13 minutes ago, vikas83 said:

 

They need to change the name to MVP for QBs or be realistic

Henry and Barkley have been the MVPs of the season. Both teams would struggle if it weren't for them

Just now, Westbrook#36 said:

So my son was in a car accident Friday night and has been in the hospital since. He's ok, a little banged up, but was concussed. He's gradually getting better, but he's been almost incoherent, a little delusional. The family and I have been pulling shifts 24/7 since he's been there so he's not alone.

Anyway, I'm posting this in a football message board just to say I have a new appreciation for what these players endure when they suffer a concussion. I can't imagine being concussed multiple times and still wanting to suit up. ☹️

 

Sorry to hear.  Hope he gets better soon.  When I was playing high school baseball I took a fastball to the eye (it nicked my shoulder and ricocheted to my eye).  Guess I was expecting the ball to curve.  Anyways after holding my eye for a minute I went to first base and started feeling strange (a little wobbly).  My coach had me then steal 2nd base on 1st pitch which I did and scored on a single right after that.  Once back in the dugout I just got really cold and shivering.  Coach took me out and my parents brought me to the hospital.  Ended up being ok but the feeling on my first one is somethign I will never forget and think sometimes I forget things if that had anything to do with it (maybe i'm just getting old).

Anyways i can't imagine going through as many as these players do and being ok.  Sorry long rant with not much content 🙂 

8 minutes ago, Mike030270 said:

They need to change the name to MVP for QBs or be realistic

Henry and Barkley have been the MVPs of the season. Both teams would struggle if it weren't for them

I mean being strictly accurate with Barkley we've suffered our worst start to the season in 3 years /S.

5 minutes ago, Mike030270 said:

He's getting sacks because he's holding the ball too long. That Brown deep throw was great because it was quick and decisive. Snap, step back, and then let it go. He didn't hold it for 3+ seconds

That was a max-protect shot play.  He could have sat back there for 5 seconds.

I'll give Jalen the benefit of the doubt that the sun was an issue in the second quarter.  But getting rid of the ball needs to become more instinctive with him.

Watched the first half on the All-22. A few observations:

@ToastJenkinsBecton doubled a DT on the first snap and was late coming off the double to pick up a blitzing LB. He got pushed back into the pocket on another play but no harm done. Other than that, he was solid. I'd give him a B.

The guy who had a rough first half was Jurgens. He whiffed on a couple of plays, including the Hurts fumble near the goal line. On that play he doubled the DT with Dickerson, which was fine but Parsons looped around the tackle. He should have come off the double to block Parson, which he didn't.  Never even looked.On the 13-yard loss sack, he whiffed even worse, basically opening the door for the LB to come straight through. On the TD pass to Goedert, he whiffed again but Hurts bailed him out.

Calcattera simply can't in-line block. He lunges too soon and doesn't block through his man. On doubles, he's OK but one-on-one, just no.

Two of the first-half sacks are on Hurts. Well maybe three. He had a wide open Calcaterra on the right sideline and never looked at him. Nobody within 20 yards of Calcaterra.

15 minutes ago, austinfan said:

And while they've been playing bad offenses, they've also played some very good defenses.

Defensive yards per game

12, 24, 28, 31, 16, 17, 23, 32, 26

Defensive points per game

11, 20, 24, 28, 21, 15, 26, 27, 31

 

Where's the very good defenses?

41 minutes ago, Connecticut Eagle said:

I know the competition hasn't been stellar.  But dominance is dominance.  Best back 7 in the NFL.

I wouldn't go that far, but yeah it's been a massive improvement over last season and even the first 4 weeks of this season. Though we'll be facing 3 fairly powerful offenses in the next 3 games so we'll get a good look at how they'll hold up against stiffer competition. 

3 minutes ago, we_gotta_believe said:

I wouldn't go that far, but yeah it's been a massive improvement over last season and even the first 4 weeks of this season. Though we'll be facing 3 fairly powerful offenses in the next 3 games so we'll get a good look at how they'll hold up against stiffer competition. 

