Tag: The 33rd Team

Eagles have led the charge on changing the NFL with the use of analytics

Philadelphia has been at the forefront of analytics since Jeffrey Lurie purchased the team and The 33rd Team breaks down

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The NFL used to be a ground-and-pound, defense-wins championships type of league, but those days are long gone, replaced by analytics and next-gen stats.

Paul Domowitch has had a legendary career as an NFL reporter, and he’s taking his talents to The 33rd Team after retiring from The Inquirer after decades of great content.

In his latest article, Domowitch breaks down the NFL’s love for analytics, the part Eagles owner Jeffrey Lurie and Joe Banner played in shepherding a new era of statistics-based football.

“We had some observations before we got into the league; basic things that nobody was challenging,’’ Banner said. “Things like the whole notion that you had to run early and couldn’t throw off play-action without running early, and the notion that you had to wear down the other team by running.

“Things that, to this day, many people still say and believe. You’d talk to people and ask them why, and nobody really had an answer. And they weren’t going to listen to two guys like us who were being identified, and frankly, demonized at the time, as non-football guys.’’

Lurie hired three staffers from MIT after purchasing the Eagles.

The rest is history, as Banner passed down his vision to a young Howie Roseman, who has carried the mantle while adding his genius to the methodology.

Lurie and Banner helped Philadelphia and other teams move away from primarily running the football on first downs while utilizing innovative theories that currently carry the NFL.

ESPN cited the Cleveland Browns, Baltimore Ravens, and Eagles as the three most analytically advanced teams. They also finished 1-2-3 for the highest level of analytics work and incorporated their analytics into decision-making.

The six teams ranked last in the usage of analytics were the Las Vegas Raiders, the Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs, the Jacksonville Jaguars, the Chicago Bears, the Atlanta Falcons, and the Arizona Cardinals.

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Contract incentives for Alexander Mattison revealed

The incentives in Alexander Mattison’s contract are very straightforward and easily attainable.

During the first week of free agency, the Minnesota Vikings signed running back Alexander Mattison to a two-year, $7 million that carries a max value of $8 million. The incentives to get to that max value have been revealed.

The 33rd Team’s Ari Meirov obtained 40 contracts, including Mattison’s, and revealed the incentives on their contracts. The ones for Mattison are pretty straightforward.

  • 750-999 yards rushing-$250,000
  • 1,000+ yards rushing-$250,000

If he hits both, Mattison will get $500,000 and those incentives are the same for both 2023 and 2024. Those incentives are considered not likely to be earned because he has 1,670 yards in his career and never broken 500 yards in a single season.

The incentives are good for both sides, as Mattison is primed to take on the starting running back role in 2023 and the Vikings can be smart with their cap space.

NFL analyst Clay Harbor doesn’t rank Kirk Cousins in top 10 NFC QBs

In ranking the NFC quarterbacks for 2023, Clay Harbor doesn’t have Kirk Cousins in his top 10 and it’s very disrespectful.

The discussion surrounding Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins is more often than not exhausting. Both sides of the discussion don’t budge one bi and it’s inherently frustrating.

That discussion just got a little bit more frustrating as The 33rd Team’s Clay Harbor didn’t include Cousins in his list of top 10 quarterbacks in the NFC for 2023. Not the NFL, just the NFC.

This is a level of disrespect to Cousins that hasn’t been seen before. A Pro Bowl player last season, Cousins led the Vikings to 13 wins and an NFC North title. To put some of the quarterbacks in the top 10 ahead of him like Daniel Jones, Brock Purdy and Jordan Love ahead of him is just asinine.

You could make a real argument that Cousins is the second-best quarterback in the NFC next season, but likely slots in at either three or four. Even if the Vikings are looking at getting a quarterback of the future, not even including him in a top 10 is blatantly disrespectful.

Former NFL exec Rick Spielman discusses Chiefs’ draft options at edge rusher, offensive tackle

Former NFL executive Rick Spielman spoke to @EdEastonJr about some of the #Chiefs’ options at the end of the first round at offensive tackle and edge rusher.

