Ten Thoughts on First Half of Panthers Preseason Game

[Fin Thirteen]

it doesn't get more basic for a center than snapping the ball!!

Exactly. It's a basic skill that he can work on. It would be much more troubling if the guy had physical or psych deficiencies, lacked the work ethic or the hunger to dominate opponents.

 

[utahphinsfan]

i sure hope brian daboll is watching these bills lbs cover the backs out of the backfield in the passing game...reggie bush could have a field day against these guys

And who is the Bills LB coach?

 

[Spesh]

come on spesh...thomas showed some good feet yesterday...i think the vision was decent also...the goalline runs early were way too soft and timid though...the trying to jump the pile from the 5 yard line like he was on some kind of trampoline or something definitely not the brightest...i sure hope that was all him and not someone telling him to try and go over the top on the staff

Good feet and decent vision(both of those qualities are debatable) doesn't make up for lack of ball security, pad level while running, and just general slowness. I expect to see alot more situations similar to the goal line incident then elite runs. For running back, you have to show it quickly or you dont have a place on the team. This isnt quarterback or pass rusher, who can take time to get their game down. For running back there is very little curve and if they do not show it quickly then they can be adequately replaced.

 

[greasyObnoxious]

And who is the Bills LB coach?

coincidence :-D

 

[hoops]

Good feet and decent vision(both of those qualities are debatable) doesn't make up for lack of ball security, pad level while running, and just general slowness. I expect to see alot more situations similar to the goal line incident then elite runs. For running back, you have to show it quickly or you dont have a place on the team. This isnt quarterback or pass rusher, who can take time to get their game down. For running back there is very little curve and if they do not show it quickly then they can be adequately replaced.

they're not debatable...the feet for his size are outstanding...the vision he showed solid vision at k state also showed goot initial lateral quickness in tight spaces to make a man miss here and there...needs to slow down a little bit but he made strides from the first preseason game to this one...that said i still wish we had mark ingram who has the best of both but it is what it is at this point

 

[Spesh]

they're not debatable...the feet for his size are outstanding...the vision he showed solid vision at k state also showed goot initial lateral quickness in tight spaces to make a man miss here and there...needs to slow down a little bit but he made strides from the first preseason game to this one...that said i still wish we had mark ingram who has the best of both but it is what it is at this point

So your ignoring glaring flaws such as fumbling, running upright, and being slow and countering with how he had good vision in college?

If you want to look at what he did in college as "upside" then fair enough, and Ck state that he just wasn't ready as well, but for what he did on the professional level he was clearly lacking. So far at least.

 

[Kdawg954]

they're not debatable...the feet for his size are outstanding...the vision he showed solid vision at k state also showed goot initial lateral quickness in tight spaces to make a man miss here and there...needs to slow down a little bit but he made strides from the first preseason game to this one...that said i still wish we had mark ingram who has the best of both but it is what it is at this point

We were so bad inside, I'm starting to think they "got it right" on draft day . . . for them atleast. Mark Ingram behind Joe Berger? ugh, We got a stud in Pouncey man, I don't trust these guys with the OLine anymore. The only thing they know how to do is take the best guy in the draft on the Line to improve it.

In the end, the case will be Pouncey/Thomas vs. Ingram/insert name (Berger, Ohara, Incognito, etc.).

 

[X-Pacolypse]

For anyone to think that a third year start qb will never develop any consistency is out right crazy. Young players get better all th time. So to make a statement like that is not understanding the dynamics of the qb position.

Tell that to the Joey Harrington's, David Carr's, Ryan Leaf's, and JaMarcus Russell's of the world.

 

[hoops]

So your ignoring glaring flaws such as fumbling, running upright, and being slow and countering with how he had good vision in college?

If you want to look at what he did in college as "upside" then fair enough, and Ck state that he just wasn't ready as well, but for what he did on the professional level he was clearly lacking. So far at least.

i agree that the running style and the way he held the ball in traffic on college tape was concerning...no doubt...but outside of 4 carries where we didn't create any running room for him vs atlanta and he admittedly pressed the issue too much and the limited preseason reps vs the panthers where he showed much better college tape is all we have to go on...the feet were on display in the panthers game...thats a 230 lb back with those feet...thats rare

that said i'm concerned d thomas is gonna take big shots and the balls gonna be on the ground cause he does run too vertical and he needs to be more downhill on the goalline and not timid...we'll see in time but i think the panthers game was definitely a step in the right direction

and just cause ck says something doesn't mean i have to just nod my head in agreement...on anything for that matter...

