Fell asleep after the game, busy at work. Few thoughts ...
Mac was decent after the initial watch but definitely could have been better. His worse game so far but he wasn't one of the main donkeys (OL, TE). That said he made his share of mistakes and is having trouble navigating his way through pressure in the pocket. He needs a lot to go right in the pocket to have success. I know its early but this was something I mentioned pre-draft. Recognizing, responding and making his way through traffic in the pocket are issues. He can recognize a blitz and absolutely make you pay. It's when bodies are around him, walls are closing in where he gets in trouble. Checking into run plays, misreading a few blitzes, INTs, missed Agholor at least once again yesterday deep down the sideline ... Combined with the fact that he needs top tier protection, has trouble operating in a messy pocket and isn't going to elevate his targets and you can see the conundrum the offense is in.
I brought it up pre-draft but you didn't see a lot of "tight window" passes from Mac in college (about 40-42). The deep passes today kind of highlighted just how precise you have to be in this league. I'm not mad at the lack of explosive plays bc we simply don't have have explosive playmakers to make it easy on the guy but it's definitely something we need to be making a point of going forward. Taking advantage of opportunities and coverage when we can. They've been few and far between and again we don't exactly have the personnel to win individually on a consistent basis but we've got to press that issue when we can. It goes without saying the windows are a lot tighter and DB's are a lot quicker to ID what's happening (hello Z Wilson) but we need a few big plays from Mac. I love the attitude, confidence and ability he has though. I believe someone on Twitter earlier said Mac's Adot was up in the 4th. Keep pushing when can.
We also heard from Mac himself that some of those running plays were him checking into to them.
Josh is getting a lot of heat and some of it is well deserved. Some of it isn't, as we see above. We don't have guys running free every play, no doubt, but there has been some good design every game that led to a few instances of that happening, Jones simply hadn't hit them. Today we needed him to connect on a few 50/50's that were iffy. Checking into run plays when coverage is given you opportunities to pass. One or two "Wtf" plays a game. This is life for a rookie though and Jones been more than decent so far all things considered.
Now to Josh. Man, where is the tempo? You have a rookie that's shown he can operate the system and make good decisions by in large. Speed it up, get the defense to stay on the field, get them base and take advantage when you can. I don't feel like I've seen that at all. I can't remember one play where we're taking advantage of mismatches. We saw this multiple times from Mac over the summer and he actually looked really good running it (tempo/hurry up).
At times the offense doesn't look like a threat as a whole. Disjointed parts trying to make it work instead of one group attacking as a whole. It's easily one of the worst offenses in the league. We should be using the hurry up more imo.
Motion? I mean we had to watch Harry in motion for 2 year lol and now?? I don't have the % on this but I feel like we could and should be using a lot. It helps take eyes off the line, at times will cause a lil hesitation and players in motion are more likely to get a target. I don't believe we have 1 man in the top 25-30 in terms of motion usage. That might be another issue - personnel issue but worth noting for sure.
As of now it looks like Mac was checking into some or most of those run plays. So it's not entirely clear what's going on with some of the individual play calls. In terms of play-calling we're talking about 3-5 plays a game that make you shake your head. You know how much **** Shanahan or LaFleur get? Calling plays for a rookie behind a terrible OL, non-explosive targets isn't easy. Sure there were plays that didn't seem to make sense but again go watch other teams. I'm convinced people are just watching NEP play which is fine but it definitely skews your view. Firing Josh now be impulsive.
One thing I brought up this summer I was sure we'd see more of was RPO action. We've seen 4 in 3 games I believe? Mac is comfortable and confident there and it helps with rhythm and time in early on. We know he can eat up a few yards if need be. It would be a nice little wrinkle to add and again I can't see it hurting any. Mac is money there.
One change that can be attributed to coaching we did see that was noticeable was switching from 12 to 11P? Anyone else noticing if teams are specifically blitzing us when we're in 12P?? I don't have any #'s on it, just an observation over the past few games but it might explain why they stopped blitzing when we went to 3 WR sets? Again just a thought, I actually noticed it game 1 but it didn't really click until before game 3 and after watching I'm more curious?
Anyone else see anything like that?
