AndyJohnson

Random thoughts from game 1


Yes, we played 43, but we also played 2 gap.
(I realize these were backups so everything must be taken with a grain of salt)
We better play much better run defense.
The pass defense was excellent.

I don't get the negativity about Butler. He allowed a few catches, but they were short plays in front of him, but for one 3rd down play in the second half that he made a play on the ball and missed.
If you are looking for reasons to rip him, then you sat there and said they completed a pass, it was Butler's man, therefore Butler sucks, as if NFL teams don't complete passes.
I thought his coverage was decent, and he played the scheme. Overall, an average effort by Butler.

Taylor Price was very impressive. He looks like he belongs and can produce.
When you add Hernandez to the mix because he does WRtype things, I think our receiving group is stronger and deeper than most people realize.
Edelman continues to be invisible in the offense. Those bagging on Tate: he didn't play in the game.

Ridley was very impressive. I saw him do everything I want a RB to do, and show every skill a RB needs to show. Love how we draft what looks like a complete RB and this board spent weeks lamenting why we wasted a 3rd on a guy who will never be more than a short yardage back.
Lets see what he does vs 1s, but this guy has the ability to shoot up the depth chart.

Mallett doesn't look like a rookie. He knows what he wants to do back there, and is decisive.
Hoyer looks like a veteran, and I don't see a lot of #2 QBs out there I'd rather have. (I see some overrated starters that teams aren't ready to give up on that I'd play Hoyer ahead of)

I think we are going to have about a dozen front 7 players who all see a lot of action, and I think it will be a very good deep group.

When you see the rookies and youngsters who are out there playing this well, it makes you want to see Vereen and Dowling real soon.

I can't think of one or a few things we did real well to result in a 35 point win, because I think we just pretty much beat them all day long at every aspect of football. A real thrashing, and a great way to get football back.

Frezo

The D got gashed a couple of time by a delayed hand off. It didn't mean much in the big picture of the game, but it threw off the timing of the pass rush. No doubt BB will be all over that.

AndyJohnson

They got gashed by running plays. They weren't rushing the passer, it was vs nickel or dime.
Now, put Wilfork, Haynesworth and Ellis on the DL and Mayo and Spikes out there and that all changes, but if we play run D like we did last night, the D will be taking a big step backward.

PushnPencils

I agree on everything except Butler.

If Butler was a mid to late round pick I think folks would cut him some slack.

He was drafted to be Devin McCourty. I think when he played for Bodden and failed, his confidence totally eroded.

So now you have a guy who won't play tight or take chances in fear of further failure. He'll always play with some cushion as he figures he'll allow some receptions and wrap em up.

Those 5 to 7 yard receptions add up.

AndyJohnson

He doesn't choose the coverage. Nice job trying to psychoanalyze him though.
I don't really care if he is an UDFA or the 1st pick in the draft, once he gets here its about play, not where you were drafted.

PushnPencils

I think you'd be much more fun to psychoanalyze.

DBs don't choose coverage, but they can freelance regarding how tight they play somebody.

But i guess everyone else is just seeing things.

doesntmatter1

I've had issues with Butler since Brian Hartline schooled him nonstop back in 09. At the time I gave him the excuse of being a rookie but since then he hasn't gotten any better or worse, just exactly the same a whole two years later.

I think it would be best if we just cut him and watch the waiver wire for his replacement at the cutdown dates.

AndyJohnson

Yes, I guess you are seeing what you want.
You have decided you know how Butler thinks, how I have no clue, and now you think that he is freelancing and not playing the coverage called.
I guess if we make enough up, we can blame the economy on him too.

AndyJohnson

This is the point though. He didn't play poorly last night, yet people are concluding he plays poorly.
He can't win on this board. The average NFL corner allows about 5 cathes a game. Every time butler allows one, fans think that is an indication he sucks, because any corner who allows a catch must suck. Its silly really.

PushnPencils

I'm conjecturing why he's playing so badly.....and hasn't progressed.

You're trying to convince people his play is satisfactory.