Players Who Were Solid/Players Who Struggled
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JeffGollin
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QB
Leinart was OK, but whenever he faded back to pass, you got the feeling he was searching for a receiver to throw to whereas KW automatically would "know" who'd be open and would pull the trigger quicker. (Conversely, Matt is more more mobile than Kurt). St. Pierre has enough grasp of the game and presence to be trusted with the ball, but seldom if ever stepped into his throws (he too often threw off his back foot and lacked consistent accuracy). We wasted almost an entire 4Q evaluating receivers with Morelli in there. Unless we witness a miracle, there's little chance he'll stick.
RB
Not only did Hightower look good between the tackles, he had enough quickness to bounce outside and score. Arrington didn't look good as a pass catcher. How about Terrell Smith's catch & run?
WR
Urban and Breaston looked good. Rector had good and bad moments (but most of the bad ones may be functions of poor throws or reads by the QB).
TE
Leonard Pope had better get on the stick with regard to the snap count. Nice grab by Patrick in second half. Didn't see much of Tuman and his blocking.
OL
Hard to pinpoint stuff, given ESPN's poor video coverage of line play. But I did notice that both Edge and Hightower were able to reach the corner last night (whereas we struggled outside the tackle a year ago). This suggests better pulling and outside run & seal blocking by our linemen.
DL
I saw a more of #93 (Calais Campbell) than mentions by the ESPN guys or the play by play log. Iwebema had a couple of nice stops in addition to the sack. In the second half, we were sliced and diced by the NO inside running game. While TV coverage was weak covering line play, the inference is that either (a) 2nd string NT Alan Branch wasn't getting it done or (b) the backup ILB's he was protecting weren't flowing to the ball.
LB
Nothing much flashed positively or negatively - except that we now know Dansby cannot run as fast as Reggie Bush (surprise surprise) and Holloway proved the athleticism he displayed briefly last preseason was no fluke.
DB
DRC's hit on Campbell was a beautiful thing. Francisco was consistently a half-step late. Feeble attempts (by Bain, Adams, Celestin & others) to tackle Meacham in the open field were unacceptable and could cost some players their jobs. It was hard to see what our starting secondary was doing, given the poor ESPN video coverage.
Special Teams
Our coverage was atrocious last year. It still is. (Note - The Pro Football Prospectus people point out that poor return and coverage play last year dearly cost us field position and points on a consistent basis. It is crucial that we improve here).
Leinart was OK, but whenever he faded back to pass, you got the feeling he was searching for a receiver to throw to whereas KW automatically would "know" who'd be open and would pull the trigger quicker. (Conversely, Matt is more more mobile than Kurt). St. Pierre has enough grasp of the game and presence to be trusted with the ball, but seldom if ever stepped into his throws (he too often threw off his back foot and lacked consistent accuracy). We wasted almost an entire 4Q evaluating receivers with Morelli in there. Unless we witness a miracle, there's little chance he'll stick.
RB
Not only did Hightower look good between the tackles, he had enough quickness to bounce outside and score. Arrington didn't look good as a pass catcher. How about Terrell Smith's catch & run?
WR
Urban and Breaston looked good. Rector had good and bad moments (but most of the bad ones may be functions of poor throws or reads by the QB).
TE
Leonard Pope had better get on the stick with regard to the snap count. Nice grab by Patrick in second half. Didn't see much of Tuman and his blocking.
OL
Hard to pinpoint stuff, given ESPN's poor video coverage of line play. But I did notice that both Edge and Hightower were able to reach the corner last night (whereas we struggled outside the tackle a year ago). This suggests better pulling and outside run & seal blocking by our linemen.
DL
I saw a more of #93 (Calais Campbell) than mentions by the ESPN guys or the play by play log. Iwebema had a couple of nice stops in addition to the sack. In the second half, we were sliced and diced by the NO inside running game. While TV coverage was weak covering line play, the inference is that either (a) 2nd string NT Alan Branch wasn't getting it done or (b) the backup ILB's he was protecting weren't flowing to the ball.
LB
Nothing much flashed positively or negatively - except that we now know Dansby cannot run as fast as Reggie Bush (surprise surprise) and Holloway proved the athleticism he displayed briefly last preseason was no fluke.
DB
DRC's hit on Campbell was a beautiful thing. Francisco was consistently a half-step late. Feeble attempts (by Bain, Adams, Celestin & others) to tackle Meacham in the open field were unacceptable and could cost some players their jobs. It was hard to see what our starting secondary was doing, given the poor ESPN video coverage.
Special Teams
Our coverage was atrocious last year. It still is. (Note - The Pro Football Prospectus people point out that poor return and coverage play last year dearly cost us field position and points on a consistent basis. It is crucial that we improve here).
Pariah
H.S.
But without the underneath stuff Brady wouldn't have have led the NFL in YPA --it's per attempt, not per completion. Without a high-percentage passing game, that number goes WAY down.If Matt stretched the field like Brady did with Moss, sure... I'll take it too!!
