Just a horribly refereed game. Temple was cost one turnover and one touchdown. Cincinnati didn’t get any favors either in the end.
Robbie Anderson’s hands don’t seem to be what they were two years ago. Maybe rust? The fella needs to spend more time with the Juggs machine. It almost seems like the staff doesn’t remember how to utilize him? Send him on fly routes, let him outrun the D downfield. Giving him the ball near the line of scrimmage and hoping that he can make four guys miss isn’t his game.
I’d love to see Sat try and stretch the field with our WRs, but either they’re not good enough, or he doesn’t have enough confidence in P.J. Probably still too early to tell. These next two weeks should be a good chance to try it under live fire.
The 22 yard reception Jahad Thomas had in the final minutes of the 2nd Q, John Christopher’s “Block” was classic. This kid needs to be more appreciated. Okay, that wasn’t a text-book block, but it got’er’done! He even added an extra yard or two by letting J.T. slide over his back towards the endzone after he was knocked over. This young man has done everything ever asked of him. Special teams, long snapping, blocking, clutch receiver. He’s truly a crouching Owl, hidden Dragon!
Bryan Carter really seems to struggle locking on to his assignment in pass blocking. He’s certainly mobile, but not sticky. The first fake reverse where Jahad Thomas picked up 25 yards, he flew out and must have moved his man 10 yards, as did Kyle Friend. In fact, a lot of the biggest holes were behind him.
Dion Dawkins is, I’m sorry, but on the field, a Stone Cold Savage. God Forgive anyone who he’s assigned to block, because Dawk will eat their lunch, kick sand in their eyes, and slap their mother. He’s the most brutal line man we’ve had, including Mathias Nkwenti and even Kyle Friend. Just nasty. A gentleman giant in person though. Proud to call him a Fellow Owl!
Michael Dogbe has some of the longest arms I’ve ever seen. This is Ed Jones or Jon Harris type of arms. He’s got the core to use them though. Keep an eye on this kid. He’s switched out between DE and DT depending on the down, the staff seems to like him as a pass rusher, but from the left side. He earned a surprisingly large amount of snaps and did a really good job of working through the garbage. This kid is going to be a star if he stays healthy.
With Praise M/O still favoring that leg injury, we are EXTREMELY thin at DE. Finch, Reddick, Ellis, and Martin are rotational players and they’re too heavily in the rotation, trying to cover for Praise M/O. T.
Mat was on the scene every time a big play was needed.
I understand Snow’s reluctance to blitz, as Keil’s strength is his decision making, but not only didn’t we pass blitz, we didn’t even stunt but for a couple of plays.
Jarred Alwan had a nice stat line, but he missed more than his fair share of tackles.
Alex Wells is truly a stone cold NFL Prospect.
Nate L. Smith, it’s great to see this kid earn more playing time, but he doesn’t seem to seek out contact. His convoy on ST where Jahad Thomas ran the Kick back was excellent, but he always seemed a step late on making a hit in coverage. Looking at his frame, I’m not totally sure I’d blame him. He seems more like a potential Bobby Taylor than a Brian Dawkins, and I don’t think he’s cut out for either of the Safety spots. We’ll see if he has the speed and quickness to make the transition.
Champ Chandler was targeted a lot, but in general held his own. He was beat on the long pass, but he was clearly interfered with and the kid is only a Sophomore. We’ve probably got one more year of watching this kid in the Cherry and White – he’s got a BIG payday awaiting him, and Lord, who could be more deserving!
Tayvon Young was only targeted four, maybe five times by my count. That, right there, is respect. I think we all knew in 2013 that this kid was going to be special, but he’s a stone cold, shut down corner. He, too, will be playing on Sundays.
