And you can't say Mario game flow decisions lol…Those aren't going anywhere.
There was so much to like with Toney, C.Brown/Fletcher, a dominant defensive line ,etc...but here are a few things that caught my eye that weren't quite up to snuff yet. And please don't say I'm being a negative, it's just a topic for discussion, and it was a knock out performance as far as game 1s go…Those can at times be very, very sloppy, and we looked mostly great.
1. Safety play…I think it's still a question. Better than Jaden Harris no doubt, but that isn't the bar. Poyser has time to improve no doubt, but I thought the writers crowned him a little early this offseason after some success at CUSA, and I'm still concerned now. He didn't have a great night, and while I think Thomas can definitely give us snaps in the box he is what he is, and really fell asleep on the first Irish TD. I'm hoping Day, Pruitt, or Fitz can keep the heat on Poyser or get some snaps, because imo Poyser was mediocre (again it was game #1, I'm still optimistic with him)
2. LB (especially Toure) in coverage. I like a lot about our LB crew. But I really think we need Pruitt (0 snaps?) on the field in obvious passing situations. Let's just say that breakdown which basically blew the lead and could have blown the game for us…Wasn't the first time Toure looked lost in coverage to me. If he is on the field 3rd and long or against a heavy passing team, he needs to be blitzing or put Pruitt (0 snaps) in the game. That being said, Toure is very physical against he run and definitely had his moments in that aspect.
3. Kicking game…Obviously. One of those makes was ugly and the kid has not had a good career with FGs. Great to see him win the game though no doubt. On the plus side Joyce continues to develop and looked good.
4. Depth at nickle…K.Scott was one of the best players on both teams on the field last night and the best in our back 7. It's a little strange to me that Isaiah Taylor and a walk-on were behind him on the depth chart. Hope this is just CMC being vague or rewarding some good practice habits. Was hoping Brantley (0 snaps, is clearly #5 at CB) or Day, Ewald, etc…Could provide some depth here should Scott go down with injury. Just nitpicking I guess…And who knows maybe Taylor won the backup fair and square and is capable.
5. Not to jump on wagon or sound cliche…But the stupid *** penalties and timeouts. A delay of game out of halftime??? While I watched our QB and RB do a secret handshaking before they lined up?
I think everything else is nitpicking, and I really believe Trader will give the WRs a jolt. We aren't one of the nation's best WR group at the moment, but I think the stuff above is bigger concerns. Bell got beat a couple times and doesn't look dominant just yet, etc…TE wasn't involved much, but I think will be as the weeks progress. Lofton did catch a big pass when called upon and blocked all night. But we are pretty **** good area and a dangerous team, those are just some items that caught my eye.
There was so much to like with Toney, C.Brown/Fletcher, a dominant defensive line ,etc...but here are a few things that caught my eye that weren't quite up to snuff yet. And please don't say I'm being a negative, it's just a topic for discussion, and it was a knock out performance as far as game 1s go…Those can at times be very, very sloppy, and we looked mostly great.
1. Safety play…I think it's still a question. Better than Jaden Harris no doubt, but that isn't the bar. Poyser has time to improve no doubt, but I thought the writers crowned him a little early this offseason after some success at CUSA, and I'm still concerned now. He didn't have a great night, and while I think Thomas can definitely give us snaps in the box he is what he is, and really fell asleep on the first Irish TD. I'm hoping Day, Pruitt, or Fitz can keep the heat on Poyser or get some snaps, because imo Poyser was mediocre (again it was game #1, I'm still optimistic with him)
2. LB (especially Toure) in coverage. I like a lot about our LB crew. But I really think we need Pruitt (0 snaps?) on the field in obvious passing situations. Let's just say that breakdown which basically blew the lead and could have blown the game for us…Wasn't the first time Toure looked lost in coverage to me. If he is on the field 3rd and long or against a heavy passing team, he needs to be blitzing or put Pruitt (0 snaps) in the game. That being said, Toure is very physical against he run and definitely had his moments in that aspect.
3. Kicking game…Obviously. One of those makes was ugly and the kid has not had a good career with FGs. Great to see him win the game though no doubt. On the plus side Joyce continues to develop and looked good.
4. Depth at nickle…K.Scott was one of the best players on both teams on the field last night and the best in our back 7. It's a little strange to me that Isaiah Taylor and a walk-on were behind him on the depth chart. Hope this is just CMC being vague or rewarding some good practice habits. Was hoping Brantley (0 snaps, is clearly #5 at CB) or Day, Ewald, etc…Could provide some depth here should Scott go down with injury. Just nitpicking I guess…And who knows maybe Taylor won the backup fair and square and is capable.
5. Not to jump on wagon or sound cliche…But the stupid *** penalties and timeouts. A delay of game out of halftime??? While I watched our QB and RB do a secret handshaking before they lined up?
I think everything else is nitpicking, and I really believe Trader will give the WRs a jolt. We aren't one of the nation's best WR group at the moment, but I think the stuff above is bigger concerns. Bell got beat a couple times and doesn't look dominant just yet, etc…TE wasn't involved much, but I think will be as the weeks progress. Lofton did catch a big pass when called upon and blocked all night. But we are pretty **** good area and a dangerous team, those are just some items that caught my eye.
