Well thank god that's over with. That second half seemed like it wouldn't end. Penalties and Ron Winter go hand in hand. This was one of the longest, needlessly long, preseason games ever. It got so long that the Bucs play by play guys didn't take a commercial during Sparano's challenge there in the fourth quarter. They always take commercials during challenges these days. Anyway, I'll make this short and sweet...
Good
Chad Henne - he's made the Good list here three straight weeks guys. And he apparently now has a 93 quarterback rating for the preseason. This was actually his best performance of the preseason IMO because of the way he commanded the offense. He was playing on tempo and looking to get the ball out quickly. Sometimes too quickly, that one pass to Bush on the screen was thrown to hard. Bush will say he should have caught it, but that was not a very catchable ball (unlike the Fasano one against the Falcons :shifty:). If there's one bright spot to take from this game, it's Chad Henne. Solid hookup with Marshall on the TD and a perfect pass to let Marshall do the rest. He really is looking to hookup with Marshall more and that's a great sign. He actually trusts him. He had a nice pass to Fasano on a blitz pickup that the OL actually picked up and made a good audible at the line of scrimmage, recognizing the blitz ahead of time (wow what a concept!).
Brandon Marshall - he was solid, great TD play. And another run and catch that would have been a huge pickup except for the fumble at the end. He looks faster this year than last.
Bad
See Ugly...
UGLY
Offensive line... penalties... Jeron Mastrud... I really don't want to expand anymore on this. The offensive line is the big letdown. I pray that Jake Long coming back helps the unit, it has to right? I'm not sure what to do with the RG position. Carey can't play there at all. He's too slow. I think you sign O'hara now and either plug him in at RG or put him at C and move Pouncey to RG. It doesn't matter but that has to be done. We do not have a guard worthy of starting at RG right now. Garner is marginally okay. But there's no sugar coating it... It's a cluster F of major proportions right now.
Notes
It was nice to see Will Allen playing. We've got a nice looking secondary if Sean Smith can actually learn to tackle. Not sure what to do with Carroll.
Larry Johnson showed some nice burst but they seemed reluctant to hand him the ball.
Lou Polite couldn't pickup a third and short. That should tell you all you need to know about our oline difficulty
Phillip Livas probably isn't making the team, if all he does is return kicks
Marlon Moore probably is making the team.
Daniel Thomas seemingly played in every quarter... and on special teams too... so did Vontae Davis (play punt return team in first half!)
Haven't seen Pouncey have any snap issues. Maybe best to keep him at center? and put Ohara at RG?
And yes, the offensive line does ultimately fall on Sparano. there's no denying that.
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oline will improve as they figure out how to play with each other. question is how quickly? might have to sacrifice the first month while we wait. ROT has to be settled somehow
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Not that I want to but it they're insisting on trading Merling, they might want to see if a solid offensive lineman is on the block. One very good lineman lining up next to Pouncy will make the line Sooo much better. Carey looked real bad on the inside tonight! Real bad...Ophinerated likes this.
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Will Allen is cut.
Irish has got to trade for a decent limeman.
Lou Polite is cut.
Livas is cut.
That 5 yard gain by Johnson where he sliced through the line makes me already want him to start ahead of Thomas.
Williams could possibly play pro Volleyball if he flames out.
O-line apparently can't even pass block now.
Jerry will be deported to Somalia.
Who the hell is #11?
Daboll doing a fine job.
23rd apparently would rather scout the Pats then watch our 3rd preseason game.
More flags than the UN.
O-line officially sucks ***.
That said, I like our squad...shula_guy, dolfan32323 and Ophinerated like this. -
That's a really good question. I completely forgot about him.
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I am not sold on this O-line WITH Jake Long. Mike Pouncey was getting it handed to him by Frank Okam. The Bucs were getting nice penetration up the gut against the run. Where in the hell are Justin Smiley and Jake Grove these days??? Get those guys back in there!
I am absolutely tired of this musical chair BS that Sparano is playing with the O-line. This line has regressed over the past few years, and it does not seem to be doing any better. I understand bringing in guys you know, but these journeyman guys are not going to get it done. Pouncey is not impressing. Put the guy at guard and make him EARN the center position. I was really surprised Incognito was re-signed this offseason. He is just OK.
I like the way Sparano is running the team with the exception of this unit. The O-line is the weak spot on the team, and Sparano knows it. I do not know that this is a 'wait and see' thing. I do not expect much from this O-line this year without a major overhaul of the interior.Xeticus and Pandarilla like this. -
Jerry was looking OK at LT tonight then all of a sudden he looked like he was lost and gave up a sack. The next series he was a RG and he had his butt handed to him for nearly another. I don't know what to think about Jerry any longer...adamprez2003 likes this.
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Henne looked very good. Although he almost threw a pick 6 but that was just Ronde sniffing out the screen.
