dbair1967
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Compared to what we saw the first two games, last night was obviously a pretty big disappointment in most ways. Other than Jaishawn Barham and the two backup QB's, nobody of major significance played save maybe Marist Liufau, who suffered a significant injury and will need surgery (even Schoonmaker was not in pads) and the game was a mostly sloppy, uninspired type effort (especially from the scrubs on defense). Can't imagine the coaches were overly thrilled with the way a lot of those guys played.
1) The Milton/Howell dual has turned into a really good one. Milton played ok last night (was hurt by two or three bad drops and shoddy pass protection) but unlike game one and two, he did miss a couple throws including one that would have been a big gainer to the newbie TE. Howell played really great in the 2nd half even though he was forced to play with the absolute bottom of the roster guys. Made several "dot" type throws and had two nice TD drives plus a nice scramble in for a 2pt conversion to tie the game late. I think both make the team now and they might see if anyone calls with something decent to offer (and maybe it wont happen until after the season starts/before the trade deadline when someone is really desperate due to injury). Howell, even though young has a whole season of starting exp and has shown he is 100% healthy. He could definitely start today for a couple teams in this league. Milton has completely changed his game and his upside is very obvious. (Amigo Dodger- "Dak Prescott is the best #3 QB in the league now!")
2) Defense was not good last night, even Barham to an extent. Barham's violence and movement ability was evident again, but he kinda ran himself by two HUGE potential negative plays (one on a screen and the other on a potential QB sack). Now he did get slightly chipped right before he got there on both plays but the commentators and some of the people who cover the team thought he was a little out of control too. Saints ran all over the front 7 and very little pressure was generated by anyone other than Tyrus Wheat. Sam Williams had a 4th qtr sack for 2nd straight game (against other teams Waffle House employees) and was praised by Schottenheimer during an in-game interview, but he was terrible by almost all other accounts. Caelen Carson also sealed his doom, he was horrendous as well. DB's as a whole not very good either. Far too much cushion given and not a single pass defensed for the game.
3) Been saying it all preseason, but this team's special teams (other than Aubrey and Anger) are likely to cost them a game or two at some point. The coverage units are not very good and the ST has a propensity for penalties. Aubrey was 3/4 on FG's, barely missing from 57 but nailing kicks from 49, 51 and 58 right down the middle.
4) Kind of liking the interior OL depth. We know Bass is solid (and another guy who could start for a number of teams) but Nick Leverett and Trevor Keegan have both been really solid too, and both can play G/C. Keegan played C last night for the entire 2nd half and even though he is 6'6, 320 he looked pretty good at it. OT is a certified disaster behind Guyton and Tyler Smith (who would obviously be the current contingency plan if something happened to Guyton). Steele we know is not very good at RT but his replacement is not here yet. A decent veteran swing OT has to be priority 1 or 2 this coming week. Drew Shelton probably makes the team because he was a 4th rd pick (and while he was pathetic at RT, he seems more comfortable at LT). Shelton needs a year of weight room work and some technqiue development. Nate Thomas though has to be gone after last night. Was finally benched at halftime after he fucked up several 1st half plays with poor pass protection and penalties.
5) Other than Howell and maybe Keegan, not sure anyone else definitely "made" the team with last nights game. Keegan and Leverett should probably both make it but it was interesting that they played Keegan at C. Both those guys can play G/C and Bass is an interior OL only (who they've toyed with at C, we know he's on the team). Maybe they keep one of those two and try to sneak the other on the PS. WR Jordan Hudson had a really nice game and probably ensured he'd be on the PS, although there is talk he may try to go back to college and play another year. Tyrus Wheat will make them think if the decision is between him and Sam Williams. Most of the reporters think Camden Brown has probably made the 53, but he also had a bad drop of perfectly thrown ball by Milton.
6) On the flip side, I think Nate Thomas, Caelen Carson and Michael Trigg (couple bad drops and has struggled with blocking all preseason) all made it fairly easy for the coaches. Trigg should get to the PS. Julius Wood and/or Reddy Steward are both bubble guys for sure but both would be better on the PS IMO.
7) Will be interesting to see what happens with DL Jonathan Bullard, who entered camp as a guy who was a likely 3rd DL starter and then hardly saw any snaps in camp or preseason due to injury. UDFA Tonny Dunn had 3 fairly decent preseason games and is a nice developmental player, PS is probably where he belongs along with last yrs draft pick Jay Toia. Of the two, Dunn definitely seems more active. Bullard might be a short term IR candidate. QW, Clark, Ogbonnia and Overton are the top-4. Bullard obviously has years of tape as well as direct experience with our DL coach, but he has done nothing really the entire offseason and camp. If he doesnt make the team (whether cut or IR) then a 5th DL might be another move to watch for.
8) Unless they cut or surprisingly trade Schoonmaker, he's made the team as the 3rd TE. He doesn't do anything well but is "ok". Seems the coaches like/trust him more than the fans, but would be interesting to see what happens if a vet TE they like becomes available after the final cuts.
9) Cool thing to see them overturn the bad call ("replay assist") on the late hit out of bounds by Odelaye, and they did it instantly. I'm not sure if it's something they will do on all types of penalties but certainly would be well used on all the lousy roughing the passer calls and fucked up PI decisions the refs do.
Onto the regular season. Let's fucking go!
1) The Milton/Howell dual has turned into a really good one. Milton played ok last night (was hurt by two or three bad drops and shoddy pass protection) but unlike game one and two, he did miss a couple throws including one that would have been a big gainer to the newbie TE. Howell played really great in the 2nd half even though he was forced to play with the absolute bottom of the roster guys. Made several "dot" type throws and had two nice TD drives plus a nice scramble in for a 2pt conversion to tie the game late. I think both make the team now and they might see if anyone calls with something decent to offer (and maybe it wont happen until after the season starts/before the trade deadline when someone is really desperate due to injury). Howell, even though young has a whole season of starting exp and has shown he is 100% healthy. He could definitely start today for a couple teams in this league. Milton has completely changed his game and his upside is very obvious. (Amigo Dodger- "Dak Prescott is the best #3 QB in the league now!")
2) Defense was not good last night, even Barham to an extent. Barham's violence and movement ability was evident again, but he kinda ran himself by two HUGE potential negative plays (one on a screen and the other on a potential QB sack). Now he did get slightly chipped right before he got there on both plays but the commentators and some of the people who cover the team thought he was a little out of control too. Saints ran all over the front 7 and very little pressure was generated by anyone other than Tyrus Wheat. Sam Williams had a 4th qtr sack for 2nd straight game (against other teams Waffle House employees) and was praised by Schottenheimer during an in-game interview, but he was terrible by almost all other accounts. Caelen Carson also sealed his doom, he was horrendous as well. DB's as a whole not very good either. Far too much cushion given and not a single pass defensed for the game.
3) Been saying it all preseason, but this team's special teams (other than Aubrey and Anger) are likely to cost them a game or two at some point. The coverage units are not very good and the ST has a propensity for penalties. Aubrey was 3/4 on FG's, barely missing from 57 but nailing kicks from 49, 51 and 58 right down the middle.
4) Kind of liking the interior OL depth. We know Bass is solid (and another guy who could start for a number of teams) but Nick Leverett and Trevor Keegan have both been really solid too, and both can play G/C. Keegan played C last night for the entire 2nd half and even though he is 6'6, 320 he looked pretty good at it. OT is a certified disaster behind Guyton and Tyler Smith (who would obviously be the current contingency plan if something happened to Guyton). Steele we know is not very good at RT but his replacement is not here yet. A decent veteran swing OT has to be priority 1 or 2 this coming week. Drew Shelton probably makes the team because he was a 4th rd pick (and while he was pathetic at RT, he seems more comfortable at LT). Shelton needs a year of weight room work and some technqiue development. Nate Thomas though has to be gone after last night. Was finally benched at halftime after he fucked up several 1st half plays with poor pass protection and penalties.
5) Other than Howell and maybe Keegan, not sure anyone else definitely "made" the team with last nights game. Keegan and Leverett should probably both make it but it was interesting that they played Keegan at C. Both those guys can play G/C and Bass is an interior OL only (who they've toyed with at C, we know he's on the team). Maybe they keep one of those two and try to sneak the other on the PS. WR Jordan Hudson had a really nice game and probably ensured he'd be on the PS, although there is talk he may try to go back to college and play another year. Tyrus Wheat will make them think if the decision is between him and Sam Williams. Most of the reporters think Camden Brown has probably made the 53, but he also had a bad drop of perfectly thrown ball by Milton.
6) On the flip side, I think Nate Thomas, Caelen Carson and Michael Trigg (couple bad drops and has struggled with blocking all preseason) all made it fairly easy for the coaches. Trigg should get to the PS. Julius Wood and/or Reddy Steward are both bubble guys for sure but both would be better on the PS IMO.
7) Will be interesting to see what happens with DL Jonathan Bullard, who entered camp as a guy who was a likely 3rd DL starter and then hardly saw any snaps in camp or preseason due to injury. UDFA Tonny Dunn had 3 fairly decent preseason games and is a nice developmental player, PS is probably where he belongs along with last yrs draft pick Jay Toia. Of the two, Dunn definitely seems more active. Bullard might be a short term IR candidate. QW, Clark, Ogbonnia and Overton are the top-4. Bullard obviously has years of tape as well as direct experience with our DL coach, but he has done nothing really the entire offseason and camp. If he doesnt make the team (whether cut or IR) then a 5th DL might be another move to watch for.
8) Unless they cut or surprisingly trade Schoonmaker, he's made the team as the 3rd TE. He doesn't do anything well but is "ok". Seems the coaches like/trust him more than the fans, but would be interesting to see what happens if a vet TE they like becomes available after the final cuts.
9) Cool thing to see them overturn the bad call ("replay assist") on the late hit out of bounds by Odelaye, and they did it instantly. I'm not sure if it's something they will do on all types of penalties but certainly would be well used on all the lousy roughing the passer calls and fucked up PI decisions the refs do.
Onto the regular season. Let's fucking go!
