Kiki Neal Deserves His Own Thread, And I'm Here To Give It To Him

[MJW]

Huge fan of this signing. He was the Jordan Whitehead of the Falcons before he got banged up. Just a LOS enforcer type safety. As most know, last year the Cowboys made him a linebacker. While everyone was cooing over Micah Parsons, Neal was consistently one of the their best defenders, making plays from sideline to sideline (despite a sub package designation, he played 61% of their snaps.)

I love that OBP has decided they're not going to let secondary depth hurt us this year. Between CD24, Dean, SMB, Cockrell, Winfield, Edwards, Neal, and Logan Ryan, we have the deepest secondary in the NFL right now. And with Ryan being able to play at a high level at safety or corner, and Neal being able to play safety or as a more traditional off the ball linebacker, we have versatility.

Anyway, welcome Mr. Neal. I hope you're ready to play for the not gross side of the Atlanta-Tampa rivalry.

[Doctor]

He seems to be that tweener type DB Bowles likes to play all over. Good addition.

[MJW]

Yep. Bowles loves his chess pieces.

[_MB_]

I'm concerned about what's left of him.

I remember on more than one occasion noting that Neal was out for a game against the Bucs. It makes me think of guys like Bob Sanders.

Given the depth we now have in the secondary, I'm glad Bowles isn't relying on Neal to save the defense, but I don't know what we're getting other than a name.

[MJW]

I'm concerned about what's left of him.

I remember on more than one occasion noting that Neal was out for a game against the Bucs. It makes me think of guys like Bob Sanders.

Given the depth we now have in the secondary, I'm glad Bowles isn't relying on Neal to save the defense, but I don't know what we're getting other than a name.

Depends on how he's used TBH. I trust TB to use him tactically. But yeah, injuries have to be a concern with this guy. After 2 years in the league, he looked like the next great strong safety. Then he basically missed 2 years in a row.

[mdb1958]

I guess he could help the other frail DB's stay off the injury report.

[MJW]

I guess he could help the other frail DB's stay off the injury report.

We now have 8 starting caliber DBs. 9 if you're some kind of Ross Cockrell fetishist. And Ryan can seamlessly play any spot. It's not impossible we get screwed by injuries there again, but we're in okay shape if we endure a more or less average number of them.

[Defense5599]

With this signing, I'll bet the farm that Licht is going D-Line in the first round of the draft. And there are some uber talented D-Linemen expected to go late in the first round.

[MJW]

With this signing, I'll bet the farm that Licht is going D-Line in the first round of the draft. And there are some uber talented D-Linemen expected to go late in the first round.

Definitely in the first two rounds. I'd bet money on that.

[King Bootz]

I'm concerned about what's left of him.

I remember on more than one occasion noting that Neal was out for a game against the Bucs. It makes me think of guys like Bob Sanders.

Given the depth we now have in the secondary, I'm glad Bowles isn't relying on Neal to save the defense, but I don't know what we're getting other than a name.

If he were a former 4th round pick, no one would give this signing a 2nd thought. Fact is he hasn't been the guy MJW is describing in 5 years. Bowles and the staff know this as well which is why A. He was available this late in FA and B. he was only signed to a vet minimum deal.

I think he helps our STs and will only see defensive snaps if guys in front of him are injured. As far as 4th safeties go, you can do a lot worse, but I doubt he sees much playing time if he makes the final 53.

[Doctor]

Yeah, again, I like the signing and the depth, maybe a possible starter some games, but some of yall read way too much into roster moves in April.

[mdb1958]

I'm concerned about what's left of him.

I remember on more than one occasion noting that Neal was out for a game against the Bucs. It makes me think of guys like Bob Sanders.

Given the depth we now have in the secondary, I'm glad Bowles isn't relying on Neal to save the defense, but I don't know what we're getting other than a name.

If he were a former 4th round pick, no one would give this signing a 2nd thought. Fact is he hasn't been the guy MJW is describing in 5 years. Bowles and the staff know this as well which is why A. He was available this late in FA and B. he was only signed to a vet minimum deal.

I think he helps our STs and will only see defensive snaps if guys in front of him are injured. As far as 4th safeties go, you can do a lot worse, but I doubt he sees much playing time if he makes the final 53.

I'll wait, it's already happened. He could still add to us on the field and I'm sure he could tutor the young one's at the same time.

[mdb1958]

I'd like to have seen Joshua Williams, Tycen Anderson, and D'Anthony Bell.

Throw in Zyon McCollum and then figure out CB or S.

[mdb1958]

Starting to get a bat signal about Jeffrey Gunter Edge.

[real bucs fan]

I loved Neal through his draft process and wasn’t shocked when he went round 1. He looked like a stud early not sure how we got him so cheap. Can definitely bring some of what Whitehead did, dude can lay the lumber.

[Doctor]

He's got a minimal one year deal. I doubt he impacts any draft or FA plans.

But he's the exact type of upside FA we love to sign. He's had an awful break with injuries and then covid. I'm all for this prove it deal.

[mdb1958]

He's got a minimal one year deal. I doubt he impacts any draft or FA plans.

But he's the exact type of upside FA we love to sign. He's had an awful break with injuries and then covid. I'm all for this prove it deal.

The whole reason he is - is you cannot make plans with what you aint got. Meaning draft picks.

[Kress]

The whole reason for chicken, is because fish is not pork.

That was my mdb post for the day. Carry on.

[nybf]

should of gone with "aint pork"

[Dread]

I'd like to have seen Joshua Williams, Tycen Anderson, and D'Anthony Bell.

Throw in Zyon McCollum and then figure out CB or S.

Zyon McCollum is a CB with ideal length and athleticism. I see where he's projected in rd 4 or 5 when I'd bet he's a day 2 pick, probably 2nd rounder.

[IchabodCrane84]

Starting to get a bat signal about Jeffrey Gunter Edge.

Are you saying Gotham needs their blind side protected?

[King Bootz]

We now have 8 starting caliber DBs. 9 if you're some kind of Ross Cockrell fetishist.

Between CD24, Dean, SMB, Cockrell, Winfield, Edwards, Neal, and Logan Ryan, we have the deepest secondary in the NFL right now.

Ummmm

[Doctor]

There are quite a few very good CBs in this draft. I think this just further free's us up to do what we always do anyways but just more prepared- draft BPA. If it's a DB it's a DB.

[King Bootz]

There are quite a few very good CBs in this draft. I think this just further free's us up to do what we always do anyways but just more prepared- draft BPA. If it's a DB it's a DB.

Looking at this roster, CB is up there for me as a top 2 need on this roster behind DL. SMB & Dean are in their contract years and 3 years in, they are who they are. You could argue both had their worst seasons as pros. But beyond that, who's behind our top 3 CBs? 32 year old Cockrell. After that, it's a guess.

[Kress]

should of gone with "aint pork"

Kudos for "should of"

[Kress]

Kudos for "should of"

Have any of you walked a course before? I'm just curious on your take as to how that effects you, but then again, if you did walk, I doubt you had a caddy toting your bag. But also, I doubt you had the Masters pushing you to keep moving.

Kudos for "affect"?

You really reached all the way over there for that? You sonofabitch.

[MJW]

We now have 8 starting caliber DBs. 9 if you're some kind of Ross Cockrell fetishist.

Between CD24, Dean, SMB, Cockrell, Winfield, Edwards, Neal, and Logan Ryan, we have the deepest secondary in the NFL right now.

Ummmm

[IronDog]

Kudos for "affect"?

You really reached all the way over there for that? You sonofabitch.

I was just giving you credit for the "special" effects and psychedelics during heat and fatigue exhaustion.

[kaimaru]

I'm concerned about what's left of him.

I remember on more than one occasion noting that Neal was out for a game against the Bucs. It makes me think of guys like Bob Sanders.

Given the depth we now have in the secondary, I'm glad Bowles isn't relying on Neal to save the defense, but I don't know what we're getting other than a name.

He had 6 combined tackles in first game, so I don't know how wasn't in that game. Also, he has only had injuries in his 3 of his first 4 seasons. None his last two.

2016-MCL sprain 2 games missed.
2018-ACL grade 3 tear. Missed 15 games.
2019-Pedal Achilles grade 3 tear. Missed 13 games.

[Doctor]

Oh I'll take me some Bob Sanders. I loved Bob. And on a minimum deal. Even if he gets hurt, if he helps us out when he's in and even better if he's healthy during the playoffs when it matters most and contributes easy plus side deal.

[Primeminister]

Those are 2 significant injuries for an athlete relying on speed & agility.

[King Bootz]

I'm concerned about what's left of him.

I remember on more than one occasion noting that Neal was out for a game against the Bucs. It makes me think of guys like Bob Sanders.

Given the depth we now have in the secondary, I'm glad Bowles isn't relying on Neal to save the defense, but I don't know what we're getting other than a name.

He had 6 combined tackles in first game, so I don't know how wasn't in that game. Also, he has only had injuries in his 3 of his first 4 seasons. None his last two.

2016-MCL sprain 2 games missed.
2018-ACL grade 3 tear. Missed 15 games.
2019-Pedal Achilles grade 3 tear. Missed 13 games.

Those 3 injuries in his 1st 4 seasons are why his last 2 contracts have been 1 year deals with different teams. Injuries have long lasting effects, ESPECIALLY leg injuries.

[kaimaru]

He had 6 combined tackles in first game, so I don't know how wasn't in that game. Also, he has only had injuries in his 3 of his first 4 seasons. None his last two.

2016-MCL sprain 2 games missed.
2018-ACL grade 3 tear. Missed 15 games.
2019-Pedal Achilles grade 3 tear. Missed 13 games.

Those 3 injuries in his 1st 4 seasons are why his last 2 contracts have been 1 year deals with different teams. Injuries have long lasting effects, ESPECIALLY leg injuries.

I was not disputing that, I was disputing that he was missing a game here or there because of the past injuries.

[Rocker]

I'll happily take the guy that gives up 4 inches and 40 pounds to Mike Evans and was still able to level him in a highlight reel play we've all seen before. Dude plays hard AF and hopefully infects the DB room with that style of football. This is a plus move and anyone saying otherwise is fishing for votes.

[Terry Tate]

I'll happily take the guy that gives up 4 inches and 40 pounds to Mike Evans and was still able to level him in a highlight reel play we've all seen before. Dude plays hard AF and hopefully infects the DB room with that style of football. This is a plus move and anyone saying otherwise is fishing for votes.

The question has never been what he was capable of. The question what he is capable of now.

Personally, I think it was a good signing. He is still fairly young and has experience, plus he is cheap. If nothing else, he'd be a great backup. He could be a steal. The floor of this deal is low and the ceiling is very high.