All or Nothing
Pass or Fail
Right or Wrong
Good or Bad
Pass or Punt
Get it?
👍
The most astute observation that was made during the game is that no roster will succeed when the 30 best players are not allowed to play. When combined with the other team not taking the same approach a hard-to-watch contest is all but assured. But if the alternative is injury to more significant members of the roster than Kene Nwangwu & Cam Smith then overall the approach should be regarded positively.
As for the 60 minutes of game time, they isn't much to feel good about.
The Rose among the thorns is Asim Rose showing work-horse capabilities in a pinch. Running back is a loaded position but if Nwangwu can't go for the next two games & they choose to protect Cook & Mattison then Rose will have a great chance to earn a spot, in Minnesota or elsewhere. However the next couple of weeks unfold, today he came the closest to stealing the show of anyone on the roster.
The only other guy who showed a pulse today is the much-ballyhooed quarterback from College Station. Kellen Mond was also going against guys who may not have gotten much playing time in his college conference so the plays that he made also need to be weighed against that. But his mentality to pass first while using his athleticism to avoid would-be tacklers & pick up some yards on the ground from time to time were a good introduction to the pro game. Jake Browning had earned the start for what he showed through camp but next Saturday it should come as no surprise if Mond is the #2 QB.
I won't go so far as to say that the receivers were collectively doing a Troy Williamson impression, but the thought did cross mind. Whop Philyor had the worst of the drops & could quickly develop other nicknames which rhyme with his current one if that proves to be the trend. Zach Davidson also had a fair chance at a touchdown but I'm willing to give the converted punter more slack for not reeling the ball in.
If Cam Dantzler came into the day thinking that he's in a true battle with Bashaud Breeland for the starting corner spot opposite Patrick Peterson, well, he didn't do himself any favors on the 80 yard score by KJ Hamler. Today's performance follows a couple week period during which he was said to be struggling. As a guy who is in the 98th percentile to make the roster & be used in some key moments this season he needs to show marked improvement in very little time!
And then there is the human piñata, Dakota Dozier. He deserved the latest round of whacks when he caused the safety in the first quarter. It's as obvious a mistake as could have been made and even the broadcast crew criticized it as a rookie error. With the first roster cut deadline scheduled for Tuesday afternoon he's a prohibitive favorite to have to empty out his locker with that group of players.
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