49ers-28 Raiders-24
by Assassin32 on Aug 29, 2010 1:17 AM PDT
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Hey Raider Nation! im new to the Silver and Black Pride but i joined so i could show my love for this great franchise.
Anyway my feelings of the game
All in all i thought it wasnt that bad! the run defense definitely needs work as does the run offense (since bush has that broken thumb who knows how long he'll be out) the pass offense was great, scoring three times against the niners defensive startersis always a plus! however i have to admit i was sweatin' when Campbell got hurt but he'll be back in the opener i assure you! as far as Bruce Almighty is concerned. his performance has landed him the no.2 spot guranteed! as much as i would love to see bruce as the starter we all know it just aint going to happen! Both AL and Cable guy are too much in love with this guy to even consider that possibilty! though Bruce does bring a spark to the offense that i like. and i feel confident if something bad were to happen to campbell, that Bruce can take the field and finish what campbell started! Penalties were a huge problem especially those false start penalties. if we didnt have those, we would have won the game. It was nice to see DHB make some nice grabs and Murphy make a fool out of the secondary. but what i didnt like was that after the opening drive, the raiders offense was non existant until Bruce came in! so it makes you wonder what would have happened if campbell didnt get hurt. i didnt see the game cuz it was blacked out but thanks to the courtesy of Greg Papa and Coach Tom Flores i didnt miss a single down! Overall, the raiders did well! they still need to improve in certain areas but they got me excited and hungry for some raiders football! WATCH OUT TENNESSEE HERE COME THE RAIDERS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
SO NATION, WHAT DID YOU THINK???
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Don't be too sure about Cable's affections. Grad saved Tom's job and Cable strikes me as the loyal type even looks
like a hound.
S-O-B: ITS HOW I ROLL, DEAL WITH IT.
As Bruce's number one fan you must have been doing a little happy dance in the stands Son's
he looked great!
"We want to win. The Raider fans deserve it. The Raider players deserve it, even my organization deserves it. You have to win and you have to win with a vision for the Super Bowl. That's our passion here." - Al Davis
Can't be his number one fan, Oz, Spirals mumbles his name in her sleep
(disclaimer: meant as a joke)
S-O-B: ITS HOW I ROLL, DEAL WITH IT.
by Sons-of-Blanda on Aug 29, 2010 2:45 AM PDT up reply actions
hahahahaha
"We want to win. The Raider fans deserve it. The Raider players deserve it, even my organization deserves it. You have to win and you have to win with a vision for the Super Bowl. That's our passion here." - Al Davis
.......baaaahahahahaha
"We want to win. The Raider fans deserve it. The Raider players deserve it, even my organization deserves it. You have to win and you have to win with a vision for the Super Bowl. That's our passion here." - Al Davis
That is..............
very funny and I am sure true.
When you least expect it there I am waiting below to take you out......if your lucky.
by TheLyleAlzadoPunch on Aug 29, 2010 8:32 AM PDT up reply actions
Grad
Well at least he gave us some hope better than season……..
by Cash Money Brothers on Aug 31, 2010 9:48 PM PDT up reply actions
Come again.
S-O-B: ITS HOW I ROLL, DEAL WITH IT.
by Sons-of-Blanda on Aug 31, 2010 9:50 PM PDT up reply actions
Still a year away
We need to put Bruce Cambell at LT . He has the athletisism and quickness. Henderson is going to get our QB’s killed.
Reese and DHB had good games.
P.S. the Ref’s were obviously hating on us early.
"May the wind be at our back, here comes the Silver and Black "
Yeah
That holding call on Nnamdi was another biased bullshit call. The replay showed it was just a chuck and no grab.
