1. I spend soo much time yelling and pacing during game that I finally got to hear Simm's comments about Tannehill. I could not believe the wonderful things he said about our QB and how much he praised him. Sounded like he wants to be Ryan's agent. Got a bunch of second looks at some great throws..came away even more impressed than Sunday. 2. Our LB play, outside of Misi, leaves much to be desired. Ellerbe has some moments, too few, but Wheeler looks lost. Great catch by the Pat TE on the TD but Wheeler never turned or made a play on the ball. Would love to see more of a split with Jenkins going forward. Just wish Ellerbe was more of a downhill MLB..he is not. 3. Two outstanding catches by Matthews..game changers..Wow. Even Wallace with a great back shoulder catch. Like this group of recievers, they all have different skill sets, Much improved area. Hartline, on those slants, is almost unstopable. 4. Kudos to our OL and RB's. Have been so much better on 1st downs the last few games(big problem early in the year) We are so much more productive with 2nd and 6 and 2nd and 5. Our running game does not have to dominate, just get some positive yardage. Both Miller and Thomas seem to be running with some decisiveness, could be from more open lanes to run through. 5 .Seems like both Pitts. and the Pats threw ALOT of quick screens against us for consistent good yardage. Afraid that both Buff and Jets might incorporate this in their game plans Overall, real happy we are playing our best ball late in the season where it really matters. Have gained alot of confidence in this team, even when we are down. Players, across the board, take their turn to step up and contribute.
I've never hated someone on our team as much as I hate Phillip Wheeler. The guy is a worse Channing Crowder. At least Crowder played the run somewhat tough, and made some hits. Wheeler is literally ***.
I was told Wheeler's strength was pass coverage..Really? I get more upset with Ellerbe though. Always tackling guys or meeting guys 7 yards down the field. At least has come up with 2 big picks. Forgot to add about Wilson's feeble attempt and slap at the ball late in the game..I blew a gasket on that one
Naw, he's just a slow starter. By about halfway through next season, he might play like he knows the defense.
I think we already started seeing the phasing out of Phillip Wheeler and the phasing in of Jelani Jenkins. Jenkins played well Sunday.
I see enough from Ellerbe that I like enough and I think with a better player alongside him we would be in pretty good shape. Wheeler is a total disappointment though. You're completely right on the TD catch he gave up. He never looked for, or consequently, played the ball.
If I had to guess I would say jelani Jenkins got 40 percent of the reps, and was in on some important stops, he looked good as well, he's got some explosive tools to work with, is fast, strong, and he did flash to me not just in coverage either..I isolated him on a rewatch and came away suprised he was as far along as he is. Also from their comments, it seems to me their looking to get him a few more.
Yeah, he's a pretty slow player, he's got some instincts, but he's limited athletically..I'm hopin we see more of the instincts once the scheme is 2nd nature, he says that he's not quite there in terms of comfortability.
Wheeler has been the biggest free agent disappointment IMO. And that includes Clabo. At least Clabo is playing almost average. Wheeler just looks lost. Against the run and the pass. It seems like the coaching staff knowingly decreased the run d to bolster the pass d by switching out the lbs from last yr. I just dont like the scheme where the lbs are having to consistently cover slot wrs. Is that normal? Jenkins did play well on Sunday and I hope he plays even more this Sunday
His issues imo from college was he just didn't want to get inside and play physical football..we'll see if that has changed at this level and he can be more than a coverage linebacker..coach said he's also very smart, has picked up the scheme quickly, but pretty much complimented him on being a coverage linebacker...I'd like to see him hit some holes behind the Los, be real physical taking on some blocks and shedding..but he did show some things that were encouraging. I'd like to see him train with wake and his boys this offseason..
Never thought I would scream a guys name more than Channing Crowder....Ellerbe and wheeler beat him. My brother used to curse Crowder's name so much, our kids thought his name was Crowder Sucks, Make a play Crowder and Channing ASTIFF..lol...almost makes me miss Morlon Greenwood and Derrick Rodgers
Well, the thing that we need to remember is that when you bring in several free agents like he did this off season, there is bound to be at least one that doesn't work out. Wheeler is looking to be that player as of now. I'm hoping he can somehow turn it around.He played fairly well early in the season iirc?
