Idle thoughts - The non-hearsay edit

[Kulko]

And they would be?

My guess:
Brady
Mankins
Solder
Vollmer

 

[mgteich]

for sure

I would put Amendola ahead of Wendell, but then Wendell would be next.

My guess:
Brady
Mankins
Solder
Vollmer

 

[supafly]

Actually, Ryan was OK, it's been Green who was off the charts terrible at CB (at least he was week one, I haven't had a chance to rewatching the TB game). And Tavon was a lot better on Friday than he was the week before. Not good, but not the travesty people are thinking it was. He was much closer to being in good position (even had it at times and was just beaten by a good throw) and the hold was largely because Green was picking him. Better to take a chance at a grab that wouldn't be called most times than to allow a guaranteed TD.

Ryan was solid last game when playing with the starters.

Ya. It was Ryan's man coverage on Vincent Jackson that contributed to the Jones sack.

Freeman looks to the left side the whole time which was was where Jackson was matched up on Ryan.

Yes, I should have clarified that he did not look as bad on Friday as the first game. Of course making a nice play on the INT always helps one's cause too.

It should be noted though that many here had him as their "worst player" in the thread started after the PHI game, and many included the word "clearly" in their assessment.

I didn't notice quite the impression that you seem to have, but I did notice that he got some attention from the media with his interception, and as JMC00 notes it seemed to be his coverage on VJax that led to the sack (although I did not see that myself, I'll take his word for it).

I don't have anything out for the guy. I just thought his play from game one was absolutely pathetic, and it was. Hopefully those were just signs of growing pains.

 

[supafly]

Ryan's play was the major plus from last night on defense.

OK, now we're stretching the truth a bit. I'll admit that the play was better from game one, and the INT was pretty, but out of all of the defenders I'm not sure I'd put him as the one guy who was the best...

I am glad that there are starting to be positive reviews for him though.

I'd probably put the play of the DE's, Chandler Jones' speed and moves, the solid play from Collins etc as THE major pluses from the game on Friday. Harmon has looked the part and at least hasn't been caught off guard--which is another plus. Hightower looks slightly faster too in my opinion. The interior presence of Kelly/Wilfork also looked good when out there. Those would be my takes.

 

[mgteich]

fair enough

OK, now we're stretching the truth a bit. I'll admit that the play was better from game one, and the INT was pretty, but out of all of the defenders I'm not sure I'd put him as the one guy who was the best...

I am glad that there are starting to be positive reviews for him though.

I'd probably put the play of the DE's, Chandler Jones' speed and moves, the solid play from Collins etc as THE major pluses from the game on Friday. Harmon has looked the part and at least hasn't been caught off guard--which is another plus. Hightower looks slightly faster too in my opinion. The interior presence of Kelly/Wilfork also looked good when out there. Those would be my takes.

 

[supafly]

fair enough

I will gladly admit that I was not giving Ryan the credit that he deserved from progressing nicely from his poor outing in game #1. Either way he certainly seemed to gain some nice attention from people for his play in game #2, so that would definitely point to you being correct.

If a 3rd round pick sticking out and bouncing back from a poor outing is one of the "top" things that stuck out to you, then who am I to argue? It definitely is something great to note.

If this kind of progression is continued then he may prove to be a great pick!

 

[patfanken]

In a game where 60% completion rates are the NORM, its very hard to say anything positive about secondary players at all. To the casual observers (that's us) just being the first DB near a completion is grounds for blame by some. Also given the emergence of the "tall" receiver in recent years, even when a DB or LB has done everything humanly possible (within the rules) there is STILL a good chance a ball will be caught.

So if you add all that to what BB recently said about the difficulty in establishing blame without inside knowledge of all the contingencies and responsibilities on any individual play; being a DB in today's NFL is a rather thankless task....ESPECIALLY if you are a rookie.

It blows my mind sometimes when fans or the media make what amounts to finite judgements based on what they see in TC, often from over a 100 yds away, and what amounts to rookie's first few live game reps in preseason games.

 

[Oswlek]

Yes, I should have clarified that he did not look as bad on Friday as the first game. Of course making a nice play on the INT always helps one's cause too.

It should be noted though that many here had him as their "worst player" in the thread started after the PHI game, and many included the word "clearly" in their assessment.

No clarification necessary, I was speaking about both games. Ryan wasn't remotely the worst player in the first game, being surpassed by Tavon, Green and Tebow by a wide margin.

Frankly, he was only a little better against TB, it is just that instead of a memorable tackling gaff, he had a memorable interception.

I wouldn't put much stock in people saying he had the worst game, "clearly" or otherwise.

 

[BTTA]

for sure I would put Amendola ahead of Wendell, but then Wendell would be next.

Wendell is the one that I was wrestling with. He's been getting such great reviews, but then after Belichick's reminder recently that we don't know jack ***** in general, I'm loath to be too certain about anything.

 

[condon84]

Do the New England Patriots need one of the best kick returners in league history when you can keep a RB who showed NOTHING after a PED suspension and Blount (who should make the roster)?

Washington should make the roster over Bolden every single time, he offers far more to the team.

Boom

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