When you least expect it there I am waiting below to take you out......if your lucky.
by TheLyleAlzadoPunch on Aug 29, 2010 8:33 AM PDT up reply actions
Either Veld or Soup. Mario makes me nervous for cause - don't know how Cool Blood sleeps at night w/ Henderson at blindside
The dilemma is this: Veld is playing better Center than we’ve seen in 8 years so do we replace Mario with Veld at LT?? And Campbell is doing well at RG do we move him to the left tackle and give up on running on our right side 2 gap? If someone, Peppers, beats Veldheer, at least the Dutchman slows him down to where the QB isn’t creamed.
S-O-B: ITS HOW I ROLL, DEAL WITH IT.
by Sons-of-Blanda on Aug 29, 2010 9:30 AM PDT up reply actions
??
Question? I’m a little confused. Does that mean that in the future, linebackers won’t be able to cut through the middle and makes plays in our backfield? I hope so. I think there may be a big learning curve when it comes to lineman.
Willis is the best LB in the game and Veldheer had one key mistake (that Carlisle was involved with, imo) but Cable
was diplomatic and hung the rookie out b/c he’s a rookie and criticism is expected. Same at LT, Veldheer took on another elite DE, Peppers, and only had a couple of muffs – one caused a fumble – but no clear / physically harmful shots on the QB. I saw the future of our OL last night and it’s called by a Dutch name.
S-O-B: ITS HOW I ROLL, DEAL WITH IT.
by Sons-of-Blanda on Aug 29, 2010 11:50 PM PDT up reply actions
I watched the play where JC got hurt
Henderson had a simple 1on1 assignment. He reacted so slow to the speed rush coming from the outside that he didn’t even get a hand on the rusher. He was in good position but just reacted “WAY TOO” slowly! This guy’s reaction time is too slow(at least on some plays) and thats unacceptable for a team who relies on a vertical threat. I absolutely agree that the V-man is our best option.
"May the wind be at our back, here comes the Silver and Black "
He was in good position but just reacted "WAY TOO" slowly!
He was in good position? What? He sucks. He let Jason get creamed by a LB not known for his pass-rushing skills. Also 1 game in which he gave up a sack and few good runs up the middle is too soon too say Veldheer has played the best center we’ve seen in 8 years. With that said I would like to see him start at LT because ANYBODY is an improvement over Super Mario.
Cowards die many times before their deaths
The valiant never taste of death but once.
WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE, Julius Caesar
Ok, sometimes the unkonwns get to you because they are unknown and trying to prove. (no film)
Did Super Mario shut down Mario Williams, or Freeney, or Ware or even Peppers? Is Veldheer going to shut down Williams, Freeney, or Ware? Peppers?
The RaiderLaker
Peppers almost had 2 sacks on Veldheer, that's to much pressure allowed by him. No.
Veldheer to C. This upcoming draft we have a 2nd round pick, lets use it. it won’t be a 3rd round pick like Veldheer, but he’ll thrive at C or G maybe RT but not even close to starting at LT. Nobody on this team is close to Henderson.
The RaiderLaker
I already have my eye on Orlano Franklin, this guy is no punk (demeanor, size).
Projected round 2nd or 3rd. link to his profile.
The RaiderLaker
It was a Blitz, and it was the best MLB in the game, and it was Veldheer's 1st start at Center. Jared drove people around
albeit without perfect technique – raw power and will. So, get a little perspective on the situation – I’m projecting V-man as the best Center to play for the Raiders since Robbins.
S-O-B: ITS HOW I ROLL, DEAL WITH IT.
by Sons-of-Blanda on Aug 30, 2010 5:19 PM PDT up reply actions
He was actually in position to make a block
But Henderson reacted way too slow.
Here’s a link to the play: http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-game-highlights/09000d5d81a17e3b/Campbell-injury
"May the wind be at our back, here comes the Silver and Black "
I was gonna say the exact same thing
Bruce Campbell should get reps as LT, veldheer should stay as C, henderson should move to RT, and walker? should move to RG
by word2bigbird on Aug 30, 2010 8:03 AM PDT up reply actions
I was gonna say the exact same thing
Bruce Campbell should get reps as LT, veldheer should stay as C, henderson should move to RT, and walker? should move to RG
by word2bigbird on Aug 30, 2010 8:03 AM PDT up reply actions
and you did
S-O-B: ITS HOW I ROLL, DEAL WITH IT.
by Sons-of-Blanda on Aug 30, 2010 11:55 AM PDT up reply actions
lol!
finally, a valid solution! I’m afraid we all will not actually find out we’re better off without this guy, until after he proves me right this season.
