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The reason why I took an extra day to post any thoughts on the game from Friday night is because I pretty much spent Friday night and all of Saturday hammered, remembering/mourning a very close friend's birthday.
I got up at 7am and watched on the DVR the game in depth over game, and here are a couple of notes I collected to share (in random order)
* It's especially unfortunate now that he's been suspended, but the best player on the defensive line by FAR on Friday night was Hargrove. He was running around in the backfield and making noise all over the place. He had a ton of energy and I was much more impressed with him than anybody up front.
*McCargo and Tripplett-- absolutely nothing, zero.. zilch from them.
* Offensively I was VERY IMPRESSED with Josh Reed and especially Roscoe Parrish. The both got open consistently. I said it weeks ago and I'll say it again-- Peerless Price is going to be in trouble within the next few weeks, especially if Morgan and/or Cornelius step up. Parrish looked really quick and showed good hands. It looks like Losman's confidence in Reed is growing from what I'm gathering.
* Not going to comment about Langston Walker again (did on another thread) except to say I think he's going to be a disaster. didn't really see enough of the rest of the OL (only 12 plays) to have much of an opinion.
* I really liked the way Keith Ellison moves around in this defense. HE didnt really do anything on Friday, but you can see he's got a sense for the ball. I think he's going to make a lot of tackles this year. Tatonka said this off-season he was going to be our version of Cato June. It looks like he could very well be right.
* Jabrari Greer was awesome. Not only did he have two interceptions, his coverage was real tight too. It's not like he was beaten badly and got lucky, he was right on his man all night. I also liked the way Youboty looked. Jason Webster looked like it was the first time he ever played football in his life. I hope that turns around quickly.
* Once Poz got his feet wet (and nerves calmed probably)-- he looked good. He definitely is going to become an upgrade against the run on this defense. Pass coverage looks like he has a long way to go, but that should come in time. his delayed blitz was pretty to watch. Doesnt seem like he's going to miss a lot of tackles either. The biggest thing I think is he'll have to learn how to be in better position covering the pass. As far as DiGorgio, He is NOT starting material, butI dont think he looked as bad as some here think other than the missed tackle.
* I like the fact it looks like McGee will still be the kickoff returner. Special Teams looked in mid-season form already.
* Sounds like Im in the minority, but I like the way Nall moved the offense during his drive with the second unit. He was 5 for 7 and one of those two misses were dropped. he certainly didnt hurt himself in a race for the #2 spot. Edwards through the ball pretty well and looked surprisingly poised, but he's definitely going to have to learn to get rid of the ball quicker of he'll take a beating if he plays during a real game.
* Ko Simpson already looks much-improved.
* Fred Jackson may make things interesting in the backfield.
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Summary: Overall, I was very unimpressed with the defense. yes, they didnt give up points-- but they will be playing with fire all season long if give up this kind of yardage and ball control. I get the feeling if the Saints starters had played the whole game (if this was regular season) we would've had at least 27 points put on us.
We only ran 6 plays the first quarter. We allowed 17 of the first 20 passes to be completed. We gave up 18 minutes and 225 yards in the first half. We only got one legitimate QB pressure during Brees 14 pass attempts. WE looked lost at times in coverage.
Sure, you'll get some sacks and turnovers some weeks, but if this front four doesnt find a way to stop the run and get cosistent pressure on the QB on passes, it's going to get very ugly in Buffalo. This defense will wear down as the games go on and the yards pile up. If you're relying on a bend but dont break defense all the time, it's going to add to a lot of close losses.
However, it is just week one of the preseason, Schobel and Whitner didnt play and I'm sure they'd make a difference. Poz didnt start (and he will be) and was just getting his feet wet so they do deserve more slack. Im just saying if they plan on giving up 225 per half and 18 minutes of T.O.P they're going to be in trouble.
Offensively, dont really have an opinion yet. They barely used thier playbook and Lynch was hardly used at all.
I got up at 7am and watched on the DVR the game in depth over game, and here are a couple of notes I collected to share (in random order)
* It's especially unfortunate now that he's been suspended, but the best player on the defensive line by FAR on Friday night was Hargrove. He was running around in the backfield and making noise all over the place. He had a ton of energy and I was much more impressed with him than anybody up front.
*McCargo and Tripplett-- absolutely nothing, zero.. zilch from them.
* Offensively I was VERY IMPRESSED with Josh Reed and especially Roscoe Parrish. The both got open consistently. I said it weeks ago and I'll say it again-- Peerless Price is going to be in trouble within the next few weeks, especially if Morgan and/or Cornelius step up. Parrish looked really quick and showed good hands. It looks like Losman's confidence in Reed is growing from what I'm gathering.
* Not going to comment about Langston Walker again (did on another thread) except to say I think he's going to be a disaster. didn't really see enough of the rest of the OL (only 12 plays) to have much of an opinion.
* I really liked the way Keith Ellison moves around in this defense. HE didnt really do anything on Friday, but you can see he's got a sense for the ball. I think he's going to make a lot of tackles this year. Tatonka said this off-season he was going to be our version of Cato June. It looks like he could very well be right.
* Jabrari Greer was awesome. Not only did he have two interceptions, his coverage was real tight too. It's not like he was beaten badly and got lucky, he was right on his man all night. I also liked the way Youboty looked. Jason Webster looked like it was the first time he ever played football in his life. I hope that turns around quickly.
* Once Poz got his feet wet (and nerves calmed probably)-- he looked good. He definitely is going to become an upgrade against the run on this defense. Pass coverage looks like he has a long way to go, but that should come in time. his delayed blitz was pretty to watch. Doesnt seem like he's going to miss a lot of tackles either. The biggest thing I think is he'll have to learn how to be in better position covering the pass. As far as DiGorgio, He is NOT starting material, butI dont think he looked as bad as some here think other than the missed tackle.
* I like the fact it looks like McGee will still be the kickoff returner. Special Teams looked in mid-season form already.
* Sounds like Im in the minority, but I like the way Nall moved the offense during his drive with the second unit. He was 5 for 7 and one of those two misses were dropped. he certainly didnt hurt himself in a race for the #2 spot. Edwards through the ball pretty well and looked surprisingly poised, but he's definitely going to have to learn to get rid of the ball quicker of he'll take a beating if he plays during a real game.
* Ko Simpson already looks much-improved.
* Fred Jackson may make things interesting in the backfield.
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Summary: Overall, I was very unimpressed with the defense. yes, they didnt give up points-- but they will be playing with fire all season long if give up this kind of yardage and ball control. I get the feeling if the Saints starters had played the whole game (if this was regular season) we would've had at least 27 points put on us.
We only ran 6 plays the first quarter. We allowed 17 of the first 20 passes to be completed. We gave up 18 minutes and 225 yards in the first half. We only got one legitimate QB pressure during Brees 14 pass attempts. WE looked lost at times in coverage.
Sure, you'll get some sacks and turnovers some weeks, but if this front four doesnt find a way to stop the run and get cosistent pressure on the QB on passes, it's going to get very ugly in Buffalo. This defense will wear down as the games go on and the yards pile up. If you're relying on a bend but dont break defense all the time, it's going to add to a lot of close losses.
However, it is just week one of the preseason, Schobel and Whitner didnt play and I'm sure they'd make a difference. Poz didnt start (and he will be) and was just getting his feet wet so they do deserve more slack. Im just saying if they plan on giving up 225 per half and 18 minutes of T.O.P they're going to be in trouble.
Offensively, dont really have an opinion yet. They barely used thier playbook and Lynch was hardly used at all.
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