kbduke
09-02-2004, 06:58 AM
Well my friends the last preseason game is this evening and I for one can not wait until it happens. All the players cut were definitely ones most of us could have already selected so there is not alot of news there except Dennis Green continually raids our cast offs including Shaun Smith and Aveion Cason. Even Denny knows there is something up at Dallas.
Quarterback - After Monday nights game most of the talk about Vinny has gone and now it is centered on Who is the backup? Good.
Running Back - JJ seems to be what the Doctor ordered, soreness or injured. I do not believe if he was injured he would play tonight, and if the is still sore I do not think he will play much tonight anyways. Eddie is still doing okay but one thing to remember is when Eddie is running most of the fronts we are seeing are 8 man. When JJ, Lee or Ritchie are running its six or seven man fronts. I would keep Lee
as my big back. Use Eddie more for off the field leadership and direction. The man can make enough contribution there to keep him around. Especially when a young running back is hearing he is all that. It is hard for a young man to stay focused and humble when he hears "You are the man! He could be great! etc...." Helping JJ remain focused and humble might make it enough contribution to keep him around much less his playing ability. Good
Fullback - The human battering ram may or may not make the team. I believe in Jamar Martin and his contribution on the field during running plays are outstanding. The guy gets the most our himself when blocking than alot of players I have ever seen. Barnes is also a great fullback. While not as good a blocker, he can catch and makes more contribution on special teams. This one is to close to call but I like the fact that it is a great spot to be in. Good
Wide Reciever - Excellent Job by our starting three. Who is behind them is where it gets difficult. Crayton, Ward, Randall Williams are all there, but do you keep five guys or six? Its another nice problem to have. Good
Tight End - Whitten will be a probowl player at the end of this season. His game versus the Titans shows he is gonna be specail. I have not see a tight end like this since Bavaro. Big, can block and boy can he catch. Campbell is a great addition and he can block and catch also. Just not as athletic. Sean Ryan is a workhorse and he can do the same. Landon Trusty will be on the practice squad, cause Bill is hiding him. Which is why after one game he pulls him out and I doubt we will hear about him again until next year. Good
Offensive Line - The left side is set, Walter looks like he may be our starting center but, in Bills scheme "starter" does not mean a lot. Playing time does. Al will be in the mix. The Guard spot looks like Gurode has is sewn up but the big deal is about tackle and at this point, alot of peoples fan favorite Torrin Tucker looks like the starter at this time. Probably by a nose. Experience probably won it. Don't fret because unless he plays at a probowl level I believe he is only keeping the seat warm while Rodgers pushes him out by hard work and determination. The o line in the last game gave the old man plenty of time to throw and created some nice pockets. Unfortunately its not a good thing to be in your last preseason game and still not have a definitive right tackle named. Bad
Defensive Line - UGLY! Marcellus Wiley still has not gotten "IT" yet, have not heard of many plays called by Ellis either. Strong Dog and Ogbogu have shown something. But our vaunted ends have not made the impact it was expected to and this is supposed to be where the pass rush comes from. Our pass rush comes from our defensive tackle, "Mr Glover, please stand up and take a bow"
Deleroy Stewart came on last game but its only one game. Leo Carson is starting to look good like a one tackle should but it took us until after training camp was over to find a suitable second for him in Chad Eaton. Not good when you have had Shaun Smith sitting on the practice squad all year, and Jermaine Brooks shows potential, but has become the odd man out due to Deleroy coming on like gangbusters. - Ugly but improving and could move to good after tonight.
Linebacker - We have not had a pass rushing linebacker in quite a while. Kalen Thornton can be that guy. 4.8 is not gonna win many races, but it is his quickness that seperates him from others. He may not win a 40 but he will get that first ten yards quicker than most. That's calle explosion. I can thing of one other guy who had that also. Won't compare him, there is none. This guy was one of only two or three who could win a game all by themselves. But lets just say he wears a lightning bolt in his ear. More depth, better talent make it a strength. GOOD!
Defensive Backs - COYOTE UGLY! This is a complete train wreck! Newman is gonna need to take alot of vitamins to improve his concentration. The man is gonna get bored playing games because everyone in their right mind will be going to the right side until someone steps it up. Woodson returning may improve things, Bruce Thornton is young but I would prefer him at this time to Pete Hunter who has been badly crippled by the flu, including tonights game. While Jameel Powell is always there, he has not put the entire concept together. Until he learn he can lift his freaking arms up to block passes or try to catch the ball, all he doing is running foot races. Somebody please buy this man a clue. I have said it enough but it still warrants saying. GET RID OF THE MAN CALLED DIXON. TAKE TONY DIXON PLEASEEEEEEE! - COYOTE UGLY!
