They may be the worst team in football but I'm going to go out on a limb and say whoever made that decision had a lot more evidence to make that decision than you do.
Absolutely
But like I said, we're witnessing something somewhat new or different in the current NFL era-a GM that doesn't come in and clean house.
It's also very difficult when you notice no young player except Mariota improved under Whis. Do you cut every player with two years or less experience? The previous staff was very poor and some of player evaluation is just "gut calls."
Take Kendall Wright. 3 years ago, you'd probably say what a bright future-94 catches and 1079 yards in his second year. He has about that total for the next two years combined though. Kendall makes 7 mil yet he only had 36 catches for 408 yards last year.
UDFA G Quenton Spain came into a horrible line and got six starts allowing just a half sack, BUT many on the staff say he needs to be replaced.
It's not always cut N dry.
Arguably no one has given a better effort the last two years than Antonio Andrews. It might be possible to find a quote from every coach about his hustle. Not expected to make the team, UDFA performs best in preseason, sits on PS and then KR. Next year out works everyone again, improved a bunch, wins starting spot. There is alot to like there- a lot that a coach or GM want to influence the other players and have them craving similar opportunity with similar effort. PS RB Fluellen has done just that. Still they didn't run the ball that well so they have landed two excellent RBs on paper.
He doesn't have an easy job and I really appreciate him being calculated about it and taking his time. He's going to be wrong, he's going to be right, but I'm very thankful it's not a knee jerk reaction like we're accustomed to in the NFL.
Third time- I do not think Mett really had a place on the team once Tanney improved and Cassell was signed. (And again, the Patriots people think Cassell is better than the rest of the NFL evaluate Cassell as being) They have a classic QB set. What do they need an up N comer for? Why would they need a young guy that hopes to replace Mariota? Most of the time, ya like competition in camp-not always true with QBs as they breed controversy. It's nice and simple now with everyone in their place. With Mett, it was not.
I think Mett was the 2nd most obvious move(Zach Brown) that everyone could predict was coming.
Some believe Hunter and Sankey were also shopped on draft day. Assuming they were, it's hard to believe there's not one coach still enamored with their athleticism.It's been widely reported that they tried and failed to trade Mett. If you think potential teams, most of them are near the top of the WW order. That's a nice spot to be in to call someone's bluff. Why give up a pick if you can get him free eventually? If Sankey or Hunter is true- same thing- why give up anything when you noticed they drafted a RB and WR?
Assuming all this is true, I think if Robinson could do it again he'd put high effort into trading before the draft. Again though, we're going to have to wait to hear Robinson's interview and hopefully he's openly discussing things
Greg Cossell link provided above DOES show a favorable review of Mett.
Don't forget we are talking about Mike Mularkey. It's not like he had a huge list of fans like Parcells or Gibbs or BB. The QB coach- he was fired as OC then re-hired as QB coach and did not take part in all the offseason visits as he did the prior two years. Difficult to say they value his opinion
