Mike Pouncey is a terrific blocker, I already knew that and never questioned it. It's the high snaps that are going to remain an issue. You always hear the SAME person constantly saying that Pouncey's snaps were an issue at the beginning of the season for Florida, and weren't an issue by the end of the season... that's not the case. The first game against Miami (Ohio) just happened to be the worst, and an unmitigated disaster, but the high snaps continued to be an issue all year for Pouncey. He's a wrist snapper, that's why his snaps are inconsistent. He's a natural guard trying to play center because it's the most important position on the offensive line other than left tackle in an effort to get drafted higher.... I've heard Pouncey's father talk specifically about this.
Lydon Murtha looks like Tarzan but plays like Jane. He's still not ready. The penalties were out of control, and he was blown up on the reverse play so bad that him and the DE he was engaged with were both in the backfield so far that it impeded the path of the skill positions trying to execute the reverse.
Colombo. Is. Terrible. Go back and watch the play where Henne had to scramble around and ended up hitting Fasano for the big play..... Colombo was late getting out of his stance, failed to even identify the free blitzers, by the time he did manage to get out of his stance... all he did was stand straight up and failed to find work. He just let guys run right past him without even so much as impeding their path. As bad of a negative play as an offensive lineman can have if you're grading film.
Daniel Thomas and his issues have already been touched on.
Fasano is Fasano. You just live with the good and the bad until they finally decide to upgrade.
Positives:
Ed Gates. He continues to blow by defensive backs and gain seperation. It's hard for DB's to run with that kid.
Nic Grigsby did an excellent job in pass protection picking up blitzers. Again, I'd keep him over Kory Sheets.
Kevin Burnett made more "splash" plays, and was around the ball more last night than Crowder has been in an entire season. I can't believe there's still a few people out there that think he's not an upgrade over Crowder... and you know who you are.
Reggie Bush. Duh. I also can't believe there's people that can't see the talent this kid possesses, and how much better he makes everyone around him at the other skill positions... including Drew Brees. His attitude and the way he plays the game is refreshing. His skillset is a MUCH needed dimension in Miami.
Chad Henne. Daboll has helped him incorporate a new element to his decision making. Playmaker. Mistakes be damned, you were making them anyway. If you're going to make mistakes, make 'em by trying to make plays. He still has issues with throwing late outside the numbers, and they WILL result in pick 6's. He still has issues with his ball placement, and timing on certain routes. He's not a "cerebral" quarterback, and the nuances and little details that matter just don't come easy to him.
He'll be better in Daboll's system, but I still see very much the same quarterback when you get right down to it. I still see the same flaws the seperate the elite QB's in this league.
Chad Henne played like a guy with something to prove last night.... because he does. Good job.
