The Good And The Bad (Scrimmage Edition)

[PurpleRulz]

Where is everyone? This board used to be extremely busy.

Anyways:

The good:

1. McNair looked very good today with a 3 for 3 passing day. Boller was very impressive throwing the ball, though it is debatable if he would have been sacked before that huge pass to Wilcox. Maybe Boller just looked calm today because he knew he was not going to be hit today. Troy Smith looks like a rookie when passing in the pocket, but you see his laser arm and talent with the roll-out pass. Drew Olson is garbage, or a future Stain, but Olson has no future here.

2. Derrick Mason and Demetrius Williams both looked great running routes and making catches. Williams will have a break out season, I believe. I have no clue who will be the 4th and 5th WRs as no one is separating themselves. I pray no injuries occur to Mason, Clayton, or Williams or we'll be in serious trouble.

3. Todd Heap is Todd Heap. Our TEs will be Heap, Wilcox, and Q-Syp, but Marcus Freeman is someone worth keeping on the P.S. Something about Freeman's heart is very impressive.

4. Jared Gaither is DA MAN! Drove his guy 6 yards down the field, and if he is this good while he is raw, imagine the possibilities once his techniques are more sound. I am less worried about this being JO's last season, now. Marshall Yanda looked good today as did Adam Terry at RT. We have some talented young OL. Chris Chester did well at center and very well at RG. Jason Brown will be one of the best LG in this league. Our future at OL is amazing. How far we have come at both OL and WR.

5. Willis McGahee did a fine job running the ball today. He brings a different look to our running game. He hits the hole fast and hard. On runs the Willis McGahee was advancing, Jamal would have been dancing. PJ Daniels did a good job running the ball, especially on his TD run. Musa Smith has really declined. Where's the explosion and speed? Where was Mike Anderson? Although Cory Ross stunk as a KR/PR, he should be given a long look purely as a RB before we cast him aside. I like McClain a lot as well.

6. I know folks are loving Antwaan Barnes and so am I, but Prescott Burgess is going to come out of nowhere and surprise the league. I think he is the next Bart Scott; in terms of a defender that comes out of nowhere to become a star. Burgess just has a lot of spirit and did some great tackling today in the open field.

7. Our offense scored our 10 points on the Deadskins first and second string defense, while the Skins scored on our fourth stringers.

8. BJ Sams was very sure handed. Yamon held on to the ball today. Sam Koch was booming the ball, but the rookie punter (Brenan ???) also looks like someone that could have a future as a punter in the NFL. Matt Stover should be a future HOF. If Vinateri gets in, I think it makes it easier for Stover to get in.

The bad:

1. As I said already, Drew Olson. He just stinks.

2. Not much else....well save for the fact that it is still baseball season, the O's still stink and I bet they fail to sign their first round draft pick.

[Mista T]

Troy Smith looks like a rookie when passing in the pocket, but you see his laser arm and talent with the roll-out pass. Drew Olson is garbage, or a future Stain, but Olson has no future here.

.... As I said already, Drew Olson. He just stinks.

Most of the fans sitting near me at the scrimmage and hanging around for post game beers were pleasantly surprised how well Olson performed --- several thought that Olson was the best looking of the 4 QBs out there. I disagree: Boller was, but they all looked overall fairly sucky.

To the man -- thought that Troy Smith's performance was poor. He could not connect in traffic or under pressure.

[RavenFanatic2k6]

Jared Gaither looks really good.

Not going to over-analyze it - after all, it was just a glorified practice - but the team looked pretty good. Demetrius Williams in particular caught my eye, he does look just like all the reports have said.

One thing I will say, Samari Rolle was not impressive. He only played in the 7 on 7's and didn't get any pass rush, but couldn't stick with James Thrash of all people. A situation to monitor through the preseason.

I agree about Olson too, he was terrible. Stinks, won't last past the 3rd PS game.

[RavenFanatic2k6]

Most of the fans sitting near me at the scrimmage and hanging around for post game beers were pleasantly surprised how well Olson performed --- several thought that Olson was the best looking of the 4 QBs out there. I disagree: Boller was, but they all looked overall fairly sucky.

To the man -- thought that Troy Smith's performance was poor. He could not connect in traffic or under pressure.

