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kw13
1. Braden Fiske: I just want to see it to believe it. We don't need him to be getting sacks like Donald, but he HAS to be a plug in the middle and stop the run. Just need to see that he will not get pushed around by some of these veteran O'lineman. Hard to tell how good you are against the run in those scrimmages.
2. Colby Parkinson: on paper everything looks great. We should have a new 6'7" red-zone addition. Again, need to see it. McVay may revert back to his instincts and not throw a lot of balls to the Tight End even though they are practicing more 12 personnel. And will it work? What if defenses can pretty much tell if the Rams go 12, it's either a run or pass to TE and are able to adjust to it. Would love to see our TE production half way through the season and if it's a weapon or not.
#3 Joshua Karty: this one is obvious, he needs to prove he can do it under the lights. I think he has a solid upright kicking style that will hold up to pressure, but given a couple misses in pre-season, I wonder what happens if he misses a few in a row. (Knock on wood). If he can get through half a season without having any bad misses, he should be a lock for years to come, but we gotta get thru that first 6 games or so. Crossing my fingers.
Fiske is not a mirage. He led the best defense in the SEC, dominated Senior Bowl week, and dominated in camp. I have no concerns about Fiske, which is weird to say given that I have yet to see him in horns. But he's going to be just fine.
Karty will have some early ups and downs. Hopefully mostly ups, but rook kickers have plenty of challenges on the mental side. I think he's a pro though. So not worried and expect he'll be fine. Key is him having his mentality right for the playoff run.
Parkinson the key is keeping your mind right on what he is. He is not a big time redzone weapon. Rather he's like Higs, where he will make you some plays with the size and skills but he isn't going to turn into LaPorta or anything.
My own list is mostly DBs and defensive players. I think for the most part we know who the offensive players are. Defense though there is a lot more room for deviation I'd say. Corner for example I worry if they can hold up and stay healthy because if not then we will quickly look like last season back there. ILB how long will it take the staff to move Speights to the starting role. And so on.
