Quick thoughts on the game tonight

[Chocolate Lab]

Very quick:

-- As others noticed, Spears looked awful. Didn't do a thing against backups.

-- Even worse was Carpenter. He not only didn't make a play other than one first-down preventing stop in the 3rd quarter, he didn't even look like he wanted to be there. He was incredibly unaggressive and repeatedly stood and watched as others made the tackle.

-- Maybe those guys were trying to stay out of the action and get through a meaningless game. I hope so. But Carpenter in particular looks so, so passive for a LB. John Saldi looked better -- seriously.

-- Miles Austin showed some ability, finally. Very smooth and good speed on a few catches, two of which were called back on penalties by others.

-- Hatcher looked dynamite rushing when he came in at left end. He pretty much abused the RT. Maybe they weren't sacks, but they were definite pressures. I have a feeling this is the kind of end Wade wants, not the immobile roadblock types.

-- Tony Curtis :jackpot: really played well again. Where are you, Charles/QCard?

-- Reeves looked a little better. I still think Joey Thomas is awful. Not even sure why he got so many snaps. I'd have played Butler, who showed some quicks on a little punt return.

-- Wade was as mad at the end of the first half as I've ever seen him. He was really hissed off.

-- What are they saying at the end of the Jerry Jones Papa John's breakdance? Pizza "so good, it even makes Jerry Joooooones..." ???

-- So much for the Carp at OLB experiment. He didn't play there at all. It was all Gymph plus guys like Khari Long.

-- Matt Moore is a player. Really. He looks better than Romo did as a rookie IMO. He really does run the team well, plays with good rhythm, and has a better arm than I thought he had. Groom him well and we'll have an excellent backup or even trade piece in a year or two. (Maybe even a starting QB?)

-- Demarcus Ware has been very quiet this preseason. Why? Because Wade is saving the blitzes that will isolate him in favorable matchups for the real deal. Some Giants offensive linemen are in for a very rough night about 10 days from now.

 

[CaptainAmerica]

Good point about Ware. I've been thinking he's been under the radar this pre-season.

Thanks for the quick hits for those who didn't see the game.

 

[Bob Sacamano]

it's not a coincidence that Ware and TO have had very quiet preseasons, Witten too

 

[proline]

Very quick:

-- Even worse was Carpenter. He not only didn't make a play other than one first-down preventing stop in the 3rd quarter, he didn't even look like he wanted to be there. He was incredibly unaggressive and repeatedly stood and watched as others made the tackle.

I didn't get to watch the game, but NFL.com shows Carpenter had 4 tackles, behind only Remi Ayodele who had 5. That doesn't sound too bad, but I know numbers aren't the whole story....

 

[Chocolate Lab]

I didn't get to watch the game, but NFL.com shows Carpenter had 4 tackles, behind only Remi Ayodele who had 5. That doesn't sound too bad, but I know numbers aren't the whole story....

He probably played more snaps than anyone else on defense. Seemed like he was in there the entire game.

I hope I'm wrong, because -- like with Spears -- I thought Carp was a very good draft pick. But I'm trying to think of a really good LB who plays that passive. Like Buddy Ryan said, if they don't bite when they're puppies, they aren't going to bite. If you're going to be a good player in this league and you don't have great athletic ability, you better play with great passion and energy. I don't see it.

The DMN blog reminded me that I wanted to mention Courtney Brown on his INT. Broke on the ball, went up high, and caught the ball in his hands just the way you teach it. I think we keep him and he challenges for more time next year... But Elam made some plays as well.

 

[Cbz40]

it's not a coincidence that Ware and TO have had very quiet preseasons, Witten too

I concur....We've only seen 1 paragraph of each of these 3 chapters. Looking forward to those missing pages.

 

[Bob Sacamano]

I concur....We've only seen 1 paragraph of each of these 3 chapters. Looking forward to those missing pages.

Amen, old man

Amen

 

[TunaFan33]

I concur....We've only seen 1 paragraph of each of these 3 chapters. Looking forward to those missing pages.