The Bengals are the Best passing offense (yardage and TD's) and 4th best overall scoring offense in the league, their record is entirely down to their defense being so godawful they keep losing shootouts.

 

16 minutes ago, garingovt2000 said:

 

Sorry to hear.  Hope he gets better soon.  When I was playing high school baseball I took a fastball to the eye (it nicked my shoulder and ricocheted to my eye).  Guess I was expecting the ball to curve.  Anyways after holding my eye for a minute I went to first base and started feeling strange (a little wobbly).  My coach had me then steal 2nd base on 1st pitch which I did and scored on a single right after that.  Once back in the dugout I just got really cold and shivering.  Coach took me out and my parents brought me to the hospital.  Ended up being ok but the feeling on my first one is somethign I will never forget and think sometimes I forget things if that had anything to do with it (maybe i'm just getting old).

Anyways i can't imagine going through as many as these players do and being ok.  Sorry long rant with not much content 🙂 

Why on earth is your coach letting you run the bases after you just got hit IN THE FACE with a pitch?

2 minutes ago, FranklinFldEBUpper said:

Why on earth is your coach letting you run the bases after you just got hit IN THE FACE with a pitch?

Watched our future D players plus Burks.  Defense didn’t skip a beat with Burks in but his focus was the run primarily.  In fact, I think he was Joker when Lance went it while Braun and later Trot2 were Rover.  (Or MiKE with Braun and Trot2 playing more WIL, which I use reluctantly because not always on the weak side.)  By the time Trot2 got in they were playing a very base offense.   

The DBs were playing everything in front of them.  But take a look at CJGJ’s interception.  That was Ringo in coverage.  He was mirroring Tolbert and they were hand battling the whole way.  Ringo still is reluctant to turn to watch the ball because his focus is on the receiver.  That will come with experience.  But he has also been reluctant to be physical in the past.  I think watching Slay, Rodgers and the two new rookies is going to help Ringo understand what is acceptable in the NFL.  Ringo’s speed is on display.   On one route, he was leaving the WR to the S and going towards Lance.  But he quickly corrected and tightened the space in the zone, taking the receiver away.   And watch that kid on coverage on punts. Many times the returner looks down to check the coverage and sees Ringo already there before the ball arrives.  He is growing.  I still believe he is Slay’s replacement.  

BTW, for those critical of Maddox, he’s the dime back.  He kept that fumble recovery in bounds.  He’s also DeJawn’s back up at nickel.  

Side note, really impressed with Hunt’s play.  Much more disciplined than I would expect this early.  And Booker and Ojomo are showing up solid at DT.  They may make Milton expendable.  Curious how Hall looks in practice.

The speed at CB and size of the new guys, Q and DeJawn, and also Ringo and Brown, has allowed Fangio to play more man and a kind of man match.  Still a lot of Cover 6 but a bunch of that MOD looks and they are doing a good job of disguising the coverages.  With Q, Slay isn’t playing much MEG.  Parker and Anderson are delivering in the backfield.  BTW,  for those of you with the All22, watch Q.  He is excellent in run support.  

Nothing much on Brown because when he went in they were dropping the Ss to keep everything in front of them.

2 hours ago, NOTW said:

Defense rankings so far: dramatic improvement in pass defense, fewest 1st downs and points allowed

• 2nd in total yards (last year 26th)
• 5th in points allowed (last year 30th)
• 2nd in pass defense (last year 31st)
• 5th in rush defense (last year 10th)
• 8th in fumble recovery (last year 21st)
• 15th in total takeaways (gotta catch those INT opportunities, last year 25th)
• Check this out: 1st in fewest 1st downs by opponent (last year 29th)

https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/2024/opp.htm

I want to see this trend continue as we hit the tougher part of the schedule coming up.   It is absolutely encouraging, and we are seeing some truly great things out of the defense.  BUT... they did play against the Watson Browns, who are terrible offensively; the hapless Giants, who might be worse than that; the Bengals missing one of their top WR talents; the woeful Jags, struggling to hold things together with Doug; and finally, the Cooper Rust led anemic Cowboys' offense.

