Thinking Out Loud
As we inch closer to Sunday, I’ve got a bunch of thoughts rattling around in the old noggin. Maybe you can help me answer a few questions. Please… I don’t want to beg, but I will if I must.
- The Patriots seem to have escaped scrutiny for trading Richard Seymour to the Raiders for a first-round pick. I think they made the right decision. A number one pick for a declining defensive player is a coup. However, I wonder if Reid were to do the same thing if he would be met with such praise? Or would he be slammed for giving away a hard working Pro Bowler?
- How confident are you in the Macho Harris/Omar Gaither combo? Neither has had much time with the first-team defense this summer. I realize Omar has experience and appears hungry to prove his detractors wrong, but I’m still concerned. Carolina is certain to run straight at him, and test Macho deep on Sunday. If they are not up to the task, where will Reid and McDermott turn?
- I can’t help but think that Alex Smith is another Matt Schobel. Schobel was a young prospect with promise when he arrived in Philly via Cincinnati in 2006. His play declined each year. Here’s my problem with Smith: He played for both Jon Gruden and Bill Belichick. If they couldn’t get him to ball, what makes you think Reid can?
- Is it just me, or is Brian Westbrook’s role on Sunday being ignored? What are your realistic expectations for him? Fifteen touches, twenty? Do you think he’ll show that signature Westbrook shake-n-bake? I’m eager to see what he can do.
My take:
September 9th, 2009 at 12:38 pm1) Order your Macho Madness Midnight Teal Jerseys now!!!
2) Not crazy about Omar, never have been.
3)Smith could be a Schobel, I could totally see that. Shame is Curtis looked decent.
4)Westy = 20 touches and looks great , finally has a “real” fullback.
i think macho will be ok and i believe that omar is average. why don’t they sign leonard pope? who is alex smith? why did they cut the tight end who can block and sign the one that can’t? (oh wait, it’s the eagles). i think that westbrook will be westbrook
September 9th, 2009 at 2:25 pm1) Three rings buys a lot of patience.
September 9th, 2009 at 3:59 pm2) FO says Gaither is the better run defender, so who knows?
3) Because we don’t need Smith to start or even contribute much. Twenty-eight catches and four TDs would be better than that what Schobel produced collectively in three years. I think getting rid of the better blocker in Curtis was stupid, but if Smith still represents and upgrade from Schobel if he is anything more than a total disaster as a blocker.
Macho is a rookie and he will make rookie mistakes. That said, he hits hard and plays with confidence. If he is a quick learner, I predict he will have a solid season.
Gaither is, in my mind, a serviceable number two. He will have to prove that he is anything above that. Lucky for him, he has the opportunity.
I am a little concerned Reid won’t go with Westbrook as often as he has in the past now that he has so many new offensive toys to play with. This is a problem, in my opinion, because those new toys haven’t shown much in the preseason. Westbrook might be hobbled by inconsistent line play. That won’t change the number of touches he gets, obviously, but well might limit his production.
September 9th, 2009 at 7:46 pm