FWIW-I DO expect TO to be well behaved this season-created too many distractions last year, his play was underwhelming, and he has a chip on his shoulder. I think he'll do his darnest to prove to everyone this year the talent he really is. Hey-I'm not complaining.

 

[TunaFan33]

He probably played more snaps than anyone else on defense. Seemed like he was in there the entire game.

I hope I'm wrong, because -- like with Spears -- I thought Carp was a very good draft pick. But I'm trying to think of a really good LB who plays that passive. Like Buddy Ryan said, if they don't bite when they're puppies, they aren't going to bite. If you're going to be a good player in this league and you don't have great athletic ability, you better play with great passion and energy. I don't see it.

The DMN blog reminded me that I wanted to mention Courtney Brown on his INT. Broke on the ball, went up high, and caught the ball in his hands just the way you teach it. I think we keep him and he challenges for more time next year... But Elam made some plays as well.

Carpenter isn't a BAD player, per se, but he's NOT an OLB, he's an INSIDE LB.

Why Poorsmells thought so when drafting him is mystifying.

 

[hairic]

I didn't get to watch the game, but NFL.com shows Carpenter had 4 tackles, behind only Remi Ayodele who had 5. That doesn't sound too bad, but I know numbers aren't the whole story....

Those tackles were of the pushing someone out of bounds, tapping someone on the ground, and tapping someone on the ground again (I think), and standing up a RB variety. He had to have been playing injured - his only hit pretty much took him out of the game after he finished the series.

 

[Smith22]

Can't watch the game until it replays. Any of our 2nd/3rd corners come up with a solid performance?

 

[Big Dakota]

Very quick:

-- As others noticed, Spears looked awful. Didn't do a thing against backups.

-- Even worse was Carpenter. He not only didn't make a play other than one first-down preventing stop in the 3rd quarter, he didn't even look like he wanted to be there. He was incredibly unaggressive and repeatedly stood and watched as others made the tackle.

-- Maybe those guys were trying to stay out of the action and get through a meaningless game. I hope so. But Carpenter in particular looks so, so passive for a LB. John Saldi looked better -- seriously.

-- Miles Austin showed some ability, finally. Very smooth and good speed on a few catches, two of which were called back on penalties by others.

-- Hatcher looked dynamite rushing when he came in at left end. He pretty much abused the RT. Maybe they weren't sacks, but they were definite pressures. I have a feeling this is the kind of end Wade wants, not the immobile roadblock types.

-- Tony Curtis :jackpot: really played well again. Where are you, Charles/QCard?

-- Reeves looked a little better. I still think Joey Thomas is awful. Not even sure why he got so many snaps. I'd have played Butler, who showed some quicks on a little punt return.

-- Wade was as mad at the end of the first half as I've ever seen him. He was really hissed off.

-- What are they saying at the end of the Jerry Jones Papa John's breakdance? Pizza "so good, it even makes Jerry Joooooones..." ???

-- So much for the Carp at OLB experiment. He didn't play there at all. It was all Gymph plus guys like Khari Long.

-- Matt Moore is a player. Really. He looks better than Romo did as a rookie IMO. He really does run the team well, plays with good rhythm, and has a better arm than I thought he had. Groom him well and we'll have an excellent backup or even trade piece in a year or two. (Maybe even a starting QB?)

-- Demarcus Ware has been very quiet this preseason. Why? Because Wade is saving the blitzes that will isolate him in favorable matchups for the real deal. Some Giants offensive linemen are in for a very rough night about 10 days from now.

I have to watch it, but i hate the Spears reports.I can't say i'm surprised, but very alarming, nonetheless.

Carp's play more than alarms me, as i figurd him to be a very good pro. On the radio, they made it sound like he was very worn out. Daddy was a tough muther and needs to have a "come to Jesus" with his boy.

Kudos to Hatch.

Curtis looks like a guy who "gits it", much like TT. Both had high end talent coming out of HS, but wound up at small schools for one reason or another, but they both stand the chance of playing in the NFL for years.