Of that group, only the Bengals have a legit offense to stifle.  Coming up with Washington, Baltimore and the Rams... the task gets dramatically harder.   I'd love to see that unit continue to perform at a high level.  I'd even be happy with a top 10 performance... it doesn't have to be a top 5 unit.  

 

The delay in the tougher opponents was a nice piece for the defense to get some sea legs after the bye.  Insertion of DeJean, maybe a little more familiarity between the scheme for the players and Fangio learning more about the players he has to work with have really paid dividends as we hit the hardest stretch of games.   These next 6 games (well, 5 of them at least) will really tell us a lot about this team.

20 minutes ago, BigEFly said:

Watched our future D players plus Burks.  Defense didn’t skip a beat with Burks in but his focus was the run primarily.  In fact, I think he was Joker when Lance went it while Braun and later Trot2 were Rover.  (Or MiKE with Braun and Trot2 playing more WIL, which I use reluctantly because not always on the weak side.)  By the time Trot2 got in they were playing a very base offense.   

The DBs were playing everything in front of them.  But take a look at CJGJ’s interception.  That was Ringo in coverage.  He was mirroring Tolbert and they were hand battling the whole way.  Ringo still is reluctant to turn to watch the ball because his focus is on the receiver.  That will come with experience.  But he has also been reluctant to be physical in the past.  I think watching Slay, Rodgers and the two new rookies is going to help Ringo understand what is acceptable in the NFL.  Ringo’s speed is on display.   On one route, he was leaving the WR to the S and going towards Lance.  But he quickly corrected and tightened the space in the zone, taking the receiver away.   And watch that kid on coverage on punts. Many times the returner looks down to check the coverage and sees Ringo already there before the ball arrives.  He is growing.  I still believe he is Slay’s replacement.  

BTW, for those critical of Maddox, he’s the dime back.  He kept that fumble recovery in bounds.  He’s also DeJawn’s back up at nickel.  

Side note, really impressed with Hunt’s play.  Much more disciplined than I would expect this early.  And Booker and Ojomo are showing up solid at DT.  They may make Milton expendable.  Curious how Hall looks in practice.

The speed at CB and size of the new guys, Q and DeJawn, and also Ringo and Brown, has allowed Fangio to play more man and a kind of man match.  Still a lot of Cover 6 but a bunch of that MOD looks and they are doing a good job of disguising the coverages.  With Q, Slay isn’t playing much MEG.  Parker and Anderson are delivering in the backfield.  BTW,  for those of you with the All22, watch Q.  He is excellent in run support.  

Nothing much on Brown because when he went in they were dropping the Ss to keep everything in front of them.

Ringo's speed may have saved a TD on Turpin's return as well. He can scoot.

46 minutes ago, Westbrook#36 said:

So my son was in a car accident Friday night and has been in the hospital since. He's ok, a little banged up, but was concussed. He's gradually getting better, but he's been almost incoherent, a little delusional. The family and I have been pulling shifts 24/7 since he's been there so he's not alone.

Anyway, I'm posting this in a football message board just to say I have a new appreciation for what these players endure when they suffer a concussion. I can't imagine being concussed multiple times and still wanting to suit up. ☹️

Glad your son is okay.  Worse concussions I have had were in car accidents.  (Three times including getting knocked out when hit as a pedestrian as a kid.) Those were different than getting my bell rung in sports but I can remember being fuzzy after a game because of the repetitive hits.  I think it’s the repetition that contributes to CTE. It was a little different.  

But as an insurance claim adjuster, manager and executive, I studied TBIs a bit.  The recovery time from a hit like your kid took is probably 3-6 months.  (The studies suggest most recovery will max out around six months.) Follow the rehab plan, those have really improved through the years.  The memory games really help.  Can be frustrating at first and a little boring later on but it’s not unlike the physical rehab from orthopedic injuries, it’s like building back strength. The first week is the worst. Hope he makes a full recovery.  Watch out for quackery, as that abounds in TBI medicine.  

