Let me start by saying that I did not get the best look at the game. I got the Pat’s feed, so I heard too much McCoruty twin banter, along with another guy who talked with a big Bob’s Discount Furniture sign behind him. I am not sure that I heard a Colt player called out by name and I am sure that I did not see a highlight of a good play by a Colt player. It was a dreadful broadcast that I eventually turned down and just accessed my roster after most plays, to see who did something good or bad.
It is not likely that anyone won a job Thursday night, unless they were in pretty good shape already. If it were me, I would say that one guy lost a job and that would CB Edwards. You have to be pretty weak to be targeted during a preseason game. I’d keep Jaylon Jones in a heartbeat over him right now.
One of a couple of things I liked, was seeing pass rushers from a standing position. It looked like both Curry and Gumbs were allowed to do that, so maybe they are hoping that one of them has some natural instincts that can be unleashed situationally. I thought both did a good job of not giving away an edge, but I thought they looked tentative on backside pursuit. I get that they have likely been drilled about not giving up backside contain, but it seemed weird to not see them aggressive.
Another thing I liked was the screen game. Those plays had to be in response to the way D’s played us post Pittsburgh. We have been bad at that aspect for quite some time, but I think that they have figured a little something out. If they can get some good results on tape, it could slow some teams down once we get to the regular season, but more likely they will have show they can beat blitzes once the bright lights come on.
As far as AR goes, it was more of the same. He looks better with his legs than with his arm. Those that want to support him should take the approach that they take with Ballard. He committed two turnovers and scored 7 points on the way to halftime deficit. If you are a bottom line type, that would not be seen as a positive.
I think I would tell him that I’d like to put in some packages/gadgets for him. If he is not receptive, I’d let him know he is the 3rd string QB and that he’d remain a Colt until free agency next year. It seems like he’d be a good guy to salt games away with the running game. He would at least be relevant and seen by other teams. It is not like Leonard was good either. I do think that he could be groomed to be a good, cheap, backup for three years.
I thought we showed a little better covering the middle of the field, Edwards excluded. Not perfect and not against number ones, but it still looked better than recent versions of the defense. I thought Boettcher looked active. I think Wohlers may always struggle to stay on the field, as he either has bad technique, or a death wish. I also think that we have enough pass catchers. Consider that our top six WR did not play, nor did Warren and it looked like all who were targeted, answered the bell when called upon.
Hats off to Freeland for going the whole way. The O-line didn’t look like a weakness, with only Travis getting a few snap among the depth chart’s first teamers. Maybe they didn’t blow open holes, but the pocket looked clean enough to me and they evidently did a pretty good job of selling for the screens.
In the grand scheme of things, not much was decided, but it was successful enough for health and six penalties for 60 yards is not cause for alarm. Mission accomplished.