Reeves has been up and down for years, and he is what he is, a border line pro.

Wade mad? LOL!!! I can't wait to see that


Carp isn't an OLB in the 3-4

Moore has a "Romo's chance" if groomed.


Gints will RUE THE DAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


Great post CL

 

[28 Joker]

Chocolate Lab, thank you for the report.

This report on Carpenter isn't what I want to hear. There have been grumblings about his "fire". If he played that passive tonight, it sounds like he may have this problem. I liked Carpenter coming out of Ohio State, but when you play passive, you don't play well. Furthermore, you can get hurt quick.

Dallas passed on Cromartie, the cornerback out of FSU, in order to draft Carpenter. Carpenter should have never been drafted to play OLB in a 3-4 defense. He isn't a pure pass rusher.

This was his chance to show some dominance on the field against some scrubs. If he didn't do it tonight, will he ever do it? I know he has been moved around too much. However, he should have stood out in this game. He is fighting to get on the field; you would think he would play with more intensity.

I have defended Spears before, but he looked really bad on one play in particular against Houston. In fact, he looked pathetic on that play. I bet you anything that Spears' play on that play alone led to him playing with the back-ups tonight. I didn't see Canty playing. Why was Spears out there and Canty wasn't? After playing very well during the first two preseason games, it appears Spears may be in the dog house. Also, Phillips may have played him in order to get his weight down around 290.

I have not given up on Spears. Everyone should let the season play out.

Jason Hatcher is not going to be denied. He is quick and explosive while Spears' best virtue is stopping the run. Hatcher appears to be the better pass rusher.

Does anyone think that Spears could be moved to NT one day? If he wants to do it, I think he has the physical tools if he puts his mind to it. Phillips talked about moving Spears to NT right after he took the job. I think we will see Spears and Hatcher lined up at NT some during the season, especially Spears. I hope Wade does this some. I think he is hiding it. Of course, I could be crazy, but there was talk of playing both of them at NT some. It would be an interesting place to put Hatcher, because he has the size to do it. Also, you could shift him around before the snap of the ball.

The Cowboys need to be looking at CB and WR during round one of the draft. Dallas doesn't need to draft a nose tackle in round one if it can prevent it.

 

[ddh33]

I mentioned that Carpenter stuff in another thread. I'm not saying he's a bust or anything, but he was a lot less physical than I thought.

On one play, a guy caught the ball over the middle of the field, and Carp had a great shot on him. He actually stopped and grabbed him with his hands to bring him to the ground. You don't see that in many LBs. In fact, you wouldn't see that from any of the safeties on this team.

The most obvious possibility is that Carpenter is hurting a little bit. I thought I saw him grabbing at his shoulder on Saturday, and he was icing his knee tonight. He may not have felt like a kill shot, and instead settled for a sure tackle. Nothing wrong with that, and I won't judge his whole career for it.

I would like to see a little more nastiness out of my LBs though.

 

[trickblue]

I didn't get to watch the game, but NFL.com shows Carpenter had 4 tackles, behind only Remi Ayodele who had 5. That doesn't sound too bad, but I know numbers aren't the whole story....

Don't let stats mislead you... Carpenter looked lost out there tonight...

Now whether or not that had to do with him moving outside I don't know, but it wasn't pretty...

 

[DBoys]

Can't watch the game until it replays. Any of our 2nd/3rd corners come up with a solid performance?

Reeves and Butler looked good. The others sucked.

 

[28 Joker]

I mentioned that Carpenter stuff in another thread. I'm not saying he's a bust or anything, but he was a lot less physical than I thought.

On one play, a guy caught the ball over the middle of the field, and Carp had a great shot on him. He actually stopped and grabbed him with his hands to bring him to the ground. You don't see that in many LBs. In fact, you wouldn't see that from any of the safeties on this team.

