My thoughts on the 2nd preseason game...

Rack

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Finally got to see it, missed some of the first half cuz there was a storm here and DirecTV didn't get all of it.

In no particular order...

1. I said in a previous thread that we weren't the only ones playing vanilla, the opposing teams were too. Well, I was wrong. The broncos were running a lot of routes with double moves and on their first defensive snap they ran a blitz that in no way, shape, or form can be called "Vanilla". No doubt in my mind they reached a little further into the playbook than the cowboys.

2. Carpenter didn't look bad last week and made a few tackles. He made less tackles this week, but looked better. His timing on that one blitz was perfect and he knocked the crap out of Ramsey.

3. I think both our last two RBs (Coleman and Lattimore) are NFL worthy players. They're solid RBs and have the size and attitude to be good special teams players.

4. I want to see Carpenter play with the first team some. Why? Cuz that means we're putting Zach Thomas on the bench. Why do I want him on the bench? Cuz he's a freakin' MONSTER and I don't want him getting hurt. It's funny how James was talking about how he thought he should have been in the probowl last year, then you watch 75 year old Zach Thomas come in and play and you realize how much Brady James is NOT a probowl player. I'm sorry, but Zach Thomas at 75 years old is 200X better than James will ever be. James is a solid 1st and 2nd down LB, nothing more.

5. I really don't think Amendola makes the team. He shouldn't. I'd love to see him on the practice squad cuz I think the potential is there, but he's got a LONG ways to go. He's not NFL roster worthy right now. You just don't stop on your route, ever. Especially on 4th down. Run your freakin' route. Maybe he'll really show something the next two games to convince me otherwise, but as of right now I wouldn't put him on the team.

6. A little concerned about the 1st Team OL's pass blocking. It needs to be better.

7. Miles Austin... I hope he's ok, and if he is he BETTER see the field more than Hurd. He's got LOADS more potential then Hurd and he's a big play threat right now. Give him some playing time in real games and let him progress. He's ready to contribute as a WR IMO.

8. Rodney Hannah is NFL roster worthy. Not our roster, but somebody's roster.

9. Martelus Bennet... if the "Body Language" he was showing before is meaningless and doesn't indicate his true attitude, then why did his Body Language look so much better vs the Broncos? The kid looked solid out there. He's still young and immature, he'll be ok I think. But he's the 3rd TE right now.

10. Alan Ball.. bye bye. If we keep him and cut Oglesby, I'll chop Wade Phillips legs off and rip Jerry Jones' face off.

11. Adam Jones... it was against backups and with Patrick Ramsey at CB, but he was reacting a lot better this game. Even in the running game. He still has NEVER in his NFL career been an elite CB (he was still progressing before his suspension) so no one with half a brain (at least) should expect him to unseat Henry as the starter, but I think he'll be solid by midseason and is still young enough to progress into an Elite CB in the future.

12. Adam Jones II... I don't want to see him catch another punt all preseason. Returning punts isn't something you "Forget" at his age. He's still got it. Putting him out there now is only asking for an injury. Let one of the young guys (amendola?) show what they can do out there.

13. Brandon Marshall... color me UNimpressed. This guy fell down on his own twice. Baby TO? Please. This guy has a long way to ge before he becomes a "Baby TO" and an even longer ways to go before he can even be mentioned in the same sentence as TO. He's big... that's about it.

14. Wow, these teams we've played so far must REALLY be in midseason form cuz they've only had 7 total penalties called on them so vs the cowboys.

Seriously, what's with the lopsided officiating. I saw at least two 15 yard penalties that COULD have been called on the broncos that weren't called.

15. I really like Bartel. He's got a big arm, and I like his attitude and leadership on the field. He'll never be a starter, but I just like him. NICE play on making that tackle after the int (that was Amendola's fault).

16. Nice punt block by Choice, but let's be honest. That was more of a HORRIBLE block than it was a great play by choice.

