I still think we drafted Deguara too early. I just don't see much long-term potential as a difference maker. Probably is a backup TE his entire career. Just my opinion though and hope I'm wrong. Ideally you want a 3rd round pick to be more but at the same time, Packers have struggled in that round in recent years so at least they got a contributor.
But Stokes looks to be a good pick. Reading his draft bio kind of surprised me he was seen as a second round pick.
It took Tonyan a few years to become the player he is. Deguara basically lost his rookie year and is more or less playing as a rookie this year.
@CUPackFan posted:I still think we drafted Deguara too early.
Yeah but it made for an awesome draft day video.
What I've noticed about Stokes recently is I rarely ever see the camera on him. That means he's not being targeted which says everything. And when he is I see an immediate wrap-up tackle. He's starting to play a bit like Jaire in that sense.
Eric Stokes has allowed just 55 total yards over his last 21 targets.
— Daire Carragher (@DaireCarragher) December 20, 2021
It’s been 5 weeks since he allowed a catch beyond 8 yards.
Stokes had the highest graded game of his career last night. CB1 material 🔒
@PackerHawk posted:It took Tonyan a few years to become the player he is. Deguara basically lost his rookie year and is more or less playing as a rookie this year.
And he wasn't drafted to be a traditional TE or even just a move TE. He was drafted to be a FB/TE/Hback that can move all over the formation. He's still getting his feet wet and AR's trust but his arrow is still pointing up.
@vitaflo posted:What I've noticed about Stokes recently is I rarely ever see the camera on him. That means he's not being targeted which says everything. And when he is I see an immediate wrap-up tackle. He's starting to play a bit like Jaire in that sense.
I keep thinking back to training camp when AR12 and Adams continually picked on the young rookie corner. It had to be very frustrating for Stokes, but now he is reaping the harvest awards of that all-pro indoctrination with his play. He's discovering opposing QB and WR combos aren't quite in the same league as 12 and 17.
Then all the reindeer loved him.
@DH13 posted:And he wasn't drafted to be a traditional TE or even just a move TE. He was drafted to be a FB/TE/Hback that can move all over the formation. He's still getting his feet wet and AR's trust but his arrow is still pointing up.
I don’t know how anyone can watch Deguara and not be excited about his future.
But the chicks wanna know about Stokes.
Honestly, Gutekunst has hit big on a some key picks. I know I was excited about Dillon when he was drafted… bunch of folks saw the logic in it. Deguara is starting to find that place, injury last year set him back.
But Stokes has a bright future based on his play this year. For several weeks now he’s been the best CB on the field, and that evidenced by the way teams are targeting Douglas (at their peril).
But the kid needs to start playmaking. He’s has several chances at game-changing INTs. He’s not making them. You gotta make the play. Douglas has achieved cult status right now- why? He made the plays. Game winning pick. Pick 6. Stokes has to make this connection… it’s what separates the great ones. He has everything else…
It will come. The younger Jaire was the same.
I'm giving Stokes a pass for not making INT. I think he is a little gun shy about coming in a bit early being the numerous penalties he got early in the season. Gray will coach him up, you can count on it.
@Music City posted:Honestly, Gutekunst has hit big on a some key picks. I know I was excited about Dillon when he was drafted… bunch of folks saw the logic in it. Deguara is starting to find that place, injury last year set him back.
But Stokes has a bright future based on his play this year. For several weeks now he’s been the best CB on the field, and that evidenced by the way teams are targeting Douglas (at their peril).
But the kid needs to start playmaking. He’s has several chances at game-changing INTs. He’s not making them. You gotta make the play. Douglas has achieved cult status right now- why? He made the plays. Game winning pick. Pick 6. Stokes has to make this connection… it’s what separates the great ones. He has everything else…
I don't recall Stokes having 2 easy interception chances like the 2 that were essentially thrown directly at Douglas. Could be I'm forgetting though.....
I recall a couple deep balls that were caught right in front of him. He was right there with the receiver but either didn't get his head around in time or didn't track the ball quick enough to make a play on it. It was earlier in the season and even vets can have issues with this. It will come with experience. The most important thing at this stage is he was in position to make the play. He should see more opportunities if/when JA gets back because they won't be throwing at JA. They may test him early to see how he's dealing with the shoulder.
Message boards are the best.
Bunch of fat, drunk never beens. People that can’t run their own lives - Complaining about athleticism, decision making and coaching like they have the almighty master plan.
@Iowacheese posted:Message boards are the best.
Bunch of fat, drunk never beens. People that can’t run their own lives - Complaining about athleticism, decision making and coaching like they have the almighty master plan.
Please leave Vikings fans the hell out of this!
I'm taking my life for a meandering stroll. Just happens to be in a junkyard.
@Henry posted:I'm taking my life for a meandering stroll. Just happens to be in a junkyard.
