1. Greg Blache will be a bit on edge all season with the pass rush. Did you see his exchange with CSN’s Trevor Matich? http://www.sportingnews.com/blog/the_sporting_blog/entry/view/32108/at_least_greg_blache_can_pressure_trevor_matich Matich asked a seemingly innocent question: how would you evaluate the pass rush? After answering, as you’ll see if you watch the video, Blache turned it back to Matich by questioning his motive for asking the question. Blache is under pressure this season to produce more pressure given the additions up front. Some coaches, perhaps, like it when they don’t have those expectations; it’s easier to exceed them. When he was a defensive coordinator in Chicago, he used to routinely spar with the local media. One thing about him, as most of us have learned, is that if you ask a question be prepared for him to then ask you one. You’d best have the answer.
In the case of the rush, one answer I would have responded with: it seemed difficult to mount any sort of a rush because of all the three-step drops the Pats used. And when they went to deeper drops it sometimes appeared that the Redskins d-line was preparing for quick passes and tried to jam the passing lanes as much as anything. Regardless, there wasn’t much pressure. But there is presure on Blache to produce.
2. So I should have watched the Pats’ first drive of the third quarter again before questioning Phillip Daniels’ performance. While it was not his best night in the first half, in the third quarter, he made two excellent plays against the run, stringing out one run (with help from the ‘backers filling their holes and from DT Cornelius Griffin), then got off his block to make the tackle. He showed a strong base.
3. I’m intrigued by RB Anthony Alridge. I liked his speed the other night; he was quick around the corner. Once, the tight end did not hold his block well on the left side, but it didn’t matter because Alridge scooted by so fast that the linebacker had no chance. But what chance does he have to make the final roster? He won’t make it as a kick returner and those early fumbles are fresh in the mind. However, keep in mind that he came recommended to Vinny Cerrato from Mike Shanahan. Still, it might be hard to find a spot.
4. Ditto for Marcus Mason. I really like how he runs — very patient and with good depth on the lead runs around the edge. He’s typically a yard behind the fullback, allowing him to see the holes better and then cut off the lead blocker’s backside. That’s something I did not see from Dominique Dorsey, at least when running wide behind the fullback. The problem for Mason is special teams and his blitz pickups. He’s improved in protection, but Friday night he allowed pressure from one corner blitz. Another time, Mason did not read a blitz and went through a hole between the left guard and tackle — just as the linebacker was coming through to level Colt Brennan.
5. Alfred Fincher being cut was only a mild surprise. Fincher was a nice find last summer, but even then he was often out of position. This summer, however, his big issue was special teams. He could not get off blocks to make plays and that’s why he was cut. Fincher was not going to make the final roster, so by cutting him now it gives him an extra week to possibly hook on with another team. But if he can’t improve on special teams, it will be difficult. As for Devin Clark, no surprise. He’s just not a tackle and struggled. Marques Hagans blew his chance in the Baltimore game with his drop and I think he had one pass thrown his way thereafter. Hagans was no longer in the mix entering the Pats’ game. Michael Grant and Anthony Marquardt? No surprise.
