I agree with just about everything you state there Mark. Good observations. I do feel that Fast Freddie will get another chance because he's got good return skills AND very good receiving skills (good routes, touchdown catch). The two fumbles were pretty bad but his potential should atleast land him on the PS if he is cut. I also thought that Zolman played above and beyond what anyone could have expected from him. He might make a decent #3 under the current circumstances.
I agree. He was quite decisive with all of his throws and his Plant-step-throw combinations looked quite smooth. Accuracy looked better than last year and you're right about the play-action fakes. What stopped the O from scoring was the curious Flea-flicker call and the Bledsoe / Mcgahee fumble play.
I don't think that's the reason at all. He loosened up a bit later after my post and made a few decent cuts. He just looks a little methodical into the hole as compared to Henry right now. He'll get it soon enough...
Considering Jennings was not in I thought they did ok. Got pretty sloppy and unacceptable in the third quarter there though. I thought the push in the second quarter and early third was good in the running game.
I hate to extend this debate further but I believe the only two teams there with combos that equal or exceed Moulds and Price are the Rams and the Vikings. Don't forget also about one of the best combos in the game, Pittsburgh with Ward and Buress..... 6-10
I miss Peerless too, quite a bit actually. But I'm looking forward to (hopefully) focussing more on running the ball, playing defense and using the play action passing game. It's a time-tested formula for success.
No actually I really don't get worried about giving up one gimmick play from the best play action passer in the game to the best receiver in the game in one on one coverage on 4th and 2.
The basic O and D has really been impressive. Special teams awful. Just 1 penalty so far. Trick plays have not fared well at all for both teams now. Running game is not spectacular but solid. Drew looks very decisive and accurate. One sack came when he had @ 1.5 seconds to throw.
Just an early thought. It appears that although there hasn't been a whole lot of push in the running game from the line, Willis is "test-booking" his carries. He's been following into the hole as it is drawn up but seems to have missed a few cut oppurtunities off of blocks. I like the fact that we are being stubborn about running the ball though.
To me, the main part of TD's job is to Draft and obtain quality players and Free agents and manage the Cap in such a way that the team has a chance to compete every year. He has done a very good job at this IMO. The infamous 17-31 record to me is a factor but not the bottom line.
That terrible defense ranked 11th in the league last season. They've been steadily improving since Dungy came on. Although they did give up a chunk of yards to KC last year.