H
HardRightEdge
Guest
There were some things to like and lot to dislike.
Likes:
Bakhtiari: Very solid game, especially in pass protection. The guy moves like a LT and has good hand technique. He's clearly passed Newhouse and will start at LT. LT should be down the list of concerns.
Tyrone Walker: Runs routes beyond his UFA rookie years; very good hands. Not very fast, but a viable option out of the slot. If it comes down to an extended Nelson problem, I'd rather see Cobb wide and Walker in the slot than Boykin or Ross wide and Cobb in the slot. Those #4 and #5 guys better look out.
Francois: Very good game. Had a couple of good pass rushes even if he didn't get home; had a nice cut tackle on a middle run; closed fast on slot guy for a short gain. The rap has been he can make plays but blows assignments. Over the hump?
Jolly: Pleasant surprise. Getting off blocks and playing his a** off. He even showed a nice inside spin move on a pass rush. Solid chance to make it, something I did not expect. If he wasn't playing against second teamers I'd say he looked better than Raji half the time last season. 90 better step it up if he wants to be shown the money.
Daniels: Had a nice game, I thought. More Raji heat.
Franklin: Had one nice run. Looks like he's got some value. Need to see more, especially after contact.
Barrington: A couple of decent plays knifing in there. I can see why MM says he plays with recklessness. Need to see more.
Starks: I thought he ran well considering there weren't many holes. He's hitting guys and falling forward, which is a plus. That was a nifty reach for the goal line but too much trash to warrant a review overturn. He had one nice cut back in the backfield turning a loss into a 8 yd. gain.
Dislikes:
Backup QBs: It's evident why TT brought in Vince Young. Harrell is just not happening; Coleman's not any better but at least he has the excuse of being second year and playing with third stringers. If Rodgers were to go down early, we could be looking at our own Curtis Painter moment.
House was dreadful.
Safeties: McMillian was nearly as dreadful as House in coverage. He showed zero progression in pass D. After getting torched deep in the first drive (lucky it was overthrown), he let some slow TE get 5 yards separation underneath 20 yds. downfield (lucky it was dropped). He got pulled right after that second one and I don't think he got back on the field. It's looking like a platoon again with Jennings getting more snaps. Hyde had the back shoulder burn for the TD, but he had one very nice closing tackle on a back in space. He looks more safety than CB to me. Maybe he can bump one of these guys.
The first team run blocking was pretty lame.
Newhouse - 4th. year and he is what he is. That sack he gave up (to Abraham?) was a technically sh*tty effort and he generally wasn't moving like any kind of tackle. The sad news is he might still be the better pass blocker than Barclay.
Kick returners: Nothing positive to note about Ross or Franklin except nobody dropped the ball. When the punter out kicks his coverage, one should expect 10 yards. Both of these guys look tentative. Business decisions?
Green: He does look quicker; he's still not showing much after contact. B-Jax redux. When MM speaks favorably about Lacy or Starks, he sneaks in a "fall forward" comment. Green doesn't have that. Franklin makes him redundant.
Likes:
Bakhtiari: Very solid game, especially in pass protection. The guy moves like a LT and has good hand technique. He's clearly passed Newhouse and will start at LT. LT should be down the list of concerns.
Tyrone Walker: Runs routes beyond his UFA rookie years; very good hands. Not very fast, but a viable option out of the slot. If it comes down to an extended Nelson problem, I'd rather see Cobb wide and Walker in the slot than Boykin or Ross wide and Cobb in the slot. Those #4 and #5 guys better look out.
Francois: Very good game. Had a couple of good pass rushes even if he didn't get home; had a nice cut tackle on a middle run; closed fast on slot guy for a short gain. The rap has been he can make plays but blows assignments. Over the hump?
Jolly: Pleasant surprise. Getting off blocks and playing his a** off. He even showed a nice inside spin move on a pass rush. Solid chance to make it, something I did not expect. If he wasn't playing against second teamers I'd say he looked better than Raji half the time last season. 90 better step it up if he wants to be shown the money.
Daniels: Had a nice game, I thought. More Raji heat.
Franklin: Had one nice run. Looks like he's got some value. Need to see more, especially after contact.
Barrington: A couple of decent plays knifing in there. I can see why MM says he plays with recklessness. Need to see more.
Starks: I thought he ran well considering there weren't many holes. He's hitting guys and falling forward, which is a plus. That was a nifty reach for the goal line but too much trash to warrant a review overturn. He had one nice cut back in the backfield turning a loss into a 8 yd. gain.
Dislikes:
Backup QBs: It's evident why TT brought in Vince Young. Harrell is just not happening; Coleman's not any better but at least he has the excuse of being second year and playing with third stringers. If Rodgers were to go down early, we could be looking at our own Curtis Painter moment.
House was dreadful.
Safeties: McMillian was nearly as dreadful as House in coverage. He showed zero progression in pass D. After getting torched deep in the first drive (lucky it was overthrown), he let some slow TE get 5 yards separation underneath 20 yds. downfield (lucky it was dropped). He got pulled right after that second one and I don't think he got back on the field. It's looking like a platoon again with Jennings getting more snaps. Hyde had the back shoulder burn for the TD, but he had one very nice closing tackle on a back in space. He looks more safety than CB to me. Maybe he can bump one of these guys.
The first team run blocking was pretty lame.
Newhouse - 4th. year and he is what he is. That sack he gave up (to Abraham?) was a technically sh*tty effort and he generally wasn't moving like any kind of tackle. The sad news is he might still be the better pass blocker than Barclay.
Kick returners: Nothing positive to note about Ross or Franklin except nobody dropped the ball. When the punter out kicks his coverage, one should expect 10 yards. Both of these guys look tentative. Business decisions?
Green: He does look quicker; he's still not showing much after contact. B-Jax redux. When MM speaks favorably about Lacy or Starks, he sneaks in a "fall forward" comment. Green doesn't have that. Franklin makes him redundant.
Last edited by a moderator: