Week #5 - Rams

[RiverDog]

Newton? Gawd no! Id take coppernipples before that washed up attention W@#re. Bring back someone who has been on the roster and who knows the offense and move on.

One person suggested Gardner Minshew, a.k.a. The Stache. If he's available, he would be worth a look, but I agree, someone that was on our roster recently would be preferable.

[Hawktawk]

What we lost besides an elite QB is the way Russel could inspire the whole team...lifting up those around him. Gino demonstrated poise under fire and showed he has been earnestly studying our new offensive scheme as it continues to expand under Shane Waldron. This change in experience/leadership will have an undetermined effect since our team has not been performing to expectations...I think our "new" center Kyle Fuller will feel more of a burden in setting and communicating to the guards and tackles what alignments the opponents Defensive Line is shifting to. Russel was seen making quick verbal adjustments as he made quick reads while coming up under center. A new emphasis on our running game would go a long way toward making Gino's transition an easier one.

No doubt Thursdays game exposed our defensive troubles (from the 3rd qtr moving forward) during a prime time broadcast. That holding call (that erased a Lockett TD just before the half) set in motion an ominous feeling going forward of lost momentum...missed fieldgoal...D. Jack's explosive catch setting them up deep in our territory...Russel's first interception...then an injury to his throwing hand that couldn't be shaken off as its seriousness became more evident the longer he was kept on the sidelines...a look of worry as he realized denial and sheer will power were not going to return him to the game he loves.The two men highlighted in many pre-game broadcasts...Aaron Donald and Jalen Ramsey...helped seal our sense of dread...one indirectly while the other (Ramsey) was a direct nemesis.

Geno seemed to audible multiple times in those drives unless they were dummy calls. Aikman was impressed a guy would come in cold and be calling audibles and changing plays like that. He looked like a very talented veteran QB, very poised.

It happens, guys spend years on the bench after being "busts" or backups and they get their shot and BOOM.
I thought the offense played very hard after he came in. I think as much for the warrior on the bench hurt but lets see. Why not us?

Minshew. Love it. Bring him in.

[Hawktawk]

I think he's on a team. Eagles I believe

[NorthHawk]

Are we going to bring back Alex McGough?

[RiverDog]

It happens, guys spend years on the bench after being "busts" or backups and they get their shot and BOOM.

Yup, which is why I was arguing about the circumstances Geno was in Thursday. It's not at all that unusual that a backup comes in and plays well. They are a change of pace and can throw the opposing defense for a loop, much like a relief pitcher in baseball.

Minshew. Love it. Bring him in.

I'm sure that JS has been working the phones since last Thursday. We'll see what he comes up with.

[tarlhawk]

Newton? Gawd no! Id take coppernipples before that washed up attention W@#re. Bring back someone who has been on the roster and who knows the offense and move on.

We need a reliable back-up to Gino who has earned his right to call the shots...I thought Sean Mannion but he already signed on with the Vikings for a 2nd stint and was elevated from their practice squad to their 53 man roster just two weeks ago. Alex McGough maybe as an emergency patch...

[RiverDog]

Are we going to bring back Alex McGough?

I'm sure that he's at or near the top of the list, but I'd imagine that Waldron is huddling with JS to go over their options.

[tarlhawk]

jamal Adams straight up for Deshaun Watson...J/K

[RiverDog]

jamal Adams straight up for Deshaun Watson...J/K

If we had made the decision to move away from Wilson, and if Watson didn't have the legal problems he's fighting, I'd take it in a heartbeat. But I doubt that the Texans would be dumb enough to pay a safety the type of money Adams is making.

[trents]

I think one important factor here is how GS handles the challenges of being the field general for an extended period of time. It's one thing to perform well for part of a game. It's another when it comes to make good decisions consistently over a stretch games for 6-8 weeks. Gino has always demonstrated moments of competence but has never been consistent with that at the NFL level. I hope he has matured to the point where he doesn't try to do more than he is capable of doing and executes well within the context of taking what the defense is giving him, not trying to make a play when there is none, etc.

[obiken]

Its just time for you guys just to embrace the horror and admit we are doomed. Its like in combat, once you give up all hope and realize you are dead, you might survive. Seriously, RW covered up a boatload of weaknesses on this team and we are about to find out how many.

[Hawktawk]

He hasn't had a start in 5 years and was only a starter for 2 years on a bad team. He has the disgraceful stain of being the guy who the short timer Giants head coach chose to end Eli Manning's starting streak in a lost season, the only start since 2014. He threw a lot of picks. He threw one Thursday that ended what might have been an epic comeback by a backup. Not sure what happened other than Lockette wound up on the ground and tried to sell it and no flag on a timing route. There was lots of traffic in the area. Its clear teams are expecting Lockett to be targeted in must have situations.

