We know "It's only pre-season" is a valid excuse for most teams. With the Gruden regime, it was all about getting some reps and getting the feel of live action. Most of the work for the game was going to be done afterward in tape study. Where the timing worked the best, where it needed to be tweaked, etc. It was the same for Callahan (since it was just an extension of the same old dance).
I didn't get a read on Turner since I missed an entire year.
It's going to be similar with Shell, but one important component will be different. He'll be looking to tighten execution of the basics. It's what he did the 1st time around. I mean, seriously, how did Greg-rookie-Robinson put up the yards he did off the bench? Not because he was anything great, but because the beef up front gave him the opportunity to.
Art's no dummy. He knows the passing game will be worked on in the film room after the game and some of the running game will as well, but the trenches are entirely execution-based. I'm stoked they brought the Pit drill back and was unaware it had gone. I thought it was mandated from above.
I think all the guys in the trenches appreciated it, and I think it's brought the team together and made the units tighter. So I would look for us to win some one-on-one battles. Unfortunately, I won't be able to watch it. Would someone kindly tape it for me? RIVL? Still in the LA area?
I would really not expect the team to come out sluggish since Art has reinstated contact as part of pre-season as more and more teams shy away from it.
I don't expect the passing game to be sharp since timing and reading by the QB is as much a feel thing as anything in the game can be.
I would look for some serious reps from Fargas, maybe even a half of work (need I say, if he can stay healthy).
I would expect the defense to really swarm to the ball. I expect Stu to be in better position since he's sounding like the game makes sense to him at this level now. We'll see.
Fabs and Nnamdi should be pretty far along and should look good. I wonder if Bones's boy Stanford has gotten back in shape after what sounded like a nasty bout of Strep-throat. Maybe we'll see how well Carr can cover in the slot.
It's make or bench for Gibson. He's either playing like he wants another contract or he's quickly relegated to the bench for the season.
I look for some energy and hopefully a couple plays from Brayton back at DE. It's what he wanted; get it done son.
Is Bing a LB yet? Interesting. Will Howard be Barton II with more speed? Is Williams ready to start and stay healthy? I'm sure he's ready to start. Healthy? Hmmmm. Morrison in the middle couldn't be a smarter move, sorry Hammerhead.
Of course we're all waiting to see Huff.
