A quick summary of preseason game 1

[falco]

I'm not worried about taking on the vikings. I'm more worried about teams with passing attacks. If Manuel is going to be the best we have, I'm afraid we'll be near the bottom of the league for giving up long yardage plays again.

[RashanGary]

I'm not worried about taking on the vikings. I'm more worried about teams with passing attacks. If Manuel is going to be the best we have, I'm afraid we'll be near the bottom of the league for giving up long yardage plays again.

Manuel, Franks and the running game scare me most. I'm really hoping some way, some how we either cover weaknesses with new strengths or improve them through scheme and disapline. We have a lot of things we can hang our cheese heads on, and we have a few things that could hurt us. I'm sure every team doesn't enter the season thinking their defense is flawless.

[falco]

I'm not worried about taking on the vikings. I'm more worried about teams with passing attacks. If Manuel is going to be the best we have, I'm afraid we'll be near the bottom of the league for giving up long yardage plays again.

Manuel, Franks and the running game scare me most. I'm really hoping some way, some how we either cover weaknesses or improve through scheme and disapline. We have a lot of things we can hang our cheese heads on, and we have a few things that could hurt us. I'm sure every team doesn't enter the season thinking their defense is flawless.

Did anyone else see on tv last night, after Bigby gave up that huge play, they cut to a scene of Manuel talking to Al Harris and laughing. It was almost like he was saying "as if they are going to find anyone better than me".

Maybe I'm reading too much into it, but it was pretty funny.

[RashanGary]

Did anyone else see on tv last night, after Bigby gave up that huge play, they cut to a scene of Manuel talking to Al Harris and laughing. It was almost like he was saying "as if they are going to find anyone better than me".

Maybe I'm reading too much into it, but it was pretty funny.

Hopefully he was laughing saying "Damn, I did that same thing a couple time last year. I can relate. It's good that I got that thing fixed, hopefully Atari figures it out"

I'm sure he said it just like that

[Joemailman]

I would remind everyone that Manuel was still the starting safety when the defense made its rather dramatic improvement last December. I'm not crazy about the guy, but I do think it's at least possible that he'll be decent.

[Fritz]

I agree with the Blue Dog's post on page two. This was the Steelers' second game, and the Pack's first. That usually means disaster for the team playing its first game, so the fact that the Pack hung in is a huge plus.

I like Shaun Bodiford. I think he ought to get a roster spot, and the last receiver spot should be between Martin and Holliday. Sorry, Bretsky, but you have as much chance of getting a draft pick for the Fraud as I have of getting laid by Drew Barrymore. Just cut the dude.

I think the o-line will be okay, and the running back situation will iron itself out. Tight end will be a weakness, but I think it'll be addressed next year...I see a trade for Jeremy Shockey...

I'm slightly encouraged after game one.

[Harlan Huckleby]

We have to do something about TE. I know it's a broken record, but geez, we could have had

I know it's a reach, but desperate times call for desperate measures. It may be worth checking if the wily old vet has anything left. Sure, he may have a beer gut now, but he had a beer gut then too.

[4and12to12and4]

You know who's name hasn't been mentioned here that may end being the dark horse? Tramone Williams. He hits as hard as Rouse and Manuel, and seems to have good speed and might end up surprising us all and be a key kog in our defense. I like what I've seen from him so far.

Our run defense (especially 1st stringers) were dominant. Our first string defense REALLY looked good. If the offense would've held the ball for any length of time, we may have shut the Steelers out. I know it's one game, but this looks like a defense that has the talent and depth to be dominant this year. If we can get our TE situation figured out, we could really give teams a run for there money this year. Our WR's seem fine. Driver, Jennings, Holiday, and Martin all look very good, and I am very high on Holiday and Martin. Jennings better do some spectactular things, or he might end up as the third WR on this team. Of all the receivers, I think that Holiday has shown flashes of Probowl ability. He's big and strong and fights for the ball. He reminds me a lot of Javon Walker.

Brandon Jackson looked very good. He, in the first half, had absolutely NOWHERE to go. As the second stringers came out, he began to show how fast and elusive he can be if given a hole. Very hard to bring down by the 1st tackler.

If the 1st string offense would've done better, this would have been a very positive game. The great thing is, that's the least I'm worried about. I think our offense will be fine, and our defense has top 5 caliber written all over it.

Maybe I'm just a homer.

[4and12to12and4]

BTW, I think Ingle Martin will lose his job to Thompson.

[HarveyWallbangers]

Watched the game on the NFL Network today--after only getting to see parts of it last night. My thoughts:

QBs Not too worried about Favre. He often gets off to a slow start. He had 2-3 throws that were on the money, but were dropped or defensed well. A fumble and holding penalty didn't help on two of the drives. Rodgers impressed me. He looked confident, had several nice scrambles, and threw well on the run. The scrambling wasn't your typical rollouts and stuff. He had some moves that were a bit reminiscent of #4 when he was younger.

RBs Jackson was okay. He ran hard and had some nice runs in the second half. He missed on a couple of runs. Most of the time, there wasn't good blocking.

WRs Jones caught a bunch of balls, qne looks to have good size and hands. Not a lot of speed though. He doesn't look like a future star, but he could solidify the third WR spot if he keeps it up. I don't think Greg Jennings has to worry any time soon. Holliday, Martin, Bodiford, and even Fergie made some plays.

TEs Not good

OL First team run blocking was poor. Moll was out, so our second team OL isn't very good. Rodgers was scrambling and Jackson didn't have a ton of room.

DL Looked good from the start to the finish

LBs Starters looked good in brief time. Nobody else stood out--although White had a coverage breakdown, it looks like, on the Young TD.

CBs Everybody but Dendy looked at least decent. Bush just looks like a player, so does Blackmon. Walker had a very good game. Tramon Williams made some plays.

Ss Collins and Manuel only played 3 plays. Rouse had a couple of good licks, but wasn't really tested in the passing game. Underwood and Bigby looked pathetic.

STs Ryan and both Ks did well. Blackmon showed nice moves on his returns. Bodiford looks okay, but I don't think he'd be dynamic. More like an Antonio Chatman. Coverage breakdowns at times.