If we can keep Carr upright, this offense has some weapons

Time for us to find another return man. Let Shaheed focus on being a WR full time.

good point. at least take him off the kickoffs. way more injuries than punt returns.

quote:

---

Well, mostly by the sideline. We saw more slow motion video of his feet than actual game today.

---

What?

He went 5 for 89 and a TD.

Yes. But no blocking.

Once Kamara comes back, I fully expect to see us open things up on offense. But I think if Penning can improve, you’ll really see this offense maybe get in the top 10-12 in the league

quote:

---

Yes. But no blocking.

---

Seems like they corrected that in the second half.

quote:

---

Olave, MT, Shaheed, Johnson, Hill, Kamara, Williams, Graham, Moreau

---

I think Miller is gong to be a bigger threat in the passing game than Williams (and probably running game too—he’s more dynamic that Williams and we may need that ability to be able to bounce it out and find some holes if our OL continues to struggle run blocking).

But you’re right, we have some serious weapons in the passing game, and I love the way our top 3 WRs complement each other. MT brings more value than just his numbers, which weren’t bad (5 catches for 60-something yards, I think). He had some nice blocks that spring some guys for some extra yards, and just his being out there allowed Olave to do what he does best, moving all over the field and finding ways to get open if the play breaks down and Carr extends it with his feet.

I loved the way they moved both Olave and Shaheed around and the different ways they got Shaheed the ball. And I think Juwan will wind up being a much bigger part of the passing game than what we saw today. I think Pete meds to figure out a better way to use Taysom in the passing game, though. I was begging for Pete to throw him some screens to the Penning’s side to try to neutralize the rush.

Je just needs to fair catch the kickoffs.

Only run back about 1 out of 4 kicks when it is short or a line drive you can catch on the run.

quote:

---

Je just needs to fair catch the kickoffs.

---

For sure. It was the 1st game and he was excited and wanted to make a big play. And after the opening kick turnover, it seemed like he wanted to make up for it and was even more determined to make up for it.

But the announcers mentioned it during the game—the whole league is going to have to figure out how to handle the new fair catch rule. NFL coverage teams are so good fundamentally and kickers can kick them so high, that big returns are very rare. A “good” return only gets you to the 30 at best, usually. And that’s just 5 more yards than taking the fair catch. Only without the risk of a turnover or, much more likely, a penalty. It seems every decent return that does get out to the 30 or beyond inevitability has a hold/block in the back penalty that has the offense starting behind the 25 anyway.

There’s a risk/reward regarding injury to one of our top 3 WRs that y’all have mentioned. But no matter who we have back there, I’m not sure the risk/reward of potential turnovers or penalties make the very small possibility of a big return worth it. The best play may just be to take it at the 25 every time.