As for the play on the field, I thought, all things considered, both sides of the ball showed some serious flashes. Offensively I was impressed with:
*Gabriel - he forced a few, but I felt he made some really good reads and just KNEW where guys were going to be (or were supposed to be). Even with a mixed bag of OL his pocket presence was solid and I loved his poise. *Gibson - the freshman had a rough start with some drops, but responded well to make some tough catches and haul in a 95-yard catch-and-run TD. Add some bulk to that guy and holy crap. *Barnes - the kid has good vision and runs smooth. I'm excited to see him in action as the season unfolds. *Tawee Walker - Where did this guy come from?? I know who he is, but he looked more like Rhamondre than just some guy. I hope he can replicate this effort (minus the fumble going into the EZ!) because he could find himself RB2 if he can. *Llewellyn - didn't get much love, but the kid was open...ALL DAY LONG. *Farooq & Cody Jackson - each made some big catches later in the game, though both were slow starters.
Defensive players who impressed:
*Kanak - he didn't have a ton of stats, but at one point he was playing FS! LOL. Kid can move and is going to be a big contributor on STs for sure. *White - He looked faster and more decisive. Had some BIG hits. *Woodi - He is the best CB on the team, hands down. Hope he's ok. *Dennis - One of the better INTs I've seen in a while; great body control. *Grimes - he looks like he's in much better shape and forced the QBs off their spot quite a bit. *Stripling & Redmond - both looked more decisive and were definite difference makers on the DL. *Bowman - looks like a different kid out there. Physically he's much bigger and looks more explosive. Wish he hadn't dropped that INT.
STs:
*Turk is a beast. That is all. *Kickers were kicking the shit out of kickoffs. Love that.
Areas for improvement:
*OL - it was a mixed bag, but they allowed too much pressure, on the whole, especially for the younger QBs. Rucker and Ewers didn't have time to get through their reads. Gabriel was ok because of his experience with the game and with the system. I thought the OL, overall was fine...just can see them being a weak link. I know we're a long ways off as well.
*Return game. Still a work in progress. Blocking wasn't very good.
I think some of the issues with the OL can be fixed when the top 5 are consolidated. They were spread a little thin with the format.
As for the play on the field, I thought, all things considered, both sides of the ball showed some serious flashes. Offensively I was impressed with:
*Gabriel - he forced a few, but I felt he made some really good reads and just KNEW where guys were going to be (or were supposed to be). Even with a mixed bag of OL his pocket presence was solid and I loved his poise. *Gibson - the freshman had a rough start with some drops, but responded well to make some tough catches and haul in a 95-yard catch-and-run TD. Add some bulk to that guy and holy crap. *Barnes - the kid has good vision and runs smooth. I'm excited to see him in action as the season unfolds. *Tawee Walker - Where did this guy come from?? I know who he is, but he looked more like Rhamondre than just some guy. I hope he can replicate this effort (minus the fumble going into the EZ!) because he could find himself RB2 if he can. *Llewellyn - didn't get much love, but the kid was open...ALL DAY LONG. *Farooq & Cody Jackson - each made some big catches later in the game, though both were slow starters.
Defensive players who impressed:
*Kanak - he didn't have a ton of stats, but at one point he was playing FS! LOL. Kid can move and is going to be a big contributor on STs for sure. *White - He looked faster and more decisive. Had some BIG hits. *Woodi - He is the best CB on the team, hands down. Hope he's ok. *Dennis - One of the better INTs I've seen in a while; great body control. *Grimes - he looks like he's in much better shape and forced the QBs off their spot quite a bit. *Stripling & Redmond - both looked more decisive and were definite difference makers on the DL. *Bowman - looks like a different kid out there. Physically he's much bigger and looks more explosive. Wish he hadn't dropped that INT.
STs:
*Turk is a beast. That is all. *Kickers were kicking the shit out of kickoffs. Love that.
Areas for improvement:
*OL - it was a mixed bag, but they allowed too much pressure, on the whole, especially for the younger QBs. Rucker and Ewers didn't have time to get through their reads. Gabriel was ok because of his experience with the game and with the system. I thought the OL, overall was fine...just can see them being a weak link. I know we're a long ways off as well.
*Return game. Still a work in progress. Blocking wasn't very good.
I think some of the issues with the OL can be fixed when the top 5 are consolidated. They were spread a little thin with the format.
OL typically functions as a unit. When you split that unit neither half functions as well. It's also important to remember that the "2nd" stringers in this game are 3rd and 4th stringers over all. And, in the case of the OL, the 1st string Center didn't play. I think they'll play better when the 1's play together in a game.
