RoninFin4 submitted a new blog post Running Back Into the Race Continue reading the Original Blog Post.
I'm confused as to why this team is making some many mental errors, according to Gase it's not just one player.. The job of a head coach is to make sure your team is focused.. The only excuse is that this team has been thru things that are in unprecedented to start a season and it was to tough to overcome.
Unfortunately, the way I see at least in terms of the offense, are that two of "Gase's Guys" - Jermon Bushrod and Julius Thomas - have probably been the two worst players on the offense. Cutler isn't far behind. I think unless both of those guys start playing better ball immediately, as in Sunday, they need to be removed from the lineup as much as possible. As soon as possible. Certainly they need to use MarQueis Gray and Fasano more than Julius Thomas; he's not what he once was. I'm not sure there's a viable replacement currently on the roster for Bushrod. I mean, I suppose they could try and plug in Davis or Asiata there, but I'm not sure that's going to help anything. Davis has been bad.
as a tightend, if your going to be as big as Julius Thomas is then you need to be good in the blocking game, he isn't, and because he is so big it affects his movement and agility.. I'm seeing lineman on run plays not exploding forward with the correct mentality..their waiting, pausing for engagement, so I'm sure Asiata won't have that problem, I know he's quick off the snap and has solid awareness in protection..my only problem with Asiata is at the 2nd level, but I'm sure he would be an upgrade over what we have. Gray is an all around better football player than Thomas or Fasano, he's more of a threat and shows good technique in the blocking game.
I agree on all counts save for Asiata. There's a lot on his Utah tape that I don't like: - Bad balance - Has trouble tracking well when pulling or looking for work in space - Waist-bender, plays too far forward and loses leverage, especially in pass-pro - Has a penchant for ducking his head when engaged 1-v-1 in pass-pro; susceptible to swim moves Could be one of those cases where he simply can get by on physicality. I sure wouldn't want to risk him being eaten alive by Jurrell Casey this week, but that's just me.
That’s the reason I see personally for the emotional flatness. Gase went with his guy instead of Matt Moore, and his guy is neither a leader nor a good player. Consequently the entire offense is flat. I have to think they would’ve rallied under Moore.
Inability to center on the move was my biggest complaint, and the notion that I think he ways to much for his physique..other stuff I think he can grind and win..we need some power run blocking off the snap desperately.
On his college tape Asiata got pulled off balance a lot by D-linemen who then influenced the quarterback. I want Asiata's attitude out there but man, he is a liability in pass pro.... or at least, I am ASSUMING he would be, based on his past tape.