I think Talib assumed it was like the "old" days when in the last game only the guys not making the roster played. But it was clear that McVay used the last game to give game experience to players that are raw, but not necessarily PS only guys. Perkins is going to make the roster unless there are factors we don't know about. Harris is going to make the roster but he needs actual game experience. His route running is the issue. Perkins was clearly forcing the ball to him and I think that was intentional from McVay. Burgess is in there because he missed a lot of time and is behind the curve, not that he won't make the roster. Burgess IMO was on the field for the same reason as Tutu.
McVay used this game as he normally would have used game 3 during a 4 game pre-season. Personally, I like the 3 game format and hope it becomes permanent.
It was also clear how well Carberry has begun to develop these young guys. Kromer's approach was for the young guys to sink or swim there was precious little development. IMO guys like Whitworth did more to develop players than Kromer, and it's why Noteboom who has always been under Whit's wing was better than the interior guys. Now Shelton looks more like the guy I expected him to be. Evans is shaky but I think he makes the PS with Anchrum getting more coaching on playing inside where IMO he belongs.
Alaric is definitely a keeper and Meredith could take Evan's spot on the active 53. Evans should clear waivers without a problem and with another year of Carberry's coaching, he might prove to be the player they thought they drafted. Making a positional change is always hard in that first year as he was primarily looked at as an OT by Kromer.
What I'm concerned about is how Morris will play the secondary. What I've seen over the pre-season is he's playing a conventional zone style and not the aggressive style implemented by Staley. If that holds true with the ones I will be concerned. I know he was hampered by having to play Harris and Orr both of who lack the speed to play the way Staley's aggressive style would have required. I'm hoping that is the case. I think both Harris and Orr hit the waiver wire.
I would anticipate B. Brown to begin the season on PUP and possibly ending it on IR. This will allow them to carry SJD who will probably get them a comp pick if allowed to play out his contract. With Robinson, Hoecht, Gaines, and SJD they have guys to play 1T.
Hoecht played a lot of 3T which would put him in a position to be AD's rotation something I expected. Jonah Williams looks to have earned a spot on the 53 as he has played both 3T and 5T, looking best at edge. I can easily see him playing outside on early downs to get penetration and disrupt any outside runs, setting up Hollins as the pass-rushing edge. Or Morris can simply use him the way Fox was used. Williams is faster and stronger than Fox and is still developing.
I'm glad Chris Garrett is flashing his potential and is looking like the player I saw in his game films and not at the Senior Bowl. He's still raw but his potential is clear.
KIser always looks good in TC and pre-season. The problem is he can never stay healthy during the regular season. Do they trust him now at the expense of another player? Reeder and Young are ahead of him and they drafted Jones specifically to take his place. They might only keep 3 ILBs and Howard is better in coverage. I think they will keep 4 ILBs but Rozeboom has clearly separated himself from Howard and Kiser and we can see why he was a priority UDFA by many teams. He will not clear waivers IMO.
Yep some hard calls but not if the calls are objective and about their play and not a matter of drafted or not drafted.
