- Joined
- May 8, 2014
- Messages
- 37,528
Obviously we didn't have a lot of key starters, particularly on defense. Lot of matchups were basically doomed to fail and it showed in the way we were dominated early on. That said, this is game 3 of preseason and the first half tends to be a bit of a litmus test for what to expect and from that perspective there are definitely concerns still for myself at least:
OL. Right side got manhandled in pass pro. They got manhandled in some run plays too vs the Chargers starting front (Chargers DL was pulled before the LBs). Not a surprise for anyone who has been paying attention, but after how they looked vs Oakland it's a little disappointing. Murphy needs to be cut, the guy has absolutely no business playing on the edge at this level. I'd like to go further, but want to be sure before I call guys out. And I'm sure some others here can comment on those types with more certainty.
WR. It didn't seem like guys were getting the instant separation we saw vs Oakland. Before this game I was interested in seeing who was going to step up into that go-to void in Kupp's absence, and it seemed like we had some good options from Woods, to Watkins, to even the TEs. Watkins, in fact, was a key for me, since I felt like his talent would allow him to show well after his self proclaimed week and a half learning the system, but he was a complete non-factor.
What irks me too is that Spruce couldn't take advantage of the opportunity to get on the field because he was injured again. And of course Tavon is poised to ride in on his white horse and make a big impact right?
No. My take on WR is pretty simple at this juncture: if they don't have Kupp it's going to hurt. With Kupp they have a guy who can make it all work, who brings size and quick route separation to open things up on key downs/distances. Kupp is absolutely critical to this offense, at least up until we see Watkins begin to flex his ability in this scheme.
TE. Expected to see Higs and Everett shine, and the two did make their presence felt, Higs with the PI after he had to slow up for the pass when he had clearly beaten his man and Everett in some short stuff. But neither really looked like security blanket type options just yet. I think the world of Everett, but he is a rook so IMO we still do need Higs to step it up. Hemingway injury was unfortunate, real bummer there. Still waiting on TE to step it up.
QB. Not going to go all nuts about Goff's outing as there will be plenty of it here and elsewhere. He did some good things, but that was not the demonstration I wanted to see. And I did not like the way McVay avoided going back to him and allowing him to put that ball back up and redeem himself. It's a concern for me. Mannion looks like a solid backup.
Defense. So many guys out that all I'm going to say is they'd better improve in their run defense. Guys were out, understood, but man. That was an ugly showing and it compounded the way the game unfolded early on.
Special teams. Our returns haven't looked too good, right now that's my main concern with the ST. A lot of guys getting trucked or run by and very little lane availability. I have faith in Bones, but it's not just him as his teams are dependent upon depth cuts prioritizing teams. So gonna wait and see and hope it improves.
OL. Right side got manhandled in pass pro. They got manhandled in some run plays too vs the Chargers starting front (Chargers DL was pulled before the LBs). Not a surprise for anyone who has been paying attention, but after how they looked vs Oakland it's a little disappointing. Murphy needs to be cut, the guy has absolutely no business playing on the edge at this level. I'd like to go further, but want to be sure before I call guys out. And I'm sure some others here can comment on those types with more certainty.
WR. It didn't seem like guys were getting the instant separation we saw vs Oakland. Before this game I was interested in seeing who was going to step up into that go-to void in Kupp's absence, and it seemed like we had some good options from Woods, to Watkins, to even the TEs. Watkins, in fact, was a key for me, since I felt like his talent would allow him to show well after his self proclaimed week and a half learning the system, but he was a complete non-factor.
What irks me too is that Spruce couldn't take advantage of the opportunity to get on the field because he was injured again. And of course Tavon is poised to ride in on his white horse and make a big impact right?
No. My take on WR is pretty simple at this juncture: if they don't have Kupp it's going to hurt. With Kupp they have a guy who can make it all work, who brings size and quick route separation to open things up on key downs/distances. Kupp is absolutely critical to this offense, at least up until we see Watkins begin to flex his ability in this scheme.
TE. Expected to see Higs and Everett shine, and the two did make their presence felt, Higs with the PI after he had to slow up for the pass when he had clearly beaten his man and Everett in some short stuff. But neither really looked like security blanket type options just yet. I think the world of Everett, but he is a rook so IMO we still do need Higs to step it up. Hemingway injury was unfortunate, real bummer there. Still waiting on TE to step it up.
QB. Not going to go all nuts about Goff's outing as there will be plenty of it here and elsewhere. He did some good things, but that was not the demonstration I wanted to see. And I did not like the way McVay avoided going back to him and allowing him to put that ball back up and redeem himself. It's a concern for me. Mannion looks like a solid backup.
Defense. So many guys out that all I'm going to say is they'd better improve in their run defense. Guys were out, understood, but man. That was an ugly showing and it compounded the way the game unfolded early on.
Special teams. Our returns haven't looked too good, right now that's my main concern with the ST. A lot of guys getting trucked or run by and very little lane availability. I have faith in Bones, but it's not just him as his teams are dependent upon depth cuts prioritizing teams. So gonna wait and see and hope it improves.
