Nassib and other impressions

I'm going to start this thread with a reply to a post made by RetroJint on the Postgame discussion thread. There was some silliness there about Nassib, and less focus on him than I believe was warranted. Even though vs. the Jags' twos and threes I think Nassib was one of the positives that came out of last night. Then I go to some other impressions that probably mirror a lot of what others had or have to say.

In comment 12431198 RetroJint said:

Quote:

First, he would easily be the starting quarterback on the other 2 New York state teams in the league.... Second he is using the extended handoff technique that guys like Steve DeBerg used ...It allows for a better play fake by showing the second level of the defense the run-option earlier, thus holding up the depth on their coverage drop. Third, as to the assine happy feet angle, those saved him maybe 8 sacks and he made plays downfield on at least 5 occasions that I can remember.

Nassib - Could not agree more. I was impressed by him last night, first time really. On the roll outs, planned or impromptu, he delivers the ball with authority and accuracy. He steps into the throw on the move, which is not easy, and this gives the ball excellent velocity, as well as accuracy. He is nimble and maintains excellent downfield vision. How many of those scrambles was he able to find the open receiver? Often, by my count. I thought Banks' comment that he scrambles to pass rather than run was apt.

On the play w/10:43 remaining in Q4, the 27 yard completion to Harris, Nassib stepped up into the collapsing pocket, I thought 100% certain the DT would nail him from behind, he was within a foot. Nassib got the ball out SO FAST even as the DT was about to wrap him up, and the accuracy was deadly. I have no idea what the posters in the post-game thread who want him traded or complain about the handoffs or talk about happy feet are seeing. Certainly a 180 from what I see. He looked a hell of a lot better than the inconsistent, tentative Eli last night (agree with Joey's comment). And, no, this is not an opinion that Eli should be benched, traded, whatever. He simply has been very ineffective so far.

Other stuff:

Newhouse - I know Eric said PFF graded him out highest last week, but everytime he's in there seem to be breakdowns and deep penetration by the DL over his position.

Beason and Taylor - it's so predictable it's almost laughable and so sad

Darkwa - I hope they find a way to keep him; even in heavy traffic, inside, the pile seems to move forward, and BJ he's not. I lean to him over Hunt, even though the latter has good burst on returns. Tough choices here.

Robinson - in the Hosley/Kuhn categories of guys who have hung around too long and stunk. Are they giving him this much play time to run himself off the roster? I'd much rather see a lot more of Cunningham, even over Donnell, who continues to struggle with ball security. At least Robinson now knows where he is supposed to line up, but his pace and intensity and impact were left somewhere at UCinn doing backflips. Watching him in live action is similar to watching a player doing walk throughs.

Geremy Davis - a find and kudos for this late round pick. The rap on him at UConn was failure to gain separation--and, yes, for the most part he's playing vs. 2nd and 3rd teamers, but his routes are good, he gets good separation, made every catch but one along the sideline on a kind of back shoulder (there was good coverage). Like to see him vs. the 1s next week and see what happens.

OL - didn't see a lot wrong from EF; agree with posters who say he's the real deal. The left side looks solid. LT and LG are in flux, so who knows? Let's hope that Schwartz is not too sore come Monday's briefing. Gettis, Reynolds, and Cleary look better. Any Mosley sightings?

Our d is going to be painful, again: we still can't cover the middle of the field on crossing routes or TEs releasing across the middle. On Jaguars' first or second drive, on a 3rd and 8, I believe, there was no one within 10 yards of the receiver: the coverage at LOS before the snap looked like blown assignments, because there was only one DB (or maybe LB) playing slightly off two Jags' receivers on the left side. It was weird, and sure enough, one of them caught it going over the middle.

As badly as things are going at S, Miles - is awful, stands around, slow to close, passive, or desire on the pass on which the kid #31 had primary coverage on what looked like a post pattern (always forget his name).

Unga (?) looks good, he flashed on that play cutting through the hole vacated by the guard and made the TFLoss. Would like to see more of him. JT Thomas too, obviously, looked good. We need more speed at LB, but Unga, my impression is that he's light and will struggle on running plays directly at his spot.

As often noted, the cuts at WR behind the top four are going to be difficult. I like Jones and Davis better than Washington. Parker fielding puts was sure handed but no room to run; that failed catch on the second (third) drive didn't do him any favors.