First and foremost, I want to say, I was really disappointed with the fans last night. Looked like they didnt even show up. What a joke we have become supporting our team at home.
1-8 in the last 9 opening games now.
On to the game:
Daniel Jones. I really really want to say I love watching him play. He makes some great throws at times. My issue appears to be the same as last year with him in this game, and hopefully its due to no preseason and all that, but he likes to hold the ball too long still. No fumbles which was nice, but man, he had a play or 2 where he was just standing there not realizing the pass rush was coming. The 1st INT was him staring down the receiver, but it was a hell of a play by Watt. The 2nd, was all on DJ. A game changing demoralizing turnover. Throw it away or take the sack. He saw the rush coming the entire time. 19 drive play, ending in that was demoralizing.
OL. Thomas was our best OLineman. He stood his ground all game. Loved the pick, and this is why. He is our LT the next 10-12 years, and a probowl one at that. Willy Hernandez. Not sure he had a great game. I saw a couple of plays it looked like he was wiped out. Gates? Go back to backup OT. He is NOT a C in anyway. Zeitler. Well, not sure he had a strong game. Flemming. Backup at best as Ive been saying. Backup in NE, backup in Dallas, backup here. Pass protection was good early on, but wore down later once some exotic blitzes came. The run blocking, that might have been the worst showing I have seen in my 30+ years of watching this team. Jeez...
Barkley. Yes, the OL was awful, but this kid didnt help one bit. For a generational talent, touched by God, you would expect him to be able to pick up a blitz or catch a football. And his running style just isnt working. You cant win with a RB who gets negative yards in 80% of carries. He goes east and west too much. To me, Zeke is a much much better RB. When they both are hit behind the LOS, Barkley goes down and Zeke fights for 2-3 yards. Gallman and Lewis were non existent.
Engram, waste of a 1st round draft pick. I said trade him a year and a half ago now, we should have. Drops, bad routes, bad blocking. He is a slow footed outside WR. Kaden Smith should be our #1 TE going forward. Much better all around.
Slayton looks like the real deal. I mean, not elite, but a great WR. He knows how to get open and go and get a football. I dont see him as a #1 but he is certainly close. Shep had a solid game too. Board looks like some good depth. The rest meh. Need to get another WR in this group.
DLine looked good early, but opened up late. Still lack of a pass rush which is expected since we really didnt do much to upgrade it. Lawrence stood out to me as the best of the bunch. Great screen read too on a play. Williams had a good game I guess. Got a coverage sack. Very underwhelming though.
LBs Blake Martinez is the real deal. Havent had a LB like him in a long time. The rest were just fillers. No standouts.
DBs They held their own for a while but gave up some big plays too. Wide open receivers. Peppers looked ok. Bradberry got beat a couple times. Ballentine was ok. No one stood out but no one got abused either. Holmes had a decent first game too.
Playcalling was just ok. I dont know what would have worked and not worked with this group. I dont think there was any boneheaded play calls. Just werent translating.
Over all Im disappointed, like I have been 8 of the past 9 years. This game was winnable at one point, and the turnovers killed any momentum we had. That said, not being able to run the ball will cost us many many games and wear downt he D quick.
You say rebuilding, I say "Still?" Next year when DG gets fired, and we need a new GM, that GM will come in with a prepicked QB and HC. And if we lose again, those 2 will have short times here and the cycle continues.
I just dont want to be eliminated in October again. Year after year. It sucks. This game looked right out of the last couple of years. Bears up next. Cant fall 0-2.