And, you didn't address the issue. Is lienart supposed to take what that defense gives him, or try to force it for a bigger gain?
Pariah
H.S.
Yeah, Morelli was really terrible. Shame, really...what a great name.
cgolden
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If Matt stretched the field like Brady did with Moss, sure... I'll take it too!!
Does Matt have Moss and can he trust his OL enough right now to let a WR get 40 yards down field?
I'm assuming that you ridiculed Brady when he checks down also right and there's probably no place in this league for a WR who lives off short passes and YAC, like Welker, because they can't stretch the field.
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Yep. It's hard to evaluate receivers with a 4th string QB who sucks. lol
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Yep I'd read he had a really good arm but it's pretty obvious why he wasn't better in college, he's completely clueless in the pocket. Jaws was polite just said he needs a bit more pocket presence, as in he has zero right now.
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He really is an impressive athlete. You worry about how skinny he is but he's going to be one of those CB's that is a constant threat to score on a INT because he's so explosive.
He's raw but the talent is really obvious, most athletic CB we've had in a long time.
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Jaws was polite. He doesn't have that "internal clock" that starts to wind down. If he can't find anything, he'll just sit there and take the sack. St. Pierre has scrambling ability. Morelli apparently has none.
JeffGollin
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QB
Leinart was OK, but whenever he faded back to pass, you got the feeling he was searching for a receiver to throw to whereas KW automatically would "know" who'd be open and would pull the trigger quicker. (Conversely, Matt is more more mobile than Kurt). St. Pierre has enough grasp of the game and presence to be trusted with the ball, but seldom if ever stepped into his throws (he too often threw off his back foot and lacked consistent accuracy). We wasted almost an entire 4Q evaluating receivers with Morelli in there. Unless we witness a miracle, there's little chance he'll stick.
RB
Not only did Hightower look good between the tackles, he had enough quickness to bounce outside and score. Arrington didn't look good as a pass catcher. How about Terrell Smith's catch & run?
WR
Urban and Breaston looked good. Rector had good and bad moments (but most of the bad ones may be functions of poor throws or reads by the QB).
TE
Leonard Pope had better get on the stick with regard to the snap count. Nice grab by Patrick in second half. Didn't see much of Tuman and his blocking.
OL
Hard to pinpoint stuff, given ESPN's poor video coverage of line play. But I did notice that both Edge and Hightower were able to reach the corner last night (whereas we struggled outside the tackle a year ago). This suggests better pulling and outside run & seal blocking by our linemen.
DL
I saw a more of #93 (Calais Campbell) than mentions by the ESPN guys or the play by play log. Iwebema had a couple of nice stops in addition to the sack. In the second half, we were sliced and diced by the NO inside running game. While TV coverage was weak covering line play, the inference is that either (a) 2nd string NT Alan Branch wasn't getting it done or (b) the backup ILB's he was protecting weren't flowing to the ball.
LB
Nothing much flashed positively or negatively - except that we now know Dansby cannot run as fast as Reggie Bush (surprise surprise) and Holloway proved the athleticism he displayed briefly last preseason was no fluke.
DB
DRC's hit on Campbell was a beautiful thing. Francisco was consistently a half-step late. Feeble attempts (by Bain, Adams, Celestin & others) to tackle Meacham in the open field were unacceptable and could cost some players their jobs. It was hard to see what our starting secondary was doing, given the poor ESPN video coverage.
Special Teams
Our coverage was atrocious last year. It still is. (Note - The Pro Football Prospectus people point out that poor return and coverage play last year dearly cost us field position and points on a consistent basis. It is crucial that we improve here).
Leinart was OK, but whenever he faded back to pass, you got the feeling he was searching for a receiver to throw to whereas KW automatically would "know" who'd be open and would pull the trigger quicker. (Conversely, Matt is more more mobile than Kurt). St. Pierre has enough grasp of the game and presence to be trusted with the ball, but seldom if ever stepped into his throws (he too often threw off his back foot and lacked consistent accuracy). We wasted almost an entire 4Q evaluating receivers with Morelli in there. Unless we witness a miracle, there's little chance he'll stick.
RB
Not only did Hightower look good between the tackles, he had enough quickness to bounce outside and score. Arrington didn't look good as a pass catcher. How about Terrell Smith's catch & run?
WR
Urban and Breaston looked good. Rector had good and bad moments (but most of the bad ones may be functions of poor throws or reads by the QB).
TE
Leonard Pope had better get on the stick with regard to the snap count. Nice grab by Patrick in second half. Didn't see much of Tuman and his blocking.
OL
Hard to pinpoint stuff, given ESPN's poor video coverage of line play. But I did notice that both Edge and Hightower were able to reach the corner last night (whereas we struggled outside the tackle a year ago). This suggests better pulling and outside run & seal blocking by our linemen.
