The other day, you got to see a lot of that with Allen, too– he even got called for a facemask in combating a protector off. – Really interesting concept by the Lions the last couple years that they implemented again on Sunday night– the group stayed in Arizona as a method to take full advantage of the rest that coaches and gamers get. Normally, groups get on an airplane right after the game and go home, regardless of when the flight might be. A lot of work gets done, the group gets rest, and everyones all set to go, rather than run down, when they get home.
And I got Russell Wilson going on that when we talked on Sunday night, “I was talking with the other guys in the locker space, due to the fact that a guy like Alton, he came in all set to play.
Big one tonight! Till then …
– It was pretty mind-blowing how wide open the hook-and-ladder was at completion of Sundays Chargers/Panthers game– had Keenan Allen gotten the ball to Austin Ekeler, Ekeler probably jogs in and L.A. wins. But lost because was what it took to get the ball to Allen in the very first location, and that was another display of the prodigious talent Justin Herberts giving the table. At the snap, Stephen Weatherly came yelling off the edge to the QBs right, and Brian Burns worked the left side of the line back into Herberts lap. Herbert subtly back-pedaled to prevent the rush, then, practically falling away, provided a strike that hit Allen in between the 1 and 3. It was an example of what Herbert can be physically, however likewise the poise with which he dealt with a situation with the video game on the line. And it was likewise an example of what the Chargers personnel has actually seen a great deal of through 2 starts– Herberts making off-platform throws, standing high in the pocket with a heap of traffic around him, and inspecting the ball down when the scenario requires it. Its fair to state hes exceeded expectations, even if there have actually been a reasonable amount of young-guy missteps, especially in the situational football department. If I were the Chargers, I d have a tough time justifying returning to Tyrod Taylor now, after what Herberts shown.
The 2 inside receivers to Trubiskys left went vertical, and Anthony Miller got on top of the defense. 2 quarters later on, the Bears called a comparable principle dressed up a little different, with the outdoors receivers to Foless left getting vertical– and Miller once again coming open deep. This time, the rush got home faster, and Foles responded much faster, getting rid of the ball on time and as he was taking a hit.
And in talking to those guys over the last few years, beyond just the obvious physical and athletic contrasts in between the 2, theres another commonness thats quite regularly come up when Ive asked about ties in between Newton and Allen: how their teammates react to them. The other day, you got to see a lot of that with Allen, too– he even got called for a facemask in battling a protector off. Add that to strides hes taken with his vision, decision-making, base mechanics, and youre seeing a quarterback whose video game is starting to take off.
– On the other side, Carson Wentz is truly having a hard time, and opponents that Ive talked with see a various gamer than they did a couple years back. Some of the problems arent his alone– the offending line in Philly definitely has actually had its injury concerns– but Wentz isnt helping matters, and defenses are starting to take benefit of a quarterback who seems pressing, isnt trusting what hes seeing, is attempting too hard not to make errors and is holding the ball too long as an outcome. One coach I spoke with Monday discussed the amount of “worm burners” Wentz is throwing now– throws that go into the ground as an outcome of a quarterback squeezing the ball too hard. There were cases of those on Sunday on plays when Wentz had guys open. Im not exactly sure what the fix is for the Eagles here. I do know that what were all seeing isnt a mirage. There are genuine problems.
– Really intriguing idea by the Lions the last couple years that they executed once again on Sunday night– the group stayed in Arizona as a way to maximize the rest that players and coaches get. Generally, groups get on an aircraft right after the game and go home, regardless of when the flight might be. A lot of work gets done, the group gets rest, and everyones all set to go, rather than run down, when they get home.
– The Seahawks defense isnt reminding anyone of 2013 right now, however state this for the groups ability to manage with what they have: Theyre resourceful. Fifth-round pick Alton Robinson, making his NFL debut, had an essential sack that put Dallas in third-and-14 on the Cowboys last ownership. And Ryan Neal, promoted from the practice squad on Saturday, put the game away with a badger the next play. Add Shaquem Griffin, just remembered from the practice team himself, to those 2, with how he flew around late in the Seattle win, and you have a bunch of dudes who came out of nowhere to round off an actually good Cowboy offense. Obviously, this isnt how you drew it up. It is an indication of a place that can make things work when everything is going sideways. And I got Russell Wilson going on that when we talked on Sunday night, “I was talking with the other guys in the locker space, because a guy like Alton, he was available in prepared to play. He made so lots of plays in training camp and was simply so impressive. I just kept informing our offending staff, that guys really good. Obviously, that was a big-time play, that was big. His very first game. And then Ryan Neal, who I get to break every day. Theres that competitive nature back-and-forth. Hes a guy whos worked so hard to simply get that opportunity. He makes the play because opportunity, and thats so cool, guy. I relate to that, to be truthful with you. I associate with that. Because I was available in the very same circumstance. I began, however, but the distinction was, the truth is, when your names called, your names called. And you either sound the bell and you step up to the event or you do not. You know? You either wish to swing the bat or you do not. And those guys desired to swing the bat tonight, and they did. They made some plays. I believe about a guy like Shaquem, certainly been on our group, done so lots of terrific things. Was on practice team this year, sadly. He can be found in and goes after down play after play after play. Thats the sort of passion, just group effort. Its not simply about me or anything else. Its really about all those guys and all the important things theyve done. Its a testament to just the work ethic, the culture and who we are as a team.”
– Playtime portions inform you a lot on how coaches feel about gamers. Gronkowski played 93% of the teams 68 offending snaps– the greatest number of any Tampa skill player. O.J. Howard, by contrast, played 49% of the groups offensive snaps (third receiver Scotty Miller was right there too, at 43% of the snaps), and Cam Brate played 7% of the snaps.
– The Titans COVID-19-related-loss of outside linebackers coach Shane Bowen was significant on Sunday– and might have exposed a little on his worth on Mike Vrabels staff. While Vrabel didnt hand him the defensive planner title after Dean Pees retired in December, Bowen was clearly the next in line to manage the tasks, as a bright young assistant who dealt with Vrabel at Ohio State on Urban Meyers very first staff, then joined him in Houston in 2016 and 17 and followed him to Tennessee. Probably not a coincidence that the Titans didnt have their best defensive showing in Bowens absence.
They look quick and aggressive, and you can see the financial investment Chris Ballard has actually made the last 2 years in big, long athletes (Darius Leonard, DeForest Buckner, Bobby Okereke, and so on) paying off in the development of a pretty menacing group. Should be fun to see where they take it from here, with the Bears up next.
– Cant wait for 8:20. And I know you cant either (otherwise, you would not have actually made it to the bottom of the column).
