Game 1 Recap & Thoughts

[NewColtsFan]

 

I've put off posting about the Eagles pre-season game until now.

 

I was very, very annoyed with our effort and didn't want to post while I was angry.  

 

So...........

 

I appreciate that it's pre-season game one and it's never wise to read too much into a game like this.....

 

That said....

 

I was really angry with what I saw.    Mostly what I saw was a team that looked bored to me.   They looked distracted.    They looked like they didn't want to be there.     Like they had something else more important on their mind.

 

I know, I know,  it's pre-season game #1 and there's no need to play all-out with their hair on fire,  I get that.

 

But I think there's a huge gap in what we'd like/expect for a pre-season game and what we saw on the field.

 

This whole off-season the talk has been about loading up for a super bowl run.    No contract extension yet for the head coach or the GM.    Some player contracts will wait until next winter to deal with.     Focus on this season,  on the right now.

 

And we came out flat as a pancake.

 

Frankly,  I didn't even like Luck being on a so-called "pitch-count".

 

I know it's week 1,   but gone that fast?    Really?    Seriously?

 

We're going to face two of the best defenses in weeks 1 and 2.    Our offense has to be in mid-season form right out of the gate.  And the only way to get there that fast is for the 1st team offense to get some reps in the pre-season.

 

As it is, Luck will get 1.5 to 2 quarter in game 2.    2.5 quarters in week 3.     And then likely back to a pitch-count in week 4.   And then it's the start of the season.     I just hope we're ready.

 

But if I were Irsay I would've been annoyed about our week one effort.    It's not that we lost.    It's the WAY we lost.   Looking like the game meant nothing to us.   It sure looked like it meant something to the Eagles.   

 

I don't like getting embarrassed on National TV -- ever.   

 

I'm pleased we looked good today in scrimmage vs. the Bears.    I'm sure we'll look good again tomorrow.   And we'll probably beat them this weekend.     But I hope somebody sent a message to the team this week.    What we saw last weekend is NOT acceptable -- ever.

 

Sorry for the long rant,  but this has been stewing inside me for days.    And if it came out Sunday,  it would've been worse!

 

[Superman]

Frankly,  I didn't even like Luck being on a so-called "pitch-count".

 

I know it's week 1,   but gone that fast?    Really?    Seriously?

 

We're going to face two of the best defenses in weeks 1 and 2.    Our offense has to be in mid-season form right out of the gate.  And the only way to get there that fast is for the 1st team offense to get some reps in the pre-season.

 

As it is, Luck will get 1.5 to 2 quarter in game 2.    2.5 quarters in week 3.     And then likely back to a pitch-count in week 4.   And then it's the start of the season.     I just hope we're ready.

 

I agree about sense of urgency, effort level, and the like. Especially on defense. The linebackers and first team front line guys didn't really play hard. Toler made a silly mistake that I don't think he would have made in a real game, but other than that, he was active and high energy. Mike Adams was flying around, and looked like he maybe hurt himself on a hit he delivered. Lowery was active.

 

However, Luck's pitch count, I don't anyone would have made a peep about this if they scored a TD after that many snaps. Last year, Luck played 13 snaps in the first preseason game. The year before, 11 snaps. This is a typical workload in the first preseason game.

 

It was awkward because they pulled him mid drive, but I don't really think it matters. They obviously said 'send him in for five more plays, then get him out of there.' A lot of vet QBs don't play in the first game at all; some only play one series. If there's anything we don't need to worry about, it's the passing game with Luck at QB. 

[Defjamz26]

I agree about sense of urgency, effort level, and the like. Especially on defense. The linebackers and first team front line guys didn't really play hard. Toler made a silly mistake that I don't think he would have made in a real game, but other than that, he was active and high energy. Mike Adams was flying around, and looked like he maybe hurt himself on a hit he delivered. Lowery was active.

 

However, Luck's pitch count, I don't anyone would have made a peep about this if they scored a TD after that many snaps. Last year, Luck played 13 snaps in the first preseason game. The year before, 11 snaps. This is a typical workload in the first preseason game.

 

It was awkward because they pulled him mid drive, but I don't really think it matters. They obviously said 'send him in for five more plays, then get him out of there.' A lot of vet QBs don't play in the first game at all; some only play one series. If there's anything we don't need to worry about, it's the passing game with Luck at QB.

At this point in his career, I don't think the coaches need to see that much from Luck in the first pre-season game. The most important thing is getting to throw to new receivers in a live game. And he completed passes to Johnson and Dorsett so that's good.

But Andrew showed plenty in his limited time. He showed that it's effortless to him now. When I saw him make those throws you could tell that his game is on another level. It's too easy for him. He's in complete control of the offense and knows how to exploit the opposing defense.

[Superman]

At this point in his career, I don't think the coaches need to see that much from Luck in the first pre-season game. The most important thing is getting to throw to new receivers in a live game. And he completed passes to Johnson and Dorsett so that's good.

But Andrew showed plenty in his limited time. He showed that it's effortless to him now. When I saw him make those throws you could tell that his game is on another level. It's too easy for him. He's in complete control of the offense and knows how to exploit the opposing defense.

 

By the looks of it, he would have cruised all day against Philly's secondary. 

[Defjamz26]

By the looks of it, he would have cruised all day against Philly's secondary.

Exactly. It's lite work for him. He could have gone 27/32 for 3 TDs in an actual game against them and that wouldn't even be him trying hard.

I have no worries about this Colts passing attack. The defense isn't as much of a sure thing though. I don't know what we'll be defensively yet.

[braveheartcolt]

Much ado about nothing.