The most obvious possibility is that Carpenter is hurting a little bit. I thought I saw him grabbing at his shoulder on Saturday, and he was icing his knee tonight. He may not have felt like a kill shot, and instead settled for a sure tackle. Nothing wrong with that, and I won't judge his whole career for it.

I would like to see a little more nastiness out of my LBs though.

Carpenter did hurt his shoulder last week. He came off the field with it hanging. I forgot. I hope this was the reason that he was passive.

I didn't see the game, so I'm just going off of reports.

I do love Carpenter's speed. We will need his wheels this year. That is for sure.

 

[Mr Cowboy]

I think Carpentar is better outside than he is inside. He gets swallowed up in the middle by the OL. He has a tough time shedding OL. I think he plays better in space.

Just another one of BP draft gems...................

 

[Idgit]

Carpenter isn't a BAD player, per se, but he's NOT an OLB, he's an INSIDE LB.

Why Poorsmells thought so when drafting him is mystifying.

Can you do me a favor and never refer to Bill Parcells as Bill Poorsmells ever again? I'd really appreciate it.

 

[theebs]

Very quick:

-- As others noticed, Spears looked awful. Didn't do a thing against backups.

-- Even worse was Carpenter. He not only didn't make a play other than one first-down preventing stop in the 3rd quarter, he didn't even look like he wanted to be there. He was incredibly unaggressive and repeatedly stood and watched as others made the tackle.

-- Maybe those guys were trying to stay out of the action and get through a meaningless game. I hope so. But Carpenter in particular looks so, so passive for a LB. John Saldi looked better -- seriously.

-- Miles Austin showed some ability, finally. Very smooth and good speed on a few catches, two of which were called back on penalties by others.

-- Hatcher looked dynamite rushing when he came in at left end. He pretty much abused the RT. Maybe they weren't sacks, but they were definite pressures. I have a feeling this is the kind of end Wade wants, not the immobile roadblock types.

-- Tony Curtis :jackpot: really played well again. Where are you, Charles/QCard?

-- Reeves looked a little better. I still think Joey Thomas is awful. Not even sure why he got so many snaps. I'd have played Butler, who showed some quicks on a little punt return.

-- Wade was as mad at the end of the first half as I've ever seen him. He was really hissed off.

-- What are they saying at the end of the Jerry Jones Papa John's breakdance? Pizza "so good, it even makes Jerry Joooooones..." ???

-- So much for the Carp at OLB experiment. He didn't play there at all. It was all Gymph plus guys like Khari Long.

-- Matt Moore is a player. Really. He looks better than Romo did as a rookie IMO. He really does run the team well, plays with good rhythm, and has a better arm than I thought he had. Groom him well and we'll have an excellent backup or even trade piece in a year or two. (Maybe even a starting QB?)

-- Demarcus Ware has been very quiet this preseason. Why? Because Wade is saving the blitzes that will isolate him in favorable matchups for the real deal. Some Giants offensive linemen are in for a very rough night about 10 days from now.

I agree with everything you said cl.

I do have one thing to point out though. I think carpenter has injured right shoulder, enough to say that at some time in the next month he is going to miss time.

He got hurt in that texans game, none of the media noticed it and neither announcing crew noticed.
It looks like he got hurt on a tackle, when he got up he ran off the field holding his right arm straight down, it was dangling, just like fasano the week before. He never returned to the game.

I think he knows the score and is just fighting through it trying to prove that he can play somewhere to this staff.
I noticed exactly what you noticed tonight, pretty much the second he got on the field. It was as if he was trying to avoid contact, he looked like joey thomas tackling.
Then he hurts his knee.

Again though I really think he has a right shoulder or a neck thing and is going to miss sometime. I bet we hear about it at the end of the week when burnett is back practicing.

I also agree that one of those other linebackers, long or saldi will slip on the roster somehow in the first month because of carpenter and burnett being banged up..

Austin looked great to me, he was flying and when he had the ball in his hand he looked great. I think they need to wait him out as far as he goes, let him continue to develop and play special teams on gameday. i would take him over urban in a heartbeat, its a no brainer to me.