Guess I'll throw out some thoughts here:
Overall, I was okay with this game. Not happy with it, but not totally freaking out, either. By far the biggest concern is the backup QB spot; just got to hope Kap doesn't get hurt at this point. But I saw some real reasons for optimism for the second week in a row. Disclaimer: I watched the game on tape delay, and knew the score deep in the second half, so maybe it just looked good to me relative to that.
I thought Kap played pretty well. Really should have had the deep TD ball to Lloyd, and I thought Stevie should have caught that ball, though I didn't see a replay and didn't get a great look at the pass. I liked that he was actually going through some progressions - certainly still room to grow in that area - and wasn't afraid to check down to the RB. Doing that even a couple times a game will make a big difference in terms of his completion numbers and in terms of keeping drives alive.
McDonald had a great catch. I know he's struggled in practice, but in the games he's shown good hands.
I thought the OL generally played quite well. They were opening holes for the RBs, and stonewalled most of Denver's pass rush. The DL also played well against the run. The pass rush leaves something to be desired, but I think getting all the starters back and getting a true rotation going should really pay dividends. I'm very pleased to see Dial and Carradine getting so many reps.
Ellington had another good game. Kid's fun to watch, though if he has to play much more with Gabbert he's going to get hurt. He's really challenging to suit up and play a role on Sundays this year.
I am very pleased with what I've see of the draft class this year. No one has looked absolutely exceptional - though Hyde has looked quite good. But they've all shown signs of why we drafted them. Frankly, I was a little irritated that Acker had that great drive, as it may make him a prime target for teams after cuts. It's hard to envision him on the roster at this point, but maybe he's playing himself into the conversation. Borland had a few miscues, but also some good plays. Putting him next to Willis should make a difference. Martin seemed to settle downt this weekend and showed the promise that had people saying he was the best center in this class. Lynch did a nice job of holding the edge and staying fairly assignment sound (got slightly out of position a couple times, but used his quickness and length to make a play). If he can keep his head on straight, he's got a future. Very promising from a select few young players.
That said, some of the vets have me worried. Dahl just isn't very good, and Spillman couldn't seem to make a tackle. Safety could be a little thin, though at least now we can put Ward there, or possibly even Johnson in a pinch (is he the new Culliver in terms of constant speculation about playing safety?).
Anyway, on the whole it actually was a lot more promising than the score indicates, IMO. Though we've got to be able to finish come the regular season.
There are 219 users in the forums
Preseason Week 2 - 2014: Thoughts after watching the game...
Aug 18, 2014 at 5:14 PM
- CrimsonCrew
- Veteran
- Posts: 41
Aug 18, 2014 at 5:21 PM
- 9moon
- Veteran
- Posts: 20,165
Gabbert - Harbaugh recruited him out of high school, I expect him to stay.
Hampton - we're just using him and giving him the time that he deserve for being a hard worker thruout the years. he's not gonna make the team, we just need his body in pre season.
Borland - i say to start learning Bruce Miller's assignment on offense.
Steve Johnson over Brandon Lloyd anytime.
Skov to make the team because Constanzo will be on IR
Chase Thomas - I think he's already better than Dan Skuta.
LJ McCray - Since we're playing and using some vanilla scheme on Defense, I'd like to see this missile (McCray) w/ more playing time and hope to replace CJ Spillman.
Hampton - we're just using him and giving him the time that he deserve for being a hard worker thruout the years. he's not gonna make the team, we just need his body in pre season.
Borland - i say to start learning Bruce Miller's assignment on offense.
Steve Johnson over Brandon Lloyd anytime.
Skov to make the team because Constanzo will be on IR
Chase Thomas - I think he's already better than Dan Skuta.
LJ McCray - Since we're playing and using some vanilla scheme on Defense, I'd like to see this missile (McCray) w/ more playing time and hope to replace CJ Spillman.
Aug 18, 2014 at 5:33 PM
- eonblue
- Veteran
- Posts: 3,852
Originally posted by Marvin49:P
Again....no clue what you're talking about.
He didn't force the ball. Crabtree dropped it.
It just seems odd to me that you would point out a weakness we all know he has in a game in which he was demonstrating he was getting better.
Let it go.
Has he demonstrated he was getting better?
I mean we've heard he was working on it but 9moon is responding to that by saying it appears he hasn't gotten better.
Its a valid observation that you just kind of dismissed which in itself is odd.
Also it would be nice if he didn't bullet every pass that goes down the middle. I know he has improved his touch but he has a tendency towards the bullet.
[ Edited by eonblue on Aug 18, 2014 at 5:43 PM ]
Aug 18, 2014 at 5:43 PM
- Gore_21
- Veteran
- Posts: 12,684
Originally posted by CrimsonCrew:Nice summary good to see effort like that from new posters. Welcome aboard.
Guess I'll throw out some thoughts here:
Pretty much agree with all. I like your point about the draft class. Like you said nobody is really standing out (well maybe Hyde and Ellington some what) but all are playing really well. Ward, Hyde, Martin, Borland, Ellington, Lynch, Acker are all showing signs of great potential and many are showing they could contribute from day one if need be. Plus next year will be great to add Millard who I think will be an instant upgrade over Tukuafu who should be gone soon and make the team as the #2 FB/#4 or 5 RB/ST/catches out of backfield/etc. Same with Thomas who at worst should be a solid backup. Reaser and Ramsey not sure what to expect out of them know little about them.
Aug 18, 2014 at 7:06 PM
- NinerFan408
- Veteran
- Posts: 747
Originally posted by 9moon:
Gabbert - Harbaugh recruited him out of high school, I expect him to stay.
