Hard to make too many conclusions based on last night's game, shoot it was their first full-contact session of the year. But the coaches are evaluating, so why shouldn't we?
The Good
The defensive line. Easily the highlight of the evening. The d-linemen have taken to Washburn's wide 9 and attack-up-the-field mentality like a chicken on a june bug, to borrow one of the new d-line coach's phrases. Tapp was a beast off the edge in particular. Some of the new DT signings, particularly Landri, looked good and I do think Trevor Laws' roster spot is very much in danger. Landri had two or three fantastic spin moves as he rushed the passer from the inside spot. It was fun watching Washburn's intensity on the sidelines, even late in the game when he was running guys like Wilson and Noonan out there.
The three QB's. I have to admit I have not yet watched the fourth quarter, but what does it matter? The A&M kid isn't making the team. But the other three QB's all looked good. Vick threw the ball well, though he underthrew Cooper a bit on that broken play where he went deep. He moved well and looks pretty ripped this year, the man has been hitting the weights hard. Vince Young looked very good to me, he's probably one of those guys who doesn't practice well and saves it for the games. And Kafka rebounded from an early INT to pitch a very nice two quarters. I don't love Kafka's release, but the kid has intriguing potential to be the next backup we trade for a No. 2 pick.
The safeties. Jarrett and Page each got picks, and Page in particular made a very nice break on his ball. Was good to see Nate Allen back on the field, though he might have been at fault on that 20-some yard 3rd down throw to Ray Rice on the first or second drive. Coleman had some lousy coverage on the first Raven pass attempt in the game, he was late turning towards the ball. But he looked solid all night. Even Colt Anderson had a pick!
The kickers. They certainly have plenty of leg. I'm not sure we are going to need a bunch of special teams guys around -- I'm thinking in particular of Colt Anderson and Eldra Buckley. Not many kicks will be coming out.
Jason Kelce. He was impressive. Man, does he fire out the way Mudd likes. Gets to the second level fast. Seems to hold up pretty well at the point of attack, but I don't think he ever went up against Haloti Ngata last night. But I think he's the starting center very soon.
Dion Lewis. Also very impressive. Nice burst. He's definitely the No. 3 back. I don't see Buckley making this squad.
Donald Lee. He's a very solid veteran. I really liked his blocking contribution last night and I was not as impressed with Clay Harbor's efforts in that department. Harbor better watch out.
Riley Cooper. He gets in this category for the sole reason that he outfought the great Ed Reed for the ball on his catch. Big relief he didn't get hurt on that play.
The Bad
Offensive tackles not named Jason Peters. Not much to admire here. Austin Howard was a turnstile and got abused by Paul Kruger. King Dunlap and Fenuki Topou got hurt. And Ryan Harris didn't show much, either.
Backup cornerbacks. They didn't tackle well in the second half, they didn't cover much either. Both Curtis Marsh and Jorrick Calvin made some horrible attempts to wrap up wideouts and gave up an extra 15 yards or so as a result on each occasion. I thought Trevard Lindley outplayed Marsh.
The Eagle Television Network. Oh my God. What an embarassment that those guys went out over the national broadcast on the NFL Network last night, even though it wasn't live. Thank you Hugh Douglas for telling us about your meal. Don Tollefson, seems like forever since you were doing the sports on Action News. Now you are the world's worst football play-by-play guy. Could you have discussed a single roster battle last night? Jarrad Page makes a great break on a ball in the end zone to get an interception and you are unable to identify him until after the commercial break. I know it's confusing because he is also wearing Shady's No. 25, but do a little homework before the game. Oh yeah, and that was Ed Reed fighting for the ball with Riley Cooper. Doesn't that deserve a mention? And Baldy, I give you some credit for trying to talk football with these two idiots, but please, when Ryan Harris whiffs on a block, don't report to us that he did his job.
The Indifferent
Casey Matthews. Can someone please tell me why Juan Castillo pulled Matthews after two series and about six snaps? Howard Mudd left Danny Watkins in to play long after the other o-line starters had departed. What has this guy ever done to warrant that kind of treatment? I'm not feeling it on this guy. They're relying too much on the bloodline, IMO. He looks like Simoneau with long hair to me. But it's way early, I'm sure I'm being overly judgmental.
The starting corners. They were out so fast that I didn't get much of a chance to see them do anything. But they're still awesome and it was great watching Nnamdi look around the stadium in wonder on the sideline, like he was pinching himself. And he gave a great, thoughtful interview as well to that stupid sideline guy.
Danny Watkins. I didn't see much to write home about from this guy last night, or from the newly reconstituted right side of the offensive line in general. But it's early and it just takes longer to get those guys in sync than it does for their counterparts on the defensive line. Mudd still has plenty of work to do.
