I’ll begin with a confession. I was so not excited about this game, I forgot it was on live. So here’s what I gathered watching my recording. I must admit the game was more interesting than I expected. Either Gannon really beat them up about their game two play or the Broncos have great depth compared to the Raiders. It’s probably a little of both.
Let’s start with the guys who didn’t help themselves, though some will still make the 53. Ossenfort has been excellent at building depth, especially for a first timer. Tune is a frustrating case. He’s clearly a great athlete with a big arm. Sadly I don’t believe he’s an NFL QB. It’s true the Oline was weak, but he just fails too often to execute. He had an open receiver for a TD and throws the ball at the receiver’s ankles. He held the ball too long and gets sacked. He’s tall, but gets multiple passes batted down. He still lacks poise. He can rollout smoothly, but too often fails to deliver when he sets up. Cut him!
Burke had a terrible game. His lack of running speed showed. More concerning was he’s supposed to be a zone expert. However, he was slow to cover receivers moving into his zone. He makes the 53, but maybe wouldn’t have if the Cards hadn’t lost 2 CBs.
Simon played better but that was a low bar. He was okay when the play was right in front of him, but otherwise failed to contribute. He likely makes the 53, but again the ILB position is thin.
Baccellia has played well the last 2 preseasons and even seen some real game action. He looked lost last night. Poor routes and poor awareness may mean he’s vulnerable to be cut even though that unit is not deep.
Pappoe still looks like he fails too often grasping where he’s supposed to be and what his role is. He’s not an asset. The unit is thin and theoretically he knows the defense, but I’d cut him.
The Cards have improved their ability to run screens, but not at this level of player. They exposed every screen too early; bad line play. I don’t understand why Demercado played so much. Are they thinking Knight is a better option? Seems remote, but the injury risk seems unjustified. Finally, the Cards still appear clueless on 2 minute drills.
There fortunately was a lot of good play. Starting with Burch. He’s got to start. He’s been the best pass rusher and solid at setting the edge against the rush.
Thomas woke up. It was against inferior competition, but he played like a man in danger of not making the 53. I think he forced his way on, but he will be closely watched. He’s vulnerable.
I’d marked Simi Fehoko to make the 53. He showed value as a receiver and on special teams. He’s an easy call.
Carter is a sad case. He should be on somebody’s 53, but the Cards have too much RB talent. He’s a lock for the PS unless someone grabs him.
One of the toughest calls is Crawford. I didn’t see him play, which says to me he’s in the 53. Does this put Blount in jeopardy? I think so even though Blount has been outstanding. If this happens it speaks volumes about the Cards’ depth.
Mustipher had another decent game. Injuries have likely put him amongst the 53. He may get bumped to the PS when team health improves and might get grabbed, but he’s likely in the 53 for the moment.
Weaver looked good again and also showed he can return punts. Will the Cards keep 6 WRs? I don’t know, but if they don’t they’ll lose one.
The temperature went up big time in the CB room. E Jones hadn’t shown much, but looked like the real deal in this game. Hall also played well and brings energy with him. Gannon spoke positively about Clark this week. He’s always been good in run support. He actually broke up a pass last night. Another Jones, Jaylon, also played well before a potential injury. I think you could get him to the PS. I think they lose at least one and maybe two of this group. It’s ironic considering the 2 injuries that they could lose guys to cuts. I’m keeping E Jones, Hall and Burke if the math works.
I watched the Oline carefully. I thought Curhan not only played well, but showed some on the field leadership in directing his neighboring guard. Despite overall weak depth, this may be a tough set of players to cut. Curhan needs to stay.
Flying under the radar, I thought Walker looked good at ILB. That’s in a game where others didn’t. The Cards will probably go with more developmental guys, but this guy came to play. On merit alone, I liked him better.
The fact that there was so much to write says a great deal about the improved quality of the team. A few key injuries could still derail this season, but with a little good fortune, this should be a fun season.
Let’s start with the guys who didn’t help themselves, though some will still make the 53. Ossenfort has been excellent at building depth, especially for a first timer. Tune is a frustrating case. He’s clearly a great athlete with a big arm. Sadly I don’t believe he’s an NFL QB. It’s true the Oline was weak, but he just fails too often to execute. He had an open receiver for a TD and throws the ball at the receiver’s ankles. He held the ball too long and gets sacked. He’s tall, but gets multiple passes batted down. He still lacks poise. He can rollout smoothly, but too often fails to deliver when he sets up. Cut him!
Burke had a terrible game. His lack of running speed showed. More concerning was he’s supposed to be a zone expert. However, he was slow to cover receivers moving into his zone. He makes the 53, but maybe wouldn’t have if the Cards hadn’t lost 2 CBs.
Simon played better but that was a low bar. He was okay when the play was right in front of him, but otherwise failed to contribute. He likely makes the 53, but again the ILB position is thin.
Baccellia has played well the last 2 preseasons and even seen some real game action. He looked lost last night. Poor routes and poor awareness may mean he’s vulnerable to be cut even though that unit is not deep.
Pappoe still looks like he fails too often grasping where he’s supposed to be and what his role is. He’s not an asset. The unit is thin and theoretically he knows the defense, but I’d cut him.
The Cards have improved their ability to run screens, but not at this level of player. They exposed every screen too early; bad line play. I don’t understand why Demercado played so much. Are they thinking Knight is a better option? Seems remote, but the injury risk seems unjustified. Finally, the Cards still appear clueless on 2 minute drills.
There fortunately was a lot of good play. Starting with Burch. He’s got to start. He’s been the best pass rusher and solid at setting the edge against the rush.
Thomas woke up. It was against inferior competition, but he played like a man in danger of not making the 53. I think he forced his way on, but he will be closely watched. He’s vulnerable.
I’d marked Simi Fehoko to make the 53. He showed value as a receiver and on special teams. He’s an easy call.
Carter is a sad case. He should be on somebody’s 53, but the Cards have too much RB talent. He’s a lock for the PS unless someone grabs him.
One of the toughest calls is Crawford. I didn’t see him play, which says to me he’s in the 53. Does this put Blount in jeopardy? I think so even though Blount has been outstanding. If this happens it speaks volumes about the Cards’ depth.
Mustipher had another decent game. Injuries have likely put him amongst the 53. He may get bumped to the PS when team health improves and might get grabbed, but he’s likely in the 53 for the moment.
Weaver looked good again and also showed he can return punts. Will the Cards keep 6 WRs? I don’t know, but if they don’t they’ll lose one.
The temperature went up big time in the CB room. E Jones hadn’t shown much, but looked like the real deal in this game. Hall also played well and brings energy with him. Gannon spoke positively about Clark this week. He’s always been good in run support. He actually broke up a pass last night. Another Jones, Jaylon, also played well before a potential injury. I think you could get him to the PS. I think they lose at least one and maybe two of this group. It’s ironic considering the 2 injuries that they could lose guys to cuts. I’m keeping E Jones, Hall and Burke if the math works.
I watched the Oline carefully. I thought Curhan not only played well, but showed some on the field leadership in directing his neighboring guard. Despite overall weak depth, this may be a tough set of players to cut. Curhan needs to stay.
Flying under the radar, I thought Walker looked good at ILB. That’s in a game where others didn’t. The Cards will probably go with more developmental guys, but this guy came to play. On merit alone, I liked him better.
The fact that there was so much to write says a great deal about the improved quality of the team. A few key injuries could still derail this season, but with a little good fortune, this should be a fun season.
