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OUR "Hard Knocks" Thread

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  • We knew that as the worst team the last two years we would have to cut some guys who have been here a while. Got to see the family side of Orchard, but it has been obvious all along that he did not have the talent for the position he played. But at least he made some money for a few brief years, more than most make in 20 years altogether. Hope he invested well.

    EDIT: The question I still have is are the players we brought in better than the ones we let go. Several we have never even seen in a pre-season game. I'm thinking specifically about the 3 main DLs sent packing, Orchard, Nassib and Brantley.

  • Well... Ep 5 just left me flat... a letdown on par with the final episode of The Sopranos.

    Biggest thing for me... the Process guy... was catching barely a glimpse of our player evaluation process. Other than a little Dorsey/Hue huddle in the beginning and a little of Dorsey at a white board a little later... nada.

    Then next it's Hue entering a room with his assembled staff to inform them of the cuts? Nary a hint of their involvement in the decision process.

    Now all this could be editing by HBO/NFL Films, but it is more likely just how it is... we have a top down, autocratic organization and those can only be as good as the guy at the top.

    Otherwise.... the contrast between Hue's "exit interviews" with cut players and those of past HK HCs was stark. Our "Mr.Nice Guy" practically had players apologizing to him for making him cut them...

    ... and no... the above is not a complement.

  • We knew that as the worst team the last two years we would have to cut some guys who have been here a while. Got to see the family side of Orchard, but it has been obvious all along that he did not have the talent for the position he played. But at least he made some money for a few brief years, more than most make in 20 years altogether. Hope he invested well.

    EDIT: The question I still have is are the players we brought in better than the ones we let go. Several we have never even seen in a pre-season game. I'm thinking specifically about the 3 main DLs sent packing, Orchard, Nassib and Brantley.

    @texasag1969 said:

    We knew that as the worst team the last two years we would have to cut some guys who have been here a while. Got to see the family side of Orchard, but it has been obvious all along that he did not have the talent for the position he played. But at least he made some money for a few brief years, more than most make in 20 years altogether. Hope he invested well.

    EDIT: The question I still have is are the players we brought in better than the ones we let go. Several we have never even seen in a pre-season game. I'm thinking specifically about the 3 main DLs sent packing, Orchard, Nassib and Brantley.

    Are they better right now? Probably not. But I think at the bottom of the roster they are looking for upside. Orchard was given four camps and he's as good as he's going to get, which is just not good enough. Nassib had three camps and is good, but got replaced by a younger guy that they think might develop into really good.

    Orchard was a 2nd round pick that performed like a 5th round pick .... special teamer and backup.

    Nassib was a 3rd round pick that played like a 4th round pick ... rotational guy.

    They want better. They want guys that exceed expectations.

    Brantley seemed like a find in the 6th round ... but the issue seemed to be motivation. Does he love football? Does he bring it every down?

    That's why they all got the call to see the Wolf.

    Z

  • @texasag1969 said:

    We knew that as the worst team the last two years we would have to cut some guys who have been here a while. Got to see the family side of Orchard, but it has been obvious all along that he did not have the talent for the position he played. But at least he made some money for a few brief years, more than most make in 20 years altogether. Hope he invested well.

    EDIT: The question I still have is are the players we brought in better than the ones we let go. Several we have never even seen in a pre-season game. I'm thinking specifically about the 3 main DLs sent packing, Orchard, Nassib and Brantley.

    Are they better right now? Probably not. But I think at the bottom of the roster they are looking for upside. Orchard was given four camps and he's as good as he's going to get, which is just not good enough. Nassib had three camps and is good, but got replaced by a younger guy that they think might develop into really good.

    Orchard was a 2nd round pick that performed like a 5th round pick .... special teamer and backup.

    Nassib was a 3rd round pick that played like a 4th round pick ... rotational guy.

    They want better. They want guys that exceed expectations.

    Brantley seemed like a find in the 6th round ... but the issue seemed to be motivation. Does he love football? Does he bring it every down?

    That's why they all got the call to see the Wolf.

    Z

    Zombo said:

    That's why they all got the call to see the Wolf.

    a/k/a "Mr Unfortunately"... as in, "Unfortunately we need you to come in today."

    Every other HK team I can remember had the guys in the building pumping iron, getting treatment, etc... and we "called them in"... literally. Did not sit well with me.

  • Zombo said:

    That's why they all got the call to see the Wolf.

    a/k/a "Mr Unfortunately"... as in, "Unfortunately we need you to come in today."

    Every other HK team I can remember had the guys in the building pumping iron, getting treatment, etc... and we "called them in"... literally. Did not sit well with me.

