With the plethora of scrubs inserted rather quickly in the game, this is less of a full report and more of a shortened commentary.
Benji oversaw a methodical 8-play, 80-yard TD march on the opening series. Parker ran with authority, bowling over LB Omar Gaither on his first run and getting �round the outside corner on runs #2 and 3. Rashard gained 7 yards on his 1st carry, and withstood a big hit while being wrapped.
Davis had a poor block on Menden�s carry for lost yardage, but Benji hit Holmes on a quick out-hitch, and Holmes juked greybeard veteran Brian Dawkins and ran untouched to the EZ for a nice 19-yard TD. Benji was 2-2 on the drive, with a big 18-yard completion to Hines.
The O-line blocking was fairly solid on this first drive. Well done.
The Stillers� 1st team defense was fairly soft and cheezy. Of course, this early in preseason, Coach Tomlin is going to play a lot of straight-up defense so that he can assess his defenders in 1-on-1 battles. Hampton and Pola, of course, did not dress. The 1st team D played just 1 series and allowed a long, laborious march that mercifully ended in a FG. Hoke had problems at the POA (point of attack), and Aaron Smith blatantly over-ran a plunge that got solid yardage up his vacancy.
James Farrior had an untouched Dong Sack in this series, getting a weak pinkie-slap at McNab�s ankle.
The play that made me beam with joy was a dump off into the flats to a fairly wide-open Phil RB. Out of nowhere, ILB Larry Timmons flashed over like a lightning bolt and made the stop. GET THIS MAN ONTO THE FIELD. When you have the absolute slowest pair of ILBs in the NFL, you must get an speedy athlete like Timmons onto the field. The rookie season coddling has now been completed; now, get this man onto the field.
After the 1st series by the O and D, Tomlin went to numerous 2nd and 3rd stringers. Gay missed a tackle after a slant pass. Rookie Ryan Mundy made a nice lick on Westbrook, although he was injured AFTER the play when an Eagle lineman blatantly cheap-shotted him well after the play was dead, with no flag being thrown. Hopefully Mundy�s leg injury is minor.
Batch QB�d a couple drives and was spotty. He dinged his shoulder late in the 2Q after a busted play forced him to keep the ball. Dixon relieved and got considerable PT. He seems to have decent presence and of course has good athleticism.
Freddie Drummond had a nice punt return late in the 2Q. Ernster had a 49-yard boot, but then had a shit-laden punt late in the 2Q. On the final play of the half, Dick Eason got a coverage sack and then had the gaul to do some faggotty dance afterwards. For a guy that did jack shit last season, this was rather surprising, and annoying.
Mendenhall had a couple strong, good runs of 7 and 15 yards in the 2Q. Yowza !! This guy has the vision and instincts that you want in a feature back.
Sweed had a few solid grabs and shows promise. He showed good hands and nice footwork.
Willie Peid actually did something productive, getting a shoestring grab during punt coverage.
Fox, the young LB, was pretty active and showed some hustle and instincts. Needs some bulk, but I�d like to see more of him this preseason.
Jeff Reed was 3-3 on FGs, including a late 50-yard boomer.
The worst news of the nite is that Batch apparently broke his collarbone. Damn. There is no experienced depth and Colbert will have to very urgently -- much more urgently than his weak, lame-assed search for a punter -- sign a veteran QB.