09-08-2014, 09:29 AM
I'm going to go by unit, but feel free to divide them however you see fit.
QB: C-: Missed open receivers several times in both halves. Took care of the ball, but also at least partially culpable for using the three early timeouts in the second half. Only thing keeping it passing were the two touchdowns and a couple times he gave receivers a chance to make a big play in the second half, but they never did.
RB: C-: As much as I'd like to bash on Gerhart for a very poor YPC. He seldom had a sliver of a hole and often dragged people a couple extra yards after contact turning 1 or 2 yard losses into short gains. Similar for the other backs.
WR/TE: C: Generally caught the ball when they should be expected to and while they weren't constantly running opening, they ran routes sharply for the most part and there were windows for Henne to find them. Would be higher if they had made any of the great catches they had a chance to make in the second half. The offense needed a boost and they couldn't make the difficult catch. Also, they are missing several key contributors.
OL: D: Pass protection was adequate, run blocking was awful throughout the game. Penetration into our backfield on nearly every play and very few times there was a crease for the runner. Fortunately, this and WR are the units most likely to improve throughout the year.
DL: B+: A+ in the first half and B- or C+ in the second. Tough assignment for them to match up against a good offense. Should have done better against backups in second half. Seemed to get worn down despite our depth. Overall however, I think this is an above average NFL D-Line. This will keep us in games while the younger units come along.
LB: D+: Maybe a bit harsh, but if I see one of our LB totally whiff on a RB when he does a simple head and shoulders fake one more time . . . Anyway, Poz is awesome and if he's in, no way the defense is misaligned on that 4th and 1. Several times the TE was open behind the LB and in front of the S. I think this is the fault of the LB not dropping back far enough, but only the defensive coaches know for sure. A lot of potential here and I think this can be a solid unit if our very athletic linebackers will just tackle in space a little bit better.
DB: C+: Aside from one boneheaded play by Prosinski, coverage was generally tight and the safeties were good tacklers. There were a couple coverage sacks and on key 3rd downs the Eagles generally had to go to their TE instead of their WR. Also, I'm giving a little bit of a bonus because they had two safety injuries in the game. I think Prosinski earned a roster spot as a 4-way special teams guy, but when he's on the field for defense it's worrisome. But that's true for most team's 4th safety.
ST: F: A missed FG, a blocked FG, no big returns, several big returns allowed. This overlooked portion of the game is the reason we didn't have a bigger lead at halftime and why we got slaughtered in the field position battle in the second half. I'm hoping this is the worst we see from them all year. We've got the athletes here. This MUST be better.
QB: C-: Missed open receivers several times in both halves. Took care of the ball, but also at least partially culpable for using the three early timeouts in the second half. Only thing keeping it passing were the two touchdowns and a couple times he gave receivers a chance to make a big play in the second half, but they never did.
RB: C-: As much as I'd like to bash on Gerhart for a very poor YPC. He seldom had a sliver of a hole and often dragged people a couple extra yards after contact turning 1 or 2 yard losses into short gains. Similar for the other backs.
WR/TE: C: Generally caught the ball when they should be expected to and while they weren't constantly running opening, they ran routes sharply for the most part and there were windows for Henne to find them. Would be higher if they had made any of the great catches they had a chance to make in the second half. The offense needed a boost and they couldn't make the difficult catch. Also, they are missing several key contributors.
OL: D: Pass protection was adequate, run blocking was awful throughout the game. Penetration into our backfield on nearly every play and very few times there was a crease for the runner. Fortunately, this and WR are the units most likely to improve throughout the year.
DL: B+: A+ in the first half and B- or C+ in the second. Tough assignment for them to match up against a good offense. Should have done better against backups in second half. Seemed to get worn down despite our depth. Overall however, I think this is an above average NFL D-Line. This will keep us in games while the younger units come along.
LB: D+: Maybe a bit harsh, but if I see one of our LB totally whiff on a RB when he does a simple head and shoulders fake one more time . . . Anyway, Poz is awesome and if he's in, no way the defense is misaligned on that 4th and 1. Several times the TE was open behind the LB and in front of the S. I think this is the fault of the LB not dropping back far enough, but only the defensive coaches know for sure. A lot of potential here and I think this can be a solid unit if our very athletic linebackers will just tackle in space a little bit better.
DB: C+: Aside from one boneheaded play by Prosinski, coverage was generally tight and the safeties were good tacklers. There were a couple coverage sacks and on key 3rd downs the Eagles generally had to go to their TE instead of their WR. Also, I'm giving a little bit of a bonus because they had two safety injuries in the game. I think Prosinski earned a roster spot as a 4-way special teams guy, but when he's on the field for defense it's worrisome. But that's true for most team's 4th safety.
ST: F: A missed FG, a blocked FG, no big returns, several big returns allowed. This overlooked portion of the game is the reason we didn't have a bigger lead at halftime and why we got slaughtered in the field position battle in the second half. I'm hoping this is the worst we see from them all year. We've got the athletes here. This MUST be better.