Noah Fant Signed

[Sled21]

(08-04-2025, 01:20 PM)Nate (formerly eliminate08) Wrote: Probably right. The Fins have major questions at QB with all of Tua's concussions.

And the guys on "Moving the Chains" broke down their situation and their schedule, and capped their expected wins at 8 or 9. If Fant wants to play in post season, his best chance is here.

[Nepa]

(08-04-2025, 01:20 PM)Nate (formerly eliminate08) Wrote: ***

Truth, people just hate Drew Sample for some reason. ***

I think a lot of the hate comes from Sample being selected in the 2nd round. Posters have been upset since he was selected so high in that draft. He's been behind the 8 ball with the fans since that draft. Had he been selected in the 3rd or later, I think he wouldn't draw such criticism. 

[*TheLeonardLeap*]

(08-04-2025, 04:03 PM)Nepa Wrote: I think a lot of the hate comes from Sample being selected in the 2nd round. Posters have been upset since he was selected so high in that draft. He's been behind the 8 ball with the fans since that draft. Had he been selected in the 3rd or later, I think he wouldn't draw such criticism. 

He also was Zac Taylor's first 2nd round pick, he ended up being our 3rd TE that year, played just 3 offensive snaps in Week 1, and then we went 2-14.

It was all pretty much just a cascade of bad... but it goes beyond his draft status.

Drew Sample is the answer to "What if you took Reggie Kelly, removed his leadership qualities, and then made him less athletic despite everyone else in the NFL becoming more athletic over the last two decades?"

Even now I think you'd be better off just finding a 6th offensive lineman who would be better at blocking and then just throwing him the ball like 5 times a year.

[*Nate (formerly eliminate08)*]

(08-04-2025, 04:02 PM)Sled21 Wrote: And the guys on "Moving the Chains" broke down their situation and their schedule, and capped their expected wins at 8 or 9. If Fant wants to play in post season, his best chance is here.

And I agree. If our Defense is really as improved as it looks we should be a favorite again to go to the SB. The Fins had the flash in the pan 
here and there when Tua was healthy, but they just aren't the same without him and he isn't the same with all those concussions.

(08-04-2025, 04:03 PM)Nepa Wrote: I think a lot of the hate comes from Sample being selected in the 2nd round. Posters have been upset since he was selected so high in that draft. He's been behind the 8 ball with the fans since that draft. Had he been selected in the 3rd or later, I think he wouldn't draw such criticism. 

Yep. Still, not his fault he was taken a couple rounds early. He is a good blocker and we need good blockers especially with one trick pony's 
who are just pass catchers in Gesicki and Hudson.

[jj22]

https://www.nbcsports.com/nfl/profootballtalk/rumor-mill/news/john-schneider-noah-fant-was-a-pure-cap-casaulty

[Soonerpeace]

(08-04-2025, 06:48 PM)jj22 Wrote: https://www.nbcsports.com/nfl/profootballtalk/rumor-mill/news/john-schneider-noah-fant-was-a-pure-cap-casaulty

They drafted his replacement Arroyo from Miami. He was likely the backup at some point. Expensive backup. We however got a steal.

[*TheLeonardLeap*]

(08-04-2025, 05:07 PM)Nate (formerly eliminate08) Wrote: And I agree. If our Defense is really as improved as it looks we should be a favorite again to go to the SB.

Nate, remember to also drink water and not only the training camp kool-aid.  

[Luvnit2]

(08-04-2025, 06:48 PM)jj22 Wrote: https://www.nbcsports.com/nfl/profootballtalk/rumor-mill/news/john-schneider-noah-fant-was-a-pure-cap-casaulty

The Seahawks did Fant a favor cutting him very early so he could find a new team. They could have been harsh and waiting until early September prior to game 1.

[Bengalitis]

Drew Sample IS bad... for all the right reasons....

[*Nate (formerly eliminate08)*]

(08-04-2025, 08:30 PM)TheLeonardLeap Wrote: Nate, remember to also drink water and not only the training camp kool-aid.  

I will remember. Still, I like what Golden and the new Defensive coaches have been doing.

[Sled21]

(08-05-2025, 01:40 PM)Nate (formerly eliminate08) Wrote: I will remember. Still, I like what Golden and the new Defensive coaches have been doing.

And, did you see where Miles Murphy came out and admitted he was getting by in High School and College by being a better athlete than his competition, and he did not take seriously what it takes to play at this level? For him to come out and admit that I think speaks volumes about his growth. I expect to see a better version of him this season.

[Isaac Curtis: The Real #85]

(08-03-2025, 04:06 PM)Truck_1_0_1_ Wrote: No he doesn't suck, you just don't like him.

He is stiff and slow as a pass catcher, but he still is far and away the best blocker on the team and a solid lockerroom guy: I said 2 years ago he'd be here for another 5 at minimum at he has 3 to go.

