I watched the first half (plan to watch the rest) and came away with a different view that I had when I heard of the injuries and Marrone's presser.
I didn't think the offense nor defense played that bad.
Defense: We had coverage issues more than anything. Searcy has stunk all pre-season and was guilty of a bulk of it in the 1st team defense. Gilmore played well, Aaron Williams played decent, Brooks was up and down as he has been. Byrd coming back solves the S issue. I don't want to rely on Searcy.
The pressure was there just without the sacks. If you look at the Grossman pass that Gilmore almost picked you see a defender in his face. Grossman actually played really well. He had guys in his face many times in those early drives.
Alonso was all over the field. Kid can play. Lawson had a nice play to shut down the runner. Bradham had an up and down day.
The front 7 did a nice job staying in lanes and stringing run plays east and west to bottle up progress. There were a few runs were the defender didn't get off the block. But it wasn't that bad.
Offense: Kolb isn't very good. I really took notice of his lack of pocket presence. The 3rd and 12 was was bad. He had forever to throw yet checked it down to Woods who kept the chains moving just from a facemask penalty. The other play he got sacked when he tried to run with no reason too. He just doesn't have enough patience in the pocket.
On the QB situation. Here's how I'm viewing it. EJ had a simple procedure and most likely is just waiting for the incision to heal. It's not a matter of any issue with the function of his knee. Just needs to have the incision healed enough to not open up when he plays. I really think he'll start to practice late this week. And then it's really his job to lose. Tuel will start the 4th game which really is typical in the pre-season anyways. Your starters don't play much at all in the 4th game. The Kolb concussion is an unknown. It's probably one where he needs to show that he doesn't have concussion like symptoms for a number of days in a row. That could be completed as quickly as after next week. The rule states:
"Once removed for the duration of a practice or game, the player should not be considered for return-to-football activities until he is fully asymptotic, both at rest and after exertion, has a normal neurological examination, normal neuropsychological testing, and has been cleared to return by both his team physician(s) and the independent neurological consultant."
I think EJ will be back on the field late this week, and Kolb will return to the field next week and that both will be ready for the NE game.
CJ looked nasty as always. Goodwin looked dangerous on returns. The O-line looked real good actually if I had to nit-pick it would be open better holes for running. I'm worried about losing Gilmore. That's the injury I'm watching the most. Losing him and going against Brady when it's likely Rogers or Brooks? Eesh. I hope he gets back soon.
I Just think overall, considering all that we've seen and not just this game, and looking at the injuries, we're better off than it may seem.
I didn't think the offense nor defense played that bad.
Defense: We had coverage issues more than anything. Searcy has stunk all pre-season and was guilty of a bulk of it in the 1st team defense. Gilmore played well, Aaron Williams played decent, Brooks was up and down as he has been. Byrd coming back solves the S issue. I don't want to rely on Searcy.
The pressure was there just without the sacks. If you look at the Grossman pass that Gilmore almost picked you see a defender in his face. Grossman actually played really well. He had guys in his face many times in those early drives.
Alonso was all over the field. Kid can play. Lawson had a nice play to shut down the runner. Bradham had an up and down day.
The front 7 did a nice job staying in lanes and stringing run plays east and west to bottle up progress. There were a few runs were the defender didn't get off the block. But it wasn't that bad.
Offense: Kolb isn't very good. I really took notice of his lack of pocket presence. The 3rd and 12 was was bad. He had forever to throw yet checked it down to Woods who kept the chains moving just from a facemask penalty. The other play he got sacked when he tried to run with no reason too. He just doesn't have enough patience in the pocket.
On the QB situation. Here's how I'm viewing it. EJ had a simple procedure and most likely is just waiting for the incision to heal. It's not a matter of any issue with the function of his knee. Just needs to have the incision healed enough to not open up when he plays. I really think he'll start to practice late this week. And then it's really his job to lose. Tuel will start the 4th game which really is typical in the pre-season anyways. Your starters don't play much at all in the 4th game. The Kolb concussion is an unknown. It's probably one where he needs to show that he doesn't have concussion like symptoms for a number of days in a row. That could be completed as quickly as after next week. The rule states:
"Once removed for the duration of a practice or game, the player should not be considered for return-to-football activities until he is fully asymptotic, both at rest and after exertion, has a normal neurological examination, normal neuropsychological testing, and has been cleared to return by both his team physician(s) and the independent neurological consultant."
I think EJ will be back on the field late this week, and Kolb will return to the field next week and that both will be ready for the NE game.
CJ looked nasty as always. Goodwin looked dangerous on returns. The O-line looked real good actually if I had to nit-pick it would be open better holes for running. I'm worried about losing Gilmore. That's the injury I'm watching the most. Losing him and going against Brady when it's likely Rogers or Brooks? Eesh. I hope he gets back soon.
I Just think overall, considering all that we've seen and not just this game, and looking at the injuries, we're better off than it may seem.
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