It was a tale of 2 halves at Jacksonville on Thursday so similar to the game, I will leave you with 2 thoughts regarding last nights preseason loss.
1. Jason Campbell looked good and the offense seemed to move the ball with him in command. The best part is the offense has had some success this preseason without Clinton Portis playing a single down. So add a healthy Portis to this group and hopefully we have a repeat of 2005. The starting defense has also played well all year and it is obvious that as long as this team is healthy it is a lot better than the 5 win team of last year.
2. Jacksonville's TD at the end of the 1st half really changed the flow of the game and in his only action this preseason Jordan Palmer proved he is no Carson. I don't know what the long term hopes are for him but I would have thought that it would have been better for his development if he actually played when the games don't count. He is destined for the practice squad but if the Skins have decided to get rid of Mark Brunell then there is a very raw No. 3 QB in the wings.
BONUS: Ok, after typing the first two thoughts I remembered I had 1 more - and it has nothing to do with QB's. This team in LOADED at LB. I watched most of the first half and part of the second but the play of guys like Anthony Trucks and HB Blades has really been impressive, which makes it hard to figure who will actually make the final roster. Depending on which LBs are cut you know they will bounce back with another team and it has really been fun watching the defense in general.
The games count starting next week so hopefully all of this will translate into a season opening win against Miami. Hail to the Redskins
Showing posts with label Carson Palmer. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Carson Palmer. Show all posts
Friday, August 31, 2007
Monday, August 13, 2007
Preseason Game 1 recap
I realize that Saturday's game was the preseason opener but there were still a few things of note.
1. Jason Campbell still has a lot to learn. Campbell made some good plays and reads but he also made some mistakes, something that just about every young QB goes through. Hopefully these extra reps with the first team will count though and help him adjust to the role of a starter faster.
2. Mark Brunell is old and still holds the ball too long. Tennessee had five sacks in the game and a majority of them were because Brunell held onto the ball about 6 seconds longer than he needed too and pump-faked about 3 times a pass play. Mark, I've got an idea for you - try throwing the ball.
3. Vince Young is going to be way overexposed. Hey, did you hear that Young was suspended before the game for violating team rules? Yeah, I got that message too by the fourth time it was announced in the first quarter. I think the announcers only mentioned it after every other play.
4. If the season started tomorrow, Todd Collins would be the guy. He completed all 5 of his passes, led the offense to its only TD and got the team its first preseason win since 2005. If that isn't a recipe for jumping to conclusions and putting too much stock into a meaningless game I don't know what is.
5. One request for next week - instead of playing Brunell, let's see what Carson Palmer's kid brother Jordan can do. The Skins entered the week with 5 QB's and Palmer beat out Casey Bramlet for the fourth spot prompting Bramlet's release. But how do we know if Palmer could be better than Brunell and/or Collins if he doesn't play? Put him in coach.
Maybe next week there will be more to talk about other than the QB's.
1. Jason Campbell still has a lot to learn. Campbell made some good plays and reads but he also made some mistakes, something that just about every young QB goes through. Hopefully these extra reps with the first team will count though and help him adjust to the role of a starter faster.
2. Mark Brunell is old and still holds the ball too long. Tennessee had five sacks in the game and a majority of them were because Brunell held onto the ball about 6 seconds longer than he needed too and pump-faked about 3 times a pass play. Mark, I've got an idea for you - try throwing the ball.
3. Vince Young is going to be way overexposed. Hey, did you hear that Young was suspended before the game for violating team rules? Yeah, I got that message too by the fourth time it was announced in the first quarter. I think the announcers only mentioned it after every other play.
4. If the season started tomorrow, Todd Collins would be the guy. He completed all 5 of his passes, led the offense to its only TD and got the team its first preseason win since 2005. If that isn't a recipe for jumping to conclusions and putting too much stock into a meaningless game I don't know what is.
5. One request for next week - instead of playing Brunell, let's see what Carson Palmer's kid brother Jordan can do. The Skins entered the week with 5 QB's and Palmer beat out Casey Bramlet for the fourth spot prompting Bramlet's release. But how do we know if Palmer could be better than Brunell and/or Collins if he doesn't play? Put him in coach.
