[BostonCard]

Regarding special teams, I agree they were not perfect but just always consistently good. They rarely hurt us.  In addition to what was noted in this thread, Tyler took a fair catch on the first punt when he should have caught it and run 15-20 yards.  My point was that they never had one decent kick return, we made all our PAT and FG attempts and our blocking, execution and coverages were pretty good.  Tyler had a few decent returns on punts.  I`m not bothered as much as some by the placement of the ball on the 35 yard line occasionally but it obviously is not ideal. 

As a team, I would give us an A- for the game.  An impressive win against a team that will be better at the end of the year as their players respond to new coaches and new coaching schemes.  I would give Shaw an A for the play calling and I have been among his chief critics in that regard for years.  His best play calling game since the first half of the Rose Bowl vs. Iowa.  That type of balanced attack that forces a D to defend the entire field is just the recipe to give us a good chance to defeat our best opponents.

I am sorry I sounded so negative about Wilson.  I`m not and he could become a starter eventually.  I just was referring to his several missed blocks in the game  that caused us major problems that were obvious on replay.  Next game, he may be impeccable!  And just because Costello is more decisive and has a quicker release than Chryst does not necessarily means he is making the right decision.  The proof will always be in the success of the play and the culmination of a successful drive with a touchdown.

Don't get me wrong, the special teams weren't bad.  It's just that it seems that the two units you gave A's to (running backs and tight ends) truly had excellent games and deserved the grade.  Special teams weren't bad, but "consistently good" sounds like a B to B+, not an A.  But that's nitpicking.  I think your analysis was very on point.  A- for the game sounds right.  WE played an overmatched team, and we played up to the billing.  Not perfect, but pretty damned good.

BC

[BostonCard]

Regarding special teams, I agree they were not perfect but just always consistently good. They rarely hurt us.  In addition to what was noted in this thread, Tyler took a fair catch on the first punt when he should have caught it and run 15-20 yards.  My point was that they never had one decent kick return, we made all our PAT and FG attempts and our blocking, execution and coverages were pretty good.  Tyler had a few decent returns on punts.  I`m not bothered as much as some by the placement of the ball on the 35 yard line occasionally but it obviously is not ideal. 

As a team, I would give us an A- for the game.  An impressive win against a team that will be better at the end of the year as their players respond to new coaches and new coaching schemes.  I would give Shaw an A for the play calling and I have been among his chief critics in that regard for years.  His best play calling game since the first half of the Rose Bowl vs. Iowa.  That type of balanced attack that forces a D to defend the entire field is just the recipe to give us a good chance to defeat our best opponents.

I am sorry I sounded so negative about Wilson.  I`m not and he could become a starter eventually.  I just was referring to his several missed blocks in the game  that caused us major problems that were obvious on replay.  Next game, he may be impeccable!  And just because Costello is more decisive and has a quicker release than Chryst does not necessarily means he is making the right decision.  The proof will always be in the success of the play and the culmination of a successful drive with a touchdown.

Don't get me wrong, the special teams weren't bad.  It's just that it seems that the two units you gave A's to (running backs and tight ends) truly had excellent games and deserved the grade.  Special teams weren't bad, but "consistently good" sounds like a B to B+, not an A.  But that's nitpicking.  I think your analysis was very on point.  A- for the game sounds right.  WE played an overmatched team, and we played up to the billing.  Not perfect, but pretty damned good.

BC