Originally Posted by
Chief Tyler
Here's a little of what I saw:
Cassel was 2/5, true. 2 of them were drops, Ryan missed a routine catch and Copper was being hit but honestly should have caught it. The only real incompletion was thrown high, but it was still potentially catchable. Pass protection and weather didn't do him any favors, but his throws were for the most part right on the money. I.E. - his first completion for 12 or so he threw away from the DB, anywhere else and it would have been knocked way. His incompletion to Ryan was right at the sideline, thrown into his stride, almost perfect throw. Sure he fumbled a snap, but that's nothing to be worried about, it's a simple mistake, it happens. I can't wait until he's throwing with his first team wideouts and not a couple guys that might not make the roster. The running game looked pretty solid, I really liked what I saw from LJ and Battle.
Defense had a bunch of positives. We were pressuring the quarterback on most plays. The D was burned a couple times on a couple cut back runs, but for the most part I liked what I saw from both ends in the run and pass game. Hali definately looked like a linebacker today as far as size and build go, he was getting some nice pressure too. I like how Pendergast is using the Safeties in his Blitz schemes, Page was making some hits! What it came down to for me; the front 7 overperformed from what I expected, when we gave up some longer passes the QB was probably out of the pocket and he found a receiver in the middle of the field where Pollard was hurt and we were using backup guys in place of Thomas (Mays, Stude and Belcher all looked good at LB from time to time).
Special teams was impressive, aside from the lack of a return game. I don't even have to mention Succop, but Colquitt looked faithful as always, even his shank wasn't absolutely awful.
A few things I want to see against the Vikes are Hali in coverage, more pressure and improvement from the front 3, Cassel working with Bowe, Toomer and Engram and a little more of Charles, maybe in a Reggie Bush type role. I'm not going to get down on 7 if he doesn't perform to his best against the Vikes, that line is pretty scary, but playing against their DLine can only make our Oline better.