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there were alot of passing reps and imo many nice throws. It wasn't the sht show that I frankly expected. I think we have a good crop of skill players and need OL/DL to really gel and play up.So I’ve read a lot about how far we have to go.
But my question is how far have we gone? What looked good. Y’all are over here crying like babies lol what looked GOOD?
I was at the practice today. Beforehand I was feeling slightly optimistic about how we are going to play this season, but today has definitely tempered my expectations.
First, the good:
1. Wide receivers. When catchable balls were thrown to them (more on this later) they made some really nice catches. Malachi Carter made a ridiculous catch down the sideline in coverage, Sanders' hands look really sticky, Ezzard looked really good too. I think this might be the most talent top to bottom we have had here in a looooong time at receiver. Really excited about this group.
2. Secondary. We have so much depth at DB. They were making plays all over the field, including lots of picks (heh....) This is going to be one of the better secondaries in the conference but unfortunately without a good pass rush we might not be able to benefit as much as we could (think 2015 when we had tons of DB talent but no pass rush).
3. Team culture and energy. The practices are pretty chaotic but its clear that everyone is out there competing and playing really hard. Players were getting pretty pissed when they made a bad play and really excited after a good one. They also were hyping up the crowd to make noise on 3rd down drill and they all acknowledged us afterward. I like this team's identity so far and it seems like they have a lot of fun and are working hard to get better.
Now, the bad.
1. I couldn't decide whether to put OL or QB play here, so I'll just say "passing game". My assessment of the passing game is that it is not good. At least it wasn't today. Our QBs (meaning everyone, not just Lucas or Graham - everyone) missed a LOT of open receivers. WRs can get open but the guys really can't hit them reliably. This is partially due to our OL not giving them much time. This results in a LOT of picks. The good news is there weren't many drops at all - the receivers can catch the ball if it's near them.
However, a caveat I WILL offer - the majority of the bad passes were earlier in the practice, particularly during periods where we were only running pass plays. This may have tipped the scales in favor of the defense since they know what kind of play they're going to get. Once we started running the actual offense against the defense (running and passing plays) the passing improved. The QBs may have also just needed to warm up and once they got going they were fine. Not great but most likely serviceable and something that's going to improve as season goes on. There's definitely some arm talent on the team.
Players who stood out, to me at least: Malachi Carter, Adonicas Sanders, BJS, Tariq, James Graham. Wanted to see Jamious play but I didn't see him get any touches.
Overall I think its gonna be a way bigger transition for our offense than our defense. Defense is likely going to be the "strength" of this years squad, from the looks of it.
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Well I wasn't there, 1200 miles away, but I would guess that the practice was geared for the fans. Ie I would bet we did not have a lot of running plays as those don't elicit a lot of fan response. I would expect us to be a 65% run team and 35% pass. Particularly in our first game. That is why I expect our staring QB to be able to read, run and pitc....and then pass. We also have way too many talented running backs to not use them.
Jamious made a great effort diving catch at one point which was probably in the top three of outstanding plays of the day. He did not as you say get much other action beyond that and the late TD pass to him in the right flat when he was not covered by the D..I was at the practice today. Beforehand I was feeling slightly optimistic about how we are going to play this season, but today has definitely tempered my expectations.
First, the good:
1. Wide receivers. When catchable balls were thrown to them (more on this later) they made some really nice catches. Malachi Carter made a ridiculous catch down the sideline in coverage, Sanders' hands look really sticky, Ezzard looked really good too. I think this might be the most talent top to bottom we have had here in a looooong time at receiver. Really excited about this group.
2. Secondary. We have so much depth at DB. They were making plays all over the field, including lots of picks (heh....) This is going to be one of the better secondaries in the conference but unfortunately without a good pass rush we might not be able to benefit as much as we could (think 2015 when we had tons of DB talent but no pass rush).
3. Team culture and energy. The practices are pretty chaotic but its clear that everyone is out there competing and playing really hard. Players were getting pretty pissed when they made a bad play and really excited after a good one. They also were hyping up the crowd to make noise on 3rd down drill and they all acknowledged us afterward. I like this team's identity so far and it seems like they have a lot of fun and are working hard to get better.
Now, the bad.
1. I couldn't decide whether to put OL or QB play here, so I'll just say "passing game". My assessment of the passing game is that it is not good. At least it wasn't today. Our QBs (meaning everyone, not just Lucas or Graham - everyone) missed a LOT of open receivers. WRs can get open but the guys really can't hit them reliably. This is partially due to our OL not giving them much time. This results in a LOT of picks. The good news is there weren't many drops at all - the receivers can catch the ball if it's near them.
However, a caveat I WILL offer - the majority of the bad passes were earlier in the practice, particularly during periods where we were only running pass plays. This may have tipped the scales in favor of the defense since they know what kind of play they're going to get. Once we started running the actual offense against the defense (running and passing plays) the passing improved. The QBs may have also just needed to warm up and once they got going they were fine. Not great but most likely serviceable and something that's going to improve as season goes on. There's definitely some arm talent on the team.
Players who stood out, to me at least: Malachi Carter, Adonicas Sanders, BJS, Tariq, James Graham. Wanted to see Jamious play but I didn't see him get any touches.
Overall I think its gonna be a way bigger transition for our offense than our defense. Defense is likely going to be the "strength" of this years squad, from the looks of it.
Sent from my SM-G960U using Tapatalk
Agree 100% I get sick of hearing how bad this team will be this year. Did any of you who think we will be that bad have the balls to tell the coaches or players? Or are the ones who think we will be bad the same ones who don't buy season tickets.
The defense often controlled action. In one period, safeties Tariq Carpenter and Christian Campbell and linebacker Charlie Thomas came down with interceptions. Thomas’ was a leaping effort in the middle of the field off quarterback James Graham. The offense had some trouble with pass rush, as defenders such as linemen Antwan Owens, Jordan Domineck and Antonneous Clayton, linebacker David Curry and cornerback Tre Swilling had clean runs at the quarterback in various 11-on-11 periods.
Who looked good? In no particular order
1. J.Griffin (reminds me of Mark Ingram), 2. M. Carter, 3. A. Brown (fast as hell and quick as well) 4. Ezzard 5. Graham is athletic as hell but was not error free
It was really tough for me to judge the defense in shells. Although you can tell why Clayton is a 5* (he's thick) and Sims is a 4* (he's tall).
I'm surprised Cooper wasn't with the 1s. Did he practice today?I meant to add Knight looks the part, nice interception. Add Lay to the walkon list of doing their job. First string offense line today was Quinney LT, Minihan LG, Lay C, Southers RG, Defoor RT.
I'm surprised Cooper wasn't with the 1s. Did he practice today?
Who looked good? In no particular order
1. J.Griffin (reminds me of Mark Ingram), 2. M. Carter, 3. A. Brown (fast as hell and quick as well) 4. Ezzard 5. Graham is athletic as hell but was not error free
It was really tough for me to judge the defense in shells. Although you can tell why Clayton is a 5* (he's thick) and Sims is a 4* (he's tall).