"If your only ambition in life, is to be a better person; well, that's just the best ambition you can have..." Wayne "Rabbit" Bartholomew
The momentum of the offense
was killed on stupid play calling. Too much play action with Willis blitzing untouched. As soon as Grad went in they went back to what they did on the first drive. And we scored.
Mere smoke screens. Hue will unleash his brand of offensive hell
and the “bully,” will rear its ugly head come season. Do not worry about the play calling.
We will even be pleased with how McFadden is being used, and may even be surprised to see some of the ways.
"If your only ambition in life, is to be a better person; well, that's just the best ambition you can have..." Wayne "Rabbit" Bartholomew
Dude
As a fellow asshole I hope you are right. McBroken can’t handle constant LB or D line hits at the point of penetration for 20 plus carries.
When you least expect it there I am waiting below to take you out......if your lucky.
by TheLyleAlzadoPunch on Aug 29, 2010 3:51 PM PDT up reply actions
Must have been a final experiment to satisy anyone doubting McFeebles RB abiliy. But, if the type of playcalling
continues in regular season I will crucify Jackson in a post.
S-O-B: ITS HOW I ROLL, DEAL WITH IT.
by Sons-of-Blanda on Aug 29, 2010 3:57 PM PDT up reply actions
I still say we trade McFadden. He’s a bust.
True knowledge consists in knowing that you know nothing
lol! While I'm not totally against entertaining the idea
it ain’t gonna happen, dude. Patience, nation, Patience!
It is only preseason, and while the playcalling was extremely vanilla and predictable, it was for the most part, executed brilliantly, and therefore effective.
Running McFadden through any lane off tackle or inside where he requires instinct to make guys miss will never, ever work. You’ve pointed out, I believe it was you, that he should only be tossed to or thrown to, and I believe Hue realizes this is his strength, and we are all pretty clear as to what his weaknesses are. Hue will exploit the strengths.
I expect the nation to be impatient under the circumstances, but believe we will all be pleasantly surprised come season.
It does appear we’ll keep Bennett and Cartrwright now for good measure. Hopefully Bush can use his big casted hand to our advantage, like the Raiders of the past did!
"If your only ambition in life, is to be a better person; well, that's just the best ambition you can have..." Wayne "Rabbit" Bartholomew
Bring back the club! Haha. And I’ve never been a fan of McFadden. He’s one of those players who were meant for college ball. Only good on sweeps and tosses, but now his speed isn’t getting him anywhere cause NFL players are just as fast.
I’m willling to give him till Week 6 to fully judge, but if not by then, BUST. Haha.
True knowledge consists in knowing that you know nothing
He should be used like Reggie Bush
b/c Michael Bush is an every down RB. A bruiser and a beast. McFadden is cool for what he is. A slash back. Put him on punt returns, line him up as WR. Use him on screens and tosses. Other than that, let Bush hit the holes.
yes, and if he's not used intelligently like that cut him and the other guy
S-O-B: ITS HOW I ROLL, DEAL WITH IT.
by Sons-of-Blanda on Aug 29, 2010 6:39 PM PDT up reply actions
exactly
i would love to imitate the Saints offense.
they should also do more rollouts and deep bombs like Brees does when he goes deep to marques colston
by word2bigbird on Aug 30, 2010 8:07 AM PDT up reply actions
exactly
i would love to imitate the Saints offense.
