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4 senior players who have been quiet. Thoughts?

Fin Thirteen

Fin Thirteen

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So far, despite the thrill of murdering NE and the all-round positive, energising victory over Oakland, there have been a few guys on either side of the ball that I would have expected to show up a little more than they have. None of them have been poor, but they are four guys you'd expect a slightly higher standard from, imo.

Those guys are

1) Louis Delmas
I expected a more physical presence in the middle of the field than we're seeing from Delmas. I'm looking for him to put his stamp between the hashmarks with soem big downhill plays, but it's been Wilson who has shown up as the more physical player (despite the shaky tackling form). Delmas has been OK, but if he's the alpha-dog motivator of the D, it hasn't really been borne out in his play. He's been on a par with 2013 Reshad Jones, which is not what we saw from 2012 Reshad or 2013 Delmas in Detroit. I'm hoping for more.

2) Cam Wake
After seeing what Houston did to the Bills O-line compare do what we achieved and then seeing Cam getting only modest pressure on Oakland compared to his usual stellar level, I'm wondering if he's physically OK. He seems to be getting washed out by linemen more easily than I can recall in a while. Form is temporary and class is permanent, so I'd be optimistic of an upturn soon.

3) Charles Clay
Clay came into the season injured/recovering, so he gets a lot of slack from me, but he doesn't look as switched on as he did last season. He's had drops, he absolutely whiffed on a block against Oak for Wallace's TD (which nearly cost us the score), he's not been the matchup nightmare he was last year. Some of that will be extra defensive attention, but I don't think he's firing on all cylinders yet. He's a really crucial guy for us in terms of pulling defensive attention off the WRs and onto him, not to mention his YAC ability. We need him dominating to make a playoff push, with this schedule.

4) Brandon Gibson
People might argue with this choice, but I don't see the same comfort level from Gibson in this offense as he had in Sherman's. He's made some nice plays, but that relationship with Tanny he had early last year seems to have reverted towards Hartline and Wallace. Sure, playcalling may be a factor, but I don't see the same spark from him. He is doing a nice job in the blocking game and he fought well for yards on the screen vs Oak, but I have slightly higher expectations for him.

4 guys who - if they could give us 10% extra each - coupled with the return of some key players - we are a whole different team to play against.
 
Fin Thirteen said:
So far, despite the thrill of murdering NE and the all-round positive, energising victory over Oakland, there have been a few guys on either side of the ball that I would have expected to show up a little more than they have. None of them have been poor, but they are four guys you'd expect a slightly higher standard from, imo.

Those guys are

1) Louis Delmas
I expected a more physical presence in the middle of the field than we're seeing from Delmas. I'm looking for him to put his stamp between the hashmarks with soem big downhill plays, but it's been Wilson who has shown up as the more physical player (despite the shaky tackling form). Delmas has been OK, but if he's the alpha-dog motivator of the D, it hasn't really been borne out in his play. He's been on a par with 2013 Reshad Jones, which is not what we saw from 2012 Reshad or 2013 Delmas in Detroit. I'm hoping for more.

2) Cam Wake
After seeing what Houston did to the Bills O-line compare do what we achieved and then seeing Cam getting only modest pressure on Oakland compared to his usual stellar level, I'm wondering if he's physically OK. He seems to be getting washed out by linemen more easily than I can recall in a while. Form is temporary and class is permanent, so I'd be optimistic of an upturn soon.

3) Charles Clay
Clay came into the season injured/recovering, so he gets a lot of slack from me, but he doesn't look as switched on as he did last season. He's had drops, he absolutely whiffed on a block against Oak for Wallace's TD (which nearly cost us the score), he's not been the matchup nightmare he was last year. Some of that will be extra defensive attention, but I don't think he's firing on all cylinders yet. He's a really crucial guy for us in terms of pulling defensive attention off the WRs and onto him, not to mention his YAC ability. We need him dominating to make a playoff push, with this schedule.

4) Brandon Gibson
People might argue with this choice, but I don't see the same comfort level from Gibson in this offense as he had in Sherman's. He's made some nice plays, but that relationship with Tanny he had early last year seems to have reverted towards Hartline and Wallace. Sure, playcalling may be a factor, but I don't see the same spark from him. He is doing a nice job in the blocking game and he fought well for yards on the screen vs Oak, but I have slightly higher expectations for him.

4 guys who - if they could give us 10% extra each - coupled with the return of some key players - we are a whole different team to play against.
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I love clay. I think he benefited last year against weak coverage. ya he is a matchup problem. I would rather have a big physical guy. Did anyone see Kelce last night? That guy is a beast! Looks like a 2012 Gronk

I have noticed Cam getting chipped by a back, doubled with a TE and even slot receiver in a bunch package. he will be fine, looks like teams are trying to take him away. Although, I have seen him stalemated 1on1 a few times too
 
All the elite pass rushers get extra attention and still make plays. Cam will get his share, but I don't notice him being as ruthless this season so far in terms of getting the corner and working in towards the QB.
 
Clay and Gibson both coming off injuries will be fine.Plus new system they must learn. It's still early and they have to mentally get over their injuries.
 
I think delmas will improve with jones back. I think they'll give this team a duo that offers us some bully ball style football, something we have lacked for years.

Clay doesn't have the same movement he did last year IMO, doesn't look right.

Gibson is losing his targets to Landry.

I think wake is doing fine. If your only focusng on sacks your missing the pressures, and the Huge amount of attention he gets from the offense that is freeing up everyone else. Were amongst the top in the NFL in pressures and sacks, Wake is the reason for that.
 
xXWarXx nailed it re Gibson, Clay and Wake. When you least expect it Gibson will have a huge day. He is good but his opportunities have been limited with Landry coming in. The bye comes at a good time for Charles Clay. He has been battling injury.
However, I am expecting more from Louis Delmas. Time to show his reputation intimidating WRs isn't just talk.
 
Yeah, I think Delmas was a bit overrated by this board coming into this season, too.
 
Delmas hasn't been great but he hasn't been a liability either. Expect to see more from him when Jones comes back. But Wake is ok, he's been sharing snaps a lot too. Clay just needs to get healthy. Gibson, he's been dropping passes left and right, more than I saw from him all last year, THAT needs to be fixed immediately.
 
Gibson just has to hold on to the football. He's had more drops in his limited opportunities in 2014 than he had all of last season (when he had just one).

I do feel like our receiving corps, while better than any we've had in a long time, just isn't particularly well constructed. Gibson, Hartline, and Landry all seem to fill sort of the same role to me, except Hartline has better chemistry with the QB and Landry can actually catch a contested football and keep his feet. That leaves Gibson sort of lost in the shuffle and he hasn't made the best of his opportunities.
 
I have been very disappointed with Vernon so far. Hope he can pick it up down the stretch.
 
Clay needs the bye IMO. His knee is gonna be am issue this year.

Gibson is just losing some time to Landry.

Delmas is fine.

Wake had a similar thing last year. Monster first game, tailed off for awhile then finished strong
 
tthorpe13 said:
I have been very disappointed with Vernon so far. Hope he can pick it up down the stretch.
Click to expand...

I actually think OV has been very consistent in his pressure. Difference this year is that most of our sacks early are coming from the interior pass rush.
 
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