The Kansas City Chiefs front office is already making the tough decisions to reshape their Super Bow-winning roster for next season. The team has already parted ways with a veteran edge rusher and is now trying to adjust its offensive line depth.

Chiefs Wire’s Ed Easton Jr. recently sat down with former NFL executives Mike Tannenbaum and Rick Spielman to get their thoughts on the Chiefs’ free agency and 2023 NFL draft plans. The executives spoke on behalf of The 33rd Team and assessed the decision not to offer the franchise tag to Orlando Brown Jr. for a second consecutive year. Spielman also provided some insight on where Kansas City might turn in the first round of the draft.

“In my opinion, just because it was going to be the second time they tagged Orlando Brown,” said Spielman. “So I know that would have been 120% more than he was making from the previous tag. So that can get a little dicey when you’re looking at it from the front office standpoint, do you want to put that much money into one player for just one more year? So I think that they’re going to let him go out and shop the market to see what his true value is; I think they will stay in the game with that, you know, just looking.

“I know, from a draft standpoint, that they’re definitely going (to look because) Andrew Wylie is up as well. So I think offensive tackle is going to be a huge need for them. I think where they’re picking, which is at the bottom of the first round, you may be able to get one of those tackles like a Dawand Jones. I don’t know (about) Darnell Wright, the way he has performed over the combine and how he can seems to continue to spiral upward since the season and since going through the Senior Bowl.”

Spielman was most recently the general manager for the Minnesota Vikings from 2012-2021, with other stops including the Detroit Lions, Chicago Bears, and Miami Dolphins during the course of his career. He also weighed in on the Chiefs moving on from Frank Clark and their needs at edge rusher in the 2023 NFL draft.

“I think they also need some edge pass rushers too,” said Spielman. “They let Frank Clark go; they may monitor that situation, as well. I believe (Carlos) Dunlap is up as an unrestricted free agent. So when you see a guy like Nolan Smith perform like he did at the combine. A Keion White, another kid out of Georgia Tech that I think had a really good Senior Bowl. I don’t think he worked out or ran at the combine. But he’s got that physical stature that I think Steve (Spagnuolo), Andy (Reid), and I think Brett Veach all look for because I think he could be an edge guy, but also give him some rush inside as a potential nickel rusher.”

The Chiefs will need to make decisions quickly as the free agency period will bring about changes immediately that can help or hinder their chances to repeat as Super Bowl champions.

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Ex-NFL executive Mike Tannenbaum wouldn’t be surprised to see Orlando Brown Jr. back with Chiefs

Ex-NFL executive Mike Tannenbaum wouldn’t be surprised to see LT Orlando Brown Jr. back with the #Chiefs. | from @EdEastonJr

The NFL offseason is a busy time for front-office executives for all 32 teams as they seek to build a successful roster for the upcoming year. Each general manager will reevaluate their rosters to decide who to add or subtract from the team’s future in hopes of eventually putting together a Super Bowl-worthy squad.

Chiefs Wire’s Ed Easton Jr. recently sat down with former NFL executives Mike Tannenbaum and Rick Spielman to get their thoughts on the Kansas City Chiefs’ offseason plans. Tannenbaum spoke on behalf of The 33rd Team and explained why the Chiefs’ decision to not offer the franchise tag to Orlando Brown Jr. made sense and weighed in on the likelihood of him returning to Kansas City.

“You know, typically don’t try to tag somebody in consecutive years; it just adds to the angst to the situation,” said Tannenbaum. “So above and beyond the 120% premium you’d have to pay, I’m sure they’re gonna keep the conversation going. I thought the only reason they would tag him is, as Rick (Spielman) mentioned, you know, Andrew Wylie’s up, and he played very well down the stretch, especially in the Super Bowl, and a lot of people saying it had to do with the turf, but I thought he played well now. You got Lucas Niang that I’m sure we’ll go back out there.”

Tannenbaum held various front-office roles from 1995-2018, most recently with the Miami Dolphins as their Executive Vice President of Football Operations. During the discussion, he gave his input on possible options for the Chiefs at right tackle in the NFL draft.

