A few observations from section 210
by ruffdaddy on Dec 6, 2009 10:34 PM EST
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PrintSomeday we are going to learn how to prevent games like this from coming down to the wire; this one had no business being close. But no complaints, a win is a win, and there were a lot of things to like about the way we played today. A few random thoughts:
1. Marcedes Lewis is becoming an all-pro caliber tight end. He is a beast of a blocker, and has been good for one major downfield play in each of the last 3 or 4 games. Thank you Shack for leaving us with at least one first round pick who seems worth the price.
2. Our corners played great today. Derek Cox did an amazing job on the best receiver in the league, was disruptive on a couple of pressures and came out of nowhere to make 2 key tackles. I love this kid. TBrack was almost as good with a key breakup and dependable coverage; the silver lining in the dark cloud of Mathis' injury is the emergence of this kid as a viable backup.
3. I read the second half thread when I got home and agree with the comments about Harvey. He doesn't always get there, but the effort is formidable and the disruptions are increasing. I'm not so sold on Groves ... seems to have some Reggie Nelson in him in terms of not always being in the right place. Also agree with comments on Gerald Alexander ... he has been very solid and is becoming a playmaker.
4. I tried to focus a lot on Monroe and Britton when we had the ball, and they both seemed to have good games; I don't remember Mario Williams making any plays today, which is remarkable. Britton in particular never seems to take a play off and is always looking for someone to knock down.The center of the line is another matter ... I think Uchi will be a solid right guard but he was beaten badly on several occasions today, as were Meester and Vince. It's inexcusable that two weeks in a row we can't get enough of a push up the middle on consecutive plays for MJD to pick up a yard. And we have got to have some new short-yardage plays ... maybe something off tackle? And why do we never pitch it to Maurice going wide?
5. I feel so good for Nate Hughes. I liked his demotion after the drops in week 2 because of the message it sent, but it's great to see a young kid get another chance and redeem himself. He could be a factor on this team for many years.
6. Isn't it weird how kickers have bad games come up and bite them in the butt inexplicably? But Scobee manned up, put last week behind him and was incredible today in really difficult conditions. What was it, a 50-yarder he made into the wind? Would have been good from 58.
7. Say what you will about David Garrard, he is one tough son of a bitch. And he made some gorgious throws today, especially the TD to Hughes and a couple of third down conversions to the sideline. When he gets time he is awesome. When he tries to over-tough it he makes mistakes. Glad for him that fumble got overruled.
All in all we have to be thrilled how this team is developing. In the playoff hunt with 4 games left? We'd have taken that in a heartbeat before the season. Next week is huge. I just hope there are more than 36,000 people there.
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Vince Manuwai
Is the weak link to the line other than Meester, who isn’t much better. The rookie tackles had the best games out of anyone today.
If hip hop is dead, then it happened the day that Dilla died.
-Akrobatik
Indeed.
I remember talking to someone last year or in 07 about how Meester was so… essential and what a strong player he was. This season, though… I hope he pulls through and improves, I really do. Anyone else make not of that early snap he made? He hiked it so early the rest of the line wasn’t ready.
by alwaysforgiven821 on Dec 7, 2009 7:12 AM EST up reply actions
where are all those people
who were so gung-ho on getting manuwai and meester back for this year now? Exactly. those two have brought our whole line down. we NEED youth.
by harveyismyboy on Dec 7, 2009 4:10 PM EST up reply actions
We still NEEDED
Meester, to have been this successful so far. He’s the glue that keeps this OL together. The center position should rarely be manned by a rookie just because of the experience part of the position is so important. You generally want a player to play guard for a year or two or at least learn the ropes in a backup role before switching him to C.
Maybe, but
he’s a little slow into his stance, isn’t as intelligent(In terms of calling signals and the nuances of blocking or pulling/blocking downfield), and his pass blocking isn’t the best. His physical attributes along with some more experience may allow to overcome those weaknesses.
Anyhow, I’m still holding out on Cecil Newton. I just hope he’s not picked up by another team. Luckily last year’s draft was loaded with centers, so that might make him safe.
Another fine piece
Oh I I could ask for 3 more W….
Life without knowledge is death in disguise
by Zoltan from Budapest on Dec 6, 2009 11:16 PM EST reply actions
In the playoff hunt with 4 games left? We’d have taken that in a heartbeat before the season. Next week is huge.