@just relax  watching the All22 garbage time, I was struck by Driscoll standing next to Becton.  Not Covey next to Wilson difference but certainly Covey next to AJ difference.   Becton is a mountain of a man. Gates was chippy. He kept going at it with the DT, Smith I think.

@ManuManu

I think this settles for good the discussion we had on the topic a few months ago

42 minutes ago, Iggles_Phan said:

I want to see this trend continue as we hit the tougher part of the schedule coming up.   It is absolutely encouraging, and we are seeing some truly great things out of the defense.  BUT... they did play against the Watson Browns, who are terrible offensively; the hapless Giants, who might be worse than that; the Bengals missing one of their top WR talents; the woeful Jags, struggling to hold things together with Doug; and finally, the Cooper Rust led anemic Cowboys' offense.

Of that group, only the Bengals have a legit offense to stifle.  Coming up with Washington, Baltimore and the Rams... the task gets dramatically harder.   I'd love to see that unit continue to perform at a high level.  I'd even be happy with a top 10 performance... it doesn't have to be a top 5 unit.  

 

The delay in the tougher opponents was a nice piece for the defense to get some sea legs after the bye.  Insertion of DeJean, maybe a little more familiarity between the scheme for the players and Fangio learning more about the players he has to work with have really paid dividends as we hit the hardest stretch of games.   These next 6 games (well, 5 of them at least) will really tell us a lot about this team.

I agree.

Last year we saw a horrible collapse. This year the wins aren't the ugly wins, they've had more convincing ones. This next stretch will show us some things, answer some questions, and show us what kind of team they are. Will they be ready for the playoffs this time?

8 minutes ago, LeanMeanGM said:

@ManuManu

I think this settles for good the discussion we had on the topic a few months ago

Make vic a defensive scout when he retires from coaching 

11 minutes ago, LeanMeanGM said:

@ManuManu

I think this settles for good the discussion we had on the topic a few months ago

Hope we can extend him.. would hate to see him have a breakout year at a position we suck at, just to see him walk away 

Couple random thoughts.

As little as Pickett showed in garbage time (not much opportunity), he was the second best QB on the field in Dallas last Sunday.  Trey Lance was pretty bad against our back ups.

Shipley hits the hole fast and seems to have good vision but his pass pro isn’t close to what Gainwell offers there. I expect him to break one at some point.  He was getting yardage against 8 or 9 in the box.  

Glad Shipley is getting some reps but part of me wanted to see VanSummeren get some of those carries.  

In garbage time, Ainias Smith’s cuts were sharper than Dotson displays.  Dotson needs to work on his cuts.  

 

3 minutes ago, BigEFly said:

In garbage time, Ainias Smith’s cuts were sharper than Dotson displays.  Dotson needs to work on his cuts.  

It's almost like he got no coaching in college on how to play WR and has just been getting by on his natural talent.

13 minutes ago, BigEFly said:

@just relax  watching the All22 garbage time, I was struck by Driscoll standing next to Becton.  Not Covey next to Wilson difference but certainly Covey next to AJ difference.   Becton is a mountain of a man. Gates was chippy. He kept going at it with the DT, Smith I think.

Total non sequitur. But speaking of Gates, I'm reminded of something I saw earlier this year in pregame warmups. Probably against the Falcons. Since Gates is our "third" center (Dickerson would slide over if Jurgens were injured), he was practicing shotgun snaps. Oh my God, was he awful. Let's hope he never has to execute one of them in a critical game situation. He's scary.

Actually now that I think about it, Driscoll might be ahead of Gates in the pecking order at center at this point. I'm not sure how skilled he is either. Kinda makes me think we'll be picking another backup center in the late rounds in the coming draft. McDermott didn't work out. Gotta replenish.

2 minutes ago, Iggles_Phan said:

It's almost like he got no coaching in college on how to play WR and has just been getting by on his natural talent.

Gee, this makes me think that you're not too impressed with Penn State's head coach. Amirite?