The Good
The defensive line. Easily the highlight of the evening. The d-linemen have taken to Washburn's wide 9 and attack-up-the-field mentality like a chicken on a june bug, to borrow one of the new d-line coach's phrases. Tapp was a beast off the edge in particular. Some of the new DT signings, particularly Landri, looked good and I do think Trevor Laws' roster spot is very much in danger. Landri had two or three fantastic spin moves as he rushed the passer from the inside spot. It was fun watching Washburn's intensity on the sidelines, even late in the game when he was running guys like Wilson and Noonan out there.
The three QB's. I have to admit I have not yet watched the fourth quarter, but what does it matter? The A&M kid isn't making the team. But the other three QB's all looked good. Vick threw the ball well, though he underthrew Cooper a bit on that broken play where he went deep. He moved well and looks pretty ripped this year, the man has been hitting the weights hard. Vince Young looked very good to me, he's probably one of those guys who doesn't practice well and saves it for the games. And Kafka rebounded from an early INT to pitch a very nice two quarters. I don't love Kafka's release, but the kid has intriguing potential to be the next backup we trade for a No. 2 pick.
The safeties. Jarrett and Page each got picks, and Page in particular made a very nice break on his ball. Was good to see Nate Allen back on the field, though he might have been at fault on that 20-some yard 3rd down throw to Ray Rice on the first or second drive. Coleman had some lousy coverage on the first Raven pass attempt in the game, he was late turning towards the ball. But he looked solid all night. Even Colt Anderson had a pick!
The kickers. They certainly have plenty of leg. I'm not sure we are going to need a bunch of special teams guys around -- I'm thinking in particular of Colt Anderson and Eldra Buckley. Not many kicks will be coming out.
Jason Kelce. He was impressive. Man, does he fire out the way Mudd likes. Gets to the second level fast. Seems to hold up pretty well at the point of attack, but I don't think he ever went up against Haloti Ngata last night. But I think he's the starting center very soon.
Dion Lewis. Also very impressive. Nice burst. He's definitely the No. 3 back. I don't see Buckley making this squad.
Donald Lee. He's a very solid veteran. I really liked his blocking contribution last night and I was not as impressed with Clay Harbor's efforts in that department. Harbor better watch out.
Riley Cooper. He gets in this category for the sole reason that he outfought the great Ed Reed for the ball on his catch. Big relief he didn't get hurt on that play.
The Bad
Offensive tackles not named Jason Peters. Not much to admire here. Austin Howard was a turnstile and got abused by Paul Kruger. King Dunlap and Fenuki Topou got hurt. And Ryan Harris didn't show much, either.
Backup cornerbacks. They didn't tackle well in the second half, they didn't cover much either. Both Curtis Marsh and Jorrick Calvin made some horrible attempts to wrap up wideouts and gave up an extra 15 yards or so as a result on each occasion. I thought Trevard Lindley outplayed Marsh.
The Eagle Television Network. Oh my God. What an embarassment that those guys went out over the national broadcast on the NFL Network last night, even though it wasn't live. Thank you Hugh Douglas for telling us about your meal. Don Tollefson, seems like forever since you were doing the sports on Action News. Now you are the world's worst football play-by-play guy. Could you have discussed a single roster battle last night? Jarrad Page makes a great break on a ball in the end zone to get an interception and you are unable to identify him until after the commercial break. I know it's confusing because he is also wearing Shady's No. 25, but do a little homework before the game. Oh yeah, and that was Ed Reed fighting for the ball with Riley Cooper. Doesn't that deserve a mention? And Baldy, I give you some credit for trying to talk football with these two idiots, but please, when Ryan Harris whiffs on a block, don't report to us that he did his job.
The Indifferent
Casey Matthews. Can someone please tell me why Juan Castillo pulled Matthews after two series and about six snaps? Howard Mudd left Danny Watkins in to play long after the other o-line starters had departed. What has this guy ever done to warrant that kind of treatment? I'm not feeling it on this guy. They're relying too much on the bloodline, IMO. He looks like Simoneau with long hair to me. But it's way early, I'm sure I'm being overly judgmental.
The starting corners. They were out so fast that I didn't get much of a chance to see them do anything. But they're still awesome and it was great watching Nnamdi look around the stadium in wonder on the sideline, like he was pinching himself. And he gave a great, thoughtful interview as well to that stupid sideline guy.
Danny Watkins. I didn't see much to write home about from this guy last night, or from the newly reconstituted right side of the offensive line in general. But it's early and it just takes longer to get those guys in sync than it does for their counterparts on the defensive line. Mudd still has plenty of work to do.
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