CalPolyTechnique
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Some takeaways a few days after digesting the game a little:
1. Guyton and Steele played well. No, neither are technicians when it comes to pass blocking, but overall, I think they played very well in keeping Dak clean. I really don't give two craps what PFF's "grade" on them is. Steele, whom I still think needs to be replaced after this season, has played markedly better over the past two weeks since Schotty passively-aggressively let it be known that the RT position was an "open competition."
2. DT play has been great, but we need to acquire/draft another stud on the EDGE/DE this offseason. We are finally seeing what having some dogs on the inside provides in terms of bringing pressure up the middle. That said, our guys on the EDGE/DE are simply not making teams pay. Eze has shown himself to be a very good run defender, and I expect him to continue evolving as a pass rusher; however, he has been underwhelming in that department (again, spare me with the "pressure rate" grades). I've also supported (more than most) Sam Williams, but he's been a disappointment rushing the QB this season, as has Dante Fowler. The team will likely let Williams and/or Fowler walk after this season, so hopefully they prioritize upgrading this offseason.
3. CeeDee needs to own the "L." CeeDee has been my favorite offensive player on the team since we drafted him (was a huge fan of his at OU too), but he's trending in the wrong direction. And lest you think it's just an anomaly, he has put enough bad tape out there that you have to start questioning (ex. most dropped passes of any receiver since 2020) how he comes out of this. We all remember his Week 1 performance and then this last game, but don't forget the easy TD pass he dropped against the Raiders the prior week as well. I'm concerned about where his head is at because he's being eviscerated by fans and the media, and all the talk now is about Pickens being "the true #1." Again, it will be interesting to see how he performs coming out of all this.
4. Javonte Williams is the truth. I thought Schotty/OC blew it with the play calling at the end of the game at the 2-yard line. You have to give Williams at least two runs at it at that distance. I'd like to see the team resign Williams and pair him with a speed back. Blue fits the bill on paper, but apparently, he's either too lazy, stupid,/or unmotivated to take advantage of the situation. We'll see if that changes at some point this season or next. Oh, and by the way, all the folks that attacked that ex-Cowboys RB coach that critiqued Blue during training camp should be banned for a week.
1. Guyton and Steele played well. No, neither are technicians when it comes to pass blocking, but overall, I think they played very well in keeping Dak clean. I really don't give two craps what PFF's "grade" on them is. Steele, whom I still think needs to be replaced after this season, has played markedly better over the past two weeks since Schotty passively-aggressively let it be known that the RT position was an "open competition."
2. DT play has been great, but we need to acquire/draft another stud on the EDGE/DE this offseason. We are finally seeing what having some dogs on the inside provides in terms of bringing pressure up the middle. That said, our guys on the EDGE/DE are simply not making teams pay. Eze has shown himself to be a very good run defender, and I expect him to continue evolving as a pass rusher; however, he has been underwhelming in that department (again, spare me with the "pressure rate" grades). I've also supported (more than most) Sam Williams, but he's been a disappointment rushing the QB this season, as has Dante Fowler. The team will likely let Williams and/or Fowler walk after this season, so hopefully they prioritize upgrading this offseason.
3. CeeDee needs to own the "L." CeeDee has been my favorite offensive player on the team since we drafted him (was a huge fan of his at OU too), but he's trending in the wrong direction. And lest you think it's just an anomaly, he has put enough bad tape out there that you have to start questioning (ex. most dropped passes of any receiver since 2020) how he comes out of this. We all remember his Week 1 performance and then this last game, but don't forget the easy TD pass he dropped against the Raiders the prior week as well. I'm concerned about where his head is at because he's being eviscerated by fans and the media, and all the talk now is about Pickens being "the true #1." Again, it will be interesting to see how he performs coming out of all this.
4. Javonte Williams is the truth. I thought Schotty/OC blew it with the play calling at the end of the game at the 2-yard line. You have to give Williams at least two runs at it at that distance. I'd like to see the team resign Williams and pair him with a speed back. Blue fits the bill on paper, but apparently, he's either too lazy, stupid,/or unmotivated to take advantage of the situation. We'll see if that changes at some point this season or next. Oh, and by the way, all the folks that attacked that ex-Cowboys RB coach that critiqued Blue during training camp should be banned for a week.