The OL might be the most disappointing group in the league tbh. I understand that our depth isn't what we thought it was but our starters look bad. Our interior is getting worked with stunts and really making it hard on everyone. The amount of 2 on 1's guys are seeing bc we're failing to pass off defenders and letting penetration walk our asses 5 yards back before noticing something is annoying AF. The whole interior is getting worked and not helping each other. Onwenu should be at RT next week if Brown is out - which is another issue all together. If he's out or if it looks like he's going to be on & off all year, we need to have a sit down and discuss options bc the RT spot is a mess.
The thing really bothers me is this isn't like we don't have Trent so the whole line is feeling it as a result. Individually, each man is playing poorly. This group has played together before. The issues we're seeing that are this bad is crazy. I get the drop between Brown and the guys we've been playing there but it looks like most of these guys are brand new.
Onwenu has had trouble with speed this year, specifically from smaller guys coming as a result of pressure or delayed pressure but its not hard to get him out of position with speed. He's been our best OL'm but definitely had his moments.
Wynn has been bad and needs to really step up his game. I'm not seeing anything from watching so maybe someone else can add something if they're seeing something but he's just playing poorly. Specifically in pass pro.
I thought that left side could be special but it's been special in a bad way.
6 on the line. Rush 5. Stunt opens up middle. Andrews gets knocked out of the play. Shaq has to anticipate this better. Mac can't throw this in that
Smith has been bad so far. There's no other way to say it. Poor blocking - some absolute whiffs so far. Effort has been good but he was a liability in the first few games with his blocking. 5 targets yesterday, 1 rec and a fumble that led to a pick 6. Whether it's with himself or someone else, someone is having words with Smith this week. His overall play has been terrible so far.
Henry hasn't been setting the world on fire either. Neither have been blocking well and that's no bueno if you want to be running 12P a lot and be a tough hard nosed team. I was more excited about him than anyone we got believe it or not.
Agholor has been open every game for a few big plays down the field but bc of Mac not going in that direction, OL breaking down we haven't seen the connection light it up. Him and Bourne are very good at the top of their routes. Very efficient there with their steps and know how to create a little separation. He made a ton of money cashing in on broken plays last year but has been on point so far. I can't complain.
That said all three of these guys have to step it up and perform when the ball goes their way. I believe we're on the hook, correct me if I'm wrong, for a lot of money in 2 years for all three. Good players and im happy they're here but we're paying them top dollar when you look at who they really are. We need them to make a difference in some way every game.
Defense has it's issues in big spots but it's not why we're losing games.
Barmore looks like a guy that could reach most of his ceiling if his head is on straight. We need to get him a partner in crime up front but he could really good.
Judon is playing as advertised and even better. He's an incredibly smart player! Mentioned before the year but man his instincts are impressive. Bootlegs, screens, anything with misdirection and he's usually all over it. Really good recognition in the run game. Obviously one of the better rushers in the game. He's in his prime. We got a good one. Him and Uche should be killing teams. Both are such a handful that bring energy and speed every snap.
It's a lot harder to tell with Dugger but he looks more comfortable in coverage for sure. A lot smoother, less hesitation. Still early hopefully we're still seeing improvements later in the year. If there's ever a guy to watch and absorb from its Phillips.
We need that quick hitter - motion man - extension of the run game player in the worst way. We watched and knew Jules was breaking down and never replaced or really helped that position out. We absolutely need a legit slot/motion target and a true bully for targets. I thought Deebo Samuel was a perfect Pat pre-draft. He's really stepped up his game and moved towards becoming a complete WR. Limited when he first came in the league but man has he worked on his r/r. So much crisper at the top of his route. On the same page as the QB in terms of spacing and where the ball is going. Hurts seeing him improve so much. We definitely need an option in that mold.
I'm on record saying I would have traded Sony for a 4th before we dealt him but even right after I felt a little regret. You can't just bench Rham with the options we have back there. Bolden is White's backup and has experience running similar patterns. Sony was strictly a dump-off, flat type of rec RB. White and Bolden have experience running wheel routes, options in the MOF but that's not the point. The point is you just can't give him meaningful snaps anymore. I believe Mac checked into some of those red zone plays, not sure if there's any more info on that but we need another option. If Rham is a complete disaster in pass pro, puts the rock on the ground again you sit him but it's way too early for this.