Boller was probably the best, but I don't see what you or anyone sitting around you saw in Olson, he wasn't out there for long and wasn't impressive. Troy Smith wasn't either, but thats to be expected considering it was his first time playing 11 on 11 in the NFL.

[Galen Sevinne]

I think it is hard to gather much data from a format like a scrimmage. The one thing that struck me (and I wish it didn't) was that McNair throws the ball like a balloon while Boller throws darts. As years go on and I think this is Boller's 5th now (?) he has to become more relaxed in the pocket and his anxiousness is the main reason is why he has been mostly unsuccessful. I wouldn't toss him to the side just yet. McNair might be the level-headed and confident leader but isn't a guy that is going to wing the ball around all day.

Something inside of me thinks Boller sees better days on the horizon...why and how and then where, I am not sure but I get that sense. and I am not sure how to feel about it.

[PurpleRulz]

Most of the fans sitting near me at the scrimmage and hanging around for post game beers were pleasantly surprised how well Olson performed --- several thought that Olson was the best looking of the 4 QBs out there. I disagree: Boller was, but they all looked overall fairly sucky.

To the man -- thought that Troy Smith's performance was poor. He could not connect in traffic or under pressure.

You and those guys sitting around need to lay off the beer and get your eyes checked. You are the only one that had that description of Drew Olson. Just face reality that Olson does not have it.

No, Troy Smith did not light it up, either, as I said, but he looked much better than Olson. The 3rd string spot is Troy Smith's by a long shot. McNair went 3 for 3 and threw three TDs during 7 on 7s.

Boller looked great and calm, but that may simply come from him knowing that he was going to be hit today. Also, McNair, Boller and Troy Smith got most of the QB work today, and in that order. Drew only got three snaps at the end. That is most telling. Olson is garbage.

[PurpleRulz]

I think it is hard to gather much data from a format like a scrimmage. The one thing that struck me (and I wish it didn't) was that McNair throws the ball like a balloon while Boller throws darts. As years go on and I think this is Boller's 5th now (?) he has to become more relaxed in the pocket and his anxiousness is the main reason is why he has been mostly unsuccessful. I wouldn't toss him to the side just yet. McNair might be the level-headed and confident leader but isn't a guy that is going to wing the ball around all day.

Something inside of me thinks Boller sees better days on the horizon...why and how and then where, I am not sure but I get that sense. and I am not sure how to feel about it.

Well, hold off on any proclamations until he faces live action next Monday. Boller looked relaxed, but that was because he knew he was not going to be hit today.

When the rush is coming for Boller, next week, ole Stumble-B will probably return.

[Galen Sevinne]

Yeah I know Boller still has at least a couple more stumbles and bumbles left in him.

I just wish McNair had some zip on his balls.

[jburns]

Chris Chester did well at center and very well at RG. Jason Brown will be one of the best LG in this league

.

I did not watch Chester so much in team action but in the one on one drills shown on TV he was beaten rather easily- by whom I have no idea. Someone still has to pinch me since we picked Gaither

[PurpleRulz]

.

I did not watch Chester so much in team action but in the one on one drills shown on TV he was beaten rather easily- by whom I have no idea. Someone still has to pinch me since we picked Gaither

You are right and I should have been specific. Chris Chester looked good at center during the 11 on 11s, but he did struggle on one play during the OL/DL drills. The center job clearly belongs to Mike Flynn at this point. Chester looked good at center, but much better at RG during the 11 on 11s.

[Miz89]

Most of the fans sitting near me at the scrimmage and hanging around for post game beers were pleasantly surprised how well Olson performed --- several thought that Olson was the best looking of the 4 QBs out there. I disagree: Boller was, but they all looked overall fairly sucky.

To the man -- thought that Troy Smith's performance was poor. He could not connect in traffic or under pressure.

And at this time how many beers had you drank.

[flraven]

I'm guessing the regular posters are all up at Greg's getting a proper summertime buzz-on.

thanks for the updates on the scrimmage, it wasn't shown down he-ah.

[ClericBlackDave]

Maybe Boller just looked calm today because he knew he was not going to be hit today.

The same could be said for any of the QBs on the field today, Redskins or Ravens QBs. But somehow people don't try to discount their performance using such logic.

The fact is I still think because of the nature of our new recieving core Boller would be the best QB for this team if you let him wing it down the field.

McNair's arm is dead and he's old, and he conservative enough to always come up 1 yard short when it counts.

