Yeah, preseason. Still and all, seeing Cowing sprint sideways across the field and turn up the sideline for an 83 yard punt return TD was pretty damn impressive. Very glad to see him get that spot rather than Deebo. We have enough issues keeping our WRs healthy without subjecting him to that. Especially if him getting carries in the backfield resurfaces (pleasegodno).
Kaedon Black’s emergence will also hopefully put the Deebo RB shit in the can. He had some strong runs despite iffy blocking by that bothersome LG spot, and got positive yards after initial contact. It only got muddier with Austin Pleasants injury but he was already down the chart. Really need these guys to address the LG spot with someone that is a starter and not a stiff. Make a trade. We have enough LBs. Bethune? Greenlaw’s vulnerability will likely quash any trade talk there.
Jones is still a very big trade prospect, but no one has lost their starting QB yet. Still, Minn riding with Murray is a looooooongshot for success, and the Jets are going absolutely nowhere with Geno Smith and Klubnic. Miami and Cleve also spring to mind. Pittsburgh is one COVID vaccine from losing old man Aaron Rodgers. QB for a guard may be a tough pill to swallow, but hey, throw in a WR or safety.
Speaking of safety, I did like the tighter coverage that we showed. We didn’t give up a lot of stupid screens on 3rd and whatever. Our 2’s (D line anyway) against their 1’s on O did well.
Missed the game but saw the highlights. Liked Cowing’s run back. But at this point you can’t count on him since he misses more time than Pearsall. I wish I would have seen the game. I got nothing except I’m glad we beat Harbaugh. I just hope Black can emulate Gore and not all the other 3rd round backs.
Stribling has shown enough to start IMO, he beats out everybody right now except Evans (if Evans is healthy).
Its possible the curse of the 3rd round RB has run its course but Black will need to stay healthy. He runs angry and smart, CMC does the same and speaking of him he does have more pop this year than last, maybe it just took longer to heal, but after all those carries last year I don’t feel comfortable he will play the whole season.
I feel bad for Jordan James, friendly fire from Fred broke his rib and its looking like he may be being passed up on the depth chart because he can’t show what he can do. A tough break (see what I did there?) But he should make the 53 or go on pup.
WR Watkins is showing up a little, if he plays well in the 3rd game I think he makes the 53.
Cowing hasn’t done much as a WR and looks like he can’t win any contested catches which almost all NFL passes are. He might make the 53 now that he made a house call on punt return but I’d say hes 50/50.
Rourke was looking like something before he got hurt, he has a lively arm and good decisions and timing. Martinez is just good enough to get you beat.
The Farrell love affair continues and looks about the same as last year, some good some really not. Beats me why Tonges isn’t getting more reps and Willis is trash. Unbelievably Kittle is trending to week 1 starter, thats crazy fast.
As Chuck pointed out, the LG position just hasn’t come together, they fly to Australia in 11 days so a decision has to be made now if they are going to sign or trade for someone. To be fair, LG isn’t going to look as good as having Trent playing next to you but still even allowing for that its below league average play so far.
Just my 2c, which I won’t be able to give soon since they are ditching the penny.
Yeah, I am surprised Kittle may come back by the 1st game of the season. Wow!
I doubt they will trade to improve the LG position. Nevertheless, by the end of pre-season, someone (Colby, Jones, Willis) needs to distinguish themselves from from the other 2 players they’re competing with.
Not having an LG that’s at least decent can derail this season. Yeah, not holding out too much hope for a trade either.
Hope this doesn’t bite them in the ass.
I’m definitely confused at the TE position right now. They just re-signed Dinkins to a 3 year deal after waiving him. In the pre-season games they feature Farrell in the passing game and Tonges in the blocking game, IMO its the reverse of those players strengths and Farrell isn’t great at blocking either BTW.
Tonges got a 65 yard TD and another couple of long gains from Purdy on Saturdays practice so I just can’t figure out why he doesn’t get many opportunities in the pre-season games.
Against the bolts he got almost twice as many snaps as Farrell but used as a blocker and Farrell largely used in the pattern.
12th Man, probably a moot point with Kittle off the PUP list. Perhaps, they’re putting them in to specifically work on their respective weaknesses, in case Kittle doesn’t come back in the first game and/or he’s injured again. Me too – I don’t know for certain what’s what insofar as what their goal is?!?
Blade, other than when Kittle was out last season and we got to see what Tongues can do in the passing game, which was outstanding, this has been the teams MO between Farrell and Tongues.
As soon as Kittle came back Tongues disappeared and they featured Kittle and Farrell, who promptly dropped passes and was by all accounts not a big factor, instead of Kittle and Tongues.
I just can’t figure out why other than they paid Farrell $12m, which in his first year he didn’t come close to living up to.
I had the same headscratcher about RB Robinson who was barely a factor and led to CMC being run into the ground and not giving Jordan James an opportunity. When James finally got a shot right at the end of the season and ran hard and showed promise.
Sometimes this ethos Shanahn has of trusting the less talented vets instead of the more talented but inexperienced younger guys bites them in the ass.
Good points, particularly your last point, i.e., “Sometimes this ethos Shanahn has of trusting the less talented vets instead of the more talented but inexperienced younger guys bites them in the ass.”
The big news of the day is Kittle and CMC are back at practice, Kittle is off the PUP.
new htreadd