Week 3 Thoughts

[YDFL Commish]

• Still not satisfied with the 4-man pass rush. Latu needs to break though.
• JT is now off of my shit list. Such a more well rounded player.
• It's nice to see Alec Pierce become a well-rounded player as well.
• DJ Giddens sucks in pass pro.
• Daniel Jones is exceeding my expectations by a wide margin.
• The Tits suck, and are a terribly coached team
• I would like to see us get the running game early next week
• Pittman is a hellacious run blocker
• The Tits TE's killed us
• When does it become time to upgrade the pass rush? Week 8, at 6-2?

I forgot one thing. We can't continue to allow opponents to start at the 35+ yd. line on every kickoff. Is the problem the coverage/players, Shrader or ST coach Brian Mason? Why is Rigo not handling kickoffs?

[Racehorse]

Originally Posted by YDFL Commish

• When does it become time to upgrade the pass rush? Week 8, at 6-2?

It would be tough to find a pass rusher in-season

I think Shane knew we just needed to play solid football to win, so he did not give much on film for future opponents. The defense was not as vanilla as a Bradley defense, but they didn't do anything special. I think we see some wrinkles next week

JT could have gotten more yards, if needed. He is still THAT dude.

I am really liking our core of WRs.

Losing Kelly and Fries does not seem to be an issue, but we might be an injury away from missing depth.

Losing Pierce and Moore will suck, but they should both be back soon. I wish Jones was returning quicker.

[Hoopsdoc]

Originally Posted by Racehorse

It would be tough to find a pass rusher in-season

I think Shane knew we just needed to play solid football to win, so he did not give much on film for future opponents. The defense was not as vanilla as a Bradley defense, but they didn't do anything special. I think we see some wrinkles next week

JT could have gotten more yards, if needed. He is still THAT dude.

I am really liking our core of WRs.

Losing Kelly and Fries does not seem to be an issue, but we might be an injury away from missing depth.

Losing Pierce and Moore will suck, but they should both be back soon. I wish Jones was returning quicker.

I actually think the offensive line is BETTER this year. Losing Pierce sucks but now is the time for Mitchell to step up. This is his opportunity.

Losing Kenny really sucks as well. Hopefully he’s not out more than a couple weeks.

[Mr. Session]

- Pass rush has to get better. I appreciate the new DC's means to scheme some in there, but I really want to see a better edge rush that turns into sacks. Latu is not getting off the block and I'm finding it difficult to really discern his game from Paye's.

- Buckner looked good. He jumped out to me.

- I am with YDFL and have been frustrated with ST for a while now. They got better as the game went on so I'll give them that.

That said, it seems like the opposition rarely has an issue getting to the 35+ yard line and that our coverage is simply insufficient. Our return game is not impressive at all. Again, we got better in the game Sunday but I am seeing a lot of opportunity for the ST's to improve.

I really like the rule change and am excited to see if kickers can develop to try and get touchbacks to the 20, across the league. While understandable, a lot of the rule changes over the last 20 years have frustrated me. I really think they got this one right, personally. There is an element of skill from the kickoff game that I find very interesting.

- YDFL touched on Gidden's pass blocking so I am going to piggy back on that too. I laughed at the TV when I saw his head was down. It's funny to me that guys at that level still do stuff like that.

Taylor has really put his nose into some of that this year. You can see the effort.

- Omaha pointed out Mitchell might be a bum in another thread. If Adonai isn't, he's not presenting a great argument. It will be curious to see what type of production he puts up with Pierce going down.

Pierce, and really all of the skill players, have really improved. It's a little depressing to see all of this and wonder if perhaps Richardson was actively hindering their development.

- I think our linebackers look average at best.

- I have no idea how the rookie TE for the Bears is holding up but I sure am glad they picked him

The upcoming game with LA is a real litmus test IMO.

[sherck]

Originally Posted by Mr. Session

The upcoming game with LA is a real litmus test IMO.

True statement. It will help tell us if we are pretenders.....or contenders.

[Hoopsdoc]

Originally Posted by Mr. Session

- Pass rush has to get better. I appreciate the new DC's means to scheme some in there, but I really want to see a better edge rush that turns into sacks. Latu is not getting off the block and I'm finding it difficult to really discern his game from Paye's.

- Buckner looked good. He jumped out to me.

- I am with YDFL and have been frustrated with ST for a while now. They got better as the game went on so I'll give them that.

That said, it seems like the opposition rarely has an issue getting to the 35+ yard line and that our coverage is simply insufficient. Our return game is not impressive at all. Again, we got better in the game Sunday but I am seeing a lot of opportunity for the ST's to improve.

I really like the rule change and am excited to see if kickers can develop to try and get touchbacks to the 20, across the league. While understandable, a lot of the rule changes over the last 20 years have frustrated me. I really think they got this one right, personally. There is an element of skill from the kickoff game that I find very interesting.

- YDFL touched on Gidden's pass blocking so I am going to piggy back on that too. I laughed at the TV when I saw his head was down. It's funny to me that guys at that level still do stuff like that.

Taylor has really put his nose into some of that this year. You can see the effort.

- Omaha pointed out Mitchell might be a bum in another thread. If Adonai isn't, he's not presenting a great argument. It will be curious to see what type of production he puts up with Pierce going down.

Pierce, and really all of the skill players, have really improved. It's a little depressing to see all of this and wonder if perhaps Richardson was actively hindering their development.

- I think our linebackers look average at best.

- I have no idea how the rookie TE for the Bears is holding up but I sure am glad they picked him

The upcoming game with LA is a real litmus test IMO.

Loveland has 3 catches for 43 yards and is currently hurt.

I am also eternally grateful that the Bears took him over Warren.

[albany ed]

It will be interesting to see Mitchell. I don't think he's been in on very many plays this season so far. With Pierce out, he'll see a lot more action than he has thus far. Let's hope he surprises all you nay sayers.

[Oldcolt]

Maybe it is me but I think Mitchell looks much better this year. He seems to be more in sync with the QB-his routes seem to be at the proper depth etc. He also hasn't show those 'alligator' arms. Be patient, wide receiver is a difficult position to master. Just look at Pierce, many on this board were calling him a bust who could only run straight and fast. It was true at the time(straight and fast) but he has developed into what is damn close to a number 1.

AR wasn't the entire issue last year. Warren has made a huge impact on opening up this offense. Take away his contributions and give us what we have had the last few years at tight end and this offense doesn't scare anyone nearly as much. Talk all you want about Jones (and he has been absolutely great) but to me Warren was the key addition. This is the best thing that could happen to AR's career. He is finally getting to see and learn how a professional team feels, works and plays. We are not a fluke, no matter what happens next Sunday this team will be worth watching and rooting for all year. I did not expect this and am damn happy to be wrong.