(08-24-2021, 09:47 AM)Upper Wrote: My thoughts:

1. This is undoubtedly a slow team on offense. I do think Viska is average speed and Chark is plus so Prisco is a bit off there, but other than that (and our backup RB) it is a very slow offense.

2. These growing pains should be expected from Campbell and Little. Campbell has the length and speed to be a good corner, but everyone said he was going to take some time because he is still raw with his technique and he has always had trouble playing the ball. Fortunately there is a recent archetype for basically exactly what he is and was groomed into an elite CB, Carlton Davis. He was also pretty stiff (not Campbell stiff) and had a terrible time playing the ball.

3. Little is showing weakness in the parts of the game you can't train in practice. You can practice pass sets and hitting the sled all day long, but you can't simulate a DE bullrushing you. I am encouraged that he is still protecting the edge well. He will get better, and I love that he is getting all of these reps...but it will take time.

4. I honestly can't think of any positives. Pray that Cullen's scheme will wake up the defense, and pray that Chark's speed will unlock the offense. I don't think the answers for our problems were on the field in either game yet.

I agree with all of this. It's way too early to claim that Campbell is a bust. Your point about Little is also good. The expectations by our fanbase, local media and coaches were unreasonable based on how he did in training camp. The guy hadn't played for 2 years!

It's true that there weren't any real positives from last night's game. However, I do expect the offense to get better once the offensive linemen return along with Chark. The run defense should be very solid this season, but I expect the pass defense to be in the bottom 5. Campbell and Cisco will need time to acclimate to the NFL. Griffin is just a slightly above average corner and who knows what we'll get from Henderson. Top that off with a below average pass rush and I expect opposing quarterbacks to salivate at the thought of opposing our secondary.

The loss of Etienne is obviously a major blow to the offense. We'll likely see Manhertz utilized regularly to double-team the opponents best pass rusher. Lawrence still will not have sufficient time to throw deep to Chark. It may be time to give the Eagles a call regarding Ertz. With Etienne gone, they need someone else to help out Lawrence and Ertz looks like the best option now.

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