08-27-2017, 11:12 AM
Grades: (DL, B)  (LB, B+) (DB A-) (OL C for pass blocking, B for run blocking), (QB B for Chryst, C for Burns, B+ for Costello), (RB A)
(WR A-), (TE A), (Special teams A)
Possibly because we played vanilla schemes, we put zero pressure on the QB. Our turnovers were primarily due to their mistakes and not our impetus. We rolled with their line flow on D and some defenders did not stay home and that`s why we were vulnerable to the misdirection jet sweeps.
The OL was a mixed bag. Herbig was great but Hamilton and Fanaika seemed a little slow off the blocks and made mistakes. Wilson was singularly unimpressive. The new guys held their own. Burkett and Bright did a pretty good job.
The tight end group was pretty damned impressive. Schultz was not needed very much but showed his pass catching and running skills. Smith is remarkable for his ability to get open and make the catch, minus one good DB strip. Parkinson is just a force with his hands, height and speed. Even Harrington had his moments.Â
Stewart uses his body to create space to catch the ball to make up for separation deficiencies. Irwin is what he is and is remarkable for his ability to split a seam, find an open spot, sit and move the chains when necessary. Wedington really can separate, has great hands and can intuitively run after the catch. He plays with an attitude. Extremely impressive for a first game.
Love is exceptional but Scarlett really impressed me as he never did before. Maybe he was playing at 80% last year after the surgery.
The D Backs were pretty good although some of the second liners let a few Rice guys get between them and the sideline in the 4th quarter.
No complaints about the linebacking except the OLB`s were out of position on misdirection. The ILB`s filled the gaps pretty well and the DL`s push was all right but we were not playing a great OL. Robinson looked pretty good with the back up guys.
Special teams were very proficient. Alamar does an incredible job.Â
My caveat is that there are too many unknowns still because the D was not allowed to blitz and we will need to do that effectively to stop Darnold, Falk and Browning. We will see. We also need to see if our pass blocking will improve against the better defensive teams. Chryst`s slow release and inability to go through his progressions quickly compounds the problem. Costello does not have that problem and looks like he has a very high potential ceiling. He is an athlete.
I guess to sum up my concerns I will say we are a talented team, extremely talented at some positions but we need to really improve over the next two weeks with our pass blocking and Chryst`s slow release issues, whatever the cause. I am in the camp that wants a national championship badly and will only be happy with a playoff contender. We have won more FBS games this decade than every team except Alabama yet we are the only one in the top 7 in that category never to make it to the big dance. I know the coaches and players share my opinion strongly but will not talk about it much. This team has the potential and talent to do it. A little luck and freedom from injuries and we will be strong contenders.
(WR A-), (TE A), (Special teams A)
Possibly because we played vanilla schemes, we put zero pressure on the QB. Our turnovers were primarily due to their mistakes and not our impetus. We rolled with their line flow on D and some defenders did not stay home and that`s why we were vulnerable to the misdirection jet sweeps.
The OL was a mixed bag. Herbig was great but Hamilton and Fanaika seemed a little slow off the blocks and made mistakes. Wilson was singularly unimpressive. The new guys held their own. Burkett and Bright did a pretty good job.
The tight end group was pretty damned impressive. Schultz was not needed very much but showed his pass catching and running skills. Smith is remarkable for his ability to get open and make the catch, minus one good DB strip. Parkinson is just a force with his hands, height and speed. Even Harrington had his moments.Â
Stewart uses his body to create space to catch the ball to make up for separation deficiencies. Irwin is what he is and is remarkable for his ability to split a seam, find an open spot, sit and move the chains when necessary. Wedington really can separate, has great hands and can intuitively run after the catch. He plays with an attitude. Extremely impressive for a first game.
Love is exceptional but Scarlett really impressed me as he never did before. Maybe he was playing at 80% last year after the surgery.
The D Backs were pretty good although some of the second liners let a few Rice guys get between them and the sideline in the 4th quarter.
No complaints about the linebacking except the OLB`s were out of position on misdirection. The ILB`s filled the gaps pretty well and the DL`s push was all right but we were not playing a great OL. Robinson looked pretty good with the back up guys.
Special teams were very proficient. Alamar does an incredible job.Â
My caveat is that there are too many unknowns still because the D was not allowed to blitz and we will need to do that effectively to stop Darnold, Falk and Browning. We will see. We also need to see if our pass blocking will improve against the better defensive teams. Chryst`s slow release and inability to go through his progressions quickly compounds the problem. Costello does not have that problem and looks like he has a very high potential ceiling. He is an athlete.
I guess to sum up my concerns I will say we are a talented team, extremely talented at some positions but we need to really improve over the next two weeks with our pass blocking and Chryst`s slow release issues, whatever the cause. I am in the camp that wants a national championship badly and will only be happy with a playoff contender. We have won more FBS games this decade than every team except Alabama yet we are the only one in the top 7 in that category never to make it to the big dance. I know the coaches and players share my opinion strongly but will not talk about it much. This team has the potential and talent to do it. A little luck and freedom from injuries and we will be strong contenders.


