My main interest is the Offensive Line and how they perform. Specifically Flowers and Hart. Yes they get lumped together and until one either steps up and shows he's not a liability or one of them totally shi.s the bed, they are going to always be mentioned together. Wouldn't it be great if all their off season work pays off and we get a couple of bookend tackles that will anchor the line for years too come! 1% a day!
But I've seen enough from Okwara to assure me he'll be a solid #3 DE.
He kicked ass in the Dallas game but then disappointed IMO. I'm still not sure what they have in him... just a back-up or something more?
He's a young kid (still only 22) who came a very long way in an equally short time. Definitely an "ascending player," in my opinion. However, if he never becomes anything more than "Dave Tollefson 2.0," he still brings a ton of value to the team.
Still green and unproven Darian Thompson has been handed the starting free safety job. He has to prove he can stay healthy and perform in a very talented secondary.
Darian Thompson wasn't handed anything. He earned his starting spot last year in camp, and he earned it again this year in camp, too.
Yes, he does have to prove that he can stay healthy, but if he can do that, I have little doubt he'll perform well.
Since we can be picky, I was also pained to see the old running game described as "finesse". I had no idea that that was what Rashad Jennings was trying to do! In his defense, I think he was tougher than that but didn't have any horses in front of him.
Perkins and Vereen should be able to make more out of nothing. One key I'm looking for is Perkins in the passing game, both as a blocker and check down receiver. Adding this to his skill set is crucial
Good for a rookie making his 1st start against a tough team? Absolutely. But good overall? I'd say no. I recently re-watched the 2nd DAL game and focused on Okwara and it was clear DAL was attacking him with decent success on the ground early. Now, a weak DE isn't going to destroy the a D, and it didn't because we held them to 7 points and Zeke low yards. But they did have success attacking Okwara's gap. Our D was so good overall they still didn't pop anything.
Watching live, I'm so emotionally invested I can't focus much on strategic nuances but on 2nd look, I'm surprised how flagrantly they ran their entire O through Okwara.
All that said, I am bullish on him as a backup DE and like the blocked punt vs. WAS too. He seems to be able to make splash plays.
-OBJ
-Marshall
-Snacks
-Jenkins
-DRC
Could easily add JPP, Vernon and Collins to this but realize do need to play 60 minute games...
He kicked ass in the Dallas game but then disappointed IMO. I'm still not sure what they have in him... just a back-up or something more?
Quote:
But I've seen enough from Okwara to assure me he'll be a solid #3 DE.
He kicked ass in the Dallas game but then disappointed IMO. I'm still not sure what they have in him... just a back-up or something more?
He's a young kid (still only 22) who came a very long way in an equally short time. Definitely an "ascending player," in my opinion. However, if he never becomes anything more than "Dave Tollefson 2.0," he still brings a ton of value to the team.
Darian Thompson wasn't handed anything. He earned his starting spot last year in camp, and he earned it again this year in camp, too.
Yes, he does have to prove that he can stay healthy, but if he can do that, I have little doubt he'll perform well.
Perkins and Vereen should be able to make more out of nothing. One key I'm looking for is Perkins in the passing game, both as a blocker and check down receiver. Adding this to his skill set is crucial
Quote:
But I've seen enough from Okwara to assure me he'll be a solid #3 DE.
He kicked ass in the Dallas game but then disappointed IMO. I'm still not sure what they have in him... just a back-up or something more?
Watching live, I'm so emotionally invested I can't focus much on strategic nuances but on 2nd look, I'm surprised how flagrantly they ran their entire O through Okwara.
All that said, I am bullish on him as a backup DE and like the blocked punt vs. WAS too. He seems to be able to make splash plays.