long distance
Pro Bowl Player
- Joined
- Dec 14, 2015
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.. some notes to share on those marginal things media boys don't seem to care about
1. Lets start w some people they do care about (at least on Pats side). Not that it matters much but still worth noting that Brady's TD play to Rex was played against following HOU front 7:
Ross (udfa rookie coming from CFL) - Ankou (udfa) - Godin (udfa) - Kamalu (2016udfa) // Scarlett (2016udfa) - Cunningham (rookie) - Gilchrist (SS).
2. Despite missing several core pieces and a lot of changing personnel Pats ST were very disciplined giving up almost no penalty yardage while drawing chunks of “hidden yardage“ from opposing ST units over the two games. These hidden chunks of yards that nobody in media cares about are actually game changers with so many flags flying on ST plays.
3. To show some love for beat reporters it is good to see that practice report observations are pretty accurate and mostly translate into the game. Last week positive signs were reported about Ealy, Fleming, Cyrus, JO, Bates f.e. and it showed . while it was quieter about Lucien, Carr, Hollister, Moore etc. and that showed as well.
4. OL - Media were very critical of second unit OL play throwing out superficial statistic of pressures, sacks, hits. Closer look I believe shows a bit different picture. While Karras was not as dominant as in the first game he continues to do a very good job. Croston played mostly LT and a lot of it (despite mostly practicing and excelling at G) he did a solid job. He was beaten maybe 2-3 times 1v1 playing 63 snaps. He is much better T then McDermott at the moment and might be the best of all backup Ts in PP . w Fleming and Waddle probably better in running game. We didn't see him against 1st stringers though. Douglas is up and down, better in running game. Still it would be great if they can keep him on PS. Ferentz looked lost and weak at the beginning but also bounced back a bit. Hard to see him in NFL though. McDermott looked a bit better than last time and played more but he doesn't seem ready to play w big boys. I was surprised J.King only saw a few snaps when Douglas went down and Rich none at all so looks like PS hopes are fading for them.
5. FS position is an interesting under the radar watch as well. They are trying Ebner (mostly practice) and Richards a lot there despite poor results. I guess they'd like to see they have some backup on the roster since Harmon is virtually a starter with over 50% playing time. D.Jones who is finally healthy played the position in second half and while he missed a key tackle on that big Foreman run (in a series of D mishaps and missed tackles) and his general attitude was a bit cautious . he showed great range and speed and seems like a perfect option if he can stay healthy and regain confidence.
6. ST - starting lineup in kicking game:
Chung - Roberts - Freeny - Richards - O'S - Ghost - Langi - Bates - Ebner - Bolden - D-Mac
punting:
Allen, Cardona, Moore, Ebner, D.Allen, Langi, Bolden, Richards, Coleman, Develin, KVN
Snap count:
Freeny (25), O’Shaugnessy (21), Langi (21), Richards (21), Moore (20), Bates (17), Coleman (16), Cyrus (15), Thompson (15)
A.Butler replaced Grissom to pair w Karras at PR. I wonder who will start there as first line D for punt returner in Sept. It was great to see Roberts getting more snaps on ST and his presence showed. Coleman was good also on ST apart from that blackout.
____
notes on some other players..
D.Allen - solid blocking at LOS and 2nd level; looks quicker than Bennett
Harris - very solid vs run, no wrong reads, moves, powerful, dependable run defender; hopefully he can improve a bit in coverage.
Roberts - some missed reads again, over-aggressive plays . but also some great plays for loss. Look at his play in 3rd Q 10:15 and you'd want to keep him no matter what. Also made great tackle on that Coleman ST mishap to allow Pats to recover the ball.
Bates - showed improvement but still can't stop the run, misses or doesn't finish tackles
Richards - made some good plays when he was playing closer to LOS . remains a liability at FS.
Travis - I really like his presence at SS, always around the ball, strong tackler, best udfa DB in my book
Augusta - raw but intriguing. can push the pocket w power and is agile to shed blocks and jump after RB
C.Hollister - Showed a lot in very limited time. Also on ST as gunner. Unfortunately his body seems real fragile
____
Surprised not to see Killings after another good week of practice and good last game . also just a few snaps for Kilgo and Hamilton while Brown and Guy played long into second half..
