Stock up, stock down in loss to Panthers

For a 1st preseason game it was a good one.  Lots to work on, but that's to be expected.  The highlight for me was watching Montgomery.  I know it was just a brief early glimpse of his skills (although I did see him in training camp too).  He is going to be very special if he stays healthy.  I liked Howard.  I was sad to see him go.  But I gotta admit the upgrade to Montgomery looks like a bigger upgrade than I first believed.  The guy has an "acceleration gear" that he can kick in that Howard did not have (not like what Monty has).  The announcers were talking about his great "vision" and instincts.  And he has some unreal quick-shift moves on runs that looked awesome.  Then his receiving talent is solid too.  Soft hands.  Runs good routes and gets open.  He is going to be wicked dangerous to defenses after the catch. 

I think our running backs will be incredible to watch  running and catching the ball this season.  Bigtime weapon.  Bigtime upgrade this season over last season.  JMO.  We're just a better team with these RBs now.

On stuff that needs work I think the blocking comes to mind.  Bunting, the TE looked pathetic blocking.  If he can't block better than that he's a liability out there... yes he had some nice catches against depth players on D last night that I liked.  But he has to learn the blocking game too. 

The depth QBs are about what you get with backup NFL quarterbacks.  Daniels has a noodle arm.  We already knew that, so nothing new there.  Tyler Bray had some nice throws, and wild throws against 3rd string defenders.  The guy has a great arm, but he stares down receivers and I think starting D's would eat him alive turning him over on a number of those throws.  If Mitch goes down for a few games I figure the D can carry the team a bit, in spite of these two backups.  If we would lose him for the season, the season is over at that point.  But, I guess that's how it is on many of the NFL teams.  It is what it is.  Daniels could probably dink-and-dunk enough to somewhat keep us in games.  But again, we've seen him up against #1 defenses and it ain't pretty. 

+1

If a person understands what preseasons games are, and what they are not, it can be fun to just watch the new guys perform.  The score doesn't matter.  But it is fun for me anyway, to just watch a new guy like Montgomery work.  It is a vanilla offense, just running some plays.  But still can be fun.  It may be the only time you get to see some of the young depth players who may have a greater role a season or two down the road.