DL
I saw a more of #93 (Calais Campbell) than mentions by the ESPN guys or the play by play log. Iwebema had a couple of nice stops in addition to the sack. In the second half, we were sliced and diced by the NO inside running game. While TV coverage was weak covering line play, the inference is that either (a) 2nd string NT Alan Branch wasn't getting it done or (b) the backup ILB's he was protecting weren't flowing to the ball.
LB
Nothing much flashed positively or negatively - except that we now know Dansby cannot run as fast as Reggie Bush (surprise surprise) and Holloway proved the athleticism he displayed briefly last preseason was no fluke.
DB
DRC's hit on Campbell was a beautiful thing. Francisco was consistently a half-step late. Feeble attempts (by Bain, Adams, Celestin & others) to tackle Meacham in the open field were unacceptable and could cost some players their jobs. It was hard to see what our starting secondary was doing, given the poor ESPN video coverage.
Special Teams
Our coverage was atrocious last year. It still is. (Note - The Pro Football Prospectus people point out that poor return and coverage play last year dearly cost us field position and points on a consistent basis. It is crucial that we improve here).
82CardsGrad
7 x 70
I honestly can't believe people are mentioning Brady and Leinart in the same sentance...
Anyway - Leinart has a ton to prove... Hope he does... Won't be surprised if he doesn't...
Anyone have a clip or pic of the DRC hit? I heard Whiz in the morning and he said he disproved the theory of not being able to play physically.. So i assume it was pretty good. Thx in advance!
Ouchie-Z-Clown
I'm better than Mulli!
i don't get this thinking. it's the one thing, above all else, that he's paid (and was drafted at #5 BEFORE AP) to do. do we do that all year? if so, he's given up 16 sacks and likely had all of our qb's killed. it was a bad sack too. the defender didn't even put a move on him, just ran around him, and not far around him, he just didn't move.
bam bam . . . fech. soft serve is back.
Ouchie-Z-Clown
I'm better than Mulli!
i think that's great. and then those three plays go right out the window when he lets a lb run right by him and kill our qb.
Ouchie-Z-Clown
I'm better than Mulli!
shane, i could be wrong, and we'd only know for sure if the coaches came out and said who was whose assignment, but rewatch that play, if he wasn't levi's man (and levi does make a lame attempt to lunge at him), then he's no one's man. levi has to see that and do something, b/c it's not like he was blocking anyone else. that was a wiff, pure and simple. and you just can't get that play from the #5 pick in the draft. you just can't. why are there so many brown apologists?
Ouchie-Z-Clown
I'm better than Mulli!
he shouldn't be cut, he should be shot.
joeshmo
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Dont have one but that Pic you posted of the Iwebema Sack or Butt Grab is freaking funny. That isnt a sack its a prostate exam.
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I agree with this. One sack given up by Gandy IIRC last year broke Matt's collarbone.
Come on ouchie. Im not apologizing for him in anyway. But the bottom line is none of us couch potato coaches know. If by chance that wasnt his blocking assignment then he may not be in position to make the stop. Which in this case he wasnt, even if he made a gargantuan effort to try and stop that guy he was to far away and turned to even come close to stopping that sack. It ABSOLUTELY could have been a bad play by him and his fault or it could have been a bad line mix up. We will truly never know. But since he plays next to Deuce who has been called out by the coaches on numerous occasions for making bone headed plays and just not using his head and is at risk of being benched it sure does make one wonder.
Oh and to say that you shouldnt get that from a#5 pick is just liducrous. I have seen Walter Jones Whiff on occasional blocks. Doesnt make him any less a pro-bowler does it? It just happens sometimes. I would much rather see it now than later on in the season.
If it becomes a regular occurance I will worry then.
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That's how we beat the Seahawks a couple of years ago. The 'Hawks were driving. They ran a pass play and Chike handed Jones his jock, then sacked Hassleback.
Absolutely. I have seen Jones get abused and whiff with Berry as well. It happens. You dont crudcify a guy because of one missed block in a pre-season game. You just dont. To say a #5 pick shouldnt do that is just out there IMO when the best in the business DO IT!
Ouchie-Z-Clown
I'm better than Mulli!
you're right, you don't look at it in a vacuum, i look at the volume of his work to date.
early last year he seemed like he might get it, but then he regressed. and imo, regressed badly. he was an average to below-average player last year. now, in his first game of this year, he had an awful play (from all visual accounts - who knows his responsibilities on the play). so i'm looking at his entire plate to date. not good. am i crucifying him? i think his play crucifies itself.
At the beginning of last year he absolutely looked like he had it. Then he twisted the ankle and wasnt the same after he came back. Its not an excuse but we are terribly thin at OL. Maybe just maybe he shouldnt have come back as soon as he did and played at a less than 100% for the rest of the year? I know for big 6'5" 300 + pound individuals anles can really linger.
Thats all speculation on my part but it also makes sense considering that the first time he played against Patrick Kerney he played him very well and then psot injury he was abused. It is all purely my opinion. But it seems to make sense.
Maybe Im completely wrong and he is just going to suck. But right now we just dont know and we probably wont have a true idea till about week # 4 of regular season.
