This is going to be my focus this week. I was hoping to breakdown Winfield and Wirfs in detail, but we didn't get the kind of game that allows for that focus.
Generally on those two, without reviewing the tape and just having access to a few condensed game reviews and advanced metrics:
WIRFS - Adequate play. Multiple very solid 1v1 reps vs Cam Jordan. However, he did give up 2 Pressures (Hits) and he was ok in the running game.
WINFIELD - Very good play from him. 3 big Stops. 1 big Pressure. Only gave up 1 successful completion and had a PBU.
Some general thoughts and predictions about what I'm going to see on tape (which could be very wrong):
1) Davis, SMB, Winfield, LVD, White were all great in coverage. White had that coverage loss on the first play, but was great after that. Davis had that one penalty where he had the guy blanketed and didn't need to grab with the other arm...outside of that, he utterly dominated Thomas like no one has (this is the 2nd game he's done that).
2) Bowles (once again) called an absolutely terrific football game. He is just a fantastic DC.
3) Our Special Teams are awful because (a) the mid/bottom of our roster isn't good (and hasn't been for years) and (b) the coaching has to take its share of blame here.
4) Brady's two picks were bad decisions and coverage misreads. Both on him.
5) Gronk was bad in the run game and unable to create separation in the passing game. He did alright helping Wirfs. This is not a good start to this 10 Million + 4th round pick investment. OJ was roundly better than Gronk in every facet of play.
6) Suh gave us absolutely nothing and it stuck out like a sore thumb. He lost his gap integrity on a few Zone runs and got put on skates at least once that I can recall. His effort to chase down a Screen was also not good. ZERO Pressures in 32 Pass Rush snaps. None. Not even close. 8 Mil investment off to a bad start.
7) WAY too many snaps by Edge starters. The obviously don't trust Nelson at this point as he got 3 snaps. Edge4 got 0. If injuries hit this position. Edge3 and Edge4 for New Orleans were fantastic and difference-makers in this game.
8) The running game's struggles are going to be a combination of (a) crappy, predictable, early down play-calling, (b) a lot of stalemates in Man runs (not many outright losses, but combo blocks not getting a lot down and guys not getting 2nd level), (c) likely a few misreads in Zone by Tailbacks, (d) our WRs struggled blocking downfield (Godwin had some key missed blocks), (e) and just the generally lacking-in-creativity, stone-age scheme that we run.
9) Terrible Pass Protection by McCoy and Jones led to some key Pressures (no way!).
10) Obviously Donovan Smith with his key, drive-killing losses will shine very brightly.
11) The lack of combination routes (mesh downfield, rubbed releases, floods, Wide Stacks creating catch-22s for DBs, way too much iso and not enough 3 * 1 concepts where the 3 feature rubbed releases/exchange + horizontal and vertical push) and so much isolation throws is going to (again) frustrate the hell out of me upon review.
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Tape will drop tomorrow after the game tonight. I'll start the review then.
