Observations from PS WK1 + The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly

[Dave Gettleman's Shorts]

Gradkowski played very decent for a backup. Definite upgrade over valesco

[tiger7_88]

31 minutes ago, AppHeel said:

 

I agree with most all of this. However, I though David Mayo had a really good game.

 

His positioning, as Diddy pointed out, was not very good.

However, when he DID get to the ball, that boy doesn't miss a tackle.  EVER.

[tiger7_88]

19 minutes ago, TheRumGone said:

who was the center that got absolutely destroyed when Webb was qb. It was a really bad 1 on 1.

That was my boy, former Auburn center and Rimington Trophy winner, Reese Dismukes.

He was horrible... *sigh*.

[therealmjl]

1 hour ago, Proudiddy said:

We obviously can't read a lot into PS, as we know there is no gameplanning and everyone runs generic, basic vanilla schemes on both sides of the ball.  That being said, one thing I do take stock in during PS is demeanor and physicality.  When our starters were out there, it was as if we just continued the 2015 season from the Cardinals playoff game.  We haven't missed a beat, and we actually look like we are even scarier, imposing, faster, stronger, and better on both sides of the ball.  When it comes to our starters, the level of physicality and eagerness to impose their will on the opponent is unreal, but if you look at guys like Cam and Luke on each side of the ball, it's easy to see why.  Now, we're adding (or re-adding/further implementing) physical specimens like KB and an improved Funchess on offense, and Shaq, Bradberry, and Worley on defense.  We are big, fast, strong, and flat out nasty...

But then my wet dream was abruptly ended when our starters exited the game.

Good Lord, those backups were a marked difference from their superiors.  The drop off was immediate and obvious.  Now, if we know our starters looked dominant, why should this be a concern?  Because the depth guys will be the ones most heavily involved on STs, and they also will be comprising a good portion of our locker room.  Now, at least 37 of these guys won't be on the opening day roster, but we need that final third of the roster to nut up and get physical to keep the nasty mentality uniform and pervasive going into the season.  There's 3 more weeks to sort that out, so I'm not worried at this point...  just an observation.

Now...

The Good:

*Damiere Byrd - had a bad finish to an otherwise good night.  It's a shame because imo, there's no quicker way to lose your job as one of those final-third roster spot guys than to not take care of the ball when you're given chances to handle it.  So, that muffed punt could prove very costly for him.  Riverboat transformed into a Steamboat, preseason be damned.  I hope we get to see more of him on offense, as the speed and quickness that was missing last PS was on full display last night - his KRs were a thing of beauty.

*Funchess - A season in, and it's apparent reps + confidence can do wonders.  He looked intimidating, reliable, and legit as a threat last night.  There is just a different presence about him as I'm watching him this year.

*Cam - Flawless.

*Baby Backs - Bradberry, Worley, and Sanchez all held their own last night.  I don't have the stats on PD, but from watching, they made a positive impact and despite their lack of experience, our defense seemed more physical and imposing with them on the back end, compared to where our defensive backfield was to end 2015.

*Bersin - Was the most productive receiver on the field last night.  If Byrd redeems himself for the muffed punt, the battle for that last receiver spot will be very interesting.

*57, CashMooooney - Despite having to run all over the field due to lack of contain from backups on the line, Cash was seen early and often around the ball.  When I first saw #57, i thought, "damn, Glanton is out on a mission this season," lol...  except it was Jeremy Cash.  The nose for the ball is obvious, and that hustle and heart are invaluable for a team.  And he looked to be among the more physically gifted guys out on the field.  I like what I see.

The Bad:

*Line Depth - both sides.  Again, they shouldn't be executing plays better than the other team in PS, but they damn sure better be outworking them and be more imposong physically.  When our starters went out, the Ravens were the ones imposing their will, and it wasn't even close.  With draft picks like Daryl Williams on the OL, they shouldn't have looked that bad.  And with experienced guys like Delaire and Addison out there, the defensive line shouldn't have either.  Can't say too much about Big Vern yet, as he looked to get some push when he was in there, but he wasn't getting much help.

