Vela Blog: Instant Analysis

[28 Joker]

He certainly did. But I think he looked most impressive from the slot, when he was getting wide open. He's fantastic in the slot. But on the outside, he doesn't have the speed to stretch the field like Miles does.

Indeed.

 

[28 Joker]

On all 4 returns? You kidding me, that was the worse punt coverage I have ever seen.

Moose said that Dallas was getting out of their lanes and losing leverage. This enabled the wall to seal them to the inside and gave Mark Jones huge space to run. Dallas made the same mistake 4 times in a row. Moose called out Carpenter and Rodgers one time, but the entire punt team would run down the middle and get trapped every time.

 

[Woods]

Moose said that Dallas was getting out of their lanes and losing leverage. This enabled the wall to seal them to the inside and gave Mark Jones huge space to run. Dallas made the same mistake 4 times in a row. Moose called out Carpenter and Rodgers one time, but the entire punt team would run down the middle and get trapped every time.

Luckily, it's all fixable. I'm assuming they will be working on STs quite a bit the next few weeks.

 

[InmanRoshi]

Bad ...

Special teams coverage ... This was a problem all of last year, and it looks even worse this year. I'm now just expecting disaster until I'm shown otherwise. The sad thing is this team has too much depth and too much speed to be this bad on special teams.

Jerry said on Galloway that his biggest concern is backup OL, not WR. None of the young guys have stepped up their game in camp. If Hudson Houck is such a huge upgrade over Sporano, he's not showing it so far.

Tank occasionally gets some nice penetration, but his ability to plant the back leg and anchor against the run leaves something to be desired. Also didn't like him barking at Wade on the sidelines. Jerry has brought in a lot of loose cannons and media blabbermouths the last couple of years. As long as we're winning everyone is going to play nice, but if we go on a losing streak and the finger pointing starts these guys' are going to be hard to reign in.

Martellus Bennett ... I have this kid pegged as a turd since high school, and he's proven me right every step of the way, all through college and now as a rookie in the NFL. The Fasano trade still makes absolutely no sense, and if Bennett was indeed "the best player available on the board" at that pick, our board was flawed. I'm thinking this was someone's pet cat.

Bobby Carpenter and Kevin Burnett.... Not so much "bad", so much as it's just time to realize these guys are what they are. No more getting the hopes up.

Good ...

Miles Austin ... he was doing some nice, nuanced things from the WR position as far as shielding defenders and plucking the ball with his hands away from his body. Honestly, WR is pretty far down the depth chart of concerns for me. Dallas has more than enough offensive weapons.

Mike Jenkins ... I didn't like the pick because he had the reputation of an underachiever, but I'll fully prepared to eat crow on him. He's stepped up to the level of competition. His physical skillset is undeniable. He's got some freakishly long arms.

The RB's ... our best stable of RB's from top to bottom since maybe the teams of the 70's.

 

[theogt]

Jerry said on Galloway that his biggest concern is backup OL, not WR. None of the young guys have stepped up their game in camp. If Hudson Houck is such a huge upgrade over Sporano, he's not showing it so far.

Is that what Jerry said? I've read quite a few reports that Free had a really good camp and improved. He also looked pretty solid in the preseason game. Tackle and backup tackle is not I'd worry about. THe backup guards/centers looked abysmal, though.[/quote]

 

[BourbonBalz]

The NFL Refs stunk last night like they always do when it comes to calling a fair game for the cowboys. the Chargers had one call against them for ten yards the entire game. and those PI calls were a disgrace.it reminded me of the Giants playoff game. one team getting all the big calls. dont get me wrong, we played bad. but if we keep getting calls like this when the real games start. we can forget it.

You're right. I know it was just a meaningless pre-season game, but two of the three pass interference calls against us were pathetic. On the first on in the end zone, the DB had his head turned around was was playing the ball 100%. He and the receiver bumped a bit, but that is incidental contact as long as the DB has his head turned around and is playing the ball. The DB has just as much right to the ball as the receiver. The PI on Pacman in the third quarter was one of the worst calls I've ever seen. The WR pushed Pac to the ground and then tripped over him. How is that defensive pass interference. I watched that play several times on my DVR and it should've been offensive pass interference. Maybe we can get these calls over during preseason.

