1) While Jones and Taylor get most of the attention on offense (and deservedly so), it has been encouraging to see how the 2 young guys have plugged into the offensive line along with the reliable left side and a very welcome reemergence of Smith on the right side. And I would take our top 3 WRs over any unit in the league. They are the complete package and simply play winning football.
2) When you're down to your 6th and beyond cornerbacks (lost Walley, Moore, Jones, Ward, Hilton), it can't be shocking that there will be challenges on the back end. The front line needs to up their game on pressure that yields results. Ballard's obsession with focusing upon filling the roster with those dudes makes sense, but it hasn't yielded consistent fruit yet. They need a threat beyond Buckner. Maybe Latu will get there?
3) Franklin CANNOT make the bonehead plays that he does from time to time. It's one thing to struggle due to physical limitations, but a veteran captain shouldn't be the reason a 3rd and long becomes a 1st down that leads to an eventual touchdown. The Colts miss Ballard's magic at finding competent mid-round dudes to plug in there as he did earlier in his tenure.
In the end, they still won. And that is not something this team has accomplished under these circumstances in a good while. It's easy to support these guys with how they're playing. Hope they don't let Jones nor Pierce get away next season.
Bob - nice to see Alec Pierce become more than a 1 route guy now that he has a good QB. Made some nice plays today when it mattered. I was with you - he was suspect until recently.
Kenny Moore, Jaylon Jones and Ward can’t come back soon enough. Offensively, well - Jones has lots of options and he’s not afraid to throw into some tight windows - hope that doesn’t catch up to him at some point. Taylor is on a mission and it’s fun watching Nelson destroying people downfield. For the first time in a bit it feels like you have to decide what to stop on offense. Don’t know if we have the defensive personnel to take us very far in the post season - but for now enjoying watching the offense.
Nevada Senator Harry Reid injured his eye the same way. I think he almost lost his sight in that eye too. Granted, he was a 75 year-old politician and not a 20something professional athlete, but even so, looks like this kind of injury isn't a little thing.
Excellent article. It's amazing how much they miss Ward and Moore. Shame they don't have more (healthy) depth at the position (and better LB play). Moore coming back will be huge.
I think it's largely due to the injuries. But I also think they're not getting enough pressure from the front four. It seems a little streaky this season. They'll get pressure at times, and then go quiet for long stretches of the game. That can always improve as the season progresses. Latu is getting better and almost there. Someone needs to emerge as reliable threat to take the pressure off Buckner.
1) While Jones and Taylor get most of the attention on offense (and deservedly so), it has been encouraging to see how the 2 young guys have plugged into the offensive line along with the reliable left side and a very welcome reemergence of Smith on the right side. And I would take our top 3 WRs over any unit in the league. They are the complete package and simply play winning football.
2) When you're down to your 6th and beyond cornerbacks (lost Walley, Moore, Jones, Ward, Hilton), it can't be shocking that there will be challenges on the back end. The front line needs to up their game on pressure that yields results. Ballard's obsession with focusing upon filling the roster with those dudes makes sense, but it hasn't yielded consistent fruit yet. They need a threat beyond Buckner. Maybe Latu will get there?
3) Franklin CANNOT make the bonehead plays that he does from time to time. It's one thing to struggle due to physical limitations, but a veteran captain shouldn't be the reason a 3rd and long becomes a 1st down that leads to an eventual touchdown. The Colts miss Ballard's magic at finding competent mid-round dudes to plug in there as he did earlier in his tenure.
In the end, they still won. And that is not something this team has accomplished under these circumstances in a good while. It's easy to support these guys with how they're playing. Hope they don't let Jones nor Pierce get away next season.
Bob - nice to see Alec Pierce become more than a 1 route guy now that he has a good QB. Made some nice plays today when it mattered. I was with you - he was suspect until recently.
Kenny Moore, Jaylon Jones and Ward can’t come back soon enough. Offensively, well - Jones has lots of options and he’s not afraid to throw into some tight windows - hope that doesn’t catch up to him at some point. Taylor is on a mission and it’s fun watching Nelson destroying people downfield. For the first time in a bit it feels like you have to decide what to stop on offense. Don’t know if we have the defensive personnel to take us very far in the post season - but for now enjoying watching the offense.
Nevada Senator Harry Reid injured his eye the same way. I think he almost lost his sight in that eye too. Granted, he was a 75 year-old politician and not a 20something professional athlete, but even so, looks like this kind of injury isn't a little thing.
Harry had an all-timer quote describing Obama before he became president.
Excellent article. It's amazing how much they miss Ward and Moore. Shame they don't have more (healthy) depth at the position (and better LB play). Moore coming back will be huge.
Definitely tough defensively when only four cornerbacks suit up for a game.
I thought our defense looked sloppy. Was it due to the injuries? We need to tighten
things up so that a nice non-call doesn’t save us.
I think it's largely due to the injuries. But I also think they're not getting enough pressure from the front four. It seems a little streaky this season. They'll get pressure at times, and then go quiet for long stretches of the game. That can always improve as the season progresses. Latu is getting better and almost there. Someone needs to emerge as reliable threat to take the pressure off Buckner.