Was it on Geno? he threw it. Was it bad Geno?. We will see. Hindsight is 2020 but its unfortunate Russ went back on the field on 3rd down with a bent finger and then again for a 3 and out on a critical must have series clearly unable to throw the ball or who knows what might have happened. Love Russ but that was the inmate running the asylum especially trying it twice.

Other than preseason where Geno has looked excellent Thursday is the only clue to a grown up Geno Smith with all that athletic talent PC was gushing over post game. If he cleans up the turnovers from his last starting gig 7 years ago I think he's the prototypical modern mobile QB and can be quite effective.

[RiverDog]

Its just time for you guys just to embrace the horror and admit we are doomed. Its like in combat, once you give up all hope and realize you are dead, you might survive. Seriously, RW covered up a boatload of weaknesses on this team and we are about to find out how many.

It's Week 5 of a 17 game season. Sure, it's improbable, but let's give Geno a chance before we admit that we're doomed.

[Hawktawk]

Its just time for you guys just to embrace the horror and admit we are doomed. Its like in combat, once you give up all hope and realize you are dead, you might survive. Seriously, RW covered up a boatload of weaknesses on this team and we are about to find out how many.

RW did it his way for about 45 minutes to the tune of 7 points Thursday. Geno put up 10 in 1 quarter. Throughout his career Russ covered up weaknesses but some were his own, bailing on plays and running around playing schoolyard ball. His strengths outperformed his weaknesses which is true of any athlete, especially a QB. But the last few games starting midway through the last year he's been unable to CONSISTENTLY move the sticks and grind out drives and its partially been due to avoidable sacks and missed reads and bad throws. Its all or nothing and 3 of the last 4 games its been nothing with the game on the line.

In other words they weren't winning WITH Russ. I think everyone was encouraged by the glimpse we saw of Geno making a game out of a pending beat down. Nobody is ignorant enough to suggest he's the better QB but maybe right now with this team in its present configuration having a vet who can stay on script and take what's there , unload the ball to the tuba player instead of running backwards might be the best shelter in a storm. Being 6'3" he may be able to work the middle better, he sure did last Thursday. Teams are killing our defense with it and we have missed the connection way too many times.

I'm in wait and see mode, not gonna hang my head. And even if the run has come to an end Ill bask in the glory of being a fan of a team that was significant for a decade.What a run.

[RiverDog]

Its just time for you guys just to embrace the horror and admit we are doomed. Its like in combat, once you give up all hope and realize you are dead, you might survive. Seriously, RW covered up a boatload of weaknesses on this team and we are about to find out how many.

RW did it his way for about 45 minutes to the tune of 7 points Thursday. Geno put up 10 in 1 quarter. Throughout his career Russ covered up weaknesses but some were his own, bailing on plays and running around playing schoolyard ball. His strengths outperformed his weaknesses which is true of any athlete, especially a QB. But the last few games starting midway through the last year he's been unable to CONSISTENTLY move the sticks and grind out drives and its partially been due to avoidable sacks and missed reads and bad throws. Its all or nothing and 3 of the last 4 games its been nothing with the game on the line.

In other words they weren't winning WITH Russ. I think everyone was encouraged by the glimpse we saw of Geno making a game out of a pending beat down. Nobody is ignorant enough to suggest he's the better QB but maybe right now with this team in its present configuration having a vet who can stay on script and take what's there , unload the ball to the tuba player instead of running backwards might be the best shelter in a storm. Being 6'3" he may be able to work the middle better, he sure did last Thursday. Teams are killing our defense with it and we have missed the connection way too many times.

I'm in wait and see mode, not gonna hang my head. And even if the run has come to an end Ill bask in the glory of being a fan of a team that was significant for a decade. What a run.

I tend to agree with Hawktalk on this one. Well put.

[NorthHawk]

Geno got the ball out quicker. Russ wants to extend the play. I think that getting the ball out on schedule helps the Offense
to be more efficient and probably helps Waldron set up the plays he wants to run.

[Hawktawk]

This here ^^^. Geno took his drop and whap hit em right in stride . He slid without breaking the pocket to find the open read when. It wasn’t there . He threw it away a couple of times and also go the ball out of his hands on those throws quickly . When he ran he was decisive and effective . The guy was poised , decisive and effective . Like my son said dad manage your expectations . Good advice .

Is the guy real or is he another Tavares Jackson , good and bad enough to maybe go 500? Or something worse . Getcha popcorn .