[Mick]

Bit puzzling. Costello looked much more springy last year than this year. 

Something is odd about Costello's running choices. The first two plays of the game appeared to be read-options to the naked eye, but either Costello was instructed (or he chose) to hand the ball off despite the d-end crashing to Love. It seemed like Costello had open space to run to on those plays, and certainly he's shown in the past he can make threatening runs. Dunno what's happening there. 

But if you can't scramble for positive yardage you can at least move in the pocket to buy time, or have a quick passing game. Costello's shown those gifts at times before. They weren't really in evidence tonight. I don't think this game was his fault, but then again I'd also say it wasn't *not* his fault.

Years ago, my dad and brother and I were watching a game with an immobile QB (might have been Fouts, late in his career).  We were reading some of the skill position 40 times off the graphic, and noted there were no QBs in the list.  My dad said to my brother "you're faster than some of those NFL QBs."  My brother was a DE in high school and had no speed to speak of.

I feel the same way when I see Costello get chased down by mobile DLs.  It looks to me like he's both fragile and has no speed at all.  Similarly, it seems to me that our defense gives up a ton of yards to opposing mobile QBs.

[Mick]

Bit puzzling. Costello looked much more springy last year than this year. 

Something is odd about Costello's running choices. The first two plays of the game appeared to be read-options to the naked eye, but either Costello was instructed (or he chose) to hand the ball off despite the d-end crashing to Love. It seemed like Costello had open space to run to on those plays, and certainly he's shown in the past he can make threatening runs. Dunno what's happening there. 

But if you can't scramble for positive yardage you can at least move in the pocket to buy time, or have a quick passing game. Costello's shown those gifts at times before. They weren't really in evidence tonight. I don't think this game was his fault, but then again I'd also say it wasn't *not* his fault.

Years ago, my dad and brother and I were watching a game with an immobile QB (might have been Fouts, late in his career).  We were reading some of the skill position 40 times off the graphic, and noted there were no QBs in the list.  My dad said to my brother "you're faster than some of those NFL QBs."  My brother was a DE in high school and had no speed to speak of.

I feel the same way when I see Costello get chased down by mobile DLs.  It looks to me like he's both fragile and has no speed at all.  Similarly, it seems to me that our defense gives up a ton of yards to opposing mobile QBs.