17. Better punt coverage, but you really can't tell for sure playing in denver in that high altitude. Let's see how they do next week. I still wouldn't at all be unhappy if we gave Read the boot tomorrow and brought in someone else. Yes, it's better to get rid of a POS coach now and have a chance at better special teams play by midseason than to keep him and have crap special teams play all year.

18. Courtney Brown looked pretty solid at Safety (except on that 4th down gay *** play call) and on special teams.

19. It's funny, cuz watching Felix Jones run the 2 things that came to my mind were "he's smooth" and "He doesn't have a lot of wasted motion". THen in the second half Babe and Moose said those EXACT same two things about him. It's only the preseason and teams don't have game film on him, but he looks pretty solid so far. Let's see how he looks by midseason.


Hope I'm wrong about the guy, but I don't think he's a very good coach.



Things I want to see next week:

1. Better pass blocking from the starting OL. Mainly on their stunt/blitz pickup.

2. Less penalties.

3. Better pass rush.

4. Better coverage.

5. Better punt coverage.

6. More Carp/less Zach. Seeing Thomas play... we haven't had that play at MLB/ILB in a LONG LONG time. We need this guy the whole season, let him play a series or two then get him out.
 

austintodallas

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Rack;2198470 said:
10. Alan Ball.. bye bye. If we keep him and cut Oglesby, I'll chop Wade Phillips legs off and rip Jerry Jones' face off.
Easy man, dang! LOL :laugh2:
 

odog422

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Good post. Pretty much with you on everything, especially the Carpenter/Thomas PT issue. Is it so obvious Thomas' ability to read/diagnose and close on plays is not only still there, but at a high level.

I think Carp needs to be "in the mix," as in playing, to get a good read on him.

As an aside, you mentioned the punting and the air in Denver. I don't think it's an accident that while in Denver Romo was overshooting on his long ball. Maybe that's a reach, but there's my .02. Whether it was a factor or not, it's still not a concern for me.

Actually, one more thing - in addition to your comment on pass blocking by the OL, I'd still like more consistency in our run blocking.
 

aikemirv

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Was that Amendola on the 4th down INt?

I thought it was Lowber.
 

TellerMorrow34

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My thoughts from the game.

The Good:

- Austin: I really, really, really hope that he's ready for the opener because he's shown this preseason that he can be a difference maker for us. He's improved so much.

- Felix Jones: This kid continues to impress. He's just so darn quick and makes that first cut and just goes. I like him a lot.

- Adam Jones: He played better in coverage this game and showed off the talent he has on returning punts. He will be a difference maker for us.

- Brad Johnson: While he held the ball too long a couple of times he did show some capability still with the first teamers and that was good to see.

- Runningback depth: WOW. Barber and Jones are givens but man will it be tough to see who they go with after that cause Choice, Coleman, and Lattimore are all very nice backs as well.


The Bad:

- Penalties: We just KILLED ourselves with some really stupid penalities again.

- Tackling: I felt like, all night long, that one of the differences in the game was that when Denver came up and hit people they were bringing them down while when we'd come up we strugged to get people to the ground especially that runningback that kept getting 3-4 extra yards by pushing through our poor tackling.

- Injuries: I was really worried about Canty and Austin coming out of this game but it appears Canty will be ok. I'm hoping Austin is ready to go by the opener.

- Pass Rush: It simply wasn't there this week. We just didn't really put much pressure on their QBs.
 

Iago33

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I wonder if Bartel has a bit too much Leftwich in him--long wind-up and slow movement. I'd love for him to develop, and he did play better this week, but I doubt he earns a spot on the roster.
 

dueyhemlock

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odog422;2198631 said:
Good post. Pretty much with you on everything, especially the Carpenter/Thomas PT issue. Is it so obvious Thomas' ability to read/diagnose and close on plays is not only still there, but at a high level.

I think Carp needs to be "in the mix," as in playing, to get a good read on him.

