Yeah..its premature. Yes....Sanchez had a nice 1st game but what I liked about this kid was his calmness. I liked the way he told Colon "just give me time". Here is the EARLY difference so far. Its obvious, given time in the pocket under this system, Geno and Mark could find guys and Mark did in preseason and Geno did too...and did yesterday. The difference right off the bat is that unlike Mark, come Thursday night, teams will now have to commit someone to watching Geno leave the pocket and take off. Geno had more nice escapes than Mark had in four years. What that should tell us that given the protection, Geno might surprise people this year..and if it breaks down and you have good down field coverage, its no longer play dead. Geno won this game with his feet as much as his arm and when teams have to commit a linebacker or safety to watching him leave the pocket, that could be a difference maker. Didnt see anything I liked in preseason but only a fool wouldnt agree that MAYBE...MAYBE...this kid has a foundation to build on as a good qb....and maybe better.
My words from last week... 2. I'm not rooting against Geno, but I do think he will not be a good QB based on what he did at WV. He completed over 70% of his passes last yr which looks awesome on paper, but he had a huge number of very short passes that were either only went a few yards in the air or behind the line that went for long gains or TD's. When he went up against better defenses, he was not good at all. I just don't think he will be good. I would love to be eating my words come November with a chance at a wildcard... At this point, I'm getting the ketchup out of the fridge and putting them on a plate...not quite ready to eat them yet. However on another note...
Two incompletions impressed me with his accuracy and his ability to fit balls into tight windows. The throw to Cumberland where he got laid out by that dirty head hunting safety Goldson was beautiful. Right in the hands in stride to where only his receiver could get it. Very nice ball. Then he threw a dart to Kerley who dropped it but it was in a spot where only his guy could make the play with the defenders closing fast. He showed some nice patience letting Winslow get open on the TD and the earlier catch Winslow made on that drive where he was forced to his right and threw it on target. The plays he made with his feet getting a first down and then at the end of the game showed good awareness and decision making.
His first half got me really down on him. I liked his 2nd half. He scrambled and slid when he needed to which was nice to see. He's also got a cannon for an arm and managed to hit the short passes. Hopefully this first game was a good learning experience for him and he can correct some of his mistakes and play well in NE.
I liked his scramble on the pass to Gates on 3rd down. Geno converted on a few 3rd and longs. The run game has to improve in order to take pressure of this kid. At least EJ has Spiller and Jackson.
