It was a long game day and night for me. No time to post until now.
1st, we fans need to chill the F out and consider that variables. Hmm, where to start?
Huge improvement with offensive play calling and player utilization.
The efforts were there to get everyone involved.
Could have there been better overall results on the scoreboard?
Most definitely so, the offense didn't capitalize on some opportunities, and gave Butler more opportunities than it should have. Hauck even touched on not capitalizing.
Despite the negatives, there's a lot to like and take from this game.
Over 400 yards of offense will win a lot games.
The offense was balanced, many players contributed, and we have plenty of playmakers.
It was nice to see us having a young RB that is capable of being a true workhorse, if needed.
Gillman is terrific. He's has solid speed, great balance, vision, and power.
Xavier Harris has added more power. He too looked solid.
Bergen, White, Fontes, Racanelli all contributed.
Unfortunately, Bergen dropped a nice 25 yardish pass over the middle.
Racanelli deflected the 1st interception. That pass should have been caught.
The offensive line didn't dominate.
However, for the most part, the QB's weren't pressured often.
They also created enough space to consistently run the ball with success.
I think the referees were very nitpicky on the holding calls.
Unfortunately, the so called holds made things more difficult for the offense.
I actually like the potential of this 2 qb system.
As for Vidlak, take the time to recall Sneed's 1st season starting.
Sneed was very inconsistent for the 1st half of his 1st season, then took off the 2nd half.
With that said, I feel too many fans are being way too harsh on Vidlak.
Over 150 yards passing in the 1st half is encouraging.
He did a terrific job of distributing opportunities to everyone.
His incompletions were just slightly off. For the most part, his passes were very catchable.
He threw bullets and touch passes.
Unfortunately, his 2nd interception was an absolutely terrible decision.
I was surprised by that decision. In the practices I saw, he threw the ball away.
He will learn from that decision. Let's not harp on it.
Fact is, he doesn't have a lot of in game experience.
Making mistakes is part of the growing and learning process.
I was actually impressed, he didn't let the called back plays negatively impact him.
Despite having 2 TD's called back, he still led the team to a TD on that possession.
Also, 1 possession was absolutely killed by a snapping error.
He had 1 long TD pass called back and roughly another 25 yard pass dropped.
Those took away from his stat line.
He's not a running qb. He does have enough footwork to keep plays alive though.
2 interceptions need to be cleaned up, but only 1 interception was on him.
I am sure, Racanelli and Bergen know, they need to make those plays.
Overall, I am confident, Vidlak is plenty capable of great things, as he gains experience.
As for McDowell, he has rapidly cleaned up his game.
In the practices I saw, he was a little careless with the ball and struggled finding offensive consistency.
Needless to say, this kid proved to me, he is a quick learner and nice qb option.
His athleticism, speed, and leadership are impressive.
What we know, he brings this offense a nice change up in terms of being an RPO QB.
He has to be accounted for in the running game.
As for his passing, from that game, we really have nothing to evaluate.
However, from the little I saw in practices, he has good arm strength.
I just don't know, where he is at as for accuracy and the type of passes he can make.
I will venture a guess though. I'm sure he's committed to being the best player, qb, and teammate he can be.
Fortunately, Pease kept with what was working.
There really wasn't any need to change things up with McDowell.
Next time we see him, I hope they let him pass now and then.
Unlike some here, I am surprisingly encouraged by our 2 qb potential.
I look forward to see how each of them improve.
Keep in mind, it takes time for qb's and WRs to get in sync in the passing game.
It's easier to get a running game in sync than a passing game.
There's just not as many variables involved with a running game.
Offensively, just have to emphasize the importance of decision making and clean up the shotgun snaps.
Right now, I'm really not that worried about it.
Forbes has the experience and proven results for me to know, snaps will not be an ongoing issue.
The fact that I have ZERO complaints on play calling and player utilization is a positive.
Defensively, I think a few are being overly critical.