they should also do more rollouts and deep bombs like Brees does when he goes deep to marques colston
by word2bigbird on Aug 30, 2010 8:07 AM PDT up reply actions
agree
He just doesn’t have the power to be a bruising inside the tackles back. Maybe a short down receiving back or special teams but I say after week 6 if he still has the same lack of production send him to the UFL
by Cash Money Brothers on Aug 31, 2010 9:51 PM PDT up reply actions
first off.... welcome to S&BP
secondly… tennessee will have a hellofaday if our defense keeps givin up big plays! but the house aint crumbling yet… so fat. we have a good QB and a proficient Backup but these preseason games are a way to gauge their gameplan efficiency and to fill out the rest of the roster.
we cant judge this team on their preseason performance!
aka GOLDENBOYWARRIOR
Watching that game made me fearful of what to expect week 1 against Chris Johnson.
I’ll be shocked to admit Tommy Kelly made good plays and got good penetration on several plays however he needs to bring that intensity every down he’s in on. There were way too many plays where the interior line just blew gaping holes through the lines. As if that wasn’t enough with the exception of Tyvon the rest of our defensive backfield looked like they forgot how to take on the runners once they started downhill. This is worrying especially after just 1 week after a 90 yard TD run where noone touched the ball carrier.
Cowards die many times before their deaths
The valiant never taste of death but once.
WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE, Julius Caesar
Overall...
Offensively we were looking great early and then seemed to just start going through the motions for a while. Not trying to take away from Bruce because he was great out there but part of the reason he was so good was because after the line let Campbell get hurt they really started blocking again. Not to sound salty but even though Willis had some nice defensive moves and Dixon was a beast on the run game, the Niners didn’t get one single hold called on them as far as I can remember and that last touchdown was a joke to me (how could he have made it in there when you could clearly see his own man in front of him when he went down?!?). Glad to see Heyward-Bey doing his thing though.
+1
On that return for a tochdown you can see a 49er making a block in the back that was SO Obvious. Hue and Tom need to start “working” on the ref’s, or it’s(bias) gonna hold us back greatly.
"May the wind be at our back, here comes the Silver and Black "
Tons more positive thans negatives than last year. Real, tangible positives, at that.
Welcome aboard, stick around, and let’s talk come season, when we’ll have a better idea if some of our hype is for real or not. I’m absolutely inclined to believe it is, but need to see a lot still.
The weakness and demise of the division has me even more positive about it all.
"If your only ambition in life, is to be a better person; well, that's just the best ambition you can have..." Wayne "Rabbit" Bartholomew
Not sure what you mean by 'hype' - we've been seeing things for 3 weeks and I, for one, am not even hearing, let alone
being carried away by, any hype. Perhaps you’re referring to the greater football community at large that is finally acknowledging that we have significantly improved. That’s not really hype though, more like a recalibration coming closer to reality.
S-O-B: ITS HOW I ROLL, DEAL WITH IT.
by Sons-of-Blanda on Aug 29, 2010 4:02 PM PDT up reply actions
I am referring to the actual media that suddenly sees what we have been seeing
and know there is a greater level of talent that manifests itself in plays made, and a different identity altogether. Not at all referring to those of us here; in fact, I believe we have been at times as in tune to our team as the players and coaches are.
There are also areas I believe coaches must be seeing something more than we do. Perhaps ‘hype’ was not the best choice of words, here, but I think you understood what I mean anyway.
Really saying I can’t wait for season so I can see it equate to Ws on the scoreboard, because until then, it really means nothing.
"If your only ambition in life, is to be a better person; well, that's just the best ambition you can have..." Wayne "Rabbit" Bartholomew
My expectations have come down since our opener with Dallas even though we did pretty well in Chicago
I knew in my bones we’d have an improved D-line and indeed we do. But, I just don’t see much difference yet with our linebacking. These ongoing blunders in our 2nd row are not disappearing and we will suffer humiliation in Tenessee if Marshall/Haluchak/Ro/Wimbley&Scott don’t get it together.
