Quote
alyoshamucci
I came into this game expecting to get punched in the mouth ... but overall the comeback we had was more important than getting the W in my opinion. This is early in the season and these guys just had a serious bonding moment that we can build from.
I'll get the bad call thing out of the way first.
Bad Call
1) What I saw was Gabriel firing off the line like he was going to block. He did not try to get off the jam in any way ... and kept his arms firmly planted and basically drove Williams back 9 yards. I saw him not look for the ball until it was basically past him. I saw him not make a break inside for the football. I saw Williams just basically holding on for dear life wondering what Gabriel was doing. Gabriel looked like he was trying to run through him. What I know about rules ... Williams has every right to his position and running through him is offensive PI. What I'm guessing ... Gabriel was determined to lock him up and set him on his heels like hand fighting you can do in college, then at a certain point he intended to shuck him and break inside, forcing Williams to hold or give up the TD. What Williams didn't do "Impede his motion toward the football."
The Great
2) Historic comeback and showing of united determination and confidence.
3) No sign of panic, running the ball after the Bills score.
Those are systemic maturations ^^^ a much bigger deal than a win. The core group that will be with us for 5 years plus did that.
4) The run blocking for Henderson. Those were gaping holes I was not expecting. Edwards makes our line better, period.
5) Aaron Donald.
The Good
6) Hollins getting pressure (facemask recipient)
7) Hendo with 114 ... having too many good backs is a great problem to have.
8) Josh Reynolds with meaningful playing time (VJ will be amazing, but he doesn't have the nuance of our offense yet)
9) Everett Sighting.
10) Some really accurate passes by Jared.
11) Red Zone offense. Achilles heel last year, not this year.
12) Pass protection.
The Bad
12) Fuller being out obviously hurt our communication ... there were many blown coverages.
13) On the 3rd and 22 JJ3 shaded toward someone who was covered and vacated his zone ... He's gotta know where Beasley is on that play.
14) Singletary made us look stupid like 10 times.
15) Pass rush in the first half was abysmal.
16) Ebukam, in general. He really never took the next step.
17) Troy Hill's completion %. Does he need to be outside?
18) It taking us 3 quarters to stop them.
The Ugly
19) The call on 4th and 4.
20) How open their WRs were like 8 times. I had to yell curse words at the tv multiple times. It has yet to forgive me.
There may be stuff I missed, but it was a decent game overall soured by a bad call at the end ... a game where we proved how much we could come back from against a playoff team with a good defense.
The Giants are hapless WITH Saquon, without him they don't have a shot.
College
21) KJ Costello and Mike Leach had a coming out party, huh? 650 yards against LSU in the upset? Serious WRs got a serious QB and serious opportunity to improve their stock. Ali Gaye, a transfer from NDSU, is looking like a top 10 pick. DE/rushLB at 6-6 262. Newcomer on the scene. Gaye is from Garden City CC. My boy Jabril Cox is the LBer from NDSU. He is a 2nd rounder that will continue to climb into the 1st round as he continues to impress.
22) Kansas State takes down OK. Kleiman really has OUs number. Good for Chris. Really good human being and a really good HC
23) I'm not really watching any position super sharp, except "rangy ILB" to take Kenny Young's spot, taking a magnifying glass to top prospects and watching for flashers. I always watch edge rushers, safeties, and TEs. The one ILBer I wanted to see this year opted out. PSUs Micah Parsons, but with no 1st rounder, he is likely out of range. Right now Cam McGrone is my 2nd round target. Edge looks super weak this year...
24) I'm getting a good look at some schools I normally wouldn't because of Covid scheduling.
Questions and comments welcome ...
Don't waste your time looking back, you're not going that way. - Ragnar Lothbrok