As an aside, you mentioned the punting and the air in Denver. I don't think it's an accident that while in Denver Romo was overshooting on his long ball. Maybe that's a reach, but there's my .02. Whether it was a factor or not, it's still not a concern for me.

Actually, one more thing - in addition to your comment on pass blocking by the OL, I'd still like more consistency in our run blocking.


odog,
Romo said after the game that the air in Denver might of had an affect on his passing.


Good recap Rack. I've been rewatching the game in slowmo an you catch so much more stuff. Maybe the team does the same and continues to improve.
 

aikemirv

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Iago33;2198653 said:
I wonder if Bartel has a bit too much Leftwich in him--long wind-up and slow movement. I'd love for him to develop, and he did play better this week, but I doubt he earns a spot on the roster.

I think he will be on the practice squad again.
 

YosemiteSam

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Welcome back Rack. You generally have interesting things to say providing you keep your hostilities towards other posters in check.

Hopefully I don't have to filter you out again. ;) :laugh2:

I agree on the ST coach, he stinks.

As for Ball, I think he will be relegated to practice squad. It's a shame too, because like Miles Austin, he has more physical talent tnan Oglesby. Oglesby is just more polished. Of course, Oglesby has shown an ability to be around the ball and make some plays. The question is can ball to that too with more time?
 

dueyhemlock

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:D
aikemirv;2198642 said:
Was that Amendola on the 4th down INt?

I thought it was Lowber.

slogriff;2198656 said:
It was Lowber and not Amendola.


slogriff, aikemirv

It was Danny. I've watched it several times in slowmo.

Danny #18 goes across the middle, then cuts back towards the outside. The LB is all over his back on his outside shoulder. That's why Danny stopped and cut back towards the middle again. This was to late because Bartel was already releasing the ball.

Just sharing :D
 

silver

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Rack;2198470 said:
Finally got to see it, missed some of the first half cuz there was a storm here and DirecTV didn't get all of it.

In no particular order...19. It's funny, cuz watching Felix Jones run the 2 things that came to my mind were "he's smooth" and "He doesn't have a lot of wasted motion". THen in the second half Babe and Moose said those EXACT same two things about him. It's only the preseason and teams don't have game film on him, but he looks pretty solid so far. Let's see how he looks by midseason.

thanks for the analysis. didn't see the game and most of the posters either complain or apologize. On your comment about Felix Jones being so smooth and having no wasted motion i had to LOL since it reminded me of 1987 when George Allen was calling a blue white scrimage and had the same so smooth comment about Daryl Clack and the no wasted motion comment about Ron Springs. Back then it became an inside joke in my family specially the "he has no wasted motion, he makes a move, he's gone" comment.

anywho great post.
 

AsthmaField

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Not too much I disagree with there, Rack.

Except that I probably wouldn't cut off Wade Phillips legs and tear off Jerry Jones' face. :D
 

Chocolate Lab

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Good observations, Rack.

I agree about the Broncos putting a little more into winning this game than we did. They were definitely sending more people after the QB than we were, and my first thought on that long completion on Jenkins was that they saw an overaggressive rookie in practice and specifically went after him with the double move. I think this was just a little payback from last year when they thought we embarrassed them.

And yeah, I'd get Zach out of there, too. It might take Flo and Bigg to drag him out of the game, but you can see he's going to make a ton of plays for us this year, and he doesn't need preseason.

I think the coaches were right on questioning Courtney Brown's tackling. He doesn't look too interested in getting mixed up in the action, and that won't work for a safety. Doubt it keeps him off the team, but I wish he and Watkins both were more physical. We might have to keep Davis just so we at least one physical backup safety.

Amendola hasn't shown a thing IMO. Again, who is more valuable right now to the team, him or Dowayne Davis? I'd say Davis. Maybe even some late roster pickup who is a special teams specialist.

I thought Bennett looked a lot better, too. At least he has a big upside to him, unlike the last TE we took in the second round.

Mostly this game was just a lot of blah. Even Moose talked about how the game just as you're leaving camp was hard to get motivated for.
 
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