i have my fair share of uncertainty, discomfort with the apparent roster holes at this point in the off season.
however, on the flip side, i'm looking forward to seeing growth from last year to this year in a number of our returning personnel which for me is cause for optimism:
1. cory littleton - 2018 was his 1st year starting. as a year 1 starter he was given the responsibility of defensive play caller which was a head scratcher for me given the starting tenure of barron or even joyner or johnson. but he did it. i believe he lead the team in tackles. i think he fared well in coverage. given his punt blocking ability i think he has good upside blitzing up the middle. can he stop the run better? yes. wouldn't be surprised if weddle coaches him up a bit on the field. love to see snead find a run stuffing ilb to couple with cory which would make him really shine. looking forward to cory building on what i think was a solid year 1.
2. samson ebukam - another 2018 1st year starter, at a position which, as i've read on this board, is tough to expect too much from in year 1. i don't dispute that assessment for an edge rusher. the guy won defensive player of the week, albeit in the highest scoring game of all time, but he clearly impacted that game. he has the physical attributes to be somebody. i'm counting on him being better in 2019, even if he's rotating with a 2019 draft pick and fowler on the edge.
3. donte fowler - i expect changing teams mid year is not easy. donte was somewhat marginalized in jacksonville, much of which was his own doing. i'm anxious to see what a complete off season with the coaching staff and teamates does for donte because i'm convinced it can only be good. he's laid down a track record of stepping up in the post season the last 2 years. 12m for 1 year was more money than i was hoping for and less time but i'm glad to have him back. plus aaron donald seems to like him so there's that.
4. john johnson - i expect arguments on the 1st 3 above but i'd guess the board shares my opinion that johnson is already legit. still, johnson is in my top 2 for taking a step function increase in performance from 2018 to 2019. reason being weddle has already expressed an interest in jj. um, not sure what else to say about this, other than, if jj can absorb whatever wisdom and experience weddle bestows upon him, he can be a boarderline probowl safety in 2019.
5. john franklin-myer - he got plenty of snaps as a straight up rookie playing behind donald, suh, brockers and westbrooks. not an easy nut to crack. and the kid did not disappoint. not sure if he's ready for full starter duty but i think we can count on him for a solid 4th d lineman and possibly a starter. i would not be bothered if he started and a draft pick was the 4th dline rotational guy. i think the playing time he got in 2018 will serve him well in 2019.
6. joseph noteboom - i saw enough in 2018 of him to believe he'll be fine starting as guard in 2019. playing next to whitworth would serve him well. when he played in 2018 he was fine. don't think he's saffold at this stage in his career but i think he can get there. he's a drop off from saffold but not enough to worry about. i know this is not a ringing endorsement but i don't feel starting lg is a hole thanks to noteboom.
7. austin blyhe - yes, the evil genius picked on austin in the superbowl. that's our last memory from the 2018 season and it will stick with us. but for 16 games he was fantastic in his 1st year starting. for my money austin is our center of the future. yes snead will have to find a guard to relieve him of that post, and yes i'm assuming he does. but i think austin can light it up as a center and take that other step function increase in performance in 2019.
i've left guys like oo or brian allen off the list because they haven't played or much so they only represent hope from my perspective.
would like to see your thoughts . . .
