infiltrateib
TV Doctor
1. The defensive line played EXCEPTIONALLY well. I haven't had a chance to review the game-tape, but based on what I saw live (especially on the goal line stands) the DTs filled the gaps and the LBs were flying around the field. JT is a beast, of course, and did a lot to pressure Plummer into errant throws. I was also impressed with Carter and Bowens.
2. Offensive Playcalling. Where'd this come from? I love the attitude. You wanna stack 8 in the box? We're gonna throw a standup screen to that 4.3 WR you just left in isolation and let him be one move from 6. We're gonna loft it up and give our WRs a chance to make a play.
3. Ronnie Brown is what we expected. He's not the pure runner Caddy is, but he singlehandedly saved at LEAST three plays where he blew up a blitzing LB/CB. I believe on one play he took out a blitzing Champ Bailey and probably saved either a sack or turnover. He also had that great first down catch, and made yards after contact. Remember, Denver's DL was #4 against the run last year, and they came in gameplanning against it. This is pretty much what I thought we'd see from RB.
4. Wait, just WAIT, until Ricky's back. Did you see how tired the Denver D was on that Morris TD run? Could you imagine if it wasn't Morris, but a fresh-legged Ricky Williams? It's going to be lethal.
5. Gus played excellently. I really couldn't have asked for much more out of him. The OL gave him time, and he made at least three throws that made me actually say "damn" out loud (one of which Chambers dropped in the end zone). He was hitting the open man and his only mistake was (I am assuming) caused by pressure and a guy wrapping him up at the ankles. He still shouldn't have thrown it, but I'll take that mistake for the 15 or so perfect throws he had. He also had at least 3 drops that would have been for decent gains.
6. "Dubs" (Wes Welker) is just a great player. He's like a sniper. He gets called in for 5-10 snaps a game and all he does is make plays. That fumble wasn't really his fault. He wrapped up pretty well and it was just a great tackle. I don't know many players that wouldn't have fumbled that. I think that swiss-army-knife-of-a-player should get worked into a couple more snaps per game, because he's shown an ability to get open and make people miss.
7. Booker showed up to play. People seemed to be down on Booker before, but he made 3 great catches today. When Chambers had the top CB in the NFL blanketing him (or trying to) Booker stepped up and took one to the house. All in all, excellent play from our WRs.
8. Saban's a smart coach. From not showing anything in the preseason, to getting his players fired up in the second half, to his "call" this offseason on JT's ability as a LB/mobile defender, to his/Linehan's playcalling and approach to the game, to the coaches he hired, to his off-season player acquisitions, to his draft... just superb.
9. I expect big things out of Crowder and Brown (jury's out on Roth). Crowder was flying around today like a man on a mission. When he gets comfortable--watch out.
2. Offensive Playcalling. Where'd this come from? I love the attitude. You wanna stack 8 in the box? We're gonna throw a standup screen to that 4.3 WR you just left in isolation and let him be one move from 6. We're gonna loft it up and give our WRs a chance to make a play.
3. Ronnie Brown is what we expected. He's not the pure runner Caddy is, but he singlehandedly saved at LEAST three plays where he blew up a blitzing LB/CB. I believe on one play he took out a blitzing Champ Bailey and probably saved either a sack or turnover. He also had that great first down catch, and made yards after contact. Remember, Denver's DL was #4 against the run last year, and they came in gameplanning against it. This is pretty much what I thought we'd see from RB.
4. Wait, just WAIT, until Ricky's back. Did you see how tired the Denver D was on that Morris TD run? Could you imagine if it wasn't Morris, but a fresh-legged Ricky Williams? It's going to be lethal.
5. Gus played excellently. I really couldn't have asked for much more out of him. The OL gave him time, and he made at least three throws that made me actually say "damn" out loud (one of which Chambers dropped in the end zone). He was hitting the open man and his only mistake was (I am assuming) caused by pressure and a guy wrapping him up at the ankles. He still shouldn't have thrown it, but I'll take that mistake for the 15 or so perfect throws he had. He also had at least 3 drops that would have been for decent gains.
6. "Dubs" (Wes Welker) is just a great player. He's like a sniper. He gets called in for 5-10 snaps a game and all he does is make plays. That fumble wasn't really his fault. He wrapped up pretty well and it was just a great tackle. I don't know many players that wouldn't have fumbled that. I think that swiss-army-knife-of-a-player should get worked into a couple more snaps per game, because he's shown an ability to get open and make people miss.
7. Booker showed up to play. People seemed to be down on Booker before, but he made 3 great catches today. When Chambers had the top CB in the NFL blanketing him (or trying to) Booker stepped up and took one to the house. All in all, excellent play from our WRs.
8. Saban's a smart coach. From not showing anything in the preseason, to getting his players fired up in the second half, to his "call" this offseason on JT's ability as a LB/mobile defender, to his/Linehan's playcalling and approach to the game, to the coaches he hired, to his off-season player acquisitions, to his draft... just superb.
9. I expect big things out of Crowder and Brown (jury's out on Roth). Crowder was flying around today like a man on a mission. When he gets comfortable--watch out.