    @tour2ma said:

    Every other HK team I can remember had the guys in the building pumping iron, getting treatment, etc... and we "called them in"... literally. Did not sit well with me.

    We have them home with meditation drills, "Do not go for the fake snap count, do not look at the tackler, do not forget to go in when it's my turn, etc." and most importantly for Huey, "Do not interfere with my coordinators, do not fk up the red zone, do not waste my timeouts, etc."?

  • Zombo said:

    That's why they all got the call to see the Wolf.

    a/k/a "Mr Unfortunately"... as in, "Unfortunately we need you to come in today."

    Every other HK team I can remember had the guys in the building pumping iron, getting treatment, etc... and we "called them in"... literally. Did not sit well with me.

    @tour2ma said:

    a/k/a "Mr Unfortunately"... as in, "Unfortunately we need you to come in today."

    Every other HK team I can remember had the guys in the building pumping iron, getting treatment, etc... and we "called them in"... literally. Did not sit well with me.

    Made it easy for Hue though. Wolf gives them the bad news and then Hue gets them after it has all sunk in and consoles them. His catchphrase was "different direction".

    Z

  • Well... Ep 5 just left me flat... a letdown on par with the final episode of The Sopranos.

    Biggest thing for me... the Process guy... was catching barely a glimpse of our player evaluation process. Other than a little Dorsey/Hue huddle in the beginning and a little of Dorsey at a white board a little later... nada.

    Then next it's Hue entering a room with his assembled staff to inform them of the cuts? Nary a hint of their involvement in the decision process.

    Now all this could be editing by HBO/NFL Films, but it is more likely just how it is... we have a top down, autocratic organization and those can only be as good as the guy at the top.

    Otherwise.... the contrast between Hue's "exit interviews" with cut players and those of past HK HCs was stark. Our "Mr.Nice Guy" practically had players apologizing to him for making him cut them...

    ... and no... the above is not a complement.

    @tour2ma said:

    Otherwise.... the contrast between Hue's "exit interviews" with cut players and those of past HK HCs was stark. Our "Mr.Nice Guy" practically had players apologizing to him for making him cut them...

    ... and no... the above is not a complement.

    I thought the exact same thing. 

  • Well... Ep 5 just left me flat... a letdown on par with the final episode of The Sopranos.

    Biggest thing for me... the Process guy... was catching barely a glimpse of our player evaluation process. Other than a little Dorsey/Hue huddle in the beginning and a little of Dorsey at a white board a little later... nada.

    Then next it's Hue entering a room with his assembled staff to inform them of the cuts? Nary a hint of their involvement in the decision process.

    Now all this could be editing by HBO/NFL Films, but it is more likely just how it is... we have a top down, autocratic organization and those can only be as good as the guy at the top.

    Otherwise.... the contrast between Hue's "exit interviews" with cut players and those of past HK HCs was stark. Our "Mr.Nice Guy" practically had players apologizing to him for making him cut them...

    ... and no... the above is not a complement.

    @tour2ma said:

    Well... Ep 5 just left me flat... a letdown on par with the final episode of The Sopranos.

    Biggest thing for me... the Process guy... was catching barely a glimpse of our player evaluation process. Other than a little Dorsey/Hue huddle in the beginning and a little of Dorsey at a white board a little later... nada.

    Then next it's Hue entering a room with his assembled staff to inform them of the cuts? Nary a hint of their involvement in the decision process.

    Now all this could be editing by HBO/NFL Films, but it is more likely just how it is... we have a top down, autocratic organization and those can only be as good as the guy at the top.

    Otherwise.... the contrast between Hue's "exit interviews" with cut players and those of past HK HCs was stark. Our "Mr.Nice Guy" practically had players apologizing to him for making him cut them...

    ... and no... the above is not a complement.

    I hated the Sopranos finale for years but once you actually understand it, it’s brilliant. I think the reason David Chase hasn’t said what happened is because it’s so obvious he’s mad at everyone for not getting it. There’s a pattern in the final scene that keeps showing different POVs, including Tony’s. We always get Tony’s POV as someone’s walking in. As soon as the suspected murderer walked in, it was time in the pattern to get Tony’s POV again. We got black instead. He died. 

  • It was hard watching the cuts. I'm sure HBO wanted one of their highlighted bubble guys to make it, but it's  not just reality TV ... it's real.

    I hope Orchard gets back on an NFL roster.

    I think we'll see Brokeback and Cajuste in the spring league trying to get better ... I'll watch them.

    On to the Steelers...

    Zombo

    --I have a feeling Todd Haley's offense is going to surprise some people.

    Zombo said:

    It was hard watching the cuts. I'm sure HBO wanted one of their highlighted bubble guys to make it, but it's  not just reality TV ... it's real.