I think you'll enjoy this one from Hunter Thompson - a fun read while you're meandering through the junkyard
https://www.alexanderjarvis.co...the-meaning-of-life/
"...And indeed, that IS the question: whether to float with the tide, or to swim for a goal. It is a choice we must all make consciously or unconsciously at one time in our lives. So few people understand this! Think of any decision you’ve ever made which had a bearing on your future: I may be wrong, but I don’t see how it could have been anything but a choice however indirect— between the two things I’ve mentioned: the floating or the swimming."
With regards to young Eric Stokes - the game is starting to slow down for him and he couldn't have a better tutor than Jerry Gray. He was also thrust into a starting position too soon due to injuries, which is a massive challenge.
In college, he relied on his top end speed to cover up for his mistakes...and he leaned on his track techniques, not OOtball techniques. But in the NFL, he has to learn new techniques and commit them to memory. Otherwise, under duress ( beaten deep) he will resort to grabbing and other sordid methods.
For those with a functioning cranium, they know this takes time & repetition
to play at the highest levels against some of the absolute best players on this planet.
@Satori posted:I think you'll enjoy this one from Hunter Thompson - a fun read while you're meandering through the junkyard
https://www.alexanderjarvis.co...the-meaning-of-life/
"...And indeed, that IS the question: whether to float with the tide, or to swim for a goal. It is a choice we must all make consciously or unconsciously at one time in our lives. So few people understand this! Think of any decision you’ve ever made which had a bearing on your future: I may be wrong, but I don’t see how it could have been anything but a choice however indirect— between the two things I’ve mentioned: the floating or the swimming."
With regards to young Eric Stokes - the game is starting to slow down for him and he couldn't have a better tutor than Jerry Gray. He was also thrust into a starting position too soon due to injuries, which is a massive challenge.
In college, he relied on his top end speed to cover up for his mistakes...and he leaned on his track techniques, not OOtball techniques. But in the NFL, he has to learn new techniques and commit them to memory. Otherwise, under duress ( beaten deep) he will resort to grabbing and other sordid methods.
For those with a functioning cranium, they know this takes time & repetition
to play at the highest levels against some of the absolute best players on this planet.
Great read and coincidental timing as well.
As far as Stokes, I think playing against Justin Jefferson is going to be a great catalyst for his development. Those two guys went head to head in college and here they are at the pro level polishing their game. Jefferson has the edge at the moment. I hope he uses it as he takes in the entirety of the pro game.
@Iowacheese posted:Message boards are the best.
Bunch of fat, drunk never beens. People that can’t run their own lives - Complaining about athleticism, decision making and coaching like they have the almighty master plan.
Sooo.. if you’re not a pro athlete, what’s the point of sharing your opinion is your take?
Roger that. I guess I shouldn’t have a political opinion either since I never served in Congress.
Opinion on a message board is fine, but the reason I come here is for information. Facts! That’s the shit that moves me. The opinion on this board just reminds me we are all know nothing clowns.
WTF is up with Stokes this year ...watching a podcast this morning that claimed he had an opponent passing rating of 122 when targeted this year??
Numbers are last year 79.1 and this year 129.7 (from Ross Uglem). I'd call it a severe sophomore slump for now but another one of Gutey's picks that needs to be closely watched (he's already made the questionable move of picking up Savage's option year)..
Stokes was such a pleasant surprise last season with his aggressive play.
I seriously question whether Barry's insistence on playing so much soft zone to begin the year has messed with his mind.
Sad to see so much regression across the board this season.
He’s becoming kind of a hot head, starting to remind me of Damarious Randall
Outside of Amos, and on occasion Sul the Packers secondary has largely been hot garbage this season.
Jaire had a less-than-stellar game against the Washington, but he’s been pretty solid, if not spectacular, in the other games he’s played.
Jaire had good coverage on the TD he gave up. It was perfect ball.
The big 3rd down conversion, that was one you expect your top paid CB to break up or pick off.
Stokes has had a rough year for sure, but he’d have to implode big time to match Randall
@Tschmack posted:Stokes has had a rough year for sure, but he’d have to implode big time to match Randall
Stokes runs a sub 4.30 (4.25 at Georgia).
Randall ran a 4.46.
Even when Stokes makes mistakes, he has the speed to catch up and limit the play.
He may be playing worse statistically, but I think that's more the result from Barry's schemes/soft coverage than it is poor play.
Pass defense is very good overall. Some stats (completion pct. against, QBR) look bad because teams are completing a lot of passes, but they're not producing a lot of yards (slightly under 170/game avg).
I guess I'm remembering Jaire vs the Vikings as being worse than it was? He's been solid the last two weeks, but giving up big plays to McLaurin when Heinicke is the QB can't happen. He is CB1 for a reason.
If I were bitching about individual players for 2022 in order of disappointment I think I'd easily name 40+ guys before I bring up Jaire. The TD to McLaurin was just one of those things. He had great coverage on the guy. The only way to stop that play is pass interference. The big sideline play it would have been nice to see him break that up or at the very least get him OOB.
But I have zero complaints overall about 23.
Eric Stokes is doing the number 21 justice when it comes to run defense. I haven’t seen anyone care less in run support since HHCD.
— Andy Herman (@AndyHermanNFL) October 28, 2022
Ouch
