Ten observations from the first 3 games, in no particular order.
1. The coaching staff has 0 confidence in the receivers, sure Pennington might not throw it 30 yards but there is no justification for not throwing it into the endzone once they are inside the 20. This is just a case of having no confidence in the receivers.
2. For the second straight year the trifecta has got it terribly wrong with the big FA signing, Wilson is absolutely useless, cant cover or tackle. Give Culver and Clemens some time. At the same time how depressing it is to see one starting Db and Safety get beaten on a long ball and then have it happen to the other starting DB and safety the next series...
3. Knowing they had such a need for a WR, i cant believe they didnt try to address it more through FA or a trade.
4. Martin is missed more than we thought, Fasano was horrible the 1st game and been used alot in pass protection and none in the passing game. The other TE has been invisible. Martin could also stretch the field as a TE.
5. Ginn is what most of us thought he was when he was drafted, an average #2 at best, and an inconsistent one at that...
6. What a way to help a young Qb coming into the game, ginn 2 drops and a penalty, blown blocking assignment by the OL that led to a sack and a couple of other penalties.
7. Henne looked nervous(but we have to give him time it was his first "real" action), but 3 things I liked: He has more zip on the ball, he gets it out quick and what a way to fight off a sack and stiff arm a defender...
8. O-line is overpayed and overrated, there pass protection has been suspect and they constantly need help from the TE.
9. Best players so far: Brown (what a catch yesterday) and Ricky, The DL (langford, merling in particular) and Smith (even when he got beat yesterday, he was there to make the play, it was a good pass and he has been the best player in the secondary).
Worst: Wilson, Crowder (lack of cover skills have been exposed), Ginn (has been invisible aside from game 2, where he wasted an opportunity to become a game changer). The other WR's deserve a special mention along with pennington who has not got it done.
* on a side note, both Bell and Allen have regressed from last year, they need to pick it up.
10. Offense playcalling has been terrible(aside from the Wildcat), yes maybe you dont have the strongest arm QB, or a WR corps that can get open but at least keep the D honest. THE LONGEST PLAY FROM SCRIMMAGE THIS YEAR WAS YESTERDAY'S HENNE TO BROWN PASS... A 26 Yard pass, PATHETIC!!!
The team is not as bad as some make it out to be, they have been in all the games but they seem to be not focused, making big mistakes when big plays are needed. I put it on the coaching.
There is not that much difference between this year and last, except that last year they where playing teams who would make those mistakes at the end of games, the strategy was just to not make mistakes and let the other team beat themselves. This year the teams they have played can actually play and will make you beat them. The fins have had the chances but squandered them.
Finally 2 points:
1. Its funny to see the post from preseason when anyone who said the fins would go 8-8 9-7 7-9, where labeled as "haters" while many where delusional with too high expectations. I actually think the fins will win the next three games. I think they beat Buffalo and the Jets and they have a real shot at upsetting the saints which I think they will do. And I think any sensible fan would of a signed a 3-3 start when the schedule came out...
2. If Boldin is still available I would trade a 2nd and ginn for him, I doubt the cardinals would take that though.
1. The coaching staff has 0 confidence in the receivers, sure Pennington might not throw it 30 yards but there is no justification for not throwing it into the endzone once they are inside the 20. This is just a case of having no confidence in the receivers.
2. For the second straight year the trifecta has got it terribly wrong with the big FA signing, Wilson is absolutely useless, cant cover or tackle. Give Culver and Clemens some time. At the same time how depressing it is to see one starting Db and Safety get beaten on a long ball and then have it happen to the other starting DB and safety the next series...
3. Knowing they had such a need for a WR, i cant believe they didnt try to address it more through FA or a trade.
4. Martin is missed more than we thought, Fasano was horrible the 1st game and been used alot in pass protection and none in the passing game. The other TE has been invisible. Martin could also stretch the field as a TE.
5. Ginn is what most of us thought he was when he was drafted, an average #2 at best, and an inconsistent one at that...
6. What a way to help a young Qb coming into the game, ginn 2 drops and a penalty, blown blocking assignment by the OL that led to a sack and a couple of other penalties.
7. Henne looked nervous(but we have to give him time it was his first "real" action), but 3 things I liked: He has more zip on the ball, he gets it out quick and what a way to fight off a sack and stiff arm a defender...
8. O-line is overpayed and overrated, there pass protection has been suspect and they constantly need help from the TE.
9. Best players so far: Brown (what a catch yesterday) and Ricky, The DL (langford, merling in particular) and Smith (even when he got beat yesterday, he was there to make the play, it was a good pass and he has been the best player in the secondary).
Worst: Wilson, Crowder (lack of cover skills have been exposed), Ginn (has been invisible aside from game 2, where he wasted an opportunity to become a game changer). The other WR's deserve a special mention along with pennington who has not got it done.
* on a side note, both Bell and Allen have regressed from last year, they need to pick it up.
10. Offense playcalling has been terrible(aside from the Wildcat), yes maybe you dont have the strongest arm QB, or a WR corps that can get open but at least keep the D honest. THE LONGEST PLAY FROM SCRIMMAGE THIS YEAR WAS YESTERDAY'S HENNE TO BROWN PASS... A 26 Yard pass, PATHETIC!!!
The team is not as bad as some make it out to be, they have been in all the games but they seem to be not focused, making big mistakes when big plays are needed. I put it on the coaching.
There is not that much difference between this year and last, except that last year they where playing teams who would make those mistakes at the end of games, the strategy was just to not make mistakes and let the other team beat themselves. This year the teams they have played can actually play and will make you beat them. The fins have had the chances but squandered them.
Finally 2 points:
1. Its funny to see the post from preseason when anyone who said the fins would go 8-8 9-7 7-9, where labeled as "haters" while many where delusional with too high expectations. I actually think the fins will win the next three games. I think they beat Buffalo and the Jets and they have a real shot at upsetting the saints which I think they will do. And I think any sensible fan would of a signed a 3-3 start when the schedule came out...
2. If Boldin is still available I would trade a 2nd and ginn for him, I doubt the cardinals would take that though.
