Week One Grades, Evaluations, Questions
We had planned to post this blog entry last week, but confusion over the forum software prevented it from being placed in the forum (that was totally on me). We present it now, but minus the extra questions. Thanks for your patience.
Greetings from BBQ. It was an eventful offseason. We hope you had a good summer and will have an even better fall.
Week one is in the books and now we take a look at how the entire team fared against the Eagles. Everyone is upset and confused with another opening season loss and there is plenty of blame to go around. In our first week back for the regular season we will try to have honest assessments. Somehow, someway we will try to make some sense of it all as BBQ hands out grades, evaluations and questions. Feel free to offer your own grades, evaluations, questions, and opinions.
Let's take a look at week one.
Quarterbacks:
Question: Does it seem like Kirk Cousins hits a reset button every year instead of building on his experience?
Answer: Yes. Cousins looked like this was his first season as a starter on Sunday. There were some good moments, but the poor plays were enough to doom the offense.
Grade: D
Running Backs:
Question: What happened to the running game?
Answer: Running game? What running game? If there is little commitment to the running game, then drafting Samaje Perine wasn't necessary.
Grade: F
Wide Receivers:
Question: How much did the team miss DeSean Jackson and Pierre Garcon on Sunday?
Answer: When your best receiver for the game was Ryan Grant, the answer would be “a lotâ€.
Grade: D
Tight Ends:
Question: Is the Jordan Reed injury hindering the team?
Answer: This is the same question that we asked in week fifteen of last year. It is likely hindering the team, but the tight ends struggled with blocking as well against the Eagles.
Grade: F
Offensive Line:
Question: What in the world happened?
Answer: Trent Williams played like a warrior, but even he had a few issues. Overall, this was the worst unit on Sunday.
Grade: F
Defensive Line:
Question: What grade would you give their effort against the Eagles?
Answer: It was solid effort and they were the unsung heroes in this game. The unit opened up gaps for the linebackers, held the running game in check, and put pressure on the quarterback.
Grade: B
Linebackers:
Question: Ryan Kerrigan was overlooked during the offseason, wasn't he?
Answer: Absolutely. Kerrigan is still a beast, especially with the pick six. The linebackers had a superb game as Kerrigan, Zach Brown, Mason Foster, Preston Smith, and Junior Galette had solid performances.
Grade: A
Cornerbacks:
Question: Why can't the corners seem to haul in catchable interceptions?
Answer: Lack of concentration? The coverage was good and was certainly aided by the pressure up front. However, the corners need to haul in those interceptions.
Grade: B-
Safeties:
Question: How much did the team miss Su'a Cravens on Sunday?
Answer: Not at all. Yes, the safeties could've done a better job in coverage, but the absence of a player who doesn't want to be here is a non-factor.
Grade: C
Special Teams:
Question: It was a mixed bag, wasn't it?
Answer: Dustin Hopkins and Tress Way earn high grades, but the return game suffered. Watching Jamison Crowder jump straight up to catch a punt was strange – and part of a series of mistakes.
Grade: C+
Coaching:
Question: What can we say about the coaches for this first game of 2017?
Answer: Offense. With the exception of one drive, it was a disaster. It was obvious they missed Sean McVay, but they will get a chance to see him this week.
Defense. This was a good first game and while we don't know if it will continue, Greg Manusky and Jim Tomsula are off to a really good start.
Special teams. The punting and kicking was solid, but the returns were a head scratcher for a multiplicity of reasons – that needs to rapidly improve.
Jay Gruden looked lost in his first game calling the plays. The emperor seemed to be badly exposed without his former play caller. The offense has been struggling since game one of the preseason and nothing has changed since.
Grade: D+
General Manager:
We had an evaluation of the GM following the final game of last season and now we do one to start the 2017 campaign. Bruce Allen has been under a very heavy microscope from fans and media in recent months, some of it is fair and some of it is unfair. BBQ is perplexed about taking a running back in the fourth round when there is no real commitment to that aspect of the offense. Getting a big defensive tackle in the fourth round and having that player make an impact on defense would've been a much better option. It could've been even better for this defense on Sunday.
Grade: D+
We'll be back on track next week after game three.
Hail to the Redskins!