Let me just say that Shawn Murphy has improved leaps and bounds from last year, and he could be a very good guard in the league, but Donald Thomas just looks better. When Thomas is in the game, there is more physicality than with Murphy. Murphy only struggled when he moved to the leftside in the 2nd half (and went up against CHarles Johnson and Everette Brown), but he does hold his blocks. THomas on the other hand drives his defenders back.
The offense as a whole looks pretty good. Ronnie, Ricky, Cobbs, and Hilliard all were getting chunks at a time. Hilliard is gonna be a tough decision. He is so much better than he was last year, but there may not be room for him on the team. We won't be able to hide him on the practice squad for another year.
As a Michigan fan, I watched Chad Henne since his freshmen season, and know the leadership skills he posseses, but last night he showed better decision making than he ever showed at Michigan. Pennington's influence is noticeable if you watched Henne in college (who never was given the freedom to run an offense fully). Henne would always look deep, and then check down to Mike Hart or run, now he's looking at more options.
Pat White will make an impact on the offense this year, but is not ready to even be considered for the backup spot anytime soon. He'll play due to his athleticism, and I doubt Sparano will show the "Pat Package" in preseason, but Pat looks very uncomfotable under center, and is not used to making reads yet. Still, the guy is a winnerand you can't count him out.
Sparano will have some tough decisions when it comes to cuts since so many OLBs have looked so good this preseason and camp. Quinton Moses, Charlie Anderson, and Cameron Wake all did a great job getting into the backfield even if they weren't getting sacks. I don't want to lose Matt Roth (who is our best run defender), but how do you cut and of the 3 guys who have been so stellar so far?
Channing Crowder and Akin Ayodele looked stellar when they played, this is the first time I really noticed either of them shooting gaps and making plays. But they weren't the only ILBs that impressed. Reggie Torbor looked solid during the game too, and does get his teammates' attention when he speaks. William Kershaw was also noticeable to me early in the 2nd half when he played. JD Folsom is a guy I'm rooting for, but will admit is a longshot to make the team, but he is not making mistakes. At the same time, he isn't making plays either.
Randy Starks starting over Phillip Merling is not because Merling has struggled. Both preseason games, he's looked very VERY good. Starks just looks better. In fact, the defensive line to me has been very impressive. Kendall Langford and Tony McDaniel do a great job in the run game, but I do think Starks/Merling are better pass rushers. RYan Baker also got some looks with some first team defenders and didn't look too bad, but I doubt he makes the team.
If Paul Saoli can keep his head on straight, he should be an asset this year. This is another young player, who has benefitted from having a good mentor at the same position (Jason Ferguson). Fergie also should have a great season, and I'd like to see a 2 year extension offered to him.
The TD run by DeAngelo Williams was more of a freak play, than bad tackling by the defense. Ferguson had him wrapped up, but DeAngelo broke the tackle. The only other guy who had a shot at him was Akin Ayodele, and Williams broke his tackle too. Not what you want to see ever, but it wasn't really bad defense IMO.
Nate Jones got picked on in the first half, but he also was covering TEs a lot in the first half. Not too worried about him, but he's better suited as a blitzer.
Brandon Fields has a very nice leg, but he needs to learn directional punting. The long punt return by Captain Munnerlyn was poor coverage (and 2 missed holding calls), but Fields still has problems out punting the coverage unit.
I like Chris Williams, but if he even wants a chance to make the roster, he needs to learn how to field punts. He's electric as a kick returner, but if you can't do both, you aren't gonna make the team.
Vontae Davis was the most impressive player on the field last night. I didn't think he deserved all the flack he got for the Jags game. He had 2 penalties that happen to everybody, but the fair catch interference was inexcusable. In this game however, Davis blanketed his man all night. He also hits with the best of them as he made atleast 3 big plays on RBs coming out of the backfield.
The offense as a whole looks pretty good. Ronnie, Ricky, Cobbs, and Hilliard all were getting chunks at a time. Hilliard is gonna be a tough decision. He is so much better than he was last year, but there may not be room for him on the team. We won't be able to hide him on the practice squad for another year.
As a Michigan fan, I watched Chad Henne since his freshmen season, and know the leadership skills he posseses, but last night he showed better decision making than he ever showed at Michigan. Pennington's influence is noticeable if you watched Henne in college (who never was given the freedom to run an offense fully). Henne would always look deep, and then check down to Mike Hart or run, now he's looking at more options.
Pat White will make an impact on the offense this year, but is not ready to even be considered for the backup spot anytime soon. He'll play due to his athleticism, and I doubt Sparano will show the "Pat Package" in preseason, but Pat looks very uncomfotable under center, and is not used to making reads yet. Still, the guy is a winnerand you can't count him out.
Sparano will have some tough decisions when it comes to cuts since so many OLBs have looked so good this preseason and camp. Quinton Moses, Charlie Anderson, and Cameron Wake all did a great job getting into the backfield even if they weren't getting sacks. I don't want to lose Matt Roth (who is our best run defender), but how do you cut and of the 3 guys who have been so stellar so far?
Channing Crowder and Akin Ayodele looked stellar when they played, this is the first time I really noticed either of them shooting gaps and making plays. But they weren't the only ILBs that impressed. Reggie Torbor looked solid during the game too, and does get his teammates' attention when he speaks. William Kershaw was also noticeable to me early in the 2nd half when he played. JD Folsom is a guy I'm rooting for, but will admit is a longshot to make the team, but he is not making mistakes. At the same time, he isn't making plays either.
Randy Starks starting over Phillip Merling is not because Merling has struggled. Both preseason games, he's looked very VERY good. Starks just looks better. In fact, the defensive line to me has been very impressive. Kendall Langford and Tony McDaniel do a great job in the run game, but I do think Starks/Merling are better pass rushers. RYan Baker also got some looks with some first team defenders and didn't look too bad, but I doubt he makes the team.
If Paul Saoli can keep his head on straight, he should be an asset this year. This is another young player, who has benefitted from having a good mentor at the same position (Jason Ferguson). Fergie also should have a great season, and I'd like to see a 2 year extension offered to him.
The TD run by DeAngelo Williams was more of a freak play, than bad tackling by the defense. Ferguson had him wrapped up, but DeAngelo broke the tackle. The only other guy who had a shot at him was Akin Ayodele, and Williams broke his tackle too. Not what you want to see ever, but it wasn't really bad defense IMO.
Nate Jones got picked on in the first half, but he also was covering TEs a lot in the first half. Not too worried about him, but he's better suited as a blitzer.
Brandon Fields has a very nice leg, but he needs to learn directional punting. The long punt return by Captain Munnerlyn was poor coverage (and 2 missed holding calls), but Fields still has problems out punting the coverage unit.
I like Chris Williams, but if he even wants a chance to make the roster, he needs to learn how to field punts. He's electric as a kick returner, but if you can't do both, you aren't gonna make the team.
Vontae Davis was the most impressive player on the field last night. I didn't think he deserved all the flack he got for the Jags game. He had 2 penalties that happen to everybody, but the fair catch interference was inexcusable. In this game however, Davis blanketed his man all night. He also hits with the best of them as he made atleast 3 big plays on RBs coming out of the backfield.