Which is strange to me, when we signed him and I looked at his reps last year, I thought it would be the opposite, the tough thing to read was that Ellerbe had much more freedom in Baltimore to slash and take chances because he was usually lined up outside next to ray Lewis, and in that spot is where he made a good amount of his plays..we've seen a few this year but not nearly as many as when he was playin next to ray.
Saw Wheeler play better(not a huge jump) in the 2nd half splitting time with Jenkins. Seems like the way to go forward. Maybe Wheeler needs a little fire up his butt(less playing time) to give a better effort. Saw him come up on a sweep and be physical. Had to see if we had another Wheeler on the roster!
I have the game in my PC, and watched it last night as well. Obviously you pay more attention to small details when you're relaxed and stress free, and already know the outcome, but I came away with pretty much very similar observations. Tannehill was really, really good in this game. He was carving the crap out of the middle of the field. He made some unbelievable bullet passes in very tight windows down the middle of the field to Hartline, Matthews and Wallace. Talking about Wallace, he had a very good game. Made some really nice plays throughout the game. Micheal Thomas is a gamer. Apart from those 2 huge plays at the end, I followed him on special teams and he was always doing something right. He seems to be smart and have good instincts. Also, boy do the patriots get away with a lot of crap in the line of scrimmage. The holdings on offense are ridiculous. Wake was clotheline held more than 5 times this game. And on defense they hold our receivers just about every time at the snap. I counted about 3-4 missed throws because our receivers were held and that threw off the timing.
Sorry, but Wheeler is bad, but not Crowder bad. That guy was literally a push over. He just hasn't played good angles or adjusted well in pass coverage. At least they're working in Jenkins.
He covered Vareen a lot, you could see that was one of his major responsibilities and he executed the job well when in.
Yeah, they were clearly focused on taking Vereen away and they did. The CBs were struggling most of the day, I thought the pass rush saved our asses in a major way, especially on that final drive.
Wheeler played well in Indianapolis and Oakland, I just wonder if he's not a fit for Coyle's defense.
Agree, we really need to look at drafting a MLB next year (along with OL, obviously). Ellerbe may be salvageable... Wheeler not so much.
Great point. Coyle was already here a year. On top of being a bad fit, Ellerbe too, they were given alot of $$$. Is it better to get average to above average players that fit a system? Or above average players to squeeze or struggle in a system. I seem to recall Ellerbe saying he still was not comfortable in this defense yet.
You know what sucks..I heard grimes the other day, and if you watch his interviews he's such a strait forward chill kind of dude, love him and trust what he says he literally said D Patterson is a great player, and he meant it..the flashes we saw late last year and early this year back that statement up..
Thought Patterson played better than Grimes when Healthy,big compliment. Actually forced some throws Grimes way. When healthy, Grimes and Patterson were best starting corners we have had since Surtain and Madison. Patterson playing made us a much better defense, could see it everytime he could play.
Which are both his former teams. Makes me think he got paid, balls against his former teams, and doesnt play as hard against the rest....
I meant he played well for those two teams. People will have to accept that he's on the team for the next 1-2 years regardless.
Yeah lol we didnt play the Raiders this year.......but the colts game he DID play well....so I may be half right
Its a shame he can't stay healthy. I'd strongly consider cutting him and giving his salary to Carroll.
Wheeler plays hard but he doesn't seem to have a full grasp on the D. I'm hoping that will change as he gets better acclimated. Same goes for Ellerbe. Those two catch a lot of flak but IMO letting Dansby and Burnett go was a style/age decision.
We finished the game with Davis, Thomas and Wilson playing CB. You could argue those are the 5,6,7 CBs and yet they made enough plays to stop one of the all time greats when it mattered most.
His best feature is pass rushing/blitzing, not coverage. He is currently rated the 5th best pass rushing 4-3 OLB by PFF.