*Mayo and Norris - A huge reason the Ravens were able to assert themselves once the starters went out was 1) the dropoff in defensive line talent, allowing blockers to get to the second level and 2) the second level guys, namely Mayo and Norris, inability to avoid blocks, shed blocks, and shoot gaps.

*2nd Unit Safeties - Although they were getting to the ball, it always seemed a second too late.  But, seeing as how the problem was systemic from the dline back, this wasn't a huge problem.  I just hope we see more physicality out of the backups going forward, and it should eliminate the vast majority of "the bad" here.  Easier said than done...

The Ugly

*Ryan Delaire - Was quite an embarrassing night.  Couldn't keep contain at all.  Game blouses.  Pancakes are served.

*Daryl Williams - Didnt look like the same guy we saw occasionally last year.  But, as the job entails, we generally don't notice OLinemen unless they make a mistake, and he made several last night.  But, anyone can have a bad game, and hopefully that was his.

*David, "GET THE" FOUCAULT! - This guy sucks.  Bye.

 

 

Great write up. Lol at David get thefoulcout

[Nick_81]

I read somewhere that Baltimore played their 2's a lot longer than we did.  May be worth noting, when considering how long the bottom of our roster played.  

[top dawg]

I thought we were in a good situation with the backup DEs. 

Cox "backed" himself out of a job, and Delaire just did about everything wrong. He was getting bullied out there which caused him to lose containment just about 100 percent of the time. That leaves Miley. One out of the three has to be worth a damn, right? Or, three strikes...

[the butch]

On the Ravens first scoring drive near the goal line, Butler sprang off the ball and got into the backfield to blow up the play. I think their RB was able to pick up a few yards, but as far as an individual play, it was awesome. 

[TheRumGone]

12 minutes ago, tiger7_88 said:

That was my boy, former Auburn center and Rimington Trophy winner, Reese Dismukes.

He was horrible... *sigh*.

That sucks and that was one of the worst plays I've ever seen

[Snake]

To me it seemed like the real problem was effort. 2nd and 3rd string on defense even when the play went right were getting out worked. 

[top dawg]

 I know that Butler should be solid, but I'd be lying if I said I didn't think about Ogbah last night as I saw Delaire get manhandled and thought about Cox's bad back. 

We should all be thankful that CJ gave the Panthers a hometown discount.

[Devil Doc]

I was pissed at the O Line.. Everytime Wegher got the Ball he was swallowed up. Poor Boy didn't have a chance. BTW, anyone have a link to this press conference from River everyone keeps talking about?

[Jangler]

I really never gave the  game another thought after it was over. 

First string was so crisp and the blood was rushing,

Don't worry be happy is so cliche...

 

[CRA]

Didn't realize this but Cam getting hit with that penalty wasn't the only one we got.

Prior to the start of the 4th q we got an unsportsmanlike penalty when the game wasn't even going for an assistant being with Gano. 

[JawnyBlaze]

Yea our non-starter lines were atrocious. RBs were all getting destroyed immediately, DEs were eating at ihop, and DTs were halfway decent (Crumme stood out a couple times).

We've got too many "situational pass rushers" aka too small to play DE in the NFL.  We need more legit DEs for backups. Guys like young Ealy and Alexander to grow into serviceable backups or starters when needed rather than small guys that can run kinda fast and clean up sacks a few times a year thanks to the beastly rest of the line. I'd rather have a 6'4 280 lbs backup with 0 sacks but doesn't get tossed around while he's in there and maintains his assignment than a 6'2 260 lbs guy that gets 5 sacks in a season (riding the coat tails of starters) but gets washed out of every other play they're in. 

What happened to Cox?  He was mentioned in this thread, but I hadn't heard anything about him all off season. Last preseason he looked like he had a lot of potential.