And we’re off! Who cares about the scoreboard, there was a ton of new information to process. Here are my initial reactions to the players and plays of preseason week one.
1. The defense looked pretty good. They played plenty of man defense and generally the coverage was better than we probably expected. Malcolm Butler has picked up right where he left off, being right there to make a play on the ball multiple times.
2. Chandler Jones can’t seem to get the respect Dont’a Hightower and Jamie Collins get, but Chandler is very very good. He’s long, athletic and really playing the run well. He’s a force and could be in for a monster season.
3. Jabaal Sheard really impressed me with his strength in all facets of the game. He looks like the perfect fit we’ve always thought he would be.
4. Jonathan Freeny played most of the game and had some ups and downs. Still, in a mostly special teams role I think he’s close to a lock to make the roster.
5. Slot cornerback Robert McClain impressed me with his tenacity and making at least one nice pass breakup (that was unfortunately negated by a Ninkovich offsides penalty).
6. Darryl Roberts also had his moments before leaving with a hand or wrist injury. Roberts looks like a good fit to go the route Butler went last year, assuming Tarrell Brown continues his hold on the likely starting right corner spot.
7. Upfront I thought the defensive tackles ran hot and cold. Easley and Brown both had their moments in both directions. Antonio Johnson looked okay and could possibly sneak onto my next roster projection.
8. Down game for Tavon Wilson I thought, just not making the plays when he’s right there. Wilson will need to be better but it appears that a strong camp didn’t translate in this game. Meanwhile Jordan Richards looked like he fit right in.
9. Tre Flowers looks like an exciting addition, let’s hope he’s not injured significantly. What a sack on Rodgers!
10. On offense I have to start with the guards, Mason and Jackson, who I thought did pretty well, especially in the run game. I know the pass protection was ugly overall, but I think these two rookies have real promise.
11. Really wanted to see a big play out of Jonas Gray and he delivered. His long touchdown is a big highlight coming out of this one.
12. James White was up and down for me as well. But I liked some of his moves in space, getting extra yardage. I’m thinking he will work in tandem with Cadet to replace Vereen.
13. Overall Garoppolo looked about how we expected. A little slow at times, but still making some good throws in the face of porous protection. If he has to play a game or two he’ll be fine with a real OL and Gronk/Edelman.
14. Brandon Gibson shot to the top of the WR competition behind the big three. Dobson and Tyms are hurt and Boyce hasn’t progressed. Gibson is my top X now until LaFell returns or Dobson re-enters the conversation.
15. Where did Rufus Johnson come from? Wow, not a mention about him anywhere from camp. I had him as a linebacker, but he’s a DE and really stood out. The DE position is a log jam right now, we’ll see if he can sneak on but might take an injury.