I wish the ones who complained about losing a game here and a game there would take these things into account. Sadly, we don’t have many of them on BCC.
by alwaysforgiven821 on Dec 7, 2009 7:13 AM EST reply actions
I agree
I think Jag fans seem to be a little bipolar in nature after W/L’s. And after losses we are unusually hard on our QB. We have the same record as the NE Patriots. I mean who thought that would be true this far into the season? Not me.
Just in case people don’t give us credit for winning the “weak” teams keep in mind the Raiders, as in the RAAAAiiDaaas, have beaten the Eagles, Bengals, and the Steelers (in Pittsburg no less, with a “backup” QB).
And the Rams took the Saints to the wire, and so did the Redskins.
The Raiders are sort of the opposite of USC this year
USC should’ve never been ranked this last week and they were because they’ve been riding that mystique that a decade of winning brought. The name USC alone gave people the impression that they were still an elite team.
The Raiders on the other hand have become associated with an embarrassing form of football and being one of the worst teams in the league. However this year they’re actually not too bad and have a pretty decent defense. Just look what a QB did for the team, and that’s not even a guy they’ll want to keep as a starter. They’re not as bad as people think and people only think that because of the years past.
I Don't Know
With a few more solid wins like this weekend, Gradkowski could really earn himself some talks of his future in Oakland in the off-season. The past few weeks the guy has won and put up pretty decent numbers.
If hip hop is dead, then it happened the day that Dilla died.
-Akrobatik
I liked him
when he was with the Bucs, and I was surprised he was cut frankly. I understood why though with all the QB’s they had.
Yeah
While most coaches have a stable of running backs, Gruden had a stable of quarterbacks. I think he brought like seven to training camp that year.
If hip hop is dead, then it happened the day that Dilla died.
-Akrobatik
I was really impressed by Groves
For the second week in a row actually. He finally beat a tackle with that speed rush we expected with him, but I also saw a few power rushes to combo it. He got his pads low and drove the left tackle back really well. He actually wasn’t half bad on run support either.
I’ve come to expect good performances from Harvey and the sack was the result of exactly what Ewdtrey talked about last week. A rush from the opposite defensive end forced the QB into a bad spot and Harvey was finally able to turn a pressure into a sack.
I’m afraid I’ll jinx it so I’ll definitely knock on wood, but if those two put in more performances like last week we may have something growing on the defensive line.
I Think Next Year
Is these two guys’ year. I know I said the same thing last off-season, but they could be putting something together. Groves nearly had a sack on the same play Harvey did, he just barely missed it. Groves also had a nice tackle for loss in the backfield on a stretch play. I was impressed, he blew up the tackle and made the play.
If hip hop is dead, then it happened the day that Dilla died.
-Akrobatik
Groves and Alexander get my Game Balls
My binoculars don’t lie, I saw Groves do plenty good.
"HULU: An evil plot to destroy the world. Enjoy"
The Flavour of the Day is Turf. - Courtesy of the Jacksonville Jaguars
Maurice Jones Drew is The Best RB in the AFC--Please Disagree with me
Cox and Groves get mine
In the words of a Texans fan, “Andre Johnson had significantly less than 5 million yards. Someone please explain?”
Trade Rashean
We play better without him
If hip hop is dead, then it happened the day that Dilla died.
-Akrobatik
No way
that was due to an average pass rush and Rex Grossman playing for nearly 1.5 qtrs. But if Derek and Tyron keep playing like this, I wouldn’t mind seeing Mathis in FS role similar to Ed Reed’s. He’s got speed, hands, intelligence, return ability, and he’s getting closer to the twilight of his career; meaning he’ll start slowing down, and older/tougher CB’s usually convert to safety anyway as it is a normal progression with age.
At first I thought Tyron would be a good addition in our safety tandem, but he’s not big enough to last as a SS, and as much as Peyton and Shaub air it out, I don’t think Tyron has the speed to play FS at a high level. But as long as Tyron has safety help over the top he can use his length to make up for his lack of speed for the CB position.
Um no we dont...
We learned to play without him…. now with expriance Tbrack becomes a legit nickel and cox becomes better and now our secondary with a pass rush could be at least top half of the leauge
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