Olson v. Smith, I don't know, nor do I care. The best thing in both their futures, IMO, is a backup job.



All I know is that I'm going to be sad when I see Demetrius Williams and Claytong being underutilized on short hitches and slants.


Whenever I hear about a deep completion I hear Boller. When I hear short dink and dunk, its McNair. I just really want this offense to change and I dont think McNair can or will do it.


We have the reciever and the line to do this. What we need is a QB that will push the ball downfield, and has the arm to do so.

[Mista T]

I don't see what you or anyone sitting around you saw in Olson, he wasn't out there for long and wasn't impressive. Troy Smith wasn't either, but thats to be expected considering it was his first time playing 11 on 11 in the NFL.

I wasn't impressed with any QB. Comparing their performances today would be: who sucked worse. I don't see a QB of the Future yet -- it's been 10 years since Vinnie was cut ....

[PurpleRulz]

I wasn't impressed with any QB. Comparing their performances today would be: who sucked worse. I don't see a QB of the Future yet -- it's been 10 years since Vinnie was cut ....

But the answer to "who sucked worse" was already answered. Drew Olson. All of the QBs did not suck today, though, save for Olson.

[PurpleRulz]

The same could be said for any of the QBs on the field today, Redskins or Ravens QBs. But somehow people don't try to discount their performance using such logic.

The fact is I still think because of the nature of our new recieving core Boller would be the best QB for this team if you let him wing it down the field.

McNair's arm is dead and he's old, and he conservative enough to always come up 1 yard short when it counts.

Olson v. Smith, I don't know, nor do I care. The best thing in both their futures, IMO, is a backup job.



All I know is that I'm going to be sad when I see Demetrius Williams and Claytong being underutilized on short hitches and slants.


Whenever I hear about a deep completion I hear Boller. When I hear short dink and dunk, its McNair. I just really want this offense to change and I dont think McNair can or will do it.


We have the reciever and the line to do this. What we need is a QB that will push the ball downfield, and has the arm to do so.

Spoken like someone who spends too much time playing Madden.

[ClericBlackDave]

Spoke like someone who is sick of seeing the ball thrown 3 yards shy of the 1st down when its 3rd and 7.


Thats just the truth. McNair did that in the Superbowl. Its his thing, he's way to happy to throw short of the sticks.


The colts playoff was a travesty that I put on him. That's my position. He won the San Diego game for us last year, and maybe KC. Matt Stover won cleveland.


This offense has the potential to put up 21-28 pts a game. I just dont think McNair is the QB to do that.

[bmore finest]

Thank you for the update, i won't see til 2morrow on nfl network. I'm gald to hear that so people see steve as short yds. I do agreed BUT i think whatever he got left, he will throw downfield this yr alot. We just hope he gets it there.

As for the future line, My O My finally it's very bright. The future horses of Gaither, grubbs, chester, yanda and terry. That will be our superbowl defending line next year.

[Galen Sevinne]

Think about what you are espousing. It has taken Boller five seasons and we are still talking about him calming down in the pocket. QB's like Carson, Ben, Matt, and Vince were poised better than Boller is now as rookies! I don't care if he throws darts or lasers, his mechanics are terrible, he panics under pressure, makes too many poor decisions, and his accuracy very erratic. Way, way too many problems to overcome. Even today when he completed the longest pass of the scrimmage to Wilcox he looked terrible doing it as he was backpeddling and throwing off his back foot instead of stepping up in the pocket. He just never seems to learn.

I don't deny this fact...My premise for the support of Boller is that McNair is really just a possession quarterback who relies on 10-15 play drives to score. He looked today like he was throwing watermelons...it is no different than last year. It is just frustrating to think we are going to have the same offensive experience this year as last. One would think Boller would see a shrink, have hypnosis, meditate or eat a handful of Xanax....something to calm down.

[ClericBlackDave]

McNair's arm is almost dead. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to see it, or even a football coach. He's old and nicked up, and he has no zip on anything like a deep out or even moving the ball downfield. Everything is a rainbow.


That won't cut it against a fast cover 2.


And this is a copycat league. Teams will look at what the colts did to us and try to imitate that. The ball has to be moved downfield explosively to beat these cover 2 schemes.


Throwing 3 yards short of the 1st down won't cut it forever.