FuzzyLumpkins
The Boognish
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I think the LB as a whole struggled all game long despite some good individual performances. Marinelli ran a ton of line games. He would slant the line and twist and even blitz a little through the A gap. The LB much like at this point last year struggled to fill and maintain an edge. Several big gains off tackle or otherwise on the perimeter were the result.
Most of the SF runs including the leads were through the B gap outward. The SF starters also did a good job quickly executing their combinations and getting off to the second level. They didn't try to pass the ball much and when they did it was mostly 3 step drops.
I thought Gachkar was serviceable. He runs well and is a sure tackler. I like his ability to beat plays to the edge and finish short throws into his zone. His arrow is still up as he learns the defense.
I like Wilson but it's not time for the anointing oil. He stared at a combo block and a lead right at him the first time around. To his credit he attacked to flank or met in the hole when he saw it again but that is where he is as he is learning the NFL game. The Hitchens comparison is still apt. He is just on the far end of consistent right now.
Wilber stared things down and showed that he is slow and struggles to turn in space. If he could ever get going downhill it might result in something but his NFL clock is ticking.
Brinkley seemed to see things better but was still disappointing. The guys around him like Brown and Baggs were always either filling the wrong hole or getting hurt around him.
You could tell that Keith Smith has been here a year. He made his reads quickly and attacked. Tackled well and made plays consistently while he was in. It was against the second half scrubs but I think he is a better LB than Wilber.
Dline depth chart went something like
DLaw Bishop 58 Mincey
Hardy Coleman Russell Gregory
Edwards Obada Gardner
Overall, I thought the group played well particularly. Guys like Hitchens, Lee, and eventually McClain should come back and take advantage of the front these guys provide for the most part.
I thought the DT play was outstanding. All 4 of them made plays.
Bishop started and was continuing to make plays in the third quarter. He executed a line stunt in the first quarter taking a step to the A gap before peeling down the line. He kept contain and forced the QB to make a move which was right into Gregory. He made a couple of tackles at the poa. He fought double teams and combinations throughout and held his ground. He never got washed and at worst gave up ground coming off the block to chase the play.
Crawford was productive. He only played two series. He is tough to single block and got penetration a couple of times in limited opportunity.
Coleman played most of the way after Crawford gave way. He was able to physically dominate the interior blockers of the SF reserves. At the end he was manhandling double teams they sent at him just knocking guys down and going where he wanted to. He is able to make a play on the ball on short yardage belly runs. He is also instrumental in getting guys free in stunting and the like. Only thing I can say is I would like to see him against better competition.
Russell looked athletic and physical against the SF reserves and if he continues to take to the Cowboys teaching he has a chance for a nice NFL career. He is showing the ability to take on and shed blockers as he works upfield. These were poor blockers but he can only beat who they put in front of him.
These DTs had a similar showcase last year against Baltimore and failed. Coleman was just finally starting to use technique and Bishop got pushed around for three quarters dealing with zone blockers and their reach blocks. 58 was injured. This year's Russell outplayed all the DTs one year ago. The talent on this unit is encouraging even with 98 out.
DLaw and Mincey played 1 series and were gone but for short yardage. They were swimming and dipping but inconsequential.
Hardy
Sure Bishop flushed Kaepernick from the pocket but it was Staley that Gregory beat with a fake inside for his sack. Very intelligent, he recognized when SF started sliding protection and throwing misdirection tackling short throws and beating flanking actions to the spot. His speed upfield is significant and when protection breaks down he has the short area quickness to be an excellent finisher. He sets a very soft edge. He was a marshmallow to Staleys immovable object when they matched up. Little better push against the backups but there were some wide lanes in those B gaps.
Lavar Edwards does a much better job squeezing the edge even if he has nowhere near the quickness. He reminds me of Selvie if Selvie would have carried his weight a little better.
Gardner countered inside with a swim move and got a sack. He was able to engage and get penetration several times and almost as many times was able to finish. Did get washed on a quick double team but overall good night.
Secondary is so hard to analyze without the all-22. Wilcox and Heath are doing better coming up in run support. Heath has taken a bad angle or three the last few games. Wilcox has been consistent. Church has always been excellent in that regard for years.
Starters had a series of short fields. Scandrick and White were excellent in the red zone. Pass rush helped.
Only secondary player picked on was Steeples. Made a nice play in run support but was easy pitch and catch trying to play cover 3 with a deep set in the second half.
Patmon wasn't tested and they only focus on guys who are thrown on. Sorry.
Overall, I think the coaching staff put their guy's in a tough position. Marinelli was calling slants with the end crashing in on first down for the first two quarters. That forced the LB to shift the opposite way and fill. The rookie and Wilber who hasn't played in space like that his entire career struggled mightily. Gachkar is much farther along but I think that is the point.
