Thursday, August 8, 2013

What Did We Learn From Preseason Game 1?

You can't learn much from a preseason game, but here are a couple tidbits that I think were apparent from the film:

  • Kirk Cousins looks sharp.  Cousins showed great footwork, mechanics, and tempo, and every one of his throws was accurate.  And I mean really accurate -- he practically placed the ball into the hands of his receivers.  If Cousins can show similar accuracy on the long ball, he's the real deal.
  • Kai Forbath still has trouble on kickoffs.  The Skins and Titans each kicked the ball off 4 times, yet the Skins had 1 kickoff return and the Titans 4.  Short kickoffs were a problem last year too, and giving the opponent opportunities for returns is not a good thing. 
  • Evan Royster has not progressed as a runner.  Royster just doesn't have the explosion or decisiveness that the other Skins RBs have.  Even Keiland Williams looked more explosive getting through holes.  Royster is good at taking what the defense gives him, but not a yard more. 
  • Roy Helu is good, not great.  Helu is just plain quicker and faster than Royster.  But his vision, anticipation, and the precision of his cuts are a full level below Alfred Morris.  Morris is much slower, but has a sixth sense that tells him exactly when and where to make that hard first cut.
  • Pat White is not yet an NFL-caliber QB.  Pat White looks very comfortable running the ball and comfortable with the read-option.  But his throws, even the ones he completes, are not on-time and not very accurate.
  • Rex Grossman is still Rex Grossman.  Grossman understands the offense well, but his footwork and fundamentals are just plain bad.  He often throws off his back foot and he can make a great throw one moment and a wild throw the next.  With Pat White showing comfort with the read-option but discomfort as a passer, it will be interesting to see if Grossman is kept as a mentor to RGIII and Cousins for another year.



No comments:

Post a Comment