The offense, wow Tomas Rawls! What a little powerhouse! He punishes people, and he showed something that no one expected, the speed to go the distance. I screamed so loud and jumped up and down that my plants fell over.
Rawls isn't Marshawn Lynch, but he's a keeper. And the offensive line started to show something. I was really excited to see Tom Cable run out on the field, tearing his headset off to celebrate that run, then turned around to be chest-bumped by Bevell and given a rough push by Jimmy Graham. What if Cable is correct in saying that this is his best group he's ever had? I for one believe him because listening to O'Neill and Huard, they both think that Cable believes in what he is saying. I can't see Tom lying about something like this and destroying his credibility.
These 5 guys have the talent, they just need to put it all together. How gratifying would it be to see that happen at the time that Dallas' Oline seems to be falling apart? That might have just been New England having 2 weeks to prepare for them, but still, that many high picks should not have looked that bad. If our Oline improves from the Cinci game, we're in a for a lot of big runs!
Our wide receivers are no slouch either! Tyler Lockett had a couple of rookie mistakes, like not getting that 2nd foot down (This ain't college ball bub). But he's on the cusp of being really good. Did you see how many times he got wide open? Ridiculous!
Then we've got ADB and Kearse, 2 very good, going to grab that ball no matter what, wide receivers. And that doesn't include Chris Mathews who could go off at any time, Jimmy Graham who I think we're still adjusting to, and Luke Willson who will only get better. But we do need a good blocking TE. Too bad McCoy is a Redskin, I thought he was a better blocker than Helfet, who I don't understand him still being here. What am I missing?
Man would I love to get Little Gronkowski from K-State for a fullback!. I watched that game Saturday and he definitely has the physical talent, but he's got a lot to learn. I guess I should be happy with our current FB, but he seems hit or miss. Tukuafu on the other hand is a devastating blocker when he gets his hands on people. He should be a goal line option like they used to do with Michael Robinson. Spin like it's going to Marshawn but it's actually already in Tukuafu's hands and he's blasting bodies on his way to the EZ.
If only Russell could get consistent blocking in the passing game. The times that he does get more than 1.5 seconds, he really lights it up. And I did see improvement yesterday on his decision making, well except for that tipped ball to Graham that was picked off! Damnit! Live for another down Russell! Get that ball up higher where only your MONSTER TE can catch it.
Sometimes I wish luck would go our way a little more, like if that tipped pass would have ricocheted to one of our guys for a TD. There were so many little things that if only they had gone our way, we would have won. Like where was the pass interference on the Bengal DB that shoulder blocked Tyler Lockett from catching that long pass? It was obvious that he got there early! WTH? If only No E would have gotten that 2nd foot down, if only...
There were a lot of those "if onlys" on our end, but little or none on the Bengals end, and that's why I believe that we are on the cusp, and could be poised to go 12-4...or maybe even 13-3. There's been a lot of distraction early on, and I think that's effected the focus of this football team, but we have Pete Carroll, and he will get them back on track. And while he's doing that, Tom Cable will be kicking ass in the trenches, and Darrell Bevell will be...doing whatever it is he does.
I don't need to mention Kris Richard, because imho, he's doing a good job. The only thing he needs to do is bring focus to his defense. I think he calls a good game, and he's young, but I was excited when he got the DC job, because for whatever reason, former DBs seem to make the best Defensive Coordinators. It may be that is because while playing, they had to watch everything in front of them and know what was going on up there. That is also why I hope that when Kam's career is over, that he comes back here as our DC. :th2thumbs:
