Let's start with the surprises to me:
- I never thought I'd be saying this, but I am pretty content with where we are at DE and LB. I had concerns about both but the play of guys like Charlton and Thomas have alleviated a lot of concern. I thought Thomas was just going to be a JAG but he's been really impressive at LB in the role we will ask him to play.
The positives:
- I thought we'd be solid outside at CB. I've long said Jones is a CB, not a S. Between him and Awuzie, I think we have two guys that we should have confidence in over a full season. I can't remember the last time we had two guys outside with the athleticism these two guys have.
- Heath, who I think is just average, has had a good camp thus far. Really has locked down the SS position thus far and when in the past, I've noticed gaffes by him, I rarely have heard his name in telecasts, which to me is a good thing.
- OL, overall, has been what we should expect. Williams has had his struggles but I think as he gets more exposure, he'll be fine. Martin's injury, obviously is a big key.
- Pass rush has been pretty good and it seems, at least in preseason, they are messing around with more blitzing, trying to utilize some of the skill sets of our guys, specifically Jaylon Smith.
The concerns:
- People will try to write this off as just preseason, but I really worry about us being able to push the ball down the field on offense. I also worry that Prescott is going to be that dink and dunker. Last night, there was a play on that first drive where we were in 3rd and 7 and Cincy brought a blitz. Prescott had a bit of time but immediately threw a 3 yard out to Beasley who was essentially covered by two guys and stopped well short of the sticks. There was a lot of that last year as well. It has to change.
- While happy with Heath thus far, S overall is a real concern, especially if that hamstring is a lingering issue for Woods. Hopefully we find out something soon. I still don't have a clue as to what the front office was thinking only having three viable safeties on the roster when there were some decent, not great, options in FA that they could have brought in for cheap to give them a bit of a cushion. If Woods is out or it's an injury that nags him for awhile, we are simply in trouble at S and not many options now to handle it.
- Depth along the OL is concerning and something that sunk us last year. You can't assume we will remain healthy all year long. I won't go crazy yet on Fleming as he's a vet with a track record of competent play, but he's looked blah thus far. Looney is OK but he's really suited for a spot start or maybe a few series, not a longer term plug in as a backup. Green? Ugh. Edwards? He might be the best of the bunch even as a rookie.
- I still have concerns about DT but in fairness, they have not been beat up badly. But I wonder if they can hold up against better running teams.
- Pass catchers............. TE looks average and that might be me being kind. WR? Yes Austin is out but I am not one that thinks he's an elite playmaker at this point in his career. Gallup continues to flash potential but is a rookie. A couple of overhead shots in the first two games showed not a lot of separation from WRs. Maybe that's also due to scheme? On the TD were Prescott scrambled, if you watch the play, 4 receivers ran 4 simple routes, all were easily covered and it was only the breakdown of the play that freed Williams. So I still harbor concerns about this passing O.
- Slot CB. Not much to say there.
