1-0 to start

[barrett]

I didn't expect Demeco to come in and dominate, and I am not talking about rust issues like the tackles he missed. But without any injury concerns I would not expect a small MLB to be suited to the 34. He has never been good at taking on and fighting off blocks. It is asking him to be something he is not. I think he will fight hard at it this year, but I don't think he is a long term guy in this defense.

Barwin and Reed don't concern me at this point, I just stated that they were average on a great day. No mistakes and no times they really shined (like they did all preseason).

Regarding the offense I will say that our OL is ridiculously underrated. They kicked the Colts around all day, and not just in a zone blocking "we beat you" kind of way. They were moving the LOS 4-5 yards downfield. They don't get the credit they deserve, but they are a great group. Maybe the best run blocking pair of OTs in the NFL. Winston mauls guys and the whole group is great at getting to the 2nd level.

The rest of the offense had a ho-hum day, which says more about how fantastic they are and how regular this kind of performance is for them.

But WR is concerning. Where is DA at these days?

[chuck]

Originally Posted by barrett

But WR is concerning. Where is DA at these days?

Standing around in an airport waiting to board a flight to Houston would be my guess.

[painekiller]

Originally Posted by barrett

I didn't expect Demeco to come in and dominate, and I am not talking about rust issues like the tackles he missed. But without any injury concerns I would not expect a small MLB to be suited to the 34. He has never been good at taking on and fighting off blocks. It is asking him to be something he is not. I think he will fight hard at it this year, but I don't think he is a long term guy in this defense.

Sam Mills.....

[barrett]

Originally Posted by painekiller

Sam Mills.....

Serious questions here that I don't know the answers to. I really only remember the older Mills with the Panthers, but when he played in a 34 who did he have playing in front of him? How was he at fighting off blocks? I seem to remember him being undersized in terms of height, but very powerful and physical.

I just think Demeco has always struggled when the OL gets to him, and now he is playing with 1 DT in front of him, and that one is Sean Cody. And our DEs are living in the backfield. This means Demeco is going to playmost snaps in the run game with an OL getting to him pretty clean. This will minimize the things he does well (diagnose plays and flow to the ball), and will emphasize the things he struggles with (getting off blocks, holding ground at point of attack when blocked). I have always loved him but I think he is being asked to do some things he won't be successful doing.

[nunusguy]

Originally Posted by painekiller

Sam Mills.....

Height: 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) Weight: 240 lb (109 kg)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patrick_Willis
&&&
And here's another moderately-sized guy, Patrick Willis, who is generally rated the best ILB in the NFL and they run a 3-4 D out in San Fran last time I checked ?

[painekiller]

Originally Posted by nunusguy

Height: 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) Weight: 240 lb (109 kg)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patrick_Willis
&&&
And here's another moderately-sized guy, Patrick Willis, who is generally rated the best ILB in the NFL and they run a 3-4 D out in San Fran last time I checked ?

Just for the record, Sam Mills was 5'9" 229lbs (I know you are listing Willis)

I do not remember Mills NT.


And I want to say Ryans will be OK in the 3-4

[nunusguy]

Originally Posted by barrett

Regarding the offense I will say that our OL is ridiculously underrated. They kicked the Colts around all day, and not just in a zone blocking "we beat you" kind of way. They were moving the LOS 4-5 yards downfield. They don't get the credit they deserve, but they are a great group. Maybe the best run blocking pair of OTs in the NFL. Winston mauls guys and the whole group is great at getting to the 2nd level.

The Oline was fabulous yesterday, and yea we got a pair of very good, relatively young OTs.
They had a couple close ups of Duane B. battling Freeney, and he was having his way with the great (or perhaps formerly great ?), Colts DE for
most of the afternnon.

[NBT]

If they move J.J. to #2 WR, then make Bryant Johnson the #3, who will then return punts?

Demeco still had his elbow taped up, so I expect better things as the elbow gets healthy.

The regular season is a whole different ballgame. Connor Barwin will learn and become a beast later on in the season.

I guess we can lay to rest the 'ol question of can Mario Williams play OLB.

I personally would rather have Jeff Mael on the active squad than bring back DA.

[WMH]

Great start, happy to see it, but leery over the extreme one side or the other reaction. I've thought all along we would be very competitive this year, but I also thought the Colts would still show up. This is exactly why I stopped gambling We "should" handle the Fins close to the same manner. Maybe not to that degree, but we should dominate on both side of the ball again. Real test will come weeks 3 and 4 to see how we stack up with the big boys.

Encouraging to see the defense swarm to the ball.
Encouraging to see a S blitz that actually had an effect on the play.
Encouraging to see the RB spot truly use the next man up. We will need all 3 before the season is done.
And the O-Line.....WOW. If we can stay healthy up front, I can't see any reason why we can't be a top3 offense in yards AND scoring.

Also, BTW, Jabba's twittering that Walter's injury may not be as bad as reported, he's thinking a week or two. Should know more @ the 3:30 presser.

[WMH]

Originally Posted by WMH

Also, BTW, Jabba's twittering that Walter's injury may not be as bad as reported, he's thinking a week or two. Should know more @ the 3:30 presser.

Once again, the national media proves it has NO IDEA what they are talking about. In the presser, Kubiak said it was just a bruise, and has not been ruled out for this week.

Our 1-0 start just got a little brighter in my eyes. Walter is a great blocker in the running game, and he will/would have been missed.

[HPF Bob]

My only concern about "not keeping the foot on the gas" is that the Texans are notorious for not putting two good halves together. At some point, these guys need to learn to finish.

David Anderson was with the Broncos during the pre-season (remember, he's a CSU alum and the Broncos once signed him to an offer sheet) but I don't know if he made the team. I suppose we'll find out tonight.

[painekiller]

Originally Posted by HPF Bob

My only concern about "not keeping the foot on the gas" is that the Texans are notorious for not putting two good halves together. At some point, these guys need to learn to finish.

David Anderson was with the Broncos during the pre-season (remember, he's a CSU alum and the Broncos once signed him to an offer sheet) but I don't know if he made the team. I suppose we'll find out tonight.

David Anderson is a vested veteran, and in the NFL a team has to pay the full salary to all vested vets on the their rosters week 1. Now if a vested vet is signed after week 1, the signing team is only responsible for the weeks the player is on the roster.

So guys like DA, will be signing all over the NFL this week.