    I hope Orchard gets back on an NFL roster.

    I think we'll see Brokeback and Cajuste in the spring league trying to get better ... I'll watch them.

    On to the Steelers...

    Zombo

    --I have a feeling Todd Haley's offense is going to surprise some people.

    Orchard deserves another shot as he obviously wasn't coached up by the Browns when he was switched from OLD to DE. Why do I say that? Myles Garrett teaching him the basics of his stance highlighted in this episode. Gregg Williams calling Ward stupid but couldn't pay attention to an OLB he switched positions.

  • Zombo said:

    It was hard watching the cuts. I'm sure HBO wanted one of their highlighted bubble guys to make it, but it's  not just reality TV ... it's real.

    I hope Orchard gets back on an NFL roster.

    I think we'll see Brokeback and Cajuste in the spring league trying to get better ... I'll watch them.

    On to the Steelers...

    Zombo

    --I have a feeling Todd Haley's offense is going to surprise some people.

    Orchard deserves another shot as he obviously wasn't coached up by the Browns when he was switched from OLD to DE. Why do I say that? Myles Garrett teaching him the basics of his stance highlighted in this episode. Gregg Williams calling Ward stupid but couldn't pay attention to an OLB he switched positions.

    @mddawg said:

    Orchard deserves another shot as he obviously wasn't coached up by the Browns when he was switched from OLD to DE. Why do I say that? Myles Garrett teaching him the basics of his stance highlighted in this episode. Gregg Williams calling Ward stupid but couldn't pay attention to an OLB he switched positions.

    huh? orchard was drafted by pettines regime and converted to olb'er. If anything going back to williams 43 was going home for orchard 

  • @mddawg said:

    Orchard deserves another shot as he obviously wasn't coached up by the Browns when he was switched from OLD to DE. Why do I say that? Myles Garrett teaching him the basics of his stance highlighted in this episode. Gregg Williams calling Ward stupid but couldn't pay attention to an OLB he switched positions.

    huh? orchard was drafted by pettines regime and converted to olb'er. If anything going back to williams 43 was going home for orchard 

    @clevfan4life said:

    huh? orchard was drafted by pettines regime and converted to olb'er. If anything going back to williams 43 was going home for orchard 

    Did you watch the episode? Myles observed he was using one stance for the pass rush and another stance for run blocking then he'd guess during the play and switch. The problem with that is as Myles pointed out is you only have 2.5 seconds to reach target and will never get to the QB or the ball in time with that technique. This explains a lot of Orchard's inconsistency.

  • @mddawg said:

    Orchard deserves another shot as he obviously wasn't coached up by the Browns when he was switched from OLD to DE. Why do I say that? Myles Garrett teaching him the basics of his stance highlighted in this episode. Gregg Williams calling Ward stupid but couldn't pay attention to an OLB he switched positions.

    huh? orchard was drafted by pettines regime and converted to olb'er. If anything going back to williams 43 was going home for orchard 

    @clevfan4life said:

    huh? orchard was drafted by pettines regime and converted to olb'er. If anything going back to williams 43 was going home for orchard 

    I wonder if Pet would take a look at him in GB?

    I see he has a meeting with the Bills.

    Bills & Bucs ... two teams nibbling for our scraps ... are we better than two teams now?

    Zombo

  • @clevfan4life said:

    huh? orchard was drafted by pettines regime and converted to olb'er. If anything going back to williams 43 was going home for orchard 

    I wonder if Pet would take a look at him in GB?

    I see he has a meeting with the Bills.

    Bills & Bucs ... two teams nibbling for our scraps ... are we better than two teams now?

    Zombo

    Zombo said:

    Bills & Bucs ... two teams nibbling for our scraps ... are we better than two teams now?

    Zombo

    Yes, we're ranked 30th entering the season lol.

  • Zombo said:

    That's why they all got the call to see the Wolf.

    a/k/a "Mr Unfortunately"... as in, "Unfortunately we need you to come in today."

    Every other HK team I can remember had the guys in the building pumping iron, getting treatment, etc... and we "called them in"... literally. Did not sit well with me.

    @tour2ma said:

    a/k/a "Mr Unfortunately"... as in, "Unfortunately we need you to come in today."

    Every other HK team I can remember had the guys in the building pumping iron, getting treatment, etc... and we "called them in"... literally. Did not sit well with me.

    I think you're reading too much into it. 

  • @tour2ma said:

    a/k/a "Mr Unfortunately"... as in, "Unfortunately we need you to come in today."

    Every other HK team I can remember had the guys in the building pumping iron, getting treatment, etc... and we "called them in"... literally. Did not sit well with me.

