08-12-2018, 04:34 PM
Just finished re-watching the first half of the game. Impressed by how the 1st line played. Really good awareness and 2nd level blocking.
Riley Reiff (B-). Played well for the most part, especially in the run game, but he's a beat slow on those outside rushes.
Tom Compton (C-). Nothing he did poorly had much consequence, but he gets stood up all the time in the run game. That should not happen and it's alarming. He's "OK" in pass pro, but not very strong and he was soundly beaten on the TD pass to Thomas. Siemian barely got that off.
Cornelius Edison (A). Who the hell is this kid? Damn. He played better than anyone on our line. He's strong, aware, relentless. Equally effective blocking for the run and the pass. I have to wonder how he might look at left guard..
Danny Isadora (A). Danny Isadora might have played better than Edison, but Edison is more remarkable because he came from nowhere. Isadora is so strong. He was a wall in pass pro and a bull in the run game. Keeps his head up. Can manage multiple defenders. Alert, aware.
Rashod Hill (B). Absolutely stoned Derek Wolfe on Diggs pass to the 2 yard line. Played pretty well for the most part. Like Reiff, he can be beaten around the edge, but so can everyone.
Aviante Collins (B-). Played with the starting OL at LT replacing Reiff after first series. Held is own for the most part. Was beaten with an inside move once, but had a nice cut block on one of Mike Boone's longer runs. He then moved to left guard with the 3rd team. He's a better tackle. Was beaten badly on his first play at guard. But then he, Andrews and Norton combined for some good screen blocking on the play Roc took to the house.
Storm Norton (B) Looked pretty good. 6-8, 311 and 35 inch arms. Hard to design a left tackle better than that. I'll have to go back and see how he did in the run game, but his pass pro was solid. Moves well, mirrors well, plays with balance. Pretty good looking long term prospect.
Josh Andrews (C-). I thought Andrews maybe had the worst game of any of our linemen. Was beaten badly on a couple of plays and looked lost on a few others.
Cedric Lang (B). Man, this is an enormous human. Former TE has put on 40 lbs since college. Seems an awkward fit at guard.
Brian O'Neill (A-). I don't mind saying this one bit, but I was NOT a fan of O'Neill in the draft, but I have to admit he looks OK. He moves really really well obviously. Granted, he didn't really have anyone challenge him with a bull rush, which is where he struggles so much, but maybe the scouting reports aren't yet complete. Still, gotta give credit where it's due...he played well.
Parting thoughts:
Paxton Lynch is just god awful. Keenum played only one series. From that point on to the half and beyond, it was Lynch. At the half he was 4 or 9 for 12 yards. Lynch was Elway's pick and he's getting HAMMERED by fans and media for sticking with HIS guy despite all the evidence that he just can't play.
Kendall Wright is missing. Thought he might be a surprise player for us, but I'm beginning to wonder if he will even make the team.
Vikings were 100% in red zone efficiency.
Best part, no injuries that I’m aware of.
Riley Reiff (B-). Played well for the most part, especially in the run game, but he's a beat slow on those outside rushes.
Tom Compton (C-). Nothing he did poorly had much consequence, but he gets stood up all the time in the run game. That should not happen and it's alarming. He's "OK" in pass pro, but not very strong and he was soundly beaten on the TD pass to Thomas. Siemian barely got that off.
Cornelius Edison (A). Who the hell is this kid? Damn. He played better than anyone on our line. He's strong, aware, relentless. Equally effective blocking for the run and the pass. I have to wonder how he might look at left guard..
Danny Isadora (A). Danny Isadora might have played better than Edison, but Edison is more remarkable because he came from nowhere. Isadora is so strong. He was a wall in pass pro and a bull in the run game. Keeps his head up. Can manage multiple defenders. Alert, aware.
Rashod Hill (B). Absolutely stoned Derek Wolfe on Diggs pass to the 2 yard line. Played pretty well for the most part. Like Reiff, he can be beaten around the edge, but so can everyone.
Aviante Collins (B-). Played with the starting OL at LT replacing Reiff after first series. Held is own for the most part. Was beaten with an inside move once, but had a nice cut block on one of Mike Boone's longer runs. He then moved to left guard with the 3rd team. He's a better tackle. Was beaten badly on his first play at guard. But then he, Andrews and Norton combined for some good screen blocking on the play Roc took to the house.
Storm Norton (B) Looked pretty good. 6-8, 311 and 35 inch arms. Hard to design a left tackle better than that. I'll have to go back and see how he did in the run game, but his pass pro was solid. Moves well, mirrors well, plays with balance. Pretty good looking long term prospect.
Josh Andrews (C-). I thought Andrews maybe had the worst game of any of our linemen. Was beaten badly on a couple of plays and looked lost on a few others.
Cedric Lang (B). Man, this is an enormous human. Former TE has put on 40 lbs since college. Seems an awkward fit at guard.
Brian O'Neill (A-). I don't mind saying this one bit, but I was NOT a fan of O'Neill in the draft, but I have to admit he looks OK. He moves really really well obviously. Granted, he didn't really have anyone challenge him with a bull rush, which is where he struggles so much, but maybe the scouting reports aren't yet complete. Still, gotta give credit where it's due...he played well.
Parting thoughts:
Paxton Lynch is just god awful. Keenum played only one series. From that point on to the half and beyond, it was Lynch. At the half he was 4 or 9 for 12 yards. Lynch was Elway's pick and he's getting HAMMERED by fans and media for sticking with HIS guy despite all the evidence that he just can't play.
Kendall Wright is missing. Thought he might be a surprise player for us, but I'm beginning to wonder if he will even make the team.
Vikings were 100% in red zone efficiency.
Best part, no injuries that I’m aware of.
