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I think the instincts are there in the run game... You're right though about his speed and he is a little awkward in the passing game. That won't get much better I presume. I think he can get to be a top 10 to 15 MLB if he stays healthy, even with his flaws. You know he's gonna work at it, that's for sure.

John , I actually agree with some of your points on POZ (especially last season) though I think you've got a "book" on him in your head and refuse to see the possibility of change/ growth. This is the NFL and players develop here. There are millions of examples, like E Moulds who took 3 years, Bruce Smith, Andre Reed... Hell Kelly was an interception machine in the beginning and he even had some USFL seasoning between college and the NFL. POZ to me looks a lot more decisive and is not over-running plays as much from what I've seen so far this year. You rely too much on a "snapshot" of a player in my opinion.

While youboty is indeed a better tackler than corner (or just about anyone on the team) , I disagree that he is a better cover guy.

Agreed on the promising new guys.... Looks like Nic Harris had a REAL rough game last night though which is unfortunate for him. Hopefully he'll shake it off and continue his good play and get a shot.

I certainly view it that way too (a Work in progress) but Trent is not a proven commodity and needs the work too. The O-line has indeed pass protected well though. You can say no but its not really accurate, atleast relatively speaking - Walker held up extremely well vs. the Steelers vaunted right side rush. The linemen who do get pushed back are maintaining their position instead of getting "Olayed" or put on their backs like past seasons. Center play has been 5 times better than any of the recent guys manning the position. The inner 3 seem to play as a unit, elbow to elbow, instead of the individuals they have been in past years. multiple Sacks have come on plays where TE has a man crossing open in front of him. Trent has played better in the past behind worse groups of linemen.

While you're points definitely ring true in a general sense, real problems can be due to small specific areas and it is clear that TE is off his game. It is also clear that the pass protection he has received from the O-line has been pretty good (Of course the RB pass protection is a whole other story). You're right though, it does start with the O-line.... and in Pass Protection, they have done their part.

Since were apparently being ridiculous I'll say TO and Stroud

Gotta disagree for the most part. From what I have seen the O-line is playing quite well on passing plays and giving TE enough time to do something more than checking down to the last option every time. Your point holds more true re: the running game as there are few holes out there so far, although they've really only run basic up the gut plays. Something has got to change and change fast with TE because his loss of confidence has shrunk the field and made things real easy for defenses against us.

Lol

Hardy has been running routes, including cutting, for at least a month. Not sure where the reports about running straight only stemmed from. There was a video spotlight of him on BB.com about a month ago.

watch and see - Copeland Bryan will be cut once again with both Kelsay and Denney retained. It sure seems like the wrong move but I bet it's what we'll see At least Ellis will be there pushing these guys this time....

Simon, my younger boy is 9 and his arm was "discovered" his 3rd day in of football practice (1st year of playing) by his coach and now he is being groomed as a backup QB this year and they hope him to start some next year. He's playing safety for his other position. Any how, we do a lot of work in the back yard with having him call the play out in the "huddle" (which is really just him and I and his brother) and get up to the line and check over his alignment and then execute whatever the play was. A lot of the work is making sure he turns the right way after the snap if it's a running play, making sure he readies the ball quickly for a dive play, takes two steps out to the running back for say an off tackle play, etc... For passing plays we try to make sure he holds the ball up high, often with his second hand helping secure the ball as he scans the field for his receiver. We try to make sure he doesn't get his feet too grounded as he looks things over from the 3 step drop, so he can "snap" into the throw. Sounds like your guy might be a little further along than this but any time I ask the coach what to work on with him he goes back to these fundamentals like his positioning for the snap and making sure he checks the backfield and player alignments pre-snap, making sure his loud and clear in the huddle, knows the plays inside and out, etc. We haven't progressed to looking off the safety yet, lol.

Not to dispute your overall point (because I agree that Trent needs to see down the field better) but that happens like 2-3 times a GAME for EVERY team. Watch the other teams we play when you're sitting in your season ticket seats, you'll see it a lot. There are a multitude of factors that affect a given play that cause this to happen. It is normal.

Only part I'll disagree with is: "Run defense - overpowered at the POA. Especially to the defense's left side. " I saw that more as they over committed to and stuffed the Pack at the point of attack, but the cutback lane was open all night long.

I agree with most of this. Kelsay has been invisible. Let's let these guys (Ellis and Bryan) get a chance to play with the starters a bit. They look hungry out there and are producing.

great post!

I agree with most of this. Was at the game last night and we were very impressed with Harris, Bryan and Ellis. All 3 consistently made plays. Glad someone else noticed our 2's were going against their 1's too!

Lots of non-factual emotionally based rants, mixed in with a few fair points PTP. meh Cya!

Likewise, although I've only been there for one.

I was there with my Dad and my girlfriend (now Wife )... We left with a couple minutes left because she could no longer feel her feet whatsoever. Lucky win but good teams tend to get the luck don't they?

They have both played the quarterback position. That makes them comparable I guess.

Ahh yes the tackles "5 yards downfield" guys ... Lets not even go there.

J Peters might have been a big brat when it comes to negotiations and didn't play too well when he skipped long periods of practice, but for anyone to question or downplay his abilities (or his performance for that matter) in 06, 07 or once he was conditioned in 08 is nothing short of ignorance. Throw all your expert quotes and numbers out the window. Watch football Over time, You'll notice traits about guys (when in their prime) like Anthony Munoz, Will Wolford, Orlando Pace, Eric Williams, Walter Jones, Art Shell, Jackie Slater, etc. etc. Traits you might notice are: Footwork Balance Strength knee bend / how do they drop their hips hand fighting ability Traits that we might not ever really know on a player: Football intelligence Pre-Snap reads who's responsibility it is to do what on a particular play So, while looking at the traits we can compare to other players as fans, somebody please try and argue that J Peters did not have excellent Footwork, balance, Strength, Knee bend and hand fighting ability comparable to some of these greats... Look at his one on one matchups over the time he was here ... He was dominant most of the time. J Peters may have turned into a jacka$$ but lets not try to make ourselves feel better and question that he has greatness potential at LT. And many of the coaches and players across the league support the idea that has has greatness within himself.

Reed was a mid 4.5 runner he just had more will and desire than most and was fast in pads. One of the best ever and truly under-rated.

Thanks Everyone!