MY THOUGHTS ON THE GAME

Sorry, that's all I have lol 

Hehe!

Well.... hmm...

OK, so quickly here.  I gave up late in the 3rd qtr, so anything "special" that happened after that is lost to me.

1)  Like it has been almost all year, our run defense is just terrible. We can't even start to play effectively when our Offense is on the sideline. Our Defense has to get off of the field.... to get some rest AND to allow the Offense to 'operate'. Terrible, just terrible.

2)  We can't WIN by giving the ball away. We have to at least hold our own in the turnover battle. Every time we lose a turnover, at least THREE things happen. ONE, the opponent gets the ball and an additional chance to score. TWO, We lose a chance to score. THREE, 'Time Of Possession' goes down, and opponents goes up, which means our Defense is back on the field again while our well-rested Offense sits on the bench. (See #1 above).
3)  Injuries continue to haunt us. Every time you blink, another player is down.  

4)  Stupid penalties. !!

5) LAST:  --  This has nothing to do with the Cowboys game...


Drafting young players is necessary. There is a constant turnover in this league.  HOWEVER -- You don't "fix" next years team by drafting rookies. Every year a very tiny handful of rookies are "difference-makers".  They are led by the OROY and the DROY.  If your drafted players are not the OROY or DROY, the chances of them making a real difference in their first year is minuscule.. YES, you have to have them. But you can't count on them to make a difference -- not in their first year (and sometimes not in their second year either..). They need TIME to grow and mature... TRUTH..!!

I mention this because the idea of "tanking" or throwing games just to improve draft position is just plain stupid.!!  And YES, those WAGS are already out there spewing hate and derision.  It's OK to love your alma-mama and college football. Just don't make the mistake of thinking a good college player is automatically going to be a good NFL player.  Ask the Panthers...!!! 

Dan said this would take time. He knew what a mess he had.

This team needs an answer at LT.. Icky ain't it.  Also need an upgrade at center.

Agree Hobs...got to fix that run D.  Dan focused on improving the oline last year....had to.  Did improve (see above for upgrades still needed).  Now...need to give attention to the D.  I think he may just have some insight into that.

Since Bryce will run the ball from time to time, he needs to spend some extra time with the RB coach.  Needs to learn how to better protect the ball and how to fall to the ground (and not give up the ball)  Trainers need to help him with hand and forearm strength.

On the positive side....how about Coker??!!!!  That dude is FAST!

Icky n mays have done well.  1 bad game.  Temper expectations.  Our online had been great till yesterday.  I’d worry bout the d line.  Layin stinkers.  Week after week.

A line that plays well until the other side is tough is not quite good enough.  With what we have spent on the oline,  and we can get better....we need to do it.  Sunday's game would have been much different.  A good center should be able to be found in the draft...LT..we are going to have to get lucky.  I agree that we need major improvement on the D front 7.  Have to think that Dan had to decide to put the focus on one side at a time.  I do expect a lot of defense in this draft and/or free agency this year.

Icky n mays have done well.  1 bad game.  Temper expectations.  Our online had been great till yesterday.  I’d worry bout the d line.  Layin stinkers.  Week after week.

I stay pretty reality-based (generally..), so here's a little gentle push-back, Josh...

IMHO...
Generally speaking, Ekwonu has done "better" the past few weeks. But, he's a long way from being an accomplished LT, especially on passing downs. His pass-blocking leaves a lot to be desired. Part of the reason he has looked "better" recently is because HC Dave Canales has been way more focused on our "run-game offense".... until this past week. When we change focus to pass-game, Ekwonu starts to lose ground. He has always been a "mauler" in the run-game. That is where he excels. As a pass-blocker, he falls short. He has difficulty moving hs feet. He looks like he is "stuck in the mud". I've been calling it "lazy feet" for the past two years.....

Cade Mays is another good O-lineman. He's not really a "natural Center", but as a backup he is definitely 'serviceable'. Remember, he took over from Brady Christensen. Cade Mays is a bit "bigger" breadth wise, so takes up a bit more space in the middle. I don't really believe that he is better than Christensen as a 'Center', but he's playing there so Christensen can play backup Tackle and Guard.

Anyway, YES, our O-line has been much improved this year. NOT "great", but a lot better than last year.  I believe it will really "settle-in" next year.  There are several reasons (I believe). Discussion for another time....

And YES... Our D-front has been miserable. Not just the D-line, but the "D-front-7" We have some serious players in the ILB ranks, but they need seasoning. just more playing time and coaching. When we lost Shaq, that put us on a "back-foot". Josey Jewell has really done well... he's a 'vet" presence for sure. And we have Trevin Wallace who has been starting and making a lot of plays. Then we have Cherelus and Rhattigan. Both are "up and comers", but need "seasoning" and more snaps. The OLBs have been a MESS. Poor "contain", poor "edge" play, poor "pass-rush". Until Wonnum showed up, we had essentially no one out there who contributed. Amare Barno has worked his way back too. I believe he will contribute. Now we're trying to "meld" that disparate group into a workman-like Front-7. It's been a tough slog.

Our front "3" took a serious hit when we lost Derrick Brown. Can't just "replace" a guy like Derrick. All of the guys in the D-line have been learning on-the-fly. Like the LBs, it's been a tough row-to-hoe. But they are getting paid to play, and they are falling short. The Defensive front simply MUST improve. It has to, or they will be looking for another job... and several of the "D" coaches along with them.

I guess we should all tell that child, “let go”.  Heh