“I think Darnell (Wright), when you look at the game against Alabama in particular, thought he did a great job against (Will) Anderson,” said Tannenbaum. “I think he’s had a really good off-season. Dawand Jones, I was on the field next to him; my gosh, he’s about as big a human being. For a big man sport, he really stood out. So I do think they’ll draft on the lines early. And I wouldn’t be surprised if Orlando Brown came back, but I think this will be the way to try to get a deal done in the most obvious way possible.”

The Chiefs’ decision not to franchise tag Brown Jr. could leave a significant hole in the protection plans for Patrick Mahomes. The duo has formed a bond over the past two seasons, and the chemistry may be tough to recreate.

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Top edge rusher falls to Vikings in latest 33rd team mock draft

With the uncertainty on defense, the Vikings fortified the edge rusher position in the latest 33rd Team mock draft

The Minnesota Vikings are currently facing a challenging situation as they try to fill gaps on their roster, particularly on the defensive side of the ball. With limited cap space available, the team needs to make strategic moves in order to improve its competitiveness and address its weaknesses.

On Monday, the Scouting Department of the 33rd Team released a mock draft and helped the Vikings out by selecting Clemson edge Myles Murphy.

“The Minnesota Vikings pass rushers are starting to age, so they pick a young, talented one in Myles Murphy. Murphy would help new defensive coordinator Brian Flores improve a defense that was suspect vs. the pass last season.”

Murphy is an electric pass rusher with the quickness and physicality to get to the quarterback, which is something this Vikings defense desperately needs. With Flores as the new defensive coordinator, he would be able to tap into Murphy’s relentless motor and hopefully develop him into a star in the league. Murphy is highly ranked, so getting him at 23 would be a steal for the Vikings.

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The 33rd Team sends Vikings Alabama defender in 2023 NFL mock draft

Another mock draft has the Vikings taking the Alabama cornerback/safety

The process of how everyone thinks about the Minnesota Vikings is fascinating. It’s interesting how each analyst has the Vikings viewing things differently, especially when it comes to team needs.

The 33rd Team’s scouting department is one of those that has an interesting view on what the Vikings should do in the first round on the NFL draft. They have the Vikings taking Alabama cornerback/safety Brian Branch. Here is what they had to say about the pick.

“The Vikings went secondary heavy in the draft last year, but it didn’t pay off for the 31st-ranked passing defense. Branch is a smart and versatile defense back who they will find a way to get on the field.”

I think they are missing the fact that the three secondary players that the Vikings drafted were all on injured reserve for most of the season which prevented them from playing. Adding Branch, who can play just about anywhere on the back end, and when Nick Saban trusts you, that means something.

Former NFL executives Mike Tannenbaum, Joe Banner evaluate Chiefs’ season

Our @EdEastonJr asked @The33rdTeamFB’s @RealTannenbaum and @JoeBanner13 to share their thoughts on the #Chiefs’ season so far.

The decisions made in the front offices of every team in the NFL have direct effects on the product on the field. The Kansas City Chiefs’ success on the field during the 2022 NFL season has a direct correlation with some of the decisions made this past offseason.

Chiefs Wire’s Ed Easton Jr. recently sat down with former NFL executives Mike Tannenbaum and Joe Banner to get their thoughts on the Chiefs this season. The executives spoke on behalf of The 33rd Team and assessed Andy Reid and Brett Veach’s most recent work and how it has led to consistent success.

“Yeah, I think what they did is really impressive from a standpoint. Like, I think when you move on from a guy like Tyreek Hill, it’s a little bit of a resource allocation discussion,” said Tannenbaum. “There’s other guys, (Marquez) Valdes-Scantling or (JuJu) Smith-Schuster. Taking Skyy Moore in the second round, and we’re gonna serve to allocate that money to other areas of the team, be it offensive line or certainly on defense.”

Tannenbaum spent years as an executive for multiple NFL teams, most recently from 2015 – 2018 with the Miami Dolphins after 15 years in the New York Jets organization. As the founder of The 33rd Team, he constantly evaluates decisions made around the league, including the Chiefs trading up for Trent McDuffie during April’s NFL draft.