1 of Hudson/Grandy will be on PS and Grandy is absolutely NOT a better inline or pass blocker. Maybe out in space he's better than Sample, but that would be it.

He is arguably the worst starting TE in the league. It is tough to argue otherwise. I don't dislike the guy. He is just flat out not starter quality. 

As a blocking TE or as TE2/TE3/TE4, he's fine. As a starter? Awful. He is like Cody Ford without the versatility. 

He had 109 yards receiving last year. Total. That is 62nd amongst all TEs. He played in all 17 games. 109/17 is 6.4 yards receiving per game. As a receiving threat, he's abyssmal. 

PFF graded him out at 48.9. Gesicki 71.5, Fant 66.0, Hudson 67.4, and Grandy, in a similar role, 63.5. 

And that is not to say Gesicki & Hudson should be starters, either. Like Sample, they are one dimensional guys who cannot block well enough to start and are essentially big slot receivers. But both are better in their limited role than Sample is in his. 

Hell, Grandy was 15 points clear of him. Though that may not be entirely fair, Sample gets tougher assignments blocking than Grandy, DEs sometimes. But still, he did not perform well in them. 

Again, it isn't about liking or not liking. He just is not that good. He is a backup/role player/special teams guy. Not a starter. He's Joe Bachie or Trenton Irwin or Chuck Sizzle or Cody Ford. If he is starting, we are hurting. 

Sample missed almost all of 2022. Remember how much we missed him? I don't. The D does not have to account for him when he is in the game, and that hurts us. When CJ & Hurst were TE1 we were in the SB or knocking on the door. When Sample & Irv Smith were TE1? Missed POs.

Was tha all due to poor TE play? Of course not. Was the TE play poor? Absolutely. 

He should be playing short yardage and goal line and maybe some in 12 personnel. Some H-back maybe? And that is it. He should rarely, if ever, be the only TE on the field. 

At his best he is a negligible receiving threat and a good blocker. TE2/TE3 tops. At his worst, he is a negligible receiving threat and a mediocre blocker, TE3/TE4/TE5 or off the roster. 

[*Nate (formerly eliminate08)*]

(08-05-2025, 02:24 PM)Sled21 Wrote: And, did you see where Miles Murphy came out and admitted he was getting by in High School and College by being a better athlete than his competition, and he did not take seriously what it takes to play at this level? For him to come out and admit that I think speaks volumes about his growth. I expect to see a better version of him this season.

I didn't see that Sled, good stuff from Myles. Sure hope we see a much better version from him this year and believe we will. Last season 
was a huge disappointment from him. Time for Myles Murphy to show why he was a first round pick. I at least expect him to be much better
at sealing the edge in the run game, this was supposed to be a strength of his out of Clemson.

[Truck_1_0_1_]

(08-05-2025, 03:39 PM)Isaac Curtis: The Real #85 Wrote: He is arguably the worst starting TE in the league. It is tough to argue otherwise. I don't dislike the guy. He is just flat out not starter quality. 

As a blocking TE or as TE2/TE3/TE4, he's fine. As a starter? Awful. He is like Cody Ford without the versatility. 

He had 109 yards receiving last year. Total. That is 62nd amongst all TEs. He played in all 17 games. 109/17 is 6.4 yards receiving per game. As a receiving threat, he's abyssmal. 

PFF graded him out at 48.9. Gesicki 71.5, Fant 66.0, Hudson 67.4, and Grandy, in a similar role, 63.5. 

And that is not to say Gesicki & Hudson should be starters, either. Like Sample, they are one dimensional guys who cannot block well enough to start and are essentially big slot receivers. But both are better in their limited role than Sample is in his. 

Hell, Grandy was 15 points clear of him. Though that may not be entirely fair, Sample gets tougher assignments blocking than Grandy, DEs sometimes. But still, he did not perform well in them. 

Again, it isn't about liking or not liking. He just is not that good. He is a backup/role player/special teams guy. Not a starter. He's Joe Bachie or Trenton Irwin or Chuck Sizzle or Cody Ford. If he is starting, we are hurting. 

Sample missed almost all of 2022. Remember how much we missed him? I don't. The D does not have to account for him when he is in the game, and that hurts us. When CJ & Hurst were TE1 we were in the SB or knocking on the door. When Sample & Irv Smith were TE1? Missed POs.

Was tha all due to poor TE play? Of course not. Was the TE play poor? Absolutely. 

He should be playing short yardage and goal line and maybe some in 12 personnel. Some H-back maybe? And that is it. He should rarely, if ever, be the only TE on the field. 

At his best he is a negligible receiving threat and a good blocker. TE2/TE3 tops. At his worst, he is a negligible receiving threat and a mediocre blocker, TE3/TE4/TE5 or off the roster. 

I get where you're coming from, but he's a blocking TE, he's never out on routes 90% of the time like Gesicki or Fant will be, he is there to do the dirty work and to help on outlet passes and the like.

