Did anybody do a “Positive Takeaways” yet?
1. Kiser was all over the place on defense. Turning into a tackling machine that is consistently around the ball. That will pay off if they figure out (remember?) how to punch the ball out.
2. Joe Alt was nearly invisible… which means he had a good day. Correll had a couple “still not moving his feet” plays early, but tightened up after that.
3. Michael Mayer… best TE in the country.
4. Styles is a legit number one receiver. He needs some more help.
5. Buchner can be a good college quarterback if Tommy drops his ego and embraces what works. Build the entire offense off of the quarterback counter. You can even keep using all the cute jet motion shit... as long as you follow through with the threat of counters, screens, and throwbacks. Buchner shouldn’t be asked to execute a deep throw from the pocket. He should be moving on every passing down. The only playaction in the playbook moving forward should include a rollout. Every mid-level throw should be a dash with a backside pulling lineman to protect his back. Treat this shit like high school, and let your athlete be an athlete. You aren’t Bill Belichick scheming your way to a natty with 11 personnel.
6. Bauman is a turning into a great compliment to Mayer, and there was a Staes sighting near the goal line. Keep using all of the TE’s to supplement an offense that obviously needs more blockers on the edge.
7. Liafau is great when asked to play in the middle. He is bad when given outside responsibilities. Use him as a 2-down backer until he remembers what “contain” means when playing as the edge defender.
8. Clarence Lewis basically without notice through two games… that’s good I guess?
9. Tariq Bracy keeps getting picked on, and keeps making good plays in the open field. Excellent to see, and feel really happy for the guy for coming back and stepping up.
10. Kick return was much better! Mason already solving problems and making changes from week one to week two. Good sign for the special teams, as was the late punt block. Could have used that earlier in the game.