“I thought what was interesting in the draft was, you know, when they traded for (Trent) McDuffie,” said Tannenbaum. “That was with New England. I thought Belicheck was gonna take McDuffie; I thought he was like the perfect New England corner. I think him and (George) Karlaftis have a chance to be foundational players. And I think (Willie) Gay and (Nick) Bolton can both run. So I like what they’re doing defensively. And I agree with what Joe said about Spags (Steve Spagnuolo). He’s a really good coach. So I think over the course of the season, like they’re getting better, which is obviously being really well-coached. And I think they have a chance to be there again at the end.”

Andy Reid’s head coaching career began in 1999 with the Philadelphia Eagles. He was hired by the then-team executive and later president Joe Banner. The Eagles, under Banner’s leadership, went to five NFC Championship games in eight seasons and played in Super Bowl XXXIX. Banner weighed in on the Chiefs’ progress as well but gave tremendous praise to Reid and his staff.

“It’s not a mistake that — or a coincidence that all of Andy Reid’s teams — they do two things: They get better as the season goes and they win after (bye weeks),” said Banner. “So assume what you’re seeing right now is that the team will be much better over the next two and four weeks.”

As the 2022 season winds down, the Chiefs will be in the mix for another Super Bowl title. A trip to another AFC Championship game alone is a tremendous badge of honor for those that don’t wear the pads in the organization, but they’ll look to go the distance again come playoff time.

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Hall of Famer Rod Woodson talks how to cover Justin Jefferson

The Hall of Famer gives his take on covering the mega star wide receiver

The Minnesota Vikings have one hell of a player in wide receiver Justin Jefferson.

Not only does he lead the NFL in receiving yards but he also won the Nickelodeon Valuable Player (NVP) Award for week one. He was outstanding for the Vikings against the Packers going off for nine receptions for 184 yards and two touchdowns, including this beautiful deep crossing route in the second quarter.

With such a star on the outside for the Vikings, there are more and more questions on how to cover the third year player from LSU.

In an article with The 33rd Team, hall of fame defensive back Rod Woodson, who knows a thing or two about coverages, broke down how he would cover the star receiver. His biggest key? Stuffing the number.

What he means by that is by rolling coverages to his side when he’s lined up outside. Think about how teams used to have a safety to Randy Moss’ side whenever he was on thei field for the Vikings. For Woodson, that means a lot of cover-2 man with that one safety responsible for providing support for the man on Jefferson. On the backside they would play cover-3 or man.

When Jefferson is in the slot its a different story. Woodson described it as a cover-4 man with the safety and nickel double covering the star receiver.

While these are good strategies, good luck covering the mega-star.

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Former NFL MVP Thinks Kirk Cousins Can Throw for 5,000 Yards

One expert believes in Kirk Cousins to go next level

The 2022 NFL season is fast approaching and the Minnesota Vikings are one of the most intriguing teams in the National Football League.

With a new regime taking flight in general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah and especially head coach Kevin O’Connell, the way they handle a roster that is mostly similar to what Rick Spielman and Mike Zimmer had last season. The Vikings finished the season 8-9.

This season, all eyes are on Kirk Cousins who signed a one-year extension in the offseason. The idea of re-signing Cousinsdis predicated on O’Connell unlocking the 11th-year signal caller.

In a recent article for The 33rd Team, former Vikings and NFL MVP quarterback Rich Gannon believes that Cousins can not only have his best season ever but throw for a career-high in yards.

“Look at the success that Stafford had in his first season, winning a Super Bowl with the Rams,” said Gannon. “In talking to O’Connell, he said Matthew took ownership of the offense. I think we’re gonna see that with Cousins.I think he can throw for 5,000 yards in his new offense, and I think O’Connell is going to take the training wheels off.”

If Gannon is right, Cousins will have the season of his life. I believe there are real roadblocks to achieving that. If he doesn’t have his best season and finishes with a record around .500, it will likely be the same old story.

Needless to say, Cousins and the Vikings will be appointment viewing all season.