S-O-B: ITS HOW I ROLL, DEAL WITH IT.
by Sons-of-Blanda on Aug 29, 2010 4:24 PM PDT up reply actions
not entirely sold on Scott's and Wimbley's abilities to play Will and Sam
Both possess tremendous pass rush abilities, but are unproven and suspect in reading and reacting to the run, and in coverage. A certain degree of this is to be expected from Rolando, but I want to see it soon, myself.
"If your only ambition in life, is to be a better person; well, that's just the best ambition you can have..." Wayne "Rabbit" Bartholomew
I can live with the Offense, but all this talk about a new Defense I am seeing the same old stuff. Man to Man no zone coverage and its killing us. I hope we are holding things back on Defense and if we are going to win games with our defense man to man isn’t going to cut it. We have a good base defense but when it doesn’t work we look lost as if we can’t run any other defense. If Marshall isn’t going to have the balls to change up the defense he needs to go.
Consider what Wauffle and acquiring Houston have done for our OLine. Plus the constantly improving Shaughnessy
I don’t believe Marshall’s hairball ideas (just look at the peek-a-boo bullshit going on in the 2nd Row) interfere that much with Wauffles Line. If this shit continues I will crucify him in a post and call for Minnesota’s Frazier to come and take over DC duties.
S-O-B: ITS HOW I ROLL, DEAL WITH IT.
by Sons-of-Blanda on Aug 29, 2010 9:27 PM PDT up reply actions
Peek-a-boo bullshit? You mean showing blitz and not blitzing?
True knowledge consists in knowing that you know nothing
I mean our efficiency of taking our own MLB out of the play. We seem to be getting better at it each week and at the
rate we’re going CJ will get 150 no problem (Gore had 58 w/ only two carries). Yeah, if Marshall hasn’t figured out that this shit doesn’t work – how many sacks do our MLBs have now? And if Jackson doesn’t figure out that McDud can’t run between the ends then its crucifixions along the roadside just like in Spartacus.
S-O-B: ITS HOW I ROLL, DEAL WITH IT.
by Sons-of-Blanda on Aug 29, 2010 11:29 PM PDT up reply actions
Well, you and I have had our questions about McClain for months now. I didn’t get to actually watch him play, but I have heard it was rather average.
And I don’t really think it’s Marshalls fault at the moment. I mean, we have 3 LB’s playing in a 4-3 who all belong in a 3-4. So, it may just be adjusting. But as far as showing blitz and not blitzing, it’s done all the time. It’s just to throw off the O-line and maybe get ’em to offstart.
Was Hue running Darren off the edge or up the middle? Maybe he was just testing him since Bush injured his thumb. It’s preseason, a time for testing you know.
True knowledge consists in knowing that you know nothing
I'm not laying the LBs dismal performance last night on McClain. Marshall is probably at the bottom of it and now
I realize why Al doesn’t trust him. I’d be happy at this point for a Vanilla 2nd Row – just read the ball and go make a hard tackle – nothing fancy no greed for TFLs just basic solid hit-n-wrap-up LB play.
With regard to McBirdlegs, Hugh Jackson went back to smell Cable’s vomit.
S-O-B: ITS HOW I ROLL, DEAL WITH IT.
by Sons-of-Blanda on Aug 30, 2010 12:03 AM PDT up reply actions
Wasn’t hit-n-wrap-up what Morrison was doing?
True knowledge consists in knowing that you know nothing
Kirk was a technically good tackler
S-O-B: ITS HOW I ROLL, DEAL WITH IT.
by Sons-of-Blanda on Aug 30, 2010 6:57 AM PDT up reply actions
I have to agree with both of you.
