Once the all-22 is out can get a better sense of overall performance of the starters. Obvious quick highlights
-Tre Henderson is as advertised. Many reports had him ranked by teams as a first rounder. They were right. I did watch some OSU tape and he is best in space. He can run inside and if there is a hole he can shoot through but not the most elusive. He's going to have to do that some or teams will play outside runs whenever he is in the game. So he's not Barkley but he is already clearly a game breaking type back and can't remember having someone like this. So fun to see him go to that extra gear and get there so quickly. He covered 19 yards before he got to the first Commanders Kick return player, Gibson covered16 yards. Gibson couldn't outrun the coverage when he broke free like Tre would have.
-The sack/fumble: Washington ran a stunt, Campbell did not get off his guy and take the looper. Maye has to know the situation, it's going to be 4th down, a sack there is meaningless at that point. But I get it, look at the screen shot below, all he has to do is get it past the line of scrimmage since he's out of the pocket. Unfortunately, the guy collapses his legs and he loses the ball falling backwards. Pretty smart to see he could just toss it to save the yardage, pretty dumb to not think the risk was too high.
Will have to look at Maye's decision making after seeing All 22 but he went thru progressions and took the outlet a few times, something Josh's offense was always known for and something the offense last year did not do enough of. You could tell it was Josh's offense immediately and Maye looked to have a good grasp of it.
-Campbell looks like what we've all heard, great run blocker, solid in pass pro but certain guys will give him trouble. Even with that the position is a major upgrade over 2024.
-Keion White continues to underwhelm in games as an edge rusher, he just always seems better in the past rushing inside due to lack of speed. Biggest need on this defense is a good speed edge rusher, hopefully one of the new guys will pop.
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-Barmore didn't dress, but you can that see he's the key to this front line and whether they will be dominant or not. Williams is strong as hell but not so quick. Barmore has it all physically and will free up others. His health is extremely important.
-Polk goes to IR? Probably saves him. He was so bad last year that if the coaching staff was the same I would have cut him in the off season. The only hope for him was the coaching messed him up so badly the new staff could fix him. However, the odds are really slim and I bet his career with the Patriots is basically over.
-Kickers can both kick in the NFL. Neither makes it to practice squad, can they squeeze a 7th round pick from one of the teams desperate for a kicker? Borregales has to stay, he's the draft pick, right? Romo has a stronger leg though and he is only 27.
-Coaching difference is night and day. They looked like a well-oiled machine. Clean, aggressive football. This team, barring Rham and Maye dumb fumbles, will not beat themselves this year.
