JC's Things To Watch For Tonite

In the spotlight (if not on some sort of "bubble"):

1) Clemens - this plowboy needs to "pop," in the words of Mangini. He has more than the appearance of looking over his shoulder recently and tonight he needs a couple of commanding drives that result in scores to show he's truly our #2.

2) Brad Smith - Jack of all trades needs to show he's a WR because there's nothing else we need him for now. The QB experiment is long over and his STs play only carries him so far. To show he has truly earned a spot on the roster, he needs to run good routes and make some good catches. He's had a good week in practice, so that's going for him. STs and Trick Dog and Pony Show stuff isn't enough.

3) Chris Baker - competing with TE's like Keller and Franks, Baker needs to show he's at least as good as either of them to earn the starting spot, which he may have already relinquished by default while recently parking his red Bentley in the Team President's parking spot.

4) Ainge - The kid started out TC pretty well but has fallen substantially behind Ratliff, IMO, who, with a solid performance tonight, is definitely at least the #3, unless he's "pops" spectacularly while Clemens "fizzles."

5) Thomas Jones - needs a solid night. The excuses for 2-yard gains are completely gone tonight if the O-line does a fairly good job, which I fully expect them to do. He won't be in for long, but he needs to make the most of it. Really looking at Caulcrick tonight... the guy's size intrigues me.

6) Ball - Clowney is showing him up recently even though they were sort of neck-and-neck at TC the days I was there. The Clowney-Ratliff combo is hard to forget, but Ball showed good hands and needs to "pop" tonight or he'll be on the PS. If Marcus Henry is healthy, this may be his last chance to really stand out also because Wallace Wright is right on his heels with a pretty good camp so far and Clowney has all but distinguished himself.

7) Barrett - I can't believe this guy is still a Jet, but if anybody needs a really good game, it's him. He's lucky Miller is the klutz his is, because Miller has been acting like he's in a competition to give away the 2nd starting spot. Miller: "You take it." Barrett: "No, I don't want it, you take it."

 

Just make sure you take are of all that pumping before kickoff. We don't want any distractions interferring with the quality of your reports.

 

I am looking at the roster, and I see Damien Woody as C, not T. Is it expected?

 

2 series, 14 plays, one TD. Favre is looking young.

 

Favre is looking great so far.

 

End of the 1st quarter, Redskins 3rd and 10 from the Jets 20 and they get a first down on a running play. During the replay I saw that Gholston was in and got sucked inside, didn't contain, and let the play pass him by. He looked completely lost on that play. He almost tripped over himself when he saw the RB running where he should have been.

I'm thinking its gonna be a long time before he will see significant action in a game. Maybe 3rd and 15 or longer.

 

I'm really liking what I see of Pace so far. He holds off blocks well and seems to be around the ball a lot.

 

Point #1 seems to have turned out accurately predicted. Great 1st game for Brett!

 

Things I noticed.

- Barrett sucks badly. I know this is not news, but if he sees much time as the #2 CB I would be pissed.

- Lowery Continues to impress. With Barrett (see above) and Miller looking so-so at best he could be our #2 before long.

- Running the ball is not going as effictive as hoped.

- Pass protection looks ok. Favre did go down once but was not hurried much beisides that.

- Clemens looks nervous. It did not help having at least 3 if not 4 balls hitting receivers or TE's in the hands getting dropped, but the tripping comming our of center is a scary sign.

- Ratliff looked ok in the little I watched of him.

- Clowney contiunes to push for a spot. Hopefully what ever took him out of the game is not serious.

- Our Run D looked ok with the #1's in, but struggled with the backups in there.

- Who is Cummings (LBer #54) this guy seemed all over the place and making good tackles while he was in.

 

I think the play Favre went down was supposed to be a screen play but Leon got caught up with a defensive player and couldn't get out into space. I thought the first team pass blocking was pretty good again.

Cummings > Kassall (sp?)

 

You could very well be right on the favre sack.

Cummings >>>>>>>> Kassall judging by one preseason game, but you knwo how that can go, :up:

 

^ Kassell has never done a thing to impress me. Cummings played last week and made some plays too.

 

Just to let you know, Kassell is the correct spelling.

 

Thank you kind sir. He's been so invisible I never learned his name.