(08-09-2019, 12:47 AM)TheO-LineMatters Wrote: 1. Our backup QB situation is flat out, awful! Minshew showed me nothing. He never got us passed midfield and he just looked like the game was too fast for him. Why was his helmet constantly flying off? That guy is gonna have brain damage before the season starts, if he doesn't find a tighter fitting helmet. He reminded me of watching Cody Kessler. Can we cut Tanner Lee now? This guy has no future as a QB in any league. He has no feel for the pass rush, lacks instincts, and is inaccurate. His first series reminded me of Blake Bortles, on his worst day. McGough was awful as well, against guys who will be bagging groceries in a few weeks. It's time to start drafting a young QB in the 2nd to 4th rounds and quit waiting until the 6th or 7th rounds. We're not going to find Tom Brady. That was a one off. Let's develop a guy with actual talent and a proven record to develop behind Foles. If God forbid, Foles gets injured, we WILL have the #1 pick in the 2020 draft. Pray he stays healthy.
2. The O-Line was pathetic. The interior was decent, (not great), but the Tackles were awful. Richardson needs to be used exclusively at OG. I'm almost ready to bring back Jeremy Parnell. If Taylor can't win the starting RT job, that's gonna be a HUGE problem area, because I fear Ogbuehi would start there and after watching him fail miserably here in Cincinnati, I can honestly say, I'd rather have Flowers back. Ogbuehi is a dumpster fire.
3. We played very conservatively tonight, but there were some concerning drops by the receivers. Mainly from guys who probably won't make the team, but still, it was a little alarming.
4. The run defense gave up some very big plays. Granted, our starters didn't play, but we apparently need more consistent play at backup NT and way more depth at Linebacker.
5. I was hearing good things about Breon Borders, but he looked bad. He missed a couple key tackles and got beat on a couple big plays. I was not impressed. Luckily, he probably would not have made the team anyway. We are pretty deep at CB.
6. Once again, our overall depth is a concern. If we get the injury bug like we did last year, it'll be a very long season. My biggest concerns are QB and OT's on the offensive side and NT and linebackers on the defensive side. If we lose key starters at any of those positions, it'll cost us dearly.
This was not the look I wanted to see from this team to start the season. I know it was the first preseason game of the year, but sheesh! That was ugly. Very few positives to focus on.
Minshew was put in an impossible position to have any success for his first rookie game. It is bad enough for a young QB to deal with the speed of the NFL and then try to adjust to the game behind an outrageous offensive line. I am not saying he is the answer at the backup position but I do think to evaluate him after that game is throwing the baby out with the bathwater. I don't think a season NFL quarterback could succeed behind that online. When I see him play behind a good Oline with better quality players then it would be fair to judge his performance.