Maybe next week there will be more to talk about other than the QB's.
Sunday, July 15, 2007
2007 Previews: Cincinnati Bengals
Note: This is a team-by-team look previewing the 2007 season. These are my official thoughts on how I think things will play out.
Last year: 8-8 (tied for second in AFC North)
Best addition: Leon Hall (CB, drafted in 1st round out of Michigan)
Key personnel loss: Brian Simmons (LB, Saints)
2007 outlook: An offense that features Carson Palmer, Chad Johnson, Rudi Johnson, TJ Houshmandzadeh and Willie Anderson should automatically be guaranteed a record better than 8-8 yet it seems all of the Bengals extra-curricular activities finally caught up with them last year. The team as a whole seems to be better behaved this offseason but the defense will have to play a lot better if they are going to win more games and make the playoffs.
The biggest hole Cincinnati seemed to have was in its secondary, which it addressed with its first round pick of Hall but the team is still thin at the corner position. The loss of Simmons takes a consistent player out of the LB corp but the Bengals always seem to have a knack for finding suitable replacements.
Key to success: The offense will produce so the ability of the defense to prevent opponents from outscoring them will determine how far this team goes. As far as beating the other teams in their conference, Cincinnati went 4-2 last year against Baltimore, Cleveland and Pittsburgh but only went 2-4 against the rest of the AFC. Talent is not an issue with these guys, but as the defense goes so do the Bengals chances of the playoffs.
Against Washington: The last time the Bengals faced Washington was in 2004 when they beat the Skins in Washington 17-10. Cincinnati should appear on Washington's schedule again in 2008.
Fantasy sleeper: Kenny Irons. Rudi Johnson should be a top 10 pick considering the consistency he has had the past few years but Irons is a definite home run threat any time he touches the ball. Like the LaDainian Tomlinson-Michael Turner situation in San Diego, Irons may not start a game this year but could put up a big point game or two with long TD runs. On a team full of fantasy stars, look for Irons to be available for pickup from waivers during the year until he has a big point game.
Last year: 8-8 (tied for second in AFC North)
Best addition: Leon Hall (CB, drafted in 1st round out of Michigan)
Key personnel loss: Brian Simmons (LB, Saints)
2007 outlook: An offense that features Carson Palmer, Chad Johnson, Rudi Johnson, TJ Houshmandzadeh and Willie Anderson should automatically be guaranteed a record better than 8-8 yet it seems all of the Bengals extra-curricular activities finally caught up with them last year. The team as a whole seems to be better behaved this offseason but the defense will have to play a lot better if they are going to win more games and make the playoffs.
The biggest hole Cincinnati seemed to have was in its secondary, which it addressed with its first round pick of Hall but the team is still thin at the corner position. The loss of Simmons takes a consistent player out of the LB corp but the Bengals always seem to have a knack for finding suitable replacements.
Key to success: The offense will produce so the ability of the defense to prevent opponents from outscoring them will determine how far this team goes. As far as beating the other teams in their conference, Cincinnati went 4-2 last year against Baltimore, Cleveland and Pittsburgh but only went 2-4 against the rest of the AFC. Talent is not an issue with these guys, but as the defense goes so do the Bengals chances of the playoffs.
Against Washington: The last time the Bengals faced Washington was in 2004 when they beat the Skins in Washington 17-10. Cincinnati should appear on Washington's schedule again in 2008.
Fantasy sleeper: Kenny Irons. Rudi Johnson should be a top 10 pick considering the consistency he has had the past few years but Irons is a definite home run threat any time he touches the ball. Like the LaDainian Tomlinson-Michael Turner situation in San Diego, Irons may not start a game this year but could put up a big point game or two with long TD runs. On a team full of fantasy stars, look for Irons to be available for pickup from waivers during the year until he has a big point game.
Monday, April 30, 2007
Think McFly, think
Did Joe Gibbs pay attention to his team last year or to who he was bringing back this season? The one GLARING, OBVIOUS (insert choice of adjective here) need on this team was to bolster the pass rush. And after not addressing the situation in free agency, it was obvious the Redskins would draft some defensive linemen here, wasn't it?
