tread lightly when talking about him. Is it true that Aiyuk will probably be a June 1 cut for salary cap reasons, and if so, how does that affect the C’s ability to fully plan for the WR position prior to that late date?
Finally, it’s interesting to see Brian Johnson move on to more hospitable pastures—joining Kliff Kingsbury in LA, rebuilding the Rams offensive coaching staff. I’m curious to see if David seeks out an "OG”mentor - maybe someone from his past? - who can advise him, not so much on scheme or play-calling, but on the nuts-and-bolts of administration.
Agree on Tunsil, I think that gets done. Hopefully before too long but it didn’t sound like it was imminent. I will take AP at his word that he’s learned his lesson from last year for now, but at this point last year I thought McLaurin would have gotten done easily over the summer and we know how that played out.
We do also need to remember it takes both sides to do the deal. That’s not suggesting Tunsil doesn’t wanna be here, but he’d be smart to delay until after the initial wave of free agency and perhaps after whatever happens with Trent Williams over in San Francisco. We often see the first guy that takes a deal sets the market for the rest waiting for extensions. We’ve seen years where the top WR contract has jumped a few million over the course of an offseason. One receiver will sign an extension in March and then FA will hit and top that, then another couple of guys will sign their extensions later in the summer and the number just keeps going up. So on Tunsil’s end, he could end up making more money if he delays the negotiations as long as possible.
On Aiyuk - being a post June-1 cut doesn’t mean anything for the player or any new team he joins. It’s an accounting thing teams use. Basically it enables them to spread the dead cap hit out over 2 years, with the first half of that cap hit hitting on June 1. But for the player, he gets released and can sign right away with anyone he wants to.
Definitely interesting in who replaces Brian Johnson too. DQ said at the podium yesterday that they were “probably a day or two away from finalizing: the coaching staff, so hopefully we wont have to wait long to find out. The one I was keeping an eye on all offseason was Darrell Bevell, who coached with Quinn in Seattle and he coached Blough for his first year in Detroit. Standig reported they had interest but that he wasn’t sure it was Bevell’s top option. Turns out, Bevell went to Carolina, where he has links to guys there too. Now I’m kinda out of ideas, but hopefully we’ll find out soon
For clarification: my concern with waiting for June 1 cuts is how it complicates the WR shortage. It’s hard to know how to attack the UFA period or the draft when you won't know if Aiyuk will even be an option until much later.
Should landing Brandon be a primary goal, or just the "proverbial cherry on top" if it happens?
You found the gold dust from the pressers! I wonder if they have any intention or retaining Payne and this is a tryout? Or is this we dont want a big hole to fill?
I think it’s more the latter at this stage. Certainly Peters said they aren’t interested in exploring a new deal for him right now. He said maybe they’d revisit that at the end of the season, so of course if he has a great year they could be open to doing a new deal then, but I think it would be tough.
The downside of letting him play out on this contract is it makes a new deal next year harder. Payne has an insane cap number of nearly 28m for this year. He’s not worth that and there’s no way the Commanders could do a new deal at that price. But from his perspective, why would he accept less? Just thinking about it in the real world, if you or I were being paid X amount for a job, and your employer came to you at the end of your contract and said “We’d like to keep you, but for less than what we’re currently paying you”, you’d probably feel a bit insulted and want to go look elsewhere.
So I think this likely sets the table for a clean break from Payne next year, which is probably right anyway given his age and performance levels to date. He’s still a good player, very good against the run. But he’s never become the dominant pass rusher that he showed the potential of being in college. But for this season alone, that flexibility that DQ talked about - being able to play 3-4 end, being able to play NT - that has value in this defense.
The Vikings had a lot of flexible pieces and changed the personnel a lot, blitzed guys, dropped different guys into coverage, very aggressive and did a lot of different things. But the big consistent on that defense was the 3 interior DL all being able to hold up against the run and buy a gap back so that the defense could stay in 2-deep structures all game and still be sound against the run. Those guys weren’t always great pass rushers. Some were, but that was a bonus. The pressure comes from the blitz schemes and number of rushers. The DL were obviously involved in that but their primary job was run defense. That suits a guy like Payne very well.
Thanks for writing all of that. That feels right.
You know me, I struggle to keep answers short!
I love that response, MB!
As I’ve said before, anyone who doesn't want in-depth answers can head over to Short Attention Span Theater. When it comes to long-form replys, I say: "Lay on, Macduff!" 😜
Full disclosure: I fret over the same thing—and fear becoming a steaming pile of … prolixity. (Had you thinking something more earthy, right?? 😂) Keeping with the Shakespeare motif, I try to remember that wise fool Polonius’ advice that brevity is the soul of wit—but I follow it about as rarely as he did! 😱
(Oops, I think I just did it again!!)
I'd be broke if I paid by the word! You always go the extra mile!!!
🤣! I’m gonna take that in the best spirit, SDG!
Polonius also said, “This above all: to thine own self be true”.
I gotta be me!!😝
Oh man, I thought I was replying to Mark! It is absolutely the best spirit! I love the breakdown!!!
Shoot, Mark said he strives to keep it short 😆
Hell of a read, thanks Mark!
Glad you enjoyed it! I always worry about these types of posts because they’re not my normal style. I feel like the thing you all subscribe for is my breakdowns of players and plays with video footage. Stuff like breaking down press conferences and contract details is the stuff beat reporters normally do and I typically avoid. But I sometimes feel like breaking up the constant breakdowns of players/schemes and stuff and just giving my opinions on things, like these pressers.