DMC hasn’t shown me anything good. From what the Defense showed me the other day we will be lucky if CJ get only 150 on the ground. He might break the single game rushing record. From what I seen so far the Cowboys have problems so I won’t count that game. The Bears game we allowed a RB who didn’t do nothing all last year run a 89 yard touchdown. We didn’t force Jay Cutler to throw any INT’s. We didn’t even confused him he rolled out the pocket “touchdown” Yeah we got 5 sacks but did we force any fumbles or turnovers no. I see the same old defense that work last year or the year before. Don’t call me crazy but if we don’t stop run we might very well lose to the Rams. Coming into this year I thought the defense was the strong part of the team but now I think the offense is going to score at least 17 to keep us in games.
I'm becoming aware that our DC and MLB coach are the 2 weakest links not named Mario
S-O-B: ITS HOW I ROLL, DEAL WITH IT.
by Sons-of-Blanda on Aug 30, 2010 11:58 AM PDT up reply actions
Meh
They still can’t penetrate into the backfield when it comes to stopping to run, and on the Forte touchdown vs. the Bears, they bowled over like pins. All of them. They ought to just try and get Howie Long to coach the D Line, somebody who actually knows something about it. Mike Wauffle? Another assistant coach cast off.
That wasn't on Wauflle. The gaps aren't being filled b/c the LBs are positioned in a tutti-frutti (opposite of vanila)arrangement.
S-O-B: ITS HOW I ROLL, DEAL WITH IT.
by Sons-of-Blanda on Aug 30, 2010 10:18 PM PDT up reply actions
Other teams
Use unconventional defensive formations with great success. And lord knows the Raiders put the ‘C’ in conventional with their antiquated ideas. We better hope Marshall can keep talking sense into Davis because the game isn’t nearly as simple as it was back in the 60s, which Davis is still thinking about. In any event, they took three guys who’ve never played together, one a rookie, one a converted DE, and forced them to be a unit. They can’t be expected to pick up the slack for a DL which hasn’t been good at stopping the run in almost a decade.
Do you believe that Al has loosened the reigns on the O and not the D? Or, do your eyes not inform you that
what we’re doing out their in the 2nd row is foolhardy? Has Marshall become insane? I promise you if he plans and strategizes for Tennessee as he did for SF, CJ will have 200 yards. Why can’t we put a MLB on a Gore or Forte and track him on 1st and 10? Is it too obvious? If anything, Al has given Marshall too much control. Marshall has bewitched our beloved Owner and is squandering his estate.
S-O-B: ITS HOW I ROLL, DEAL WITH IT.
by Sons-of-Blanda on Aug 30, 2010 11:00 PM PDT up reply actions
Really SOB
Don’t you think you’re being a bit dramatic here?
Last year they blamed the defensive woes on the LBs, and benched or traded all of them. Got themselves a whole new crew. Clearly they haven’t been good against the run this pre-season, so how is that different from last year or the year before that or the year before that (before Marshall ever got there)? Is it really defensive formations that are supposed to make the difference, and not players beating their man?
Marshall is the constant whereas Al has had rush defenses that have stunned the verld.
Most agree that Ro is an upgrade to Capn. Kirk, Howard’s still on the depth chart, so Scott’s considered an upgrade, Wimbley (believe it or not) is considered an upgrade. So we should be better just by upgrades. But, what do we see if not what we saw?
S-O-B: ITS HOW I ROLL, DEAL WITH IT.
by Sons-of-Blanda on Aug 31, 2010 1:32 PM PDT up reply actions
Sons... if anything, it's the other way around. Marshall is restrained.
Marshall has not been here the last 7 years. Marshall had nothing to do with Rob Ryan not being able to stop the run. Something else… the scheme is clearly outdated. It smells of ignorance/old glory/selfishness/egotisticalness, What blind fool still uses this scheme in today’s NFL…?
*
Tenessee holds the key to the truth, if we can’t stop the run still, the problem is not the players, but the man that instills certain predictable principles, it may just be our downfall. But let’s wait and see, maybe something has changed, this is preseason after all…..
The RaiderLaker
You sure are right.
