Not noting anyone's comments...

...I can fairly well assume that there's some mutual Fasani boasting and Weinke downing.

Both players did very well. It doesn't at all surprise me that a WCO-background quarterback would do well in a bland, gameplan-less game. Just ask Hasselbeck.
Anyway, I was very happy with the first and third string quarterbacks tonight, I felt that both had a number of good spots and a few bad. Weinke had some guys drop balls I thought were good balls, Fasani and Weinke each overthrew some balls. Both guys had good looking deep balls and velocity, and overall accuracy was about what you'd want. I did feel like the first string offense was unspirited and that was very disappointing.


I felt like Fasani and Watkins spent far too much time outside the pocket, for the most part it suited the athletic Fasani but it hurt him when he finally noticed the open receiver downfield, open, and had to throw way across his body. I'm glad our guys can make things happen, from Weinke on down, but it's somewhat of a worry when you consider the PSL day activities where both he and Fasani took off on 3rd and forever. There's a point where you have to prove yourself as a QB first and both do still have a ways in some respects.

Bright is a bad ass. Outplayed Smith, outplayed everyone at his own level and might bump some guys back a spot. I know Fasani threw a pretty ball from where I was but Bright straight punked his DB.

Speaking of punking DBs, that was a world class run by Foster. All I have to say.
Smith wasn't showing pop at all, and Foster was explosive. I think we know where this one's going. Smith couldn't have had five yards.

Thought Brown looked good as the 3rd string RB when he got a chance but was a little inconsistent. Could have had more yards if he had not tried to sidestep the half-free DT.

Nice play by Jenkins on the pick but he was outplayed by Howard no doubt. Reggie was more physical, came after the ball more.
Wasn't Wesley's night from what was apparently him being on the field when he shouldn't have been, to not being on the next play until late, to a penalty, and I'm sure he got thrown at some as well. Still I remember a good play or two on the ball.

Thought the first two units of safety played well. Grant and Minter close to the ball very well. Cooper looked good having switched to FS and Richardson looked well except for losing his receiver when he should have had the over on the play.

Witherspoon is going to start. he has good pop, he's got great speed and applies it better than Navies. Fields looked damn good out there and while I didn't look specifically at him, Morgan just didn't make the plays that Fields did. Mark looks very good coming off the corner and should be an asset to either side if we have trouble with contain.
No real impressions of DL play just yet, and I wasn't real impressed with the first string line or the first O at all. But that was a damn good defense that they faced and the second string had a bunch of nothing. I don't think the backup line was at all better matched or played better.

of course all of this is pre-tape. Now to look over what y'all are thinking.

 

Witherspoon is going to be a hoss and if he continues with the same level as he showed tonight he very well could start.

Smith showed nothing, vision yeah right... there were holes tonight he just didn't hit. IMO we need to cut ties and go in with Foster and Brown as 1 and 2 and get Goings back to RB.

Bright played very well and yes he did shine more that Steveonne.

Wesley had it rough for a few plays there but settled down and played better.

Fields I didn't like this signing either. I love his speed but the liability in pass coverage worried me. I was impressed tonight. Also Brad Jackson.... Special teamer to backup he's solid.

Cousin played well also.

More to come tomorrow after I watch the tape also.

 

Jackson had some problems on ST lining up. I was a little curious about that, allowing one mistake to happen twice. However he and Witherspoon both looked real good in the second unit and either IMO could start this year and we'd be fine. Navies right now, just like L Smith, could be done away with and we'd be OK, but I think both stick. Lamar probably won't see the ball much this year but he's cheap and valuable depth.

 

I would like to see the QB's switch next week. Fasini verses number 1 team defence and Weinke verses #2. Peete will be back next week so he needs some time as well. Weinke will surely get the start but still wonder what Fasini would do verses the A players. Watkins needs to book the first flight out of here

 

I forgot to mention Witherspoon. I like him and think that he could start but IMO he should backup this year and maybe start the next. He looked good but IMO Jackson played better other than the ST mistakes.


I don't think Peete needs too much time. We know what we'll get from him and the preseason is find what you have. Peete is what he is a veteran backup. The point about Fasani and Weinke switching is a good one unless the phsycological ramifications could hurt Weinke.

 

I wouldn't honestly like to see that. It's still Weinke's job to lose, and while some might be ready with the hissy in hand just dying to use it, he hasn't lost it. He didn't get schemed in rollouts to showcase his athleticism, he went against a top 5 D with no running game and despite some drops put up good numbers. Peete will get play next week, like it or not, Weinke will start, and that will probably push Fasani back some. He got a hell of a showcase, and he deserves more time, but so do others.

 

I see your point from a football perspective but the casual fan will watch that game and say Fasani kicked ass and he is the man and he's a fucking god, fuck Weinke what did he ever do for us? Lose 15 games?


It's be nice to see Fasani against 1st string talent.. hell it'd be nice to see all out guys against 1st string talent but that ain't gonna happen. If Fasani wants to move up he'll need to show it in camp and in games.

 

Does Moose's drop in 1st quarter ring a bell? What was that?

The O-Line looked pretty good

 

yep. Gotta beat Peete, and Peete's gotta have an equal share of time as well.

That's why I hate casual fans. Then again that's why when I'm in the stands and I start answering the questions a casual fan has, they start listening to everything I say. Another good reason to hate casual fans

I can't say enough how glad I am that Randy stepped it up when he was given opportunities like Bright being wide assed open. I just don't want there to be a situation where some athletic backup's promise screws the team top to bottom. We've been there many a time and it's never lead to a damn thing. It's very wait and see...we're talking about a kid who, at the start of training camp, couldn't be accurate in front of a defense, only on 7 v/s 7s. It's in everyone's best interest right now that we stay our course.

 

I'm glad someone got that impression on the OL. I didn't get a good feel for who was to blame - Smith or the line - and seemed like protection was first rate.

Yep. Moose had a drop, a damn good ball dropped - and Steve Smith seemed to misjudge that sideline pass but all the same it was a little high. Harder to adjust with players covering you. Lamar turned too quick on that swing pass that would have been a first down easy. Those three together, I believe they were in separate series', really change the way things looked. I'm a little perplexed at the lack of fire in the first string O overall. They were a little sloppy. Guess Foster sparked something. Hope he keeps that up.