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* THE YOUNG OL. I've changed my views considerably here.
I've changed my mind completely on Roger Chanoine. He should be cut. He ain't my guy no more.
Chanoine is simply not strong enough. He was really exposed in this game, especially in pass protection. You know, watching this stuff, you really see how much strength means. When you're short there, you are dead.
Bobby Singh is nothing special. Equally uninspiring on the run as the pass. Curtis McGee is like Chanoine. Too weak.
Willie Jones is not as advertised. He's a wimp on the run, a marshmallow. But, he's got good feet and usually pass protects fine. I don't see him ever getting good on the run. But he is big......... no, humongous. Armey likes him. We should probably keep him somehow. Just as a shot.
Ryan Tucker is better than all the above, but he isn't that good. He plays with his feet too close together, like his draftmate, Mr. Pace. Thus, he plays too high, with a narrow base. Vulnerable to edge rushers. And unable to get low for leverage on the run. Still, he's fair as a backup. Played decently as a RT. Maybe even better than as an OC.
But we do have one really, really good backup OL. That's Cameron Spikes. He's so far ahead of all these. He's rock solid on the pass (except for one blown block late in the game). And, he's a solid and strong blocker on the run. Plus, what energy! On a few occasions, he left his man just to rush back to help block another guy about to sack the QB. And, he got 'em. Very impressive. And, overall, a very impressive player.
Two other thoughts. I didn't watch Andy McCollum. I trust he's a pro.
And, I did like Jeremy McKinney off the Raiders game. He was hurt for the Bears game. So, I hope we might keep him. But that's a longshot.
*THE YOUNG WRS. Off the little the kid WRs have shown, I like Horne and I like Blevins.
Horne was known in college for being the toughest guy. See my piece in the Zine. And he now is productive. Goes middle and catches the ball.
I also like Blevins. Big receiver. Just what's lacking and he's from Memphis, a smaller program. So I smell upside.
Don't see much in Tony Small. Nor Daniel Jones. Nor Kevin Knox.
And, believe-it-or-not, I don't see much in Mac Cody either. A small average guy trying. Now Fast Eddie loves him. And, he's seen him in camp. So, I acknowledge that I may well be off here. But, I haven't seen it.
*THE YOUNG DTs. I like Alton Weaver over Gaylon Hyder. By a goodly amount.
Hyder at times penetrates on passing plays and pressures the QB. Has a nice swim move. But most often he's totally neutralized on the pass. Also, he's pushed around on the run almost every play. Now, he has some potential, because to rush the passer you have to have something. But, I doubt he has enough.
Alton Weaver, however, penetrates a lot. On the pass or the run. He knifes into the backfield again and again. He looks stylistically like Sean Gilbert when Gilbert was "Gilbert". He moves his feet when engaged with the blocker, where Hyder doesn't.
Now, I see where Hyder is up higher on the depth chart. So, they'll probably keep him and cut my guy, Alton Weaver. But, I plead that they put Weaver on the practice squad. He's the better long-term bet.
* THE YOUNG LBs. Off game #1, I was wild about Leonard Little. I must say he did little in game #2. But, I gotta believe what he showed he has. So, he's a potential star. Real star.
I like Troy Pleshak a little too. He's very athletic. He can rush the passer some. Has very good closing speed. And, he "smells blood". He's just learning how to play OLB. It shows. He needs time. Put him on the practice squad, please.
Now, the guy I'd cut is Mike Morton. Shows nothing special. And, in fact, shows nothing at all. Save the conditional pick.
* THE YOUNG BLY. Dre Bly is looking like the real deal.
You may know I doubted him off his Senior and Junior tapes. Was beaten and beaten. And seemed lacking in catchup speed when beat.
But, off the few plays he's been in on in the two exhibitions, he looks very good. Plus, I trust those who've watched our practices. Guys like Fast Eddie say he's got the speed. I believe them.
Always had an unreal instinct for the position. Like Deion. And, he bumps-and-runs with bravado. But, he seems to be showing a stick-to-them-ness and the speed too. Could be a mirage, but he shows those abilities.
On a related note, Taje Allen looks like Bly did in college. Beaten and beaten. With no ketchup speed.
MONSTER DRAFT!!!!!!!!!!!!
* MLBs/DEs. I must confess no MLB seems to stand out. Just like the press reports. But, part of the reason is the opportunities. We are stopping the run, so the opponents favor the pass. And, the MLBs get few chances.
Also, the MLB seems to be playing 4 yards or so behind the DL. Very deep. Seems strange. They look to be in the nickel even when they're not.
If pushed, I'd say Clemons has shown the most. Solid tackles at or near the line-of-scrimmage.
As for young backup DE's, we have none playing. They all stink. Let's hope that Lionel Barnes will shine when he gets back.
* WISTROM: Grant Wistrom played a little better against the Bears. But he's not what you want. Really.
He still is "exactly" as I described him when we drafted him.
He is pretty strong but only because he plays with excellent leverage. He gets low and pushes the pass blocker backwards nicely. Or he uses that strength/leverage to knife inside with a pass rush.
Yet, he really doesn't pressure the QB with his best stuff. And, quite often, he tries these "moves" and gets nowhere. So, he must win the initial leverage battle to have any hope.
He's got very good speed. He closes nicely. So, he's good at garbage or coverage sacks.
But he has ABSOLUTELY NO OUTSIDE PASS RUSH. Zero. He still hasn't learned a thing there. This area, unfortunately, is THE critical area for a DE. You need to be an edge rusher.
On the run, he's O.K. to good. Again, he uses leverage well. But, when he loses that initial battle, he's pushed aside.
Bottom-line, however many sacks he will get is irrelevant. Because his sacks will most likely be garbage sacks or coverage sacks.
He needs to get pressures. Lots of pressures. That's what we drafted him for as #6 pick in the whole damn draft.
* YOUNG SAFETIES. Rich Coady has mixed results so far. He is a very nice and solid tackler. And, he's got speed and range. But, he doesn't play like it. He is often frozen by fakes and the like. And, so, he's late getting there to help the CB. Especially to the sidelines.
I think he needs schooling. And, I hear he's a willing student. May be ready next year.
Ron Carpenter hasn't played well IMO. He's been poor at tackling the receiver/runner and has been reponsible for a number of big plays.
* VET SAFETIES. I think Devin Bush should be cut and I think he might for his play and cap reasons. He has played very poorly....missing tackles and avoiding tackles. Plays with absolutely no heart. May be because of his injury.
But, he flat stinks.
Now, Billy Jenkins Jr. is really playing well. Tackles very solidly and his coverage is really dramatically improved, at least off these two games. The TE's are not getting those catches off him. It's the LB's mostly.
Billy is a strength of this team as many in the secondary now are.
Cut Devin Bush!!!
* DEFENSIVE STARS. We have two emerging stars on defense. Guys who have stepped it up a notch and are maturing into truly top notch players.
I'm talking about Todd Lyght and Keith Lyle.
You say, "Keith Lyle? He's always been a star."
I don't think so. Especially last year. He was good, not great.
Overrated.
Now, tho, Lyle is much more active against the run. You'll see him flashing up to nail a RB. And, you'll see him come and flash (which is some sight) from the oddest of angles. Very noticeable. And, he's better at getting to the sidelines against the long bomb. Was vulnerable there in the past.
Todd Lyght is just smarter. He seems to know what the play will be and anticipate. He leaves his man to get the real man often. Will lead to ints.
Give these guys credit. And their position coach too. Our DBs are a strength.
Could be two Pro Bowlers in Lyght and Lyle!