08-23-2021, 11:12 PM
Let's get this overwith....
1. Coming into the season...in fact, as recently as last week, I thought defensive back could be a potential area of strength for us. Tonight's performance gives me considerable doubt as to the veracity of that sentiment. The team surrendered two deep TD passes, and at least one of them involved anther misplay of the ball by Campbell. Griffin didn't look any better in that second TD. Even Sidney Jones, who gave us some good play last year, had his moments where he looked silly. This game is a reminder that the secondary, while completely revamped, was still part of a 1-15 team, and it will take time to come together.
2. Understanding this is preseason and that teams hold things back and really don't game plan, watching the offense tonight was painful. While I know Trevor Lawrence is going to have his rookie struggles, I was hoping performances like these would be minimized. Like the secondary, this offense is part of a 1-15 season last year and the team will struggle. The offense seems horribly disjointed. We can't run the ball. We don't try to run the ball. (Egads! I'm channeling Jim Mora!) The word of the day: lethargic!
3. Getting back to the defensive performance, many fans would wonder why the defense did not blitz more under Wash. When Ramsey and Bouye were in the secondary and Calais and Ngakoue were rushing the passer, you could argue there wasn't much need. While I've noticed that some rushers were coming free, scheme changes and exotic blitzes do not mean your defense will be effective. Though they feed off each other, the defense needs good CB play to get home on blitzes.
4. The offensive line was, once again, offensive...and not in a good way. Way too many hits on Trevor Lawrence. Several instances where the line was overpowered, which was a continuation of last week. I understand pass blocking requires offensive linemen to be passive, but that seems to happen quite a bit. Are guys not using leverage? What about the strength? Once again, Jawaan Taylor had a catastrophic failure on that late 2nd quarter 3rd down sack. He wasn't alone, as Bartch's guy got the sack on that play, but watch Jawaan Taylor on that play. Once again, scary scary bad against a backup.
5. Nice to see Taven Bryan play like he could actually find the ball on that screen.
6. Since 2017, Josh Lambo has been one of our most consistent performers. But so far this preseason, he has missed 2/3 FGs. What gives
7. Rookie Watch:
A. Trevor Lawrence-As I said above, took way too many hits. For the first time, I saw him force a pass or two into double coverage on ill advised throws. Also way off on a pass to Shenault in the end zone. There were some good signs. There were a couple of plays where he managed to step up nicely in the pocket. He had a couple of decent throws. But he looks like a rookie right now. It seems like Minshew is making faster decisions....as if his internal clock is faster. Of course, that is to be expected considering e's going into his 3rd year while TL isn't. Lawrence is a better prospect and should be a starter, but there are signs of rookie-itis.
B. Travis Etienne-had the one catch for three yards and hurt his foot. This is NOT what I wanted to see. Hopefully this is not a serious injury...nor par for the course for him.
C. Tyson Campbell-see above. I have the feeling he will be isolated and targeted by opposing offensive coordinators and QBs all season long. There's no point in covering a guy if you can't make a play on the ball.
D. Walker Little-perhaps the one pleasant surprise of the night for me considering he got the start at LT. Seemed to hold up decently, though there was that one pass rush were he got pushed back into TL. I'm sure he has more work to do with his hands, but his was the one area of the OL I felt better about after this game.
E. Andre Cisco-Played but did not stand out to me.
F. Jay Tufele-got a good pass rush but a bad penalty.
G. Jordan Smith-Did not stand out to me
H. Luke Farrell-Had a good reception early in the game.
I. Jalen Camp- Was targeted in the 3rd quarter.
8. Back to the O-Line....inserting Walker Little in at LT is a possible way to improve it. But that alone does not fix the OL. Benching Jawaan Taylor is another. I don't know why Cam Robinson did not play, but I hope he is placed in at RT. At this point, I'd rather see him struggle to learn the position early and get better than to see Jawaan Taylor continue as he has been.
9. In Ben Stein's (Ferris Beuller's teacher) voice.. "Chaisson? Chaisson...? Chaisson...?
10. Guys who did decently but will probably be cut: Cotton, Cotrell, Ozigbo.
11. Bottom line-This reminds me too much of Dallas in 1989. Absolutely listless. Seemingly lost in many ways. I am trying not to overreact to preseason. Honestly I am. But this team has a long way to go.
