Was able to watch the game a second time on Sunday, looks like the board has hashed out a lot of the points on the game, but for those looking for more, here's a few bullet points to discuss
1. The middle linebackers (Orr, Jacobs, and Edwards) were extremely physical and aggressive. This defense is built to showcase middle linebackers, and it seems like whoever has played the last 3 years has been successful as long as they play downhill. That's also a huge credit to the defensive line, who are going unheralded for their holdup game.
2. Adding Kapoi to the line has really made a difference. He got a push on almost every power play, and he looked a lot more athletic than he did the first couple of games on his pulls.
3. Derek Watt played a great game. Hit on his targets on a consistent basis leading the runs, and looked explosive when catching the ball (Although he probably looks explosive because no one else really does on this team)
3. Neither Deal or Dare seem to have a whole lot of vision. I get the sense that they run to the hole the play was designed to open. If it's not there Deal at least has the power to get a few yards. But I think he runs with his pads low and head down from the second he gets the ball, his head is not up to see the field. If you look at the big runs of Gordon, Ball, and White, it was the backside cutback that was open to a lot of those runs. Ingold seemed to have had a better feel for that cutback..
4. Our wide receivers all play small with the ball in the air. I feel that throwing a 50/50 ball up to any of our receivers is not a good strategy right now. I see very little high pointing of high balls, lots of alligator arms across the middle and very little aggression getting to the ball first on comeback routes. Peavy, Love, McEvoy, and Wheelwright all dropped catchable balls.
5. Stave was off. High and behind was a theme for his passes. With this group of receivers that is not going to cut it. I feel that the insistence on pounding the ball may have not helped Stave get into the rhythm that he was able to develop the first 3 games.
6. Hillary can cover, he just need to work on when to turn his head. Could have had a pick or two with his head turned around, was in great position but didn't see the ball.
7. Everyone wants to see more jet sweep...I'm not sure we have a good candidate to run it at the speed it needs to be run at.
1. The middle linebackers (Orr, Jacobs, and Edwards) were extremely physical and aggressive. This defense is built to showcase middle linebackers, and it seems like whoever has played the last 3 years has been successful as long as they play downhill. That's also a huge credit to the defensive line, who are going unheralded for their holdup game.
2. Adding Kapoi to the line has really made a difference. He got a push on almost every power play, and he looked a lot more athletic than he did the first couple of games on his pulls.
3. Derek Watt played a great game. Hit on his targets on a consistent basis leading the runs, and looked explosive when catching the ball (Although he probably looks explosive because no one else really does on this team)
3. Neither Deal or Dare seem to have a whole lot of vision. I get the sense that they run to the hole the play was designed to open. If it's not there Deal at least has the power to get a few yards. But I think he runs with his pads low and head down from the second he gets the ball, his head is not up to see the field. If you look at the big runs of Gordon, Ball, and White, it was the backside cutback that was open to a lot of those runs. Ingold seemed to have had a better feel for that cutback..
4. Our wide receivers all play small with the ball in the air. I feel that throwing a 50/50 ball up to any of our receivers is not a good strategy right now. I see very little high pointing of high balls, lots of alligator arms across the middle and very little aggression getting to the ball first on comeback routes. Peavy, Love, McEvoy, and Wheelwright all dropped catchable balls.
5. Stave was off. High and behind was a theme for his passes. With this group of receivers that is not going to cut it. I feel that the insistence on pounding the ball may have not helped Stave get into the rhythm that he was able to develop the first 3 games.
6. Hillary can cover, he just need to work on when to turn his head. Could have had a pick or two with his head turned around, was in great position but didn't see the ball.
7. Everyone wants to see more jet sweep...I'm not sure we have a good candidate to run it at the speed it needs to be run at.