Hampton - we're just using him and giving him the time that he deserve for being a hard worker thruout the years. he's not gonna make the team, we just need his body in pre season.
Borland - i say to start learning Bruce Miller's assignment on offense.
Steve Johnson over Brandon Lloyd anytime.
Skov to make the team because Constanzo will be on IR
Chase Thomas - I think he's already better than Dan Skuta.
LJ McCray - Since we're playing and using some vanilla scheme on Defense, I'd like to see this missile (McCray) w/ more playing time and hope to replace CJ Spillman.
Chase Thomas is no where near Dan Skuta. Im so glad you arent the GM. Skuta sets the edge very well and he can get pressure. He is solid as a backup OLB and special teams maven. Chase Thomas just doesnt have it at this level.
Aug 18, 2014 at 7:10 PM
- NinerFan408
- Veteran
- Posts: 747
Originally posted by eonblue:
Originally posted by Marvin49:P
Again....no clue what you're talking about.
He didn't force the ball. Crabtree dropped it.
It just seems odd to me that you would point out a weakness we all know he has in a game in which he was demonstrating he was getting better.
Let it go.
Has he demonstrated he was getting better?
I mean we've heard he was working on it but 9moon is responding to that by saying it appears he hasn't gotten better.
Its a valid observation that you just kind of dismissed which in itself is odd.
Also it would be nice if he didn't bullet every pass that goes down the middle. I know he has improved his touch but he has a tendency towards the bullet.
I would say that by looking deep multiple times, and then checking down to his safety valve, that in itself shows vast improvement. That makes it multiple reads in one play vs locking on to just one target.Watch his head during pass plays , it shows up watching live vs last year.
Aug 18, 2014 at 7:23 PM
- tohara3
- Veteran
- Posts: 28,604
Nice job Marvin49. Was tough to watch once, glad preseason is half over
Aug 18, 2014 at 7:23 PM
- Bluesbro
- Veteran
- Posts: 12,992
Member Milestone:
This is post number 1,500 for Bluesbro.
Originally posted by 9moon:
Remember, we lost SB to the Ravens because Kap audibled twice from a running play into a passing play, both intended to Crabb..
I never heard that? Is this true? Not saying it is not, just that I never heard that he changed either one of those plays, let alone both. And for the record, both of those plays were penalties on the Ravens, particularly the helmet to helmet. C'est la vie I guess.
Aug 18, 2014 at 7:24 PM
- gold49digger
- Veteran
- Posts: 17,322
Originally posted by ChazBoner:
kap was a little too hyped up it seems. No need for the 100mph fastballs.
This. He needs to calm the f**k down sometimes
Aug 18, 2014 at 7:33 PM
- eonblue
- Veteran
- Posts: 3,852
Originally posted by NinerFan408:
I would say that by looking deep multiple times, and then checking down to his safety valve, that in itself shows vast improvement. That makes it multiple reads in one play vs locking on to just one target.Watch his head during pass plays , it shows up watching live vs last year.
Thats like a read and a half. He's probably eyeing the safety to see if his deep read is open and then going to check down. Hes never really had a problem making a deep read and then hitting his safety valve. The safety valve is usually setting in a cleared out zone so its not hard play to read at all.
Aug 18, 2014 at 7:37 PM
- NinerFan408
- Veteran
- Posts: 747
Originally posted by eonblue:
Thats like a read and a half. He's probably eyeing the safety to see if his deep read is open and then going to check down. Hes never really had a problem making a deep read and then hitting his safety valve. The safety valve is usually setting in a cleared out zone so its not hard play to read at all.
what all the forcing the ball to crabtree talk then? now checking down isnt a problem?
Aug 18, 2014 at 7:49 PM
- SofaKing
- Veteran
- Posts: 27,442
Originally posted by eonblue:
Thats like a read and a half. He's probably eyeing the safety to see if his deep read is open and then going to check down. Hes never really had a problem making a deep read and then hitting his safety valve. The safety valve is usually setting in a cleared out zone so its not hard play to read at all.
So what? Every successful QB narrows down the # of reads pre-snap based off expected coverage and defensive alignment. If you have to cycle through 3 to 5 reads every snap than you're in big trouble. The whole point of the game is to make good, quick decisions.
How many times did Manning go through multiple progressions yesterday? Seems like half of his attempts were simple WR screens that involved ZERO progression post-snap whatsoever.
Aug 18, 2014 at 8:49 PM
- Black24Razor
- Veteran
- Posts: 1,315
Originally posted by 9moon:
I say we still look like a mess out there...
I'm also afraid that other team has learned to takeaway Kap's initial target and is forcing him to go his progression, which still is his weakness..
How does the other team know who Kap's initial target is? It could be any of 3 or 4 different guys on a given play.
Aug 18, 2014 at 8:50 PM
- LVJay
- Veteran
- Posts: 27,847
Originally posted by gold49digger:
Originally posted by ChazBoner:
kap was a little too hyped up it seems. No need for the 100mph fastballs.
This. He needs to calm the f**k down sometimes
How does he expect a receiver to get a 1st down when those fastballs knock em off their feet
Aug 18, 2014 at 9:05 PM
- NCommand
- Hall of Fame
- Posts: 123,331
Originally posted by billbird2111:I'm a little concerned about the defense, but I know we're playing vanilla ball at this point...
vanilla is an understatement. We have 4 press CB's and we haven't tried a true press yet... it's been all way off coverage/deep shells leaving everything open short underneath.