Who impressed you the most tonight and why?

[MrYeahBut]

I get that Skelton was playing against Houston's backups, but the lions share of young QB's put into a similar situation wouldn't have played as well.

He may be raw, needs to be looked at more closely and probably needs more time. But, there are certain attributes a QB must have (i.e. pocket-presence & calmness, cannon-arm, accuracy and production) that were flat-out present (regardless of how good or bad the opposing players would have been).

Based on what I see, I figure there's a 5% chance the kid could pull a Johnny Unitas and play right now. I'd give him a 15% chance of being ready midway through the season, 65% he'd be ready by the beginning of next season and close to 100% he'll be ready to start in 2 years.

It will be interesting and exciting to observe how the Cardinals bring him along.

He darn sure showed more than Tebow did in his debut

 

[RugbyMuffin]

Pago Togafau

Did a lot in that game. The fumble at the goaline was all him. Brown may have had his hand on the ball, but the force to pop it loose came from Togafau.

 

[RugbyMuffin]

I've said it many times, Ben Graham is the best punter in the NFL.

And it is not even close, IMO. Not close by a long shot.

 

[Cheesebeef]

How were you not impressed by Toler? Or are you still in paranoia mode with the other CB spot?

did I say i wasn't impressed? I thought he played well save for one bad whiff on a tackle. He just wasn't in my most impressed list.

 

[82CardsGrad]

No curve ball, Clif. Toler, Calvin, Jefferson, Green etc. all demonstrated that they were very athletic and had the willingness and ability to hit. (Some of our corners have had tackling issues in the past).

AJ Jefferson stood out to me in this bunch. He's very raw (only started playing football in his junior year of high school). But he seems to possess really solid physical attributes and appeared very willing to hit. Couldn't find his 40 time anywhere, but he appeared to have better than average speed. At 6 feet and 195 pounds, he's plenty big enough to hold his own at corner... Hope the kid develops!

 

[Ouchie-Z-Clown]

if i don't mention a guy it's either b/c someone else has mentioned him, i forgot, or i wasn't impressed. i'll let you all guess.

washington - so obvious to head this list it isn't even funny. instincts, instincts, instincts. whether it's against starters or 4th stringers, knowing where to be when is innate. he was always around the ball.

toler - looked like a grown up. as he gets more seasoned i can only dare to hope we'll finally have two stud corners. considering where he came from, the FO deserves just massive credit if he pans out to my now large expectations.

williams - this kid is gonna be our 4th wr. and i daresay he may make breaston expendable when it's time to offer him big money. the one drawback i saw was his lack of hops. i think we're all a little spoiled by fitz in this regard. this kid is huge and fast, but the fades were a bit of a struggle and both cheese and i commented that fitz would have come down with one of 'em. then again, he's fitz!

cody brown - seems like i kept seeing #50 and kept asking, "who is that?"

skelton - agree with everything everyone said. but man he should've hit williams on that PI call. that's a td.

not all that impressed with matty. i know he had a ton of pressure (both figuratively and actually) on him. but i can't help but think he's too apt to check down. i'm pleased with his not turning it over and keeping the offense efficient, but if this offense is to succeed he's going to have to take some shots downfield. i just don't think he'll be accurate enough (ala warner) to be able to mount one consistent drive after another. i think he'll need the threat of an occasional deep strike. that said, i'm necessarily unhappy with his performance, just need to see more.

overall defensive speed and attention to assignments. there were a few misdirection plays during the first half. each time that i saw it developing i started getting that familiar lump in my throat that we were about to be gashed. each time i was pleasantly shocked to see that not only was someone at home backside, but that there were usually 3 guys in different levels of pursuit. one play in particular where wilson and rhodes ran down the wr for a loss leapt off the tv at me.

as much as the oline scares the bejesus outta me right now (hello keith, i'm looking at you. can you please take off your ballet slippers next game?), and as disappointing as the first team offense looked, my spirits are somewhat bouyed by the fact that there seems be quite a bit of young talent on this team. if it develops, this team will be potent for quite some time.

 

[dreamcastrocks]

expectations.

williams - this kid is gonna be our 4th wr. and i daresay he may make breaston expendable when it's time to offer him big money. the one drawback i saw was his lack of hops. i think we're all a little spoiled by fitz in this regard. this kid is huge and fast, but the fades were a bit of a struggle and both cheese and i commented that fitz would have come down with one of 'em. then again, he's fitz!

I was impressed by that shot he took and popped right back up. I don't fault him for the 1st jump ball on the 2 point coversion either as that one was way overthrown. The 2nd one though, I thought he should have been able to pull down. He needs to grab those if he wants to separate himself.

 

[football karma]

not all that impressed with matty. i know he had a ton of pressure (both figuratively and actually) on him. but i can't help but think he's too apt to check down. i'm pleased with his not turning it over and keeping the offense efficient, but if this offense is to succeed he's going to have to take some shots downfield.

I wonder a little if Leinart is simply playing "not to lose" -- avoid the killer turnover, "manage the offense", and importantly from his perspective: avoid a Raider-esque game from two years ago that cost him the starting job. At some point, he is going to have to let it loose.

 

[TheCardFan]

Dockett = Unblockable?

That's all we heard in camp but I didn't see that in the game. Sounds more like our G's are unable to block.

 

[Shane]

did I say i wasn't impressed? I thought he played well save for one bad whiff on a tackle. He just wasn't in my most impressed list.

Fair enough.

 

[Duckjake]

Dockett = Unblockable?

That's all we heard in camp but I didn't see that in the game. Sounds more like our G's are unable to block.

It sure looked that way last night. Keith getting burned by Mario for a sack during a 3 man rush, Faneca getting shoved back into Matt. Not good.

Wholesale changes though so I'm not going to worry until the Oline has had some time to gel.

 

[Crazy Canuck]

Honourable mention to Kenny Iwebema. He seems bigger and quicker this year.

(and while Justin Miller looked silly on the passing TD, he got my attention with his kickoff return in the second half)

 

[Doc Cardinal]

Max Komar....he's tough.....he can catch the ball...and he's not slow.