Really disappointed with the defense because they're a seasoned squad in the same defense with good depth and should have played better vs the run and pass. Giving up yards like that right out the gate stole reps from the offense and it was one-sided in Dallas' favor when the snaps mattered. Clearly missing Gaines is a problem. Sensabaugh is a depth guy, and if he's in there for any length of time particularly matched up with a good receiver he's in trouble and so is our defense. Dallas had great protections, and I like to think things would have been different if Quinn was starting at RDE but still got to give them credit. What bothers me is the slow start they had in pressures last year, and that had better pick up noticeably by preseason game 3.
Yeah I know it's preseason. Still, in preseason you can see trends and I think the following reinforced what was witnessed in camp:
1. Higbee is for real. Drink the Kool-Aid. He needs to be on the field early and often, the guy is already our best pass catching option. Just like with the practices the dude flat stands out.
2. Spruce gets open and catches the ball. If they cut him in favor of another size/talent option that can't execute it will be a mistake. His production was not a fluke and he is going to help this offense. He's not a primary matchup problem, but he is a role player who will consistently execute and maybe grow into more.
3. Goff puts the ball downfield with accuracy. Really pissed me off how Dallas called their game, and in a way I'm irked with the Rams for not seeing that coming. They have the #1 pick and teams know his arm talent. Heat's gonna come in every preseason game just bank it and gameplan the MFing protections for him. On the other side Dallas did a great job preparing their kid QB, he was ready and had plenty of quick reads that were of course wide open grr. Either way though I'll say it again that I don't see dropoff from Keenum to Goff. Defenses will not roll up tight on Goff the way he looks and throws downfield.
4. WRs are hit and miss as a group. Tavon dropping that third down pass... He cannot do that any more if he wants to be a leader and inspiration for this offense. He needs to catch that pass. Cooper dropping a tough deep pass... The Cooper I saw on film in college makes that catch, so I assume he's still not settled in yet, but we need guys to step the F up and execute, i.e. catch the ball. Thomas letting that one go through his hands, ugh. Made me actually want to see Quick get more targets.
This team has a long way to go from what I saw tonight. Here's hoping Fish ramps it up and gets them there.