Nothing to See Here, Move Along!

It's always easy to take shots, and it's a target-rich environment. That sucked. Okay I'm done.

It's also easy to pretend you're Vince Lombardi or a marine ranger or something and yammer about second place being last place and crap like that. For a Ranger that's fine: Second place is dead. For the rest of you, grow up. This team is being rebuilt and instant gratification is not to be had.

Now for the positive stuff:

1: Massequoi. No preseason and voila. There he is. Like I said. I'm still hearing he can't be a number one. If you define number one as one of the five best wide recievers in the NFL, ok. If not, think aga...think for the first time.

2: Pinkston. He'll be okay.

3: The linebackerS aren't slow. Aside from that Samoan semi-safety guy, the outside backers are slow for a 4-3, but Jackson isn't. Further, Jackson is one of the better coverage linebackers in the NFL. Also, if a tight end can't get into his pattern, he can't catch a pass, and Fujita can press. Also, linebackers cover tight ends and running backs, not wide recievers. Also, linebackers are replaced in nickel and dime defenses. You guys go duck-hunting with hand-grenades, don't you?

4: Evan Moore. Wow.

5: Andy Dalton was shockingly good under pressure. Give the man credit.

6: The pony offense (two halfbacks) wasn't a gimmick and will be used more, expecially against the light-in-the-loafers Colts. Turn Dwight Freeny into a pancake and he can't rush the passer. the pony also provides two potential pass-blockers.

6a: Vs. the Colts you should see some two-back, two-tight end offenses with only one wide reciever. They can get as cute and clever, and be as fast and athletic as they want. This team can run or pass out of that formation, and they can beat the Colts down with it.

7: McCoy is still almost a rookie. The complex offensive system is still new. There are bound to be hiccups and outright breakdowns like those last sunday. If you're an adult, you expect them, but expect the operation to smooth out over time/with reps.

8: Jackson. I told you so. I loved the delayed blitzes, too. Those big monsters in front of him really help that work, but he also gets to full speed in about two steps.

9: Benard. I told you so. Sheard is a rookie, and may become a stud, but isn't yet, and Benard will probably take reps from him. Benard can get to the QB.

10: The Green touchdown debacle can be called a fluke. Do you expect it to happen again? Overall, the defense wasn't bad. They did seem to get gassed at the end. One guy wrote about it being an issue. Not really. It's an issue for every NFL defense that didn't get an offseason or train strenuously per old contract rules. Another guy that goes fishing with dynamite.
They were solid against the run for most of the game, and they got to the QB a lot.

11: Field position was a critical factor. I feel bad for the punter who had the bad back and might have lost his shot because of it, but it is what it is and won't be next week.

12: They overcame their early putridosity and came back. Of they hadn't then turned right back into the Keystone cops, that would have been great. As it was, though, it was a very good sign.

13: Rich Gannon and others are picking the Browns over Indi. Gannon says the Colts defense is in trouble if it has to defend the run for sixty minutes. He didn't say this: Kerry Collins is a sitting duck.

I am starting to give up on Robiski. He's in his third season now, and has the brains to run the correct routes. One commentator said he needs to "play up to his potential". Well, he might not have sufficient potential. Effort was never an issue. I got my fingers crossed, but am doubtful--and I don't care where he played in college, or how much I like him.

Pashos might be done. His whole body seems to be breaking down. They'll have to make do, but they do have solid vets who don't normally get embarrassed like they were vs. Cinci.