Time is running out for these LBers to show that they have a place in this league.
Most of the SF runs including the leads were through the B gap outward. The SF starters also did a good job quickly executing their combinations and getting off to the second level. They didn't try to pass the ball much and when they did it was mostly 3 step drops.
I thought Gachkar was serviceable. He runs well and is a sure tackler. I like his ability to beat plays to the edge and finish short throws into his zone. His arrow is still up as he learns the defense.
I like Wilson but it's not time for the anointing oil. He stared at a combo block and a lead right at him the first time around. To his credit he attacked to flank or met in the hole when he saw it again but that is where he is as he is learning the NFL game. The Hitchens comparison is still apt. He is just on the far end of consistent right now.
Wilber stared things down and showed that he is slow and struggles to turn in space. If he could ever get going downhill it might result in something but his NFL clock is ticking.
Brinkley seemed to see things better but was still disappointing. The guys around him like Brown and Baggs were always either filling the wrong hole or getting hurt around him.
You could tell that Keith Smith has been here a year. He made his reads quickly and attacked. Tackled well and made plays consistently while he was in. It was against the second half scrubs but I think he is a better LB than Wilber.
Dline depth chart went something like
DLaw Bishop 58 Mincey
Hardy Coleman Russell Gregory
Edwards Obada Gardner
Overall, I thought the group played well particularly. Guys like Hitchens, Lee, and eventually McClain should come back and take advantage of the front these guys provide for the most part.
I thought the DT play was outstanding. All 4 of them made plays.
Bishop started and was continuing to make plays in the third quarter. He executed a line stunt in the first quarter taking a step to the A gap before peeling down the line. He kept contain and forced the QB to make a move which was right into Gregory. He made a couple of tackles at the poa. He fought double teams and combinations throughout and held his ground. He never got washed and at worst gave up ground coming off the block to chase the play.
Crawford was productive. He only played two series. He is tough to single block and got penetration a couple of times in limited opportunity.
Coleman played most of the way after Crawford gave way. He was able to physically dominate the interior blockers of the SF reserves. At the end he was manhandling double teams they sent at him just knocking guys down and going where he wanted to. He is able to make a play on the ball on short yardage belly runs. He is also instrumental in getting guys free in stunting and the like. Only thing I can say is I would like to see him against better competition.
Russell looked athletic and physical against the SF reserves and if he continues to take to the Cowboys teaching he has a chance for a nice NFL career. He is showing the ability to take on and shed blockers as he works upfield. These were poor blockers but he can only beat who they put in front of him.
These DTs had a similar showcase last year against Baltimore and failed. Coleman was just finally starting to use technique and Bishop got pushed around for three quarters dealing with zone blockers and their reach blocks. 58 was injured. This year's Russell outplayed all the DTs one year ago. The talent on this unit is encouraging even with 98 out.
DLaw and Mincey played 1 series and were gone but for short yardage. They were swimming and dipping but inconsequential.
Hardy
Sure Bishop flushed Kaepernick from the pocket but it was Staley that Gregory beat with a fake inside for his sack. Very intelligent, he recognized when SF started sliding protection and throwing misdirection tackling short throws and beating flanking actions to the spot. His speed upfield is significant and when protection breaks down he has the short area quickness to be an excellent finisher. He sets a very soft edge. He was a marshmallow to Staleys immovable object when they matched up. Little better push against the backups but there were some wide lanes in those B gaps.
Lavar Edwards does a much better job squeezing the edge even if he has nowhere near the quickness. He reminds me of Selvie if Selvie would have carried his weight a little better.
Gardner countered inside with a swim move and got a sack. He was able to engage and get penetration several times and almost as many times was able to finish. Did get washed on a quick double team but overall good night.
Secondary is so hard to analyze without the all-22. Wilcox and Heath are doing better coming up in run support. Heath has taken a bad angle or three the last few games. Wilcox has been consistent. Church has always been excellent in that regard for years.
Starters had a series of short fields. Scandrick and White were excellent in the red zone. Pass rush helped.
Only secondary player picked on was Steeples. Made a nice play in run support but was easy pitch and catch trying to play cover 3 with a deep set in the second half.
Patmon wasn't tested and they only focus on guys who are thrown on. Sorry.
Overall, I think the coaching staff put their guy's in a tough position. Marinelli was calling slants with the end crashing in on first down for the first two quarters. That forced the LB to shift the opposite way and fill. The rookie and Wilber who hasn't played in space like that his entire career struggled mightily. Gachkar is much farther along but I think that is the point.
Time is running out for these LBers to show that they have a place in this league.
