Seven Step Drop — 10/05/2017
Welcome to another edition of Seven Step Drop; a weekly blog reporting, analysing, and discussing news and views from around the NFL! Published every Wednesday right through the season until Super Bowl LII next year, Seven Step Drop brings you insights and opinions from Sports Under Centre. So let’s delve into this week’s drops!
1 — Jay Cutler’s retirement
Regardless of what you think of Jay Cutler, there’s no denying that he was exciting to watch. With a cannon for an arm, Cutler could make throws that other quarterbacks couldn’t. What undid him was which team caught those throws. However, Cutler didn’t throw a huge amount of interceptions every single season of his 11 years in the league, and you could definitely argue that some teams would be better off with him at quarterback this year. But Cutler has now retired after failing to sign with a team, and he will now call games from the booth for Fox. As divisive as he was on and off the field, the NFL will be slightly less fun with Cutler gone.
2 — Bills hire Brandon Beane as GM
In what felt like a foregone conclusion, the Bills announced on Tuesday that they had hired Brandon Beane as Doug Whaley’s replacement. Beane, Carolina’s assistant general manager under Dave Gettleman, signed a five year deal that runs in tandem with head coach Sean McDermott’s contract. Beane and McDermott both came from the Panthers, and think in similar ways. Beane’s hiring also confirms that this truly is McDermott’s team, and that kind of stability is exactly what the Bills need after years of upheaval.
3 — Brandon Marshall’s last two years
After signing a two year, $12 million contract with the Giants in free agency, it’s clear that Brandon Marshall wants to finally make the playoffs and have a chance at winning a ring. Now, the 12 year veteran has given himself a time-frame; saying that he wants to retire after his Giants deal runs out. Marshall is 33 years old and has forged a reputation as a big, tough and physical pass catcher. Despite wear and tear, Marshall is a six-time Pro Bowler who can still play well, so hopefully these last two years will give us some more vintage Marshall moments.
4 — DeVante Parker breakout?
Since being drafted in the first round by the Dolphins in 2015, Parker has so far failed to live up to those lofty expectations. But he could be set for a “gigantic” year, according to Miami’s offensive coordinator Clyde Christensen. Parker has struggled with injuries in his short career but has steadily improved. He was Miami’s second-leading receiver last season behind Jarvis Landry, and at 6'3” and 212 lbs is a tall target for quarterback Ryan Tannehill. As the Dolphins come off their first playoff appearance since 2008 and enter their second season under head coach Adam Gase, Christensen’s prediction may be proven right; especially considering that Parker’s fifth year option is on the line.
5 — Next year’s fifth year options
Now that we know the fate of 2014’s first rounders as the deadline for picking up their fifth year options has passed, let’s look ahead to the next crop of player options. 2015’s Draft was a mixed bag, especially at wide receiver. Amari Cooper is the only receiver who is a lock to get his option. Parker will likely have his picked up if he continues to improve, but Breshad Perriman and Kevin White are on the hot seat, while Nelson Agholor and Phillip Dorsett definitely won’t see theirs picked up. Both quarterbacks from the class; Jameis Winston and Marcus Mariota, are sure-things, as are corner Marcus Peters, tackle Laken Tomlinson, running back Melvin Gordon, defensive lineman Leonard Williams, and outside linebackers Shane Ray and Vic Beasley. Surprise option declines could be in store for pass rusher Dante Fowler Jr. and cornerbacks Damarious Randall and Kevin Johnson. But the big shock could be running back Todd Gurley if he can’t deliver as part of a much improved Rams offense under head coach Sean McVay. These players have a lot riding on this year…
6 — Who could pick first in 2018?
With this year’s Draft now done, all eyes will turn towards who could be picking first overall next season. This year’s top three; Cleveland, San Francisco, and Chicago, should all be much improved, although the Bears are the most likely to end up in a similar spot with questions about the relationship between head coach John Fox and GM Ryan Pace. The Jets are already one of the top contenders after essentially tearing down the roster this offseason and looking as if they are starting a rebuild. A surprise top three draft pick could fall to Cincinnati if injuries wreck what is already a paper-thin offensive line that struggled last season, but they should be safe if they can stay healthy. The Jets look like the front-runner for 2018’s top pick as we head towards the season.
7 — How good can Atlanta’s defense be?
After a heartbreaking loss in Super Bowl LI, no one would blame the Falcons for a slump this season. But Atlanta looks built to bounce back under Dan Quinn, whose fast, young defense had the greatest quarterback of all time smothered for three quarters on the biggest stage in sports. So, with new additions in free agency and the Draft, just how good could this Falcons defense be? Statistically, Atlanta wasn’t great on defense last year, but they still managed to win the NFC title without their top cornerback and despite starting four rookies for much of the season. Desmond Trufant returns to take away one side of the field. Reigning sack leader Vic Beasley now has a partner-in-crime in fellow first-round edge rusher Takk McKinley. Dontari Poe is inconsistent, but can be a huge upgrade at defensive tackle if Quinn can get the best out of him. Atlanta should also boast the fastest linebacker tandem in the league with former LSU standouts Deion Jones and Duke Riley manning the middle of the field. I wouldn’t be surprised if the Falcons fielded a top five defense this season.