We use him as a starter, but that doesn't make him a bad player: he's a role player, albeit a very good one and a solid lockerrom guy. Every team needs a few of those, like Dwayne Carswell or Mark Breuner

[Sled21]

(08-05-2025, 07:53 PM)Truck_1_0_1_ Wrote: I get where you're coming from, but he's a blocking TE, he's never out on routes 90% of the time like Gesicki or Fant will be, he is there to do the dirty work and to help on outlet passes and the like.

We use him as a starter, but that doesn't make him a bad player: he's a role player, albeit a very good one and a solid lockerrom guy. Every team needs a few of those, like Dwayne Carswell or Mark Breuner

I look at people who criticize Sample for what he is the same as those who criticized Peko for what he was. They just do not get it.

[Truck_1_0_1_]

(Yesterday, 09:32 AM)Sled21 Wrote: I look at people who criticize Sample for what he is the same as those who criticized Peko for what he was. They just do not get it.

I think a lot of people (not saying Ike is one of them) also listen to the talking heads a bit too much: Joe Goodberry notoriously rails on Sample and doesn't give him credit for the things he DOES do well and Jake Liscow as well like to shit on Sample from time to time.

Again, he isn't ever going to be an Antonio Gates or (again), even a Gesicki type, but every team has a blocking TE that does the dirty work like him, it's just a fact. He's ours, he's more than satisfactory for our team, deal with it.

[Isaac Curtis: The Real #85]

(Yesterday, 10:31 AM)Truck_1_0_1_ Wrote: I think a lot of people (not saying Ike is one of them) also listen to the talking heads a bit too much: Joe Goodberry notoriously rails on Sample and doesn't give him credit for the things he DOES do well and Jake Liscow as well like to shit on Sample from time to time.

Again, he isn't ever going to be an Antonio Gates or (again), even a Gesicki type, but every team has a blocking TE that does the dirty work like him, it's just a fact. He's ours, he's more than satisfactory for our team, deal with it.

I have never listened to Goidberry in my life. Itger than a link someone posted here. 

The disconnect from reality of the Sample defenders is astounding. You guys say we don't aporeciate him for what he is (blocking TE) while simultaneously refusing to acknowledge what he is.. our TE1. 

As such, he is a huge liability at TE1. Every team in our division has two, if not 3, TEs who are better. 

It is not like he has no value, but we would not miss him much if he was gone (see 2022). He is closer to Mitch Wilcox than he is a TE1. Grandy can do his job just fine for the most part.

[*Nate (formerly eliminate08)*]

(Yesterday, 12:15 PM)Isaac Curtis: The Real #85 Wrote: I have never listened to Goidberry in my life. Itger than a link someone posted here. 

The disconnect from reality of the Sample defenders is astounding. You guys say we don't aporeciate him for what he is (blocking TE) while simultaneously refusing to acknowledge what he is.. our TE1. 

As such, he is a huge liability at TE1. Every team in our division has two, if not 3, TEs who are better. 

It is not like he has no value, but we would not miss him much if he was gone (see 2022). He is closer to Mitch Wilcox than he is a TE1. Grandy can do his job just fine for the most part.

Disagree Ike. Drew Sample has been the #1 ranked blocking TE at times from PFF and has blocked for numerous TD runs in his time here.

We all know he is slow as molasses and not really a threat in the passing game, but to dismiss what he does well like this is insulting.

I liked Mitch, but no way is Grandy as good of a TE as Sample at what he does (blocking).

[Truck_1_0_1_]

(Yesterday, 12:15 PM)Isaac Curtis: The Real #85 Wrote: I have never listened to Goidberry in my life. Itger than a link someone posted here. 

The disconnect from reality of the Sample defenders is astounding. You guys say we don't aporeciate him for what he is (blocking TE) while simultaneously refusing to acknowledge what he is.. our TE1. 

As such, he is a huge liability at TE1. Every team in our division has two, if not 3, TEs who are better. 

It is not like he has no value, but we would not miss him much if he was gone (see 2022). He is closer to Mitch Wilcox than he is a TE1. Grandy can do his job just fine for the most part.

... he's... not TE1? He was for most of 2020 due to injuries and in 2023 due to ineffectiveness from Smith, otherwise he has NEVER been counted on to be TE1, nor should he.

2019:

Ceej: 644
Eifert: 491 
Sample: 108
Carter: 96

2020:

Sample: 868
Carter: 220
Ceej: 96
Schreck: 1

2021:

Ceej: 802
Sample: 459
Wilcox: 84

2022:

Hurst: 545
Wilcox: 498
Asiasi: 183
Sample: 39

2023:

Sample: 497
Smith: 330
Hudson: 296
Wilcox: 230

2024:

Sample: 655
Gesicki: 523
All: 231
Hudson: 119
Grandy: 75

I think 2021-2022 is more indicative of the TE usage on this team. If Sample wasn't needed so much for blocking, I don't think his snaps would be in the same realm, even in the years where he didn't have more than 40% of the snaps.