Scrimmage 4 is over and we made it through without any significant injuries. Jay Moore and Adam Snyder have ankle issues they need to get through but our starting lineup is healthy going into the season. So we can be thankful for that. With that said, this was not a good way to head into the regular season.
Let's cover the bright spots first:
*Isaac Sopoaga - He has made HUGE strides this preseason and has learned how to play the 2-gap role demanded of a 3-4 nose tackle. The play tonight where he held his block and then nailed the ball-carrier (though it wasn't LT) for a loss was a perfect play and gives me a lot of hope going into the season. Platooning him and Aubrayo Franklin should keep both fresh and also adds some depth to a critical position.
*Delanie Walker looks like a good complement to Hep V and provides some nice speed off the bench.
*Thomas Clayton ran someone over while looking like Frank Gore Lite. He probably saved himself a spot on the team tonight but let's see if he makes the 53 man roster.
Little nuggets of joy like that are great - if your starting quarterback isn't in the process of absolutely shitting the bed.
I had a similar reaction while watching tonight's game
*Alex Smith looked awful tonight. A pick and a fumble straight out of 2005.
*I'm still not sure if Tully Banta-Cain actually is a pass rusher or just has a cool name.
*Shawntae Spencer got dominated by a backup QB-to-WR combo for a 40-yard TD.
*Hep V put on more theatrics after a first down in a preseason game than 80% of TO's celebrations.
*Our fourth-string rookie back may have gone from a weekend cut to backing up our All-World tailback because Mo Hicks and Michael Robinson didn't step up.
In short, the whole "working out kinks" thing didn't quite happen according to plan. I'll be interested to hear Nolan's take tomorrow. In fairness the last two games have been against two of the best defenses in the NFL. The last two games have made it clear we aren't ready to hang with the big boys. Thankfully we're swimming in the NFC West kiddie pool. But at some point the excuses and over-rationalization has to stop. An in jury-free preseason is a win. Now we, the fans, get to see what these guys are really made of.
No comments:
Post a Comment