09-14-2021, 01:28 PM
(09-14-2021, 12:55 PM)Bengalstripes9 Wrote: The lack of penalties was great. The defensive play was good. Nice to see them generating more pressure. They tackled well on defense minus one play--and kept Cook in check. Most of the positives came down to how well the players looked though. Chase looked great. Tee Higgens looked great. The defensive line looked very good.
The negatives were sometimes the playcalling on offense was a little too predictable and safe (and maybe this is necessary to protect Burrow). For awhile there we were just throwing short throws and running the ball in the 1st quarter and didn't go anywhere. We missed two great opportunities early (starting from near midfield). We finally started attacking the defense and scored 3 TDs. Then late in the game we went back into our shell and didn't attack enough (likely due to all the pressure given up on passing plays). We made enough good plays to win. The running game looked better. But they need to get better on Offense (and I think they can).
The play calling on the 4th downs and 3rd downs wasn't ideal. The one big play late that won it was an audible by Burrow. Obviously the decision to give the Vikings an opportunity to get back in the game on the 4th and 1 was a bonehead call. Overall I wasn't impressed with the decision-making and play calling on 3rd/4th down this game. I hope to see that improve.
One thing to consider about the conservative calls in the 2nd half is that Higgins and Chase both missed significant time due to dehydration....and at the same time. I think that was a factor as well.
I'd agree with you on the negatives otherwise. I liked the balance, and on the audible, it was said that they sent in two plays, and Joe makes the call based on the look he gets. One run, one pass. I don't know about the validity to that claim, but it was mentioned.
The defense has some missing pieces back, as well as some added pieces. I guess my point with Anarumo is, now that he has the personnel he wants, were we a bit overly critical of him now that we can see the vision with better players on the field?
Offensively, being able to run seems to really open up the playbook. Play action was lethal yesterday. That hasn't been the case with less than 3 ypc the last few years. I'd agree about some in game negatives for sure, but the biggest positive for me is that with better execution/personnel, we get a glimpse of what these units are supposed to look like in these new systems. Yesterday, they looked pretty damn good.