.
1. Coming into the season...in fact, as recently as last week, I thought defensive back could be a potential area of strength for us. Tonight's performance gives me considerable doubt as to the veracity of that sentiment. The team surrendered two deep TD passes, and at least one of them involved anther misplay of the ball by Campbell. Griffin didn't look any better in that second TD. Even Sidney Jones, who gave us some good play last year, had his moments where he looked silly. This game is a reminder that the secondary, while completely revamped, was still part of a 1-15 team, and it will take time to come together.
2. Understanding this is preseason and that teams hold things back and really don't game plan, watching the offense tonight was painful. While I know Trevor Lawrence is going to have his rookie struggles, I was hoping performances like these would be minimized. Like the secondary, this offense is part of a 1-15 season last year and the team will struggle. The offense seems horribly disjointed. We can't run the ball. We don't try to run the ball. (Egads! I'm channeling Jim Mora!) The word of the day: lethargic!
3. Getting back to the defensive performance, many fans would wonder why the defense did not blitz more under Wash. When Ramsey and Bouye were in the secondary and Calais and Ngakoue were rushing the passer, you could argue there wasn't much need. While I've noticed that some rushers were coming free, scheme changes and exotic blitzes do not mean your defense will be effective. Though they feed off each other, the defense needs good CB play to get home on blitzes.
4. The offensive line was, once again, offensive...and not in a good way. Way too many hits on Trevor Lawrence. Several instances where the line was overpowered, which was a continuation of last week. I understand pass blocking requires offensive linemen to be passive, but that seems to happen quite a bit. Are guys not using leverage? What about the strength? Once again, Jawaan Taylor had a catastrophic failure on that late 2nd quarter 3rd down sack. He wasn't alone, as Bartch's guy got the sack on that play, but watch Jawaan Taylor on that play. Once again, scary scary bad against a backup.
5. Nice to see Taven Bryan play like he could actually find the ball on that screen.
6. Since 2017, Josh Lambo has been one of our most consistent performers. But so far this preseason, he has missed 2/3 FGs. What gives
7. Rookie Watch:
A. Trevor Lawrence-As I said above, took way too many hits. For the first time, I saw him force a pass or two into double coverage on ill advised throws. Also way off on a pass to Shenault in the end zone. There were some good signs. There were a couple of plays where he managed to step up nicely in the pocket. He had a couple of decent throws. But he looks like a rookie right now. It seems like Minshew is making faster decisions....as if his internal clock is faster. Of course, that is to be expected considering e's going into his 3rd year while TL isn't. Lawrence is a better prospect and should be a starter, but there are signs of rookie-itis.
B. Travis Etienne-had the one catch for three yards and hurt his foot. This is NOT what I wanted to see. Hopefully this is not a serious injury...nor par for the course for him.
C. Tyson Campbell-see above. I have the feeling he will be isolated and targeted by opposing offensive coordinators and QBs all season long. There's no point in covering a guy if you can't make a play on the ball.
D. Walker Little-perhaps the one pleasant surprise of the night for me considering he got the start at LT. Seemed to hold up decently, though there was that one pass rush were he got pushed back into TL. I'm sure he has more work to do with his hands, but his was the one area of the OL I felt better about after this game.
E. Andre Cisco-Played but did not stand out to me.
F. Jay Tufele-got a good pass rush but a bad penalty.
G. Jordan Smith-Did not stand out to me
H. Luke Farrell-Had a good reception early in the game.
I. Jalen Camp- Was targeted in the 3rd quarter.
8. Back to the O-Line....inserting Walker Little in at LT is a possible way to improve it. But that alone does not fix the OL. Benching Jawaan Taylor is another. I don't know why Cam Robinson did not play, but I hope he is placed in at RT. At this point, I'd rather see him struggle to learn the position early and get better than to see Jawaan Taylor continue as he has been.
9. In Ben Stein's (Ferris Beuller's teacher) voice.. "Chaisson? Chaisson...? Chaisson...?
10. Guys who did decently but will probably be cut: Cotton, Cotrell, Ozigbo.
11. Bottom line-This reminds me too much of Dallas in 1989. Absolutely listless. Seemingly lost in many ways. I am trying not to overreact to preseason. Honestly I am. But this team has a long way to go.
.