Preseason: Week One Winners & Losers

[Patriots2994 43]

So now that every game has been played except for the Monday night game of the Jets vs. the Texans, who has stood out as an individual, a unit (offense, defense, special teams), or a team that either impressed you or disappointed you this first week?

[AllYouNeedIsLovie 377]

Chiefs looked really bad to me. They were just very sloppy and didn't seem like they were ready to play at all. Lots of mistakes, turnovers, etc.

[rzb+ 367]

Most Impressive Wk1 Teams: Panthers Offense, Bills Defense

Most Unimpressive Wk1 Teams: Colts Offense, Cowboys Defense

 

Most Impressive Wk1 Players: Ryan Mallett (NE), Bryan Walters (SD)

Most Unimpressive Wk1 Players: Colin Kaepernick (SF), Jackie Battle (KC)

[WindyCitySports 407]

The Bears were unimpressive, almost to the point of concern. The o-line set the tone early in the season that they are going to have difficulties.

 

Marion Barber was a bright spot, as well as Johnny Knox's nice return.

[Favre4Ever+ 4,476]

Just for the Packers...

 

Our defense made a couple of nice plays, but overall they looked slower than last year, and really struggled getting pressure. We couldn't stop the BROWNS on 3rd down, which concerns me... And the Browns exploited these little swing passes out to their RBs and WRs in the flat and got some monster yards. Probably ran the same play, to different guys 10 times... At least.

 

Offense looked solid. Greg Jennings is starting hot and Randall Cobb looked goooood.

 

ST was up and down.... Return men looked good (Cobb). Our punter, Masthay, looked AMAZING. But our coverage STILL blows ass. NO idea why we let Shawn Slocum keep his job. He seems like a GREAT guy, but he is an incompetent coach.

 

Individuals

 

Good.... Rodgers, Starks, Jennings, Cobb, Ryan Taylor, Josh Gordy, Howard Green, Raji, Mike Neal

 

Not Good or just flat out bad.... Shaky Smithson, Brandon Saine, Dimitri Nance, entire backup Oline, Graham Harrell (looked good in practice, but it got ugly on the field at times... 3... THREE fumbles.)

[Krawnka 282]

The Chiefs looked like they were at a practice, a very bad one. But, quite a few starters didn't even take the field, so I'll give them that..

 

Good: Quentin Lawrence, for a former Wide Reciever, dude can tackle

Bad: Donald Washington, I don't know why this kid is still on the roster, he is horrible.

 

Stanzi had played about as I expected for a rookie QB in his first game, not too bad, nothing spectacular

 

Baldwin, almost made an amazing catch, I dig the effort he showed to get the ball.

 

Still not sure on Justin Houston though....I'd like to see him lined up with Hali.

Edited August 15, 2011 by Krawnka

[badgers 380]

The Packers did what we do every year. Play our starters for 2 series then bring in backups. We usually go 2-2 or 1-3 every preseason so I wasn't surprised by that lost.

 

Didn't see any starters but Masthay looked awesome. I was kind of disappointed that we didn't go for field goals rather than punt from the 40 yd line. Why not give Crosby the practice?

 

I disagree with Shaky Smithson. He looked a lot better than some other WR's. Since we are so deep at WR he'll probably not make the team, maybe practice squad though.

 

I'm guessing our pass coverage will be 10x better in the regular season when we get Tramon, Woodson, Shields, Collins our there at the same time. Didn't see Burnett play but I noticed he started, and I'm not sure about that. Peprah was great last season, I think he should at least start for us this season, and if he can't repeat his success from 2010, we bring in Burnett.

[Barracuda 629]

As for the Browns...

 

Under a completely new system the team didn't look half bad. I'm not saying were making the playoffs though, don't worry. The offensive line, especially the right side with Pashos and Lauvao really impressed me. If you watch them in that game again they completely dominated that side. The offense ran very smoothly and everyone contributed. Colt was able to get the ball to different guys and FOR THE FIRST TIME EVER IN CLEVELAND BROWNS HISTORY, we were able to set up the run with the pass.

 

Looking forward, believe me were no playoff team. Main reason for that is because of depth. On that right side of the o-line we have nothing under those two guys. Same goes for linebackers and the secondary. Of course, receivers are also a concern. However the west coast offense is a system in which the recievers we have could thrive.

 

The Browns having a good year will not be decided in the W/L column. We could go 6-10 or 7-9 and really look good for the next couple years. This year we'll find out if Colt is really our guy and I hope he is cause I really like him. And the next few years we'll gain some depth and a few starters and on our way to knocking off those dirty Steelers and winning the division.

Edited August 15, 2011 by Barracuda

[Favre4Ever+ 4,476]

The Packers did what we do every year. Play our starters for 2 series then bring in backups. We usually go 2-2 or 1-3 every preseason so I wasn't surprised by that lost.

 

Didn't see any starters but Masthay looked awesome. I was kind of disappointed that we didn't go for field goals rather than punt from the 40 yd line. Why not give Crosby the practice?

 

I disagree with Shaky Smithson. He looked a lot better than some other WR's. Since we are so deep at WR he'll probably not make the team, maybe practice squad though.

 

I'm guessing our pass coverage will be 10x better in the regular season when we get Tramon, Woodson, Shields, Collins our there at the same time. Didn't see Burnett play but I noticed he started, and I'm not sure about that. Peprah was great last season, I think he should at least start for us this season, and if he can't repeat his success from 2010, we bring in Burnett.

 

What did you see out of Smithson? He made like.. one catch, maybe... And he did NOTHING on returns, even though that is where he is supposed to excel. You could see him become visibly upset about his lack of production. There is no chance he makes this team.

 

Burnett looked great. Teamed up with Raji and smacked Hillis around on one play. Peprah, with the backups, looked very mediocre.

[ride or die redskins 8]

Skins had a very successful game against the steelers. Our offense played the entire first half, while the steelers only played their starters for the first two series on D. Regardless, the O showed some promise on the first drive, taking the ball from the one yard line and driving 89 yards for a FG opportunity (Shayne Grahm missed the easy opportunity, and was cut the next day). Overall ,the offense moved the ball effectively. The oline broke down a couple times, but that was to be expected. I think the thing that impressed me the most for the O was the fact that they had zero penalties. That is almost unheard for a preseason game (and the first one at that)... hopefully thaats a sign of things to come.

 

The defense held there own, but also had some lapses. I think one of the biggest suprises on D for them this year will be the play of second round pick Jarvis Jenkins. He has looked great in TC, and continued his impressive play against the steelers. Despite a few defensive lapses, the D played well overall.

 

People that impressed:

 

- Rex Grossman

- Tim Hightower

- Brandon Banks (love this guy as a returner / offensive specialist)

- Jarvis Jenkins

 

People that disapointed:

 

- Josh Wilson

- Shayne Grahm (cut)

- Leonard Hankerson (living up to his hype with all his drops...hopefully he can fix that problem)

[Glanvilles Grits 142]

As a die hard Falcons fan, I feel dirty saying this but. . .

 

Josh Freeman and the Bucs looked great out there. :x

 

 

Falcons first team looked badass too. But there was no depth to be seen.