 

[BlueFin]

For anyone to think that a third year start qb will never develop any consistency is out right crazy. Young players get better all th time. So to make a statement like that is not understanding the dynamics of the qb position.

Based on what we've seen of Chad Henne, his natural instincts and his lack of accuracy and field vision.....I sincerely doubt he will ever become a championship quarterback. There are some area's that just come naturally for a quarterback.......this is where I believe Henne is lacking and nothing can really change that.

From my years of watchng this game, I would say the odds of Henne transforming into a championship caliber quarterback are long. There is a "it" factor most great quarterbacks have even when they are developing and adjusting to the pro game and I just don't see it with Henne.

 

[Austin Tatious]

The fact that the right side of the line is in such dismal shape, and has no long term solution, is beyond frustrating. After 4 years of tinkering, Sparano can't make an offensive line work. Next off season, we apparently have to work on getting more linemen? Are you kidding me?

I'd play it like this: Long--Garner--Pouncey--Incognito--Murtha. Garner pulled pretty well in '09 IIRC. Incognito is a mauler more suited for RG. Murtha we can only hope can be tolerable.

 

[Mr. Magoo]

i agree that the running style and the way he held the ball in traffic on college tape was concerning...no doubt...but outside of 4 carries where we didn't create any running room for him vs atlanta and he admittedly pressed the issue too much and the limited preseason reps vs the panthers where he showed much better college tape is all we have to go on...the feet were on display in the panthers game...thats a 230 lb back with those feet...thats rare

that said i'm concerned d thomas is gonna take big shots and the balls gonna be on the ground cause he does run too vertical and he needs to be more downhill on the goalline and not timid...we'll see in time but i think the panthers game was definitely a step in the right direction

and just cause ck says something doesn't mean i have to just nod my head in agreement...on anything for that matter...

I agree completely. Thomas' feet are a rare attribute. But he's probably at least a year away from hitting his potential in terms of all the fundamentals of carrying the football.

The good thing for him is he's already a pretty good pass protector. That will help keep him on the field and get reps while he's learning how to hold the ball, how to run with better pad level, etc etc.

I still wish we had another back to take the pressure off, though. Bush looked good the other night but it's only a matter of time before the sand runs out of the hour glass for him, injury wise. I can't help but think that if we're left with Thomas as our main back we're going to be throwing the ball 45 times a game just to keep up. Hopefully someone shakes loose from one place or another (New England and New Orleans in particular have more good backs on the roster than they can carry).

 

[Austin Tatious]

DT did have nimble feet in college for a big man. But he does look very average to me, in a JJ Johnson way. I hope I am wrong. Maybe he is figuring it out.

 

[atomdomb]

Your not a fan of reggie bush because of how his career has went so far in new orleans but what you dont seem to understand new orleans was a bad fit for reggie from the start, a top Draft guru like yourself should have known reggie would flourish in a system like miamis. New orleans does everything around brees, pass first offense, pierre ahead of bush, and just never commited to reggie as there "featured back" in the first place, he was mainly used as a decoy in the passing and a return man. As long as you admit you were "wrong" about reggie than its a good analysis.

New Orleans was right not to commit to Reggie as a featured back. Everything should be done around Brees. Reggie will do well in Miami because Henne is not Drew Brees. If we had Drew Brees I would imagine Reggie's role would diminish again. I actually think that Reggie is perfect compliment to quarterback that has Henne level talent.

 

[atomdomb]

at this point in time, i feel like this is the best we can get out of henne. played a decent game but i am afraid that might be his ceiling.

If you really think this then we really have a problem. Call me crazy but didn't the second unit for Carolina start getting on the field for Miami's opening drive of the second quarter? At least by the second drive of the second quarter it was all backups. Granted Marshall was off the field but that was about it. Henne not competely chewing through guys fighting for roster spots leaves me a little squeamish, but that's just me.