Apparently not. Already working with a depleted talent pool to select from in the fifth, sixth and seventh rounds, Washington added two linebackers, a quarterback and a tight end to go with yesterday's only choice - LaRon Landry.
Nothing against Bennie Blades linebacker son H.B. Blades or Cincinnati quarterback Carson Palmer's brother Jordan Palmer - but WE NEED LINEMEN. Blades may actually be of some benefit as he can provide depth for a potential problem spot at inside linebacker, but did we really need to take a QB we will never use over a lineman who may have had a shot at the team?
I said yesterday that I don't want to question Gibbs, especially since he three Super Bowl titles should give him a free pass at judgment with moves this time of the year, but I sure hope he knows something we don't otherwise our LBs and DBs will be in for a REALLY long season.
I think the only team who was more confused than the Skins this weekend was the Miami Dolphins - who passes on Brady Quinn in Round 1 for Ted Ginn in Round 1 and John Beck in Round 2? In fact I think Mel Kiper summed up Miami's first day perfectly:
"The Miami Dolphins taking Ted Ginn Jr. was ridiculous. Not only did they have QB Quinn staring them in the face, but they weren't going to have to trade up to get him. I understand Miami took QB John Beck in the second round, but Beck is not better than Quinn. Those two QBs will be measured against one another as time goes on."
Since I am too frustrated to talk about this mockery of a draft, here is Sports Illustrated's breakdown on the Skins thought process. And here are Kiper's grades for each team, and what he specifically said about the Skins:
"GRADE: C-
Washington had only one pick in the first four rounds and made the most of it, getting Laron Landry. (You could argue Landry was the best defensive player in the draft). Drafting Landry will allow Sean Taylor to play center field and roam the middle of the field. Landry will be in the box, and that will negate his weakness, which is playing judging the deep ball. In the fifth round, the Redskins took an average linebacker in Dallas Sartz; linebacker HB Blades was decent sixth-round pick although a bit undersized; and QB Jordan Palmer never really emerged as potential starter."
Apparently not. Already working with a depleted talent pool to select from in the fifth, sixth and seventh rounds, Washington added two linebackers, a quarterback and a tight end to go with yesterday's only choice - LaRon Landry.
Nothing against Bennie Blades linebacker son H.B. Blades or Cincinnati quarterback Carson Palmer's brother Jordan Palmer - but WE NEED LINEMEN. Blades may actually be of some benefit as he can provide depth for a potential problem spot at inside linebacker, but did we really need to take a QB we will never use over a lineman who may have had a shot at the team?
I said yesterday that I don't want to question Gibbs, especially since he three Super Bowl titles should give him a free pass at judgment with moves this time of the year, but I sure hope he knows something we don't otherwise our LBs and DBs will be in for a REALLY long season.
I think the only team who was more confused than the Skins this weekend was the Miami Dolphins - who passes on Brady Quinn in Round 1 for Ted Ginn in Round 1 and John Beck in Round 2? In fact I think Mel Kiper summed up Miami's first day perfectly:
"The Miami Dolphins taking Ted Ginn Jr. was ridiculous. Not only did they have QB Quinn staring them in the face, but they weren't going to have to trade up to get him. I understand Miami took QB John Beck in the second round, but Beck is not better than Quinn. Those two QBs will be measured against one another as time goes on."
Since I am too frustrated to talk about this mockery of a draft, here is Sports Illustrated's breakdown on the Skins thought process. And here are Kiper's grades for each team, and what he specifically said about the Skins:
"GRADE: C-
Washington had only one pick in the first four rounds and made the most of it, getting Laron Landry. (You could argue Landry was the best defensive player in the draft). Drafting Landry will allow Sean Taylor to play center field and roam the middle of the field. Landry will be in the box, and that will negate his weakness, which is playing judging the deep ball. In the fifth round, the Redskins took an average linebacker in Dallas Sartz; linebacker HB Blades was decent sixth-round pick although a bit undersized; and QB Jordan Palmer never really emerged as potential starter."
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