Replacing 3 All Americans, with a new DC isn't easy.
It will take time for the defense to get in sync with one another.
Despite these factors, the defense took away a running game.
Somehow, they managed to keep a solid duo threat qb in check.
Allowing 263 yards passing is a little concerning.
Limiting a running game to 41 yards is encouraging.
The passing yards, aren't due to a lot of breakdowns.
I only recall 1 major break down, due to someone missing an assignment .
Most of Butler's passing yards were due to their WR's making terrific contested catches on 15 yard plus passes.
Butler earned most of their passing yards.
The defense has to work on winning more of those contested passes.
Forcing contested passes is a good sign.
Often, contested passes lead to turnovers.
Gradney was surprisingly great and has the look of a playmaker.
Walker was solid.
The depth beyond them needs to get better though.
Considering the overall inexperience at CB, I see a lot of opportunity for improvement.
That improvement in better postioning on contested passes will go a long way.
Safety play was actually solid for their 1st game.
Fouch is a damn intimidator. His hits will get into the heads of many opponents.
His tackle on the that running play was absolutely the hardest and nastiest hit I recall.
Those kind of hits are normally reserved on passing plays, not running plays.
After watching the replay on tv, that was a clean hit.
I'll never forget that hit. Fortunately, it happened right in front of our seats. It was a loud hit.
Everyone in our section heard and kind of felt that hit.
Cotton was consistent out there as well.
Ryder Meyer really stood out to me. That kid had one hell of a game.
I feel safety play is actually ahead of what I expected.
Frontline and LB play is where I am not sure what to think of.
There really wasn't a lot of results in terms of qb pressure. What's that due to?
I feel, most of it was the result of Bushka's experience and skills though.
Also, Butler's play calls were mostly of quick decision making.
They did a good job limiting our pass rushing pressure opportunities.
Pass pressure can't be truly evaluated until we face in the pocket passing teams.
It looked to me, the defensive schemes and play calls were kept vanilla.
Just as in practice, I think they are focusing early with being assignment and responsiblity discipline.
I honestly feel, they are back to basics, and will open up the defense as the season progresses.
With that said, I'm not overly concerned with the defense.
Giving up roughly 300 yards overall to an experienced qb and solidly coached team, is actually not bad.
Even if the defense only improves on better results on contested passes, that will go a long way for this team.
I feel the coaching and talent is there for this defense though.
Special teams, it looks like we again will experience teams avoiding our returner (Bergen).
No doubt, Grant Glasgow is a damn impressive kicker.
His kicks have a different sound to them.
His FG's and kickoffs were all american level from game 1.
IF he can maintain that, kicking is good hands.
Benham did a solid job punting as well. Again, nothing to be concerned about.
Who noticed Genatone on coverage teams? That kid is going to be a star!
He's athletic and damn heat seeking missile on special teams.
I saw enough to know, when he gets into the defensive LB rotation, he's going to be a X factor.
He only lacks experience. Please pay attention to him, every time he's on the field.
I am surprised, very little mention of HUGE improvement in kick return discipline.
Last season, the special teams return unit made a lot of stupid mistakes and decisions.
Butler tried to expose that, but as a whole, the GRIZ were prepared and made good decisions.
Safe to think, those things have been cleaned up.
Overall, I too expected a bigger point differential.
Considering the fact that we have new coordinators, inexperienced qb's, loss of 3 all american defenders, inexperienced CBs, new DE's being elevated, I feel I like the potential of this team.
Can they gradually improve in the 1st 5 games and clean somethings up?
Considering, most of these things can improve with experience and slight changes, I like the potential of this team.
I honestly feel, this team is further ahead than many fans feel.
I feel, too many fans have way too high of early expectations, considering all the factors in the equation.
My biggest concerns are CB depth, QB pressure, and how long will it take our QB's to improve on their games, and be fully in sync in the passing game.
Good job boys!