1. Lets start w some people they do care about (at least on Pats side). Not that it matters much but still worth noting that Brady's TD play to Rex was played against following HOU front 7:
Ross (udfa rookie coming from CFL) - Ankou (udfa) - Godin (udfa) - Kamalu (2016udfa) // Scarlett (2016udfa) - Cunningham (rookie) - Gilchrist (SS).
2. Despite missing several core pieces and a lot of changing personnel Pats ST were very disciplined giving up almost no penalty yardage while drawing chunks of “hidden yardage“ from opposing ST units over the two games. These hidden chunks of yards that nobody in media cares about are actually game changers with so many flags flying on ST plays.
3. To show some love for beat reporters it is good to see that practice report observations are pretty accurate and mostly translate into the game. Last week positive signs were reported about Ealy, Fleming, Cyrus, JO, Bates f.e. and it showed . while it was quieter about Lucien, Carr, Hollister, Moore etc. and that showed as well.
4. OL - Media were very critical of second unit OL play throwing out superficial statistic of pressures, sacks, hits. Closer look I believe shows a bit different picture. While Karras was not as dominant as in the first game he continues to do a very good job. Croston played mostly LT and a lot of it (despite mostly practicing and excelling at G) he did a solid job. He was beaten maybe 2-3 times 1v1 playing 63 snaps. He is much better T then McDermott at the moment and might be the best of all backup Ts in PP . w Fleming and Waddle probably better in running game. We didn't see him against 1st stringers though. Douglas is up and down, better in running game. Still it would be great if they can keep him on PS. Ferentz looked lost and weak at the beginning but also bounced back a bit. Hard to see him in NFL though. McDermott looked a bit better than last time and played more but he doesn't seem ready to play w big boys. I was surprised J.King only saw a few snaps when Douglas went down and Rich none at all so looks like PS hopes are fading for them.
5. FS position is an interesting under the radar watch as well. They are trying Ebner (mostly practice) and Richards a lot there despite poor results. I guess they'd like to see they have some backup on the roster since Harmon is virtually a starter with over 50% playing time. D.Jones who is finally healthy played the position in second half and while he missed a key tackle on that big Foreman run (in a series of D mishaps and missed tackles) and his general attitude was a bit cautious . he showed great range and speed and seems like a perfect option if he can stay healthy and regain confidence.
6. ST - starting lineup in kicking game:
Chung - Roberts - Freeny - Richards - O'S - Ghost - Langi - Bates - Ebner - Bolden - D-Mac
punting:
Allen, Cardona, Moore, Ebner, D.Allen, Langi, Bolden, Richards, Coleman, Develin, KVN
Snap count:
Freeny (25), O’Shaugnessy (21), Langi (21), Richards (21), Moore (20), Bates (17), Coleman (16), Cyrus (15), Thompson (15)
A.Butler replaced Grissom to pair w Karras at PR. I wonder who will start there as first line D for punt returner in Sept. It was great to see Roberts getting more snaps on ST and his presence showed. Coleman was good also on ST apart from that blackout.
____
notes on some other players..
D.Allen - solid blocking at LOS and 2nd level; looks quicker than Bennett
Harris - very solid vs run, no wrong reads, moves, powerful, dependable run defender; hopefully he can improve a bit in coverage.
Roberts - some missed reads again, over-aggressive plays . but also some great plays for loss. Look at his play in 3rd Q 10:15 and you'd want to keep him no matter what. Also made great tackle on that Coleman ST mishap to allow Pats to recover the ball.
Bates - showed improvement but still can't stop the run, misses or doesn't finish tackles
Richards - made some good plays when he was playing closer to LOS . remains a liability at FS.
Travis - I really like his presence at SS, always around the ball, strong tackler, best udfa DB in my book
Augusta - raw but intriguing. can push the pocket w power and is agile to shed blocks and jump after RB
C.Hollister - Showed a lot in very limited time. Also on ST as gunner. Unfortunately his body seems real fragile
____
Surprised not to see Killings after another good week of practice and good last game . also just a few snaps for Kilgo and Hamilton while Brown and Guy played long into second half..
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