Quarterback - After Monday nights game most of the talk about Vinny has gone and now it is centered on Who is the backup? Good.
Running Back - JJ seems to be what the Doctor ordered, soreness or injured. I do not believe if he was injured he would play tonight, and if the is still sore I do not think he will play much tonight anyways. Eddie is still doing okay but one thing to remember is when Eddie is running most of the fronts we are seeing are 8 man. When JJ, Lee or Ritchie are running its six or seven man fronts. I would keep Lee
as my big back. Use Eddie more for off the field leadership and direction. The man can make enough contribution there to keep him around. Especially when a young running back is hearing he is all that. It is hard for a young man to stay focused and humble when he hears "You are the man! He could be great! etc...." Helping JJ remain focused and humble might make it enough contribution to keep him around much less his playing ability. Good
Fullback - The human battering ram may or may not make the team. I believe in Jamar Martin and his contribution on the field during running plays are outstanding. The guy gets the most our himself when blocking than alot of players I have ever seen. Barnes is also a great fullback. While not as good a blocker, he can catch and makes more contribution on special teams. This one is to close to call but I like the fact that it is a great spot to be in. Good
Wide Reciever - Excellent Job by our starting three. Who is behind them is where it gets difficult. Crayton, Ward, Randall Williams are all there, but do you keep five guys or six? Its another nice problem to have. Good
Tight End - Whitten will be a probowl player at the end of this season. His game versus the Titans shows he is gonna be specail. I have not see a tight end like this since Bavaro. Big, can block and boy can he catch. Campbell is a great addition and he can block and catch also. Just not as athletic. Sean Ryan is a workhorse and he can do the same. Landon Trusty will be on the practice squad, cause Bill is hiding him. Which is why after one game he pulls him out and I doubt we will hear about him again until next year. Good
Offensive Line - The left side is set, Walter looks like he may be our starting center but, in Bills scheme "starter" does not mean a lot. Playing time does. Al will be in the mix. The Guard spot looks like Gurode has is sewn up but the big deal is about tackle and at this point, alot of peoples fan favorite Torrin Tucker looks like the starter at this time. Probably by a nose. Experience probably won it. Don't fret because unless he plays at a probowl level I believe he is only keeping the seat warm while Rodgers pushes him out by hard work and determination. The o line in the last game gave the old man plenty of time to throw and created some nice pockets. Unfortunately its not a good thing to be in your last preseason game and still not have a definitive right tackle named. Bad
Defensive Line - UGLY! Marcellus Wiley still has not gotten "IT" yet, have not heard of many plays called by Ellis either. Strong Dog and Ogbogu have shown something. But our vaunted ends have not made the impact it was expected to and this is supposed to be where the pass rush comes from. Our pass rush comes from our defensive tackle, "Mr Glover, please stand up and take a bow"
Deleroy Stewart came on last game but its only one game. Leo Carson is starting to look good like a one tackle should but it took us until after training camp was over to find a suitable second for him in Chad Eaton. Not good when you have had Shaun Smith sitting on the practice squad all year, and Jermaine Brooks shows potential, but has become the odd man out due to Deleroy coming on like gangbusters. - Ugly but improving and could move to good after tonight.
Linebacker - We have not had a pass rushing linebacker in quite a while. Kalen Thornton can be that guy. 4.8 is not gonna win many races, but it is his quickness that seperates him from others. He may not win a 40 but he will get that first ten yards quicker than most. That's calle explosion. I can thing of one other guy who had that also. Won't compare him, there is none. This guy was one of only two or three who could win a game all by themselves. But lets just say he wears a lightning bolt in his ear. More depth, better talent make it a strength. GOOD!
Defensive Backs - COYOTE UGLY! This is a complete train wreck! Newman is gonna need to take alot of vitamins to improve his concentration. The man is gonna get bored playing games because everyone in their right mind will be going to the right side until someone steps it up. Woodson returning may improve things, Bruce Thornton is young but I would prefer him at this time to Pete Hunter who has been badly crippled by the flu, including tonights game. While Jameel Powell is always there, he has not put the entire concept together. Until he learn he can lift his freaking arms up to block passes or try to catch the ball, all he doing is running foot races. Somebody please buy this man a clue. I have said it enough but it still warrants saying. GET RID OF THE MAN CALLED DIXON. TAKE TONY DIXON PLEASEEEEEEE! - COYOTE UGLY!