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Time for Irish to dole out the rest of the salary cap for Watters, Davis, and O'Hare...Possibly even trading for anybody decent at this point.
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They don't have the luxury of having a month to figure it out. If they are 0-4 or 1-3 Sparano is definitely on the hot seat and they would need to win 9 of the next 12 for him to keep his job. That is not happening. I have a feeling this season will be just as bad as I was afraid it will be. No better than 8-8 and most likely 6-10 or 7-9 (once again).
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:lol:
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He was looking servicable at LT for that one drive... until they decided they'd rather see Ray Feinga there... because apparently they have so much invested in Feinga that he merits a look at LT. As opposed to Jerry :shifty:
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About time Fields got a little or a lot of respect...7 punts, 59 yard average, 51.29 net, 3 inside the 20. He belongs on the good...make that great list!
Southbeach, gandalfin, dolfndav34 and 5 others like this. -
You can laugh now, but when we are 0-4 or 1-3 and Nolan is named interim coach remember this thread. Ross will not be happy if we start that way, and can't afford to keep Sparano if we lose our first two games. He won't be able to give away tickets at that point.
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I didn't get a chance to watch the game. Did Garner play at all? I don't see why this guy doesn't get a shot at starting. He's been solid everytime this team has plugged him in.
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Whoops, I meant Jimmy Wilson...
Regarding Thomas: I don't know man, I don't know. -
he played all over the line tonight, LT, C and RG that I can recall. His best chance is at RG IMO. Although that's not saying much. He's serviceable, nothing more. He lost his anchor on a couple of bull rushes tonight, especially at RG. I'll want to go back and see the line play again when they replay the game, the nfl.com version that I saw just isn't clear enough and it's impossible to rewind and pause.
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You must not have read what I bolded.
It'd be like me saying "I have a feeling I'm going to think the same thing as I did before."
I wasn't laughing about your opinion (though now I am since you are certain we'll be 0-4 or 1-3 before a single game is played and the stupid idea that Ross couldn't give tickets away if we were 0-2), just that you had a feeling that matched what you thought.JMHPhin, FinNasty, MrClean and 1 other person like this. -
No I believe he'll be gone by the bye week if we start out 0-4 or 1-3, which is very likely if we continue to have OLine play like tonight. The Pats will destroy us, and Houston will also do a number on us. Cleveland we might have a shot at winning, but San Diego will also eat our lunch.
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Just referring to Wilson's spike on that one nice pass defense.
I bet they trust Johnson's instincts, savvy and ability to hold onto the ball more than Thomas. I guess I'm trying to say that I would trust Johnson more behind that crap line then Thomas at this point. Then again, I would also probably trust Incognito at center over Pouncey at this point as well. -
I'm sure you're probably correct but there might be a slightly older vet that is good. One who's team has a solid line with an extra or two that might be cut anyway.
Merling has been nothing great but he's had his moments.Paul 13 likes this. -
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Coming into this game, I wasn't as down on the o line as most. Always thought Carey was the one to go though. If our staff thinks we are "close" (playoff contender) they have to do whatever it takes to upgrade that position right now.
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I've thought for months, since the schedule came out that we'd start the season 0-4 or 1-3. We may play better down the line, but if our OLine plays this poorly to begin our season we'll be in such a hole, that I think you'll have a hard time (if you are Sparano) of gaining the confidence of the locker room back. If the team quits on Sparano, its going to be a 2 or 3 win season at best.
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I've been very impressed with Chad Henne. It's not just the stats but the way he's carrying himself this season has been a major improvement. He's been more hands on, more vocal, more of a leader, and is really playing with some fire. I love it. Defense looks pretty good as well.
Now, the offensive line concerns me. I'm really hoping they get their act together or we could be in trouble. We HAVE to be able to run the football successfully. Can't put it all on a Henne's shoulders. Hopefully Jake Long's return to the lineup is the key.Paul 13 likes this. -
Chad had three incompletions tonight. Two I can recall quite well. The pass to reggie on the screen from his own 2 yard line, and the drop by Bess on the quick screen in the 3rd quarter. Don't remember the other incompletion, inc to Gates perhaps before the Marshall pass interference? He was that close to having a perfect night. Of course the sacks.... he'll probably get some credit on those. Rightly or wrongly...Last edited: Aug 28, 2011
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I'm willing to go as far as Randy Starks or McDaniels or even a third (since we always waste a mid-round pick on an o-lineman anyways).
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Looks to me like Miami is going to have to ride the arm of Henne to get to the playoffs...who would have thunk it!
Will be time to get the TEs some 1 yard TD catches and roll Henne out once the regular season gets going when Miami is near the goal line. -
Yup, that one to Gates was very catchable as well. He's looking good against the blitz. If I had photoshop on this computer, I'd put a picture of the "Frampton Comes Alive" album with Henne's name and face on the cover for my sigpic (you listening Gish?).Paul 13 likes this.
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