 

[28 Joker]

Is that what Jerry said? I've read quite a few reports that Free had a really good camp and improved. He also looked pretty solid in the preseason game. Tackle and backup tackle is not I'd worry about. THe backup guards/centers looked abysmal, though.

[/quote]


I heard very good reports about Doug Free as well. I read an interview where Free said his hand placement and technique has improved under the new coaching. Plus, he is really good against speed rushers. He has great feet, and I thought he had a great camp from all the reports I read.

 

[Screw The Hall]

Bad ...

Special teams coverage ... This was a problem all of last year, and it looks even worse this year. I'm now just expecting disaster until I'm shown otherwise. The sad thing is this team has too much depth and too much speed to be this bad on special teams.

Jerry said on Galloway that his biggest concern is backup OL, not WR. None of the young guys have stepped up their game in camp. If Hudson Houck is such a huge upgrade over Sporano, he's not showing it so far.

Tank occasionally gets some nice penetration, but his ability to plant the back leg and anchor against the run leaves something to be desired. Also didn't like him barking at Wade on the sidelines. Jerry has brought in a lot of loose cannons and media blabbermouths the last couple of years. As long as we're winning everyone is going to play nice, but if we go on a losing streak and the finger pointing starts these guys' are going to be hard to reign in.

Martellus Bennett ... I have this kid pegged as a turd since high school, and he's proven me right every step of the way, all through college and now as a rookie in the NFL. The Fasano trade still makes absolutely no sense, and if Bennett was indeed "the best player available on the board" at that pick, our board was flawed. I'm thinking this was someone's pet cat.

Bobby Carpenter and Kevin Burnett.... Not so much "bad", so much as it's just time to realize these guys are what they are. No more getting the hopes up.

Good ...

Miles Austin ... he was doing some nice, nuanced things from the WR position as far as shielding defenders and plucking the ball with his hands away from his body. Honestly, WR is pretty far down the depth chart of concerns for me. Dallas has more than enough offensive weapons.

Mike Jenkins ... I didn't like the pick because he had the reputation of an underachiever, but I'll fully prepared to eat crow on him. He's stepped up to the level of competition. His physical skillset is undeniable. He's got some freakishly long arms.

The RB's ... our best stable of RB's from top to bottom since maybe the teams of the 70's.

Great post IR. The one thing I would say is even though our backups on the OL save Free don't seem to be improving, I think a place where Houck's influence is easily witnessed is run blocking.

Although it is way early this is clearly an improvement so far over last year.

 

[28 Joker]

Carpenter and Burnett could start on other NFL teams. They were playing with the bottom of the roster and some players who will not make the team. Burnett made a great slashing play on third down to force a punt while he was playing with our better players. Also, Burnett and James made a good play together on the goalline defense. The stopped the RB cold.

Burnett missed a few plays last night, but the Chargers RB was really quick. Plus, when players around you are not playing well, your play can be affected if other people are not getting their assignments down pat or getting beat physically.

I had Carpenter down with 4 positive plays where he made good stops or tackles. He ran hard and fast in pursuit and made 4 tackles on defense. He had 6 solo stops alone.

I wish Wade would let Burnett and Carpenter run with the first team. You would see a difference in their play out of the base defense.

Carpenter had a good camp. If Phillips isn't ever going to play him, he needs to deal him, because the guy could start for some team.

 

[LittleBoyBlue]

It's totally premature, but I could see him pushing for the #2 spot if he keeps this up. I really can't get over how he looks like a totally different receiver. Here's to Ray Sherman.

He seemed to go up for the ball, body and hands, with authority.... came down and secured it with authority too. I would like to see if he is consistent through preseason.

Also against good corners.

So far not bad.... on the little that we have seen.