    Made it easy for Hue though. Wolf gives them the bad news and then Hue gets them after it has all sunk in and consoles them. His catchphrase was "different direction".

    Z

    Zombo said:

    Made it easy for Hue though. Wolf gives them the bad news and then Hue gets them after it has all sunk in and consoles them. His catchphrase was "different direction".

    Z

    It wasn't that much different than what we've seen on past Hard Knocks. Just sayin

  • i read some time ago that pettine may live full time somewhere up around sandusky. He certainly got to sit at home fir a bunch of years and make the place look just right on hazzy's paycheck?

  • @clevfan4life said:

    huh? orchard was drafted by pettines regime and converted to olb'er. If anything going back to williams 43 was going home for orchard 

    Did you watch the episode? Myles observed he was using one stance for the pass rush and another stance for run blocking then he'd guess during the play and switch. The problem with that is as Myles pointed out is you only have 2.5 seconds to reach target and will never get to the QB or the ball in time with that technique. This explains a lot of Orchard's inconsistency.

    @mddawg said:

    Did you watch the episode? Myles observed he was using one stance for the pass rush and another stance for run blocking then he'd guess during the play and switch. The problem with that is as Myles pointed out is you only have 2.5 seconds to reach target and will never get to the QB or the ball in time with that technique. This explains a lot of Orchard's inconsistency.

    That scene made me wonder about our OL coach, Mr. Masarati. Why does another player have to notice this? Seems like they retain him for his barking belly.

  • @mddawg said:

    Did you watch the episode? Myles observed he was using one stance for the pass rush and another stance for run blocking then he'd guess during the play and switch. The problem with that is as Myles pointed out is you only have 2.5 seconds to reach target and will never get to the QB or the ball in time with that technique. This explains a lot of Orchard's inconsistency.

    That scene made me wonder about our OL coach, Mr. Masarati. Why does another player have to notice this? Seems like they retain him for his barking belly.

    @texasag1969 said:

    That scene made me wonder about our OL coach, Mr. Masarati. Why does another player have to notice this? Seems like they retain him for his barking belly.

    You mean the DL coach.

  • @mddawg said:

    Did you watch the episode? Myles observed he was using one stance for the pass rush and another stance for run blocking then he'd guess during the play and switch. The problem with that is as Myles pointed out is you only have 2.5 seconds to reach target and will never get to the QB or the ball in time with that technique. This explains a lot of Orchard's inconsistency.

    That scene made me wonder about our OL coach, Mr. Masarati. Why does another player have to notice this? Seems like they retain him for his barking belly.

    @texasag1969 said:

    That scene made me wonder about our OL coach, Mr. Masarati. Why does another player have to notice this? Seems like they retain him for his barking belly.

    Or his fantastic zoological analogies.

  • @tour2ma said:

    Well... Ep 5 just left me flat... a letdown on par with the final episode of The Sopranos.

    Biggest thing for me... the Process guy... was catching barely a glimpse of our player evaluation process. Other than a little Dorsey/Hue huddle in the beginning and a little of Dorsey at a white board a little later... nada.

    Then next it's Hue entering a room with his assembled staff to inform them of the cuts? Nary a hint of their involvement in the decision process.

    Now all this could be editing by HBO/NFL Films, but it is more likely just how it is... we have a top down, autocratic organization and those can only be as good as the guy at the top.

    Otherwise.... the contrast between Hue's "exit interviews" with cut players and those of past HK HCs was stark. Our "Mr.Nice Guy" practically had players apologizing to him for making him cut them...

    ... and no... the above is not a complement.

    I hated the Sopranos finale for years but once you actually understand it, it’s brilliant. I think the reason David Chase hasn’t said what happened is because it’s so obvious he’s mad at everyone for not getting it. There’s a pattern in the final scene that keeps showing different POVs, including Tony’s. We always get Tony’s POV as someone’s walking in. As soon as the suspected murderer walked in, it was time in the pattern to get Tony’s POV again. We got black instead. He died. 

    @wargograw said:

    I hated the Sopranos finale for years but once you actually understand it, it’s brilliant. I think the reason David Chase hasn’t said what happened is because it’s so obvious he’s mad at everyone for not getting it. There’s a pattern in the final scene that keeps showing different POVs, including Tony’s. We always get Tony’s POV as someone’s walking in. As soon as the suspected murderer walked in, it was time in the pattern to get Tony’s POV again. We got black instead. He died. 

    Except that I think it was merely his daughter that came in, to join the family for dinner.   The series ended with that family just having a nice dinner together, and that's it.    That's my opinion, and I am sticking to it.