toffee
Well-known member
4 games in, a quarter of game gone. These are toffee's thoughts:
Defense:
We managed to be in the top 1/3 of the league according to PFF, got to be proud of effort by FO, HC, and DC. Ridding the team of expensive stars was one year too late but better late than never. We would have a lot more picks and cap room as we started the rebuild in '17. We weren't that much better this time last year? or were we?
1. LOB - The dawn of LOB v2 has been promising, Tre Flowers is a huge surprise for me, McDougal's great, if Tedric Thompson could step in and play at adequate level. I am callin' this season the dawn of LOB v2. As it's we may be one pick away from having a great secondary.
2. DL - has been a bit underwhelming. Frank Clark is good but not dominating ... anyone double team him? If this is Jarren Reed's break out season, he hasn't broken out yet. Shamar Stephen and Jefferson simply underwhelmed. Love to see Poona as replacement for Shamar, hey he could be our Tre of DL? i expect our run defense to improve with Poona.
Offense:
So far we fixed one problem but created another. Overall looking like it needs a lot of work. Our new OC has been underwhelming, sadly as expected.
1. QB - Schotty was talked up as someone who will push and discipline Russ. So far, he has focused on pushing Russ to become a pocket QB, make that a pocket QB with questionable pocket. I like to see Schotty with some flexibility to allow Russ be Russ, say 40% of the time? So far Russ hasn't been himself, Harbaugh pushed Kaep to become a pocket QB, this push basically finished Kaep off. I am seeing lots of similarities. So Schotty, please don't ruin Russ.
2. Running - way better than last year. our OC seen to have patience to allow running plays to get established.Carson and Davis both gotten quite a bit of yardage after first contact, but can their body last with that type of style? Penny has been very underwhelming, our OL's run blocking is marginal at best.
3. WR - our weak link. Baldwin was out for 3 games and came back rusty. Marshall is a "F", Jaron at best a "D". So we have a weak OL, a mobile QB learning to be a pocket QB, with WRs couldn't get seperation. See why our passing game sucked? I felt like WR is where we need lots of help!
3. Kicking - I think Pete fumbled on his pick of seabass, John should start looking, like now.
4. OL - Sweezy was a nice savior up to this point. still not quite sold on Fluker's longevity, Ifedi is better, but still long way to go. Hunt's a pleasant surprise, so now we are stack in center with Britt, Hunt and Pocic, may be trading one for a RT?
Team:
Earl's injury could be the best thing for this young team, without his daily drama and attitude, youngsters and emerging stars will get the media encouragement that they need to go the next level. Our team can finally focus on FOOTBALL.
Conclusion:
We are two-two, with a couple of field goals away from 3-1. This is a rebuilding team with sight on next season. I was hoping the team will start kicking in by game 9 or 10, then finish strong!! IF we could end up 4-4 by mid season and finish 5-3 in second half, we could finish the season 9-7, may not make playoff but THIS IS A REBUILDING TEAM.
I am reasonably happy so far, some frustration and disappointment here and there, but happy nevertheless.
Defense:
We managed to be in the top 1/3 of the league according to PFF, got to be proud of effort by FO, HC, and DC. Ridding the team of expensive stars was one year too late but better late than never. We would have a lot more picks and cap room as we started the rebuild in '17. We weren't that much better this time last year? or were we?
1. LOB - The dawn of LOB v2 has been promising, Tre Flowers is a huge surprise for me, McDougal's great, if Tedric Thompson could step in and play at adequate level. I am callin' this season the dawn of LOB v2. As it's we may be one pick away from having a great secondary.
2. DL - has been a bit underwhelming. Frank Clark is good but not dominating ... anyone double team him? If this is Jarren Reed's break out season, he hasn't broken out yet. Shamar Stephen and Jefferson simply underwhelmed. Love to see Poona as replacement for Shamar, hey he could be our Tre of DL? i expect our run defense to improve with Poona.
Offense:
So far we fixed one problem but created another. Overall looking like it needs a lot of work. Our new OC has been underwhelming, sadly as expected.
1. QB - Schotty was talked up as someone who will push and discipline Russ. So far, he has focused on pushing Russ to become a pocket QB, make that a pocket QB with questionable pocket. I like to see Schotty with some flexibility to allow Russ be Russ, say 40% of the time? So far Russ hasn't been himself, Harbaugh pushed Kaep to become a pocket QB, this push basically finished Kaep off. I am seeing lots of similarities. So Schotty, please don't ruin Russ.
2. Running - way better than last year. our OC seen to have patience to allow running plays to get established.Carson and Davis both gotten quite a bit of yardage after first contact, but can their body last with that type of style? Penny has been very underwhelming, our OL's run blocking is marginal at best.
3. WR - our weak link. Baldwin was out for 3 games and came back rusty. Marshall is a "F", Jaron at best a "D". So we have a weak OL, a mobile QB learning to be a pocket QB, with WRs couldn't get seperation. See why our passing game sucked? I felt like WR is where we need lots of help!
3. Kicking - I think Pete fumbled on his pick of seabass, John should start looking, like now.
4. OL - Sweezy was a nice savior up to this point. still not quite sold on Fluker's longevity, Ifedi is better, but still long way to go. Hunt's a pleasant surprise, so now we are stack in center with Britt, Hunt and Pocic, may be trading one for a RT?
Team:
Earl's injury could be the best thing for this young team, without his daily drama and attitude, youngsters and emerging stars will get the media encouragement that they need to go the next level. Our team can finally focus on FOOTBALL.
Conclusion:
We are two-two, with a couple of field goals away from 3-1. This is a rebuilding team with sight on next season. I was hoping the team will start kicking in by game 9 or 10, then finish strong!! IF we could end up 4-4 by mid season and finish 5-3 in second half, we could finish the season 9-7, may not make playoff but THIS IS A REBUILDING TEAM.
I am reasonably happy so far, some frustration and disappointment here and there, but happy nevertheless.