I liked what I saw from McElroy, Cumberland, and Powell. McElroy was getting his ass kicked early on and looked like he was absolutely in his first NFL game. However, he came back and showed guts and poise.
I'm pretty sure a few of McElroy's deep ducks were the result of hits or tips. I know both early sideline balls to Kerley were disrupted. He was lucky to be able to plant his feet let alone step into a lot of those throws. I was pleasantly surprised at McElroy's arm strength. I'd be more worried about him surviving another game behind that O-Line.
The kid definitely doesn't have a strong arm. That's the main reason he fell so far in the draft. However, he can probably make a lot of those throws that looked short. ...because of shitty offensive line play, McElroy wasn't able to step into many of this throws. That changed a lot.
All I know is, I'd rather have McElroy has our number 3 than Clemens. McElroy does not shit himself out there. I know there's a big difference between the regular season and playing vs. a 2nd unit in a preseason game, but I don't care. The kid has balls and knows what it takes to win(even though he fell short tonight). I can't say either thing about Clemens.
And McElroy did win the game. A dropped ball isn't on him. Stevie Johnson moment by Campbell. Shit happens. The dude should have a comeback on his belt already. Its against 3s, but it still happened. He pocket awareness has to be from his father, who is a coach. He's got a football mind in him. Good rookie #3. He'll be the #2 next year. I'll jump the gun on him. He's not a ratliff.
Payne's best chances to make this team are on ST. If he can keep making tackles then there could be a 6th WR spot created. Still, he'll have to show more than he did tonight on offense.
Also, lost in the O-Line shitstorm is the fact that Wayne Hunter, for a short time anyway, handled Mario Williams well. I know this was Williams' first game as a 290 lb. OLB, but still, I liked seeing Wayne taking him on.
He showed a lot last year. He earned that contract. I'm not concerned about our first unit o-line. If there's an injury, or Moore's injury impairs him more than we expect, there could be a problem, though.
Ok to be serious..... The Oline is the one unit that needs time to develop and mesh, we all know this. Besides with all those grocery baggers I wouldn't worry about it till next game.
I hate to mention anything he did good tonight because i think he did a terrible job but on one of greene's big runs big vlad had a key block as he ran through a pretty massive hole set up by him and the terminator.
I've mentioned that as well. That's the flashes we see, which means he can develop into a good OL, but he's going to need more time.
McElroy is a pretty tough dude. He threw a few ducks on the deep balls but he had a lot of composure, considering Vlad n the other backups pretty much put a target on his jersey. McElroy's ducks actually opened my eyes even more to Kerley. That little dude competes for footballs. It's a great attribute for a young receiver. He was as good as advertised for me. We need to start throwing him drag routes and other short,quick throws to maximize his YAC potential. Cumberland was like a man possessed. He missed a key block but he was very sure-handed and showed YAC ability. I don't know about you guys but he's already become my backup TE. The other dude (Mulligan i think) looked like a doofus. I'm more comfortable trying to teach Cumberland how to block than helping that guy in the passing game. Sanchez was impressive. More impressive than his completions was his command for the team. He looked like it was his team. I was also impressed that he took that sack instead of trying to be a hero. Mason showed he is still that guy who is money in the slot and underneath. I hope to see him connect on tons of slants and drags, all while mentoring Kerley to do the same. Pat Turner played like he was determined to make the team. With that said,the guy that I liked the most and am most encouraged about doesn't seem to have been mentioned. Shonn Greene! He ran with authority yet was patient. He hit holes hard and stiff armed the hell outta one dude. He looked like he was readily embracing the role of THE GUY in the backfield!
By the way, one of the more interesting races in this camp will be for that last spot on the WR corp. A lot of solid guys going for 1 spot. I hope Turner gets the job. That would make it Holmes, Burress, Mason, Kerley, Turner.....not too shabby. With Keller and Cumberland the two pass catching tight ends, and LT out of the backfield.....Sanchez has a LOT of weapons. I feel bad for Campbell. He might be cut over the next couple of days.