Nnamdi should have like 10 ints a year but because he plays for us it will never happen. We don’t put him position because every QB know we are playing man to man they just look the other way. I wonder how we have Mitchell, Branch, and Huff and all them to have like 1 sack and 3 int’s combined. Mitchell should be coming off the edge on 3rd down like how the Eagles used Dawkins and short coverage on RB’s. Huff is can play the slot guy from time to time or blitz. I see all this talent but its not being used right Branch is as fast as any safety in the NFL but we use him as a box safety. Both our outside LB are going to get picked on all year
Sadly I agree on both counts.
However why did they all decide to acquire these players who are all suited perfectly to play a 3-4 including our D-ends (Seymour and Houston)? Its Rob Ryan all over again except the other way around. Also I understand why they’re trying to show different looks blitzing since that’s the best way to utlize these players however if they were going to just focus on read and react and just wrap and tackle then they should have just simplified the defense and keep Morrison and Howard as the starting LBs. Its simple back to school fundamentals but the guys the have aren’t suited for what this defense is asking.
Cowards die many times before their deaths
The valiant never taste of death but once.
WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE, Julius Caesar
+1
Any number of DCs and members of our Nation could set this D up better than what I witnessed from Marshall Saturday.
S-O-B: ITS HOW I ROLL, DEAL WITH IT.
by Sons-of-Blanda on Aug 30, 2010 5:21 PM PDT up reply actions
It's just too bad we even feel the need for these debates
I mean, damn, when are they fix the team already? Some progress each year would be nice, but in some areas, it just seems like more of the same.
Been busy, only seen the first half so far...
But it is taped, so I can finish soon… lol
So far:
1) Veldheer was not bad at C, there were times that he got a nice push on running plays, but there were also times that he wasn’t able to even get an inch. It looks to me (although I’m not a OL expert) that he needs to work on his pad level, especially with his size. Seemed to struggle more in pass protection, but not a bad effort. Given more time and reps, it looks like he could settle into the position and be who knows how good, he has a lot of upside. Still, I wouldn’t say that he’s ready to take the spot, and expect Satele to continue as the starter (ugh).
2) Carlisle is probably the weakest link on the line, getting manhandled too often at the point of attack. The sooner he is relegated to the bench, the better off the entire line will be.
3) Damn, Iupati looked good. I just knew he was going to be solid, I wish that we could’ve traded down in the first to get him…
4) I have asked whether Houston was going to elevate his game, and he did. A solid effort, it isn’t just sacks that are needed from him: he showed a good push on a consistent basis, good reaction and pursuit, and was able to penetrate and provide pressure. If he does that again in the final preseason game, then I will say that he has earned the spot.
5) Unfortunately, the best blocking on a kickoff came when Cartwright fumbled the ball. The ST are still not where they need to be; better than last year, but not good enough. There seem to be a number of options for KR/PR, but for them to be successful, the blocking/schemes needs to get better.
6) Gradkowski played better than expected, after his injury time off. It looks like he has the confidence of the team after last year, so I would expect that Boller, who has earned a roster spot, will be the third QB, and be given the opportunity to fight for the backup spot. (It seems a certainty that Campbell will start)
7) McFadden played better, and showed how he has been misused in the past. I’m not worried about the playcalling as yet, because it’s preseason and you don’t give away your playbook, but he looked good catching balls out of the backfield, ran hard, and protected the ball better than he has before. I certainly hope that Jackson will use more of his strengths, but it will take the regular season to find that out.
8) The run defense looks improved, but still appears to be susceptible to giving up big chunks on the ground, especially to power running teams. Part of that was the fact that the OG’s for San Francisco, Rachal and Iupati, are powerful blockers, but it didn’t help that the defense helped them with some poor tackling and missed assignments. One game doesn’t change the fact that they played very well the two games previous, but with recent history being what it is, they need to come out and have another good game against Seattle to settle down some folks that are suddenly more nervous than they were last week.
More when I finish the game…
Failure builds character; success reveals it
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