I won’t be transitioning from film breakdowns to full time presser breakdowns any time soon, but it’s a nice change for me to just give my opinion on things and not have to edit clips and break down individual plays etc. So hopefully you guys are ok with me occasionally doing these types of just text posts without any clips/film breakdowns from time to time.
Always good to get a different perspective, which you definitely gave. Crack on!
What Grant said.
Also, your writeups also have something extra. You bring your knowledge of the team to it. That shows up here and there. You often have a bit of additional insight or commentary that doesn't show up in the stuff written by reporters.
The reporters cover the team, but they don't watch and break down film the way you do, and that shows up in how they report this kind of stuff.
So please, keep doing it!
Thank you! I do try to add something extra instead of just posting the quotes. I always feel like “what can I offer that people won’t get elsewhere” so I always try to give a different insight or relate those quotes to the scheme or players or whatever. I’m very glad to hear that is getting picked up by you guys.
Playing in London!!! I’ll be there!
What a great read!!
My brother, if YER going, I’M going!! 😃✊
Who else is in??!!
Just paid my deposit through NFL ON LOCATION. It is the same group that I used for the Madrid game (which was first class).
At Tottenham’s new stadium!!
Me & the fam spent a week in Tottenham, crashing with some friends for the 2012 Olympics. It wasnt like a week in Palm Springs, but I really liked the place. Real people live there!✊ Only a short tube ride from London.
Gonna have to follow that link, G! 🙏
Exciting stuff! Have you been to London before?
It will be a first for an extended not work related time period! So looking forward to it!
Both my sons studied there! Had a couple of visits, including the Olympics; Wembley Stadium, the O2 Arena, & the Horse Guard Parade in Whitehall (beach volleyball!😄).
Love the place!
Love your insights. Only quibble is size and darkness if the type you use. Tough to read by us older guys on an IPhone
Thank you! I don’t know if I can do anything about the font and the brightness levels on Substack personally, but I will look into that.
What I do know is that if you have the Substack app, there’s a settings menu that lets you adjust all of that kind of thing. When you click on an article in the app, there’s a three dots in the top right corner. Click on them and it comes up with a menu. If you click on the Display Settings part of that menu, it gives you options to adjust the font type and text size. I don’t think I can do anything about the brightness/darkness but that might help at least!
Like you’ve said from the start, MB, if the B&G traded for Tunsil without a plan to pony up for a top-of-the-market extension this offseason, it would have been a case of major malpractice. It’ll get done and probably sooner than later.
Re: Payne; I’m one of those fans who says let him play out this final year and take whatever work we can get—knowing it’s "hasta la vista, baby" at season’s end. Luckily, the Commanders' cap situation allows them to absorb that cost.
Who could have predicted the market we’re seeing for Chris Paul? A year ago, he was almost an afterthought; now, estimates range from $5M to over $10M per year! (Despite the belief that his run blocking falls way short of his pass blocking; 38 to 78 @ PFF) Luckily, the B&G still have Brandon Coleman under contract. That, combined with some serviceable and reasonably priced guards available in the UFA market, makes the Paul decision feel a lot less crucial if they don’t wanna meet his number.
Also, I’d previously heard AP say that he didn’t want to tamper with Aiyuk, so he had to tread lightly when talking about him. Is it true that Aiyuk will probably be a June 1 cut for salary cap reasons, and if so, how does that affect the C’s ability to fully plan for the WR position prior to that late date?
Finally, it’s interesting to see Brian Johnson move on to more hospitable pastures—joining Kliff Kingsbury in LA, rebuilding the Rams offensive coaching staff. I’m curious to see if David seeks out an "OG”mentor - maybe someone from his past? - who can advise him, not so much on scheme or play-calling, but on the nuts-and-bolts of administration.
Cheers!🙏
Agree on Tunsil, I think that gets done. Hopefully before too long but it didn’t sound like it was imminent. I will take AP at his word that he’s learned his lesson from last year for now, but at this point last year I thought McLaurin would have gotten done easily over the summer and we know how that played out.
We do also need to remember it takes both sides to do the deal. That’s not suggesting Tunsil doesn’t wanna be here, but he’d be smart to delay until after the initial wave of free agency and perhaps after whatever happens with Trent Williams over in San Francisco. We often see the first guy that takes a deal sets the market for the rest waiting for extensions. We’ve seen years where the top WR contract has jumped a few million over the course of an offseason. One receiver will sign an extension in March and then FA will hit and top that, then another couple of guys will sign their extensions later in the summer and the number just keeps going up. So on Tunsil’s end, he could end up making more money if he delays the negotiations as long as possible.
On Aiyuk - being a post June-1 cut doesn’t mean anything for the player or any new team he joins. It’s an accounting thing teams use. Basically it enables them to spread the dead cap hit out over 2 years, with the first half of that cap hit hitting on June 1. But for the player, he gets released and can sign right away with anyone he wants to.
Definitely interesting in who replaces Brian Johnson too. DQ said at the podium yesterday that they were “probably a day or two away from finalizing: the coaching staff, so hopefully we wont have to wait long to find out. The one I was keeping an eye on all offseason was Darrell Bevell, who coached with Quinn in Seattle and he coached Blough for his first year in Detroit. Standig reported they had interest but that he wasn’t sure it was Bevell’s top option. Turns out, Bevell went to Carolina, where he has links to guys there too. Now I’m kinda out of ideas, but hopefully we’ll find out soon
Thanks for the reply.
For clarification: my concern with waiting for June 1 cuts is how it complicates the WR shortage. It’s hard to know how to attack the UFA period or the draft when you won't know if Aiyuk will even be an option until much later.
Should landing Brandon be a primary goal, or just the "proverbial cherry on top" if it happens?