Tweet
Off the top - great way to start the season (obviously)......
But as I watched the game a second time and tried to dissect it, it occurred to me the questions I had about the team and the potential areas for concern pretty much played out as most of us probably expected.
as such:
I expected the Defense to be stout. Losing Bud was a concern, but highsmith showed real potential last year and i thought it wouldn't be that much of a drop off. Then when you factor in the players Colbert added such as Ingram and Schobert I thought we actually ended up with an upgraded unit. I think that showed today.
I expected Ben in his 18th year to be on his game and have total mastery of the offense. That's what we got.
I expected our WR corp to be explosive and all three of our top guys should give the defense fits trying to decide whom to cover. That's how it played out.
I thought this game would revolve around our revamped O-line and THAT was the major concern. How would our rookie center and LT perform? How would the unit gel and could we establish a running game? I thought they played sound football. Some really good plays in there. Some - not so good. But overall, I think the line did a good (not great) job - which is probably the best we could have hoped for in week 1. It was good enough to spring a few holes, to generate some short yardage first downs, to give Ben just enough time on a few plays, to keep the chains moving.
I thought Najee would likely have tough sledding behind this young line - and for the most part he did. He ran hard, made a few plays and was effective just enough to keep the defense mostly honest. I think as a rookie he'll learn to be a bit more explosive initially and decisive on hitting the hole. There is going to be a learning curve for both NH and the O-line for the first half of the season. My hope is they start to really hit their stride for the last half.
I thought going into this game, the defense would keep it close - the offense would struggle and if we were to win, Ben would have to be on his 'A' game with probably not very much of a run game to support him. I think that's pretty much what happened - thus my title of no real surprises. (although a rare ST touchdown on the blocked punt was a nice surprise).
It's only one game - but to go into Buffalo against a team that has legitimate SB aspirations and grab a win, that's the way to start the season. I suspect we're going to pull a lot of hair out watching the offense build cohesion - but if the defense keeps us in the game and Ben stays healthy, well...................fingers crossed.
But as I watched the game a second time and tried to dissect it, it occurred to me the questions I had about the team and the potential areas for concern pretty much played out as most of us probably expected.
as such:
I expected the Defense to be stout. Losing Bud was a concern, but highsmith showed real potential last year and i thought it wouldn't be that much of a drop off. Then when you factor in the players Colbert added such as Ingram and Schobert I thought we actually ended up with an upgraded unit. I think that showed today.
I expected Ben in his 18th year to be on his game and have total mastery of the offense. That's what we got.
I expected our WR corp to be explosive and all three of our top guys should give the defense fits trying to decide whom to cover. That's how it played out.
I thought this game would revolve around our revamped O-line and THAT was the major concern. How would our rookie center and LT perform? How would the unit gel and could we establish a running game? I thought they played sound football. Some really good plays in there. Some - not so good. But overall, I think the line did a good (not great) job - which is probably the best we could have hoped for in week 1. It was good enough to spring a few holes, to generate some short yardage first downs, to give Ben just enough time on a few plays, to keep the chains moving.
I thought Najee would likely have tough sledding behind this young line - and for the most part he did. He ran hard, made a few plays and was effective just enough to keep the defense mostly honest. I think as a rookie he'll learn to be a bit more explosive initially and decisive on hitting the hole. There is going to be a learning curve for both NH and the O-line for the first half of the season. My hope is they start to really hit their stride for the last half.
I thought going into this game, the defense would keep it close - the offense would struggle and if we were to win, Ben would have to be on his 'A' game with probably not very much of a run game to support him. I think that's pretty much what happened - thus my title of no real surprises. (although a rare ST touchdown on the blocked punt was a nice surprise).
It's only one game - but to go into Buffalo against a team that has legitimate SB aspirations and grab a win, that's the way to start the season. I suspect we're going to pull a lot of hair out watching the offense build cohesion - but if the defense keeps us in the game and Ben stays healthy, well...................fingers crossed.
Comment