Has anyone else been watching the preseason games? If so, I'd like to start a discussion about standouts/impressions. I've watched relevant parts of every game so far (thank you DVR and NFL Network). A few players I have been impressed with so far are Mike Turner, Ronnie Brown, Jordan Shipley, CJ Spiller, Marshawn Lynch, Jermaine Gresham, Justin Forsett, DeSean Jackson, Ben Tate, and Ryan Mathews. I was also impressed by the Bronco's offense, but since I expected it to be absolutely terrible, this might not be saying much. Some defenses have impressed me/looked better than I thought they would, but this might be more a function of the offenses getting the rust off.
It is very difficult to gauge a player's value from stat lines and play-by-plays. For one, you don't know if they performed well with 1st team offense against 2nd team D, as was the case when Detroit scored against Pittsburgh. Also, it especially helps to see them at game speed.
DeSean Jackson just plays on another level. I would have to say he looks like the quickest player in the NFL. He looks faster than last year. He may not be the absolute fastest straight-line runner, but he is incredibly quick. He is the perfect player for the Andy Reid system.
Mathews is a stud. Whoever drafts him, Jason, will have a keeper for a few years. He's fast and powerful and even looked like he knew what he was doing on his first plays. San Diego might not miss V-Jax too much after all. When Rivers was in, they picked Chicago's first team defense to pieces.
Spiller and Lynch both looked more explosive than Fred Jackson in limited action. Too bad Jackson and Lynch will both be sidelined for awhile. This has to improve Spiller's stock though.
Turner is back. He basically had four carries right up the middle for 29 yards. In addition, he caught what I think is his first reception ever. If Atlanta's as good as I think they will be this year, I think Mike could top his '08 production, and you're all going down.
Ronnie Brown definitely looked like the best back in Miami. If it weren't for his horrendously difficult schedule, Ricky Williams handcuff, and propensity for landing on IR, he'd be a top-10 back.
Shipley and Gresham make one hell of a difference for the Bengals. For one, Carson clearly trusted both of them. Also, they demand attention. Gresham was consistently drawing double coverage, opening things up for everyone else, especially Shipley coming across underneath.
Forsett is the best back in Seattle without question. It still appears that Julius "Stuffed at the line of Scrimmage" Jones is going to receive a significant amount of carries though. It's a shame. It's also a shame that Whitehurst isn't going to start. He's the best QB they have right now.
And finally, Ben Tate. Unfortunately, the lad's season already appears to be over. He looked good for about 5 snaps. He was clearly the most gifted back they had. Foster looked okay, but this is still definitely going to be an aerial assault.
2018-19 Conference Honors & Awards
7 years ago
Due to Mandy's high school reunion, I really didn't watch any pre-season NFL stuff this weekend. I was really excited to see that Scott provided a summary, though. Then I got nervous that Scott's benevolence has a motive,and now I'm convinced that one out of four of his opinions is a ruse designed to trick us. Trust no one.
ReplyDeleteI'm right there with you on DeSean Jackson, though. He's the best deep threat this side of Randy Moss, and he played great with Kolb last year (if memory serves). He's also a bigger player than Kolb, so he's going to be able to demand the ball in a way that he couldn't with McNabb under center. I like Jackson a lot (as a player, I kind of despise him as a person).
I read a Bill Simmons fantasy piece a couple of years ago when he noted that he removed Julius Jones from his draft board when he learned that he smokes in the off season. How can a running back smoke? That amazes me. If I smoked, I probably would barely be able to drive to work, but Julius Jones can still start at RB in the NFL. I honestly think he got hit really hard one time his second season, and he's run timidly ever since then.
This is all legit, Jason. I will say that I am not being completely forthcoming with all my goodies though.
ReplyDeleteFair enough. If you tried to say you give us your unfiltered take, then I would question your honesty or your competitiveness. Now my perception of both is safely intact for you.
ReplyDeleteWhitehurst is da bomb.
ReplyDeleteI was not impressed with Tate for the simple reason that he suffered a season-ending injury. Ask the Bengals how that usually works out for highly regarded rookies.
ReplyDeleteAnthony Dixon was impressive, which is nice because he will be a "hope the guy in front of him gets injured" late round pick.
Bernard Scott put up an impressive line against the Broncos last night.
Felix Jones was really unimpressive. It looks as if Barber is still the starter, and Jones fumbled at the goalline against the Bengals.
Troy Williamson is a preseason stud. And that is all he is.
Ben, when did you start calling stuff "da bomb" again? I thought you retired that phrase after we played midnight basketball with drunk Austin Green in the dome.
ReplyDeleteThe Bernard Scott numbers were a fluke. He was playing against 2nd and 3rd teamers on D by the time he even first touched the ball, even though the first team O-line was still on the field for the Bengals. I'm no expert, but I think his fundamentals are lacking. More than once he outran his blocks. He needs a little more patience before he will be a solid RB. Cedric Peerman (a ravens cast-off) looked like a better RB to me.
ReplyDeleteA.Forsett is our best RB, but he's too small to do it all by himself. Julius Jones is going to have to do his part so Forsett can stay healthy.
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