Preseason Game 2 Ramsey Predictions

[itvnetop]

was lucky enough to catch the end of the game here in socal... didn't see ramsey, but brunell looked solid. again, he's going against backups- but the backups aren't affecting the zip on his passes. he had a good completion percentage, even with three straight drops by receivers... if we argue that he was playing ultra-scrubs on defense at the end of the game, we have to remember that he was passing to our ultra-scrubs on offense. if nemo hadn't fumbled at the end, brunell probably ties it up within the last two minutes of the game.

it was great to see my fellow high schooler K-Wash have a good game in his homecoming... he's going to make a push for no. 2 wr in cincy this year.

[SmootSmack]

Well, first off I think we saw some really good things from our offense tonight. Namely Patten and Moss (especially Patten). They got good separation from their defenders, held on to the ball and showed some nice footwork along the sidelines. And these weren't little dink and dunk screen passes. They really opened things up and Ramsey had some pretty throws, hitting the receivers right where only they could catch the ball.

However, Ramsey wasted some nice passes by following it up with dumb decisions. Especially that interception in the end zone. He forced something that wasn't there, instead of just throwing it away and getting ready for the next play.

Brunell looked sharp, really sharp.

I'm a Brunell fan and I'm really happy to see that he's doing well. But I want him to be a great backup. It will be nice to know we have a solid, reliable backup but this should be Ramsey's team. But he has to start taking control of that QB position, making the right decisions, showing some consistency, etc.

Rock looked good today also, by the way.

[manicd]

But what is up with the defense? Looks like the Bengals were able to just drive down the field at will on a few drives. I just checked the game stats, couldn't watch it. Is Williams just taking it easy? Injuries a big issue? Or does it look like we may have dropped off from last year? Or, it's preseason, who gives a f**k. Thoughts.

[SmootSmack]

some scrub receivers with no shot of making the team were dropping Brunell's passes.

The defense is a minor concern I think. I still don't know who, if anyone, has stepped up to be our starting MLB. Carlos Rogers looks out of shape. He should be ok, just needs to get in football shape. Shawn and Sean looked great, as did Marcus Washington.

[Beemnseven]

Originally Posted by manicd

But what is up with the defense? Looks like the Bengals were able to just drive down the field at will on a few drives. I just checked the game stats, couldn't watch it. Is Williams just taking it easy? Injuries a big issue? Or does it look like we may have dropped off from last year? Or, it's preseason, who gives a f**k. Thoughts.

The starters did fine, but the Bengals were working on Carlos Rogers big time. On three consecutive plays, Carson Palmer attacked. The first completion went for a first down, the next was a sure TD that Houshmendazah (don't even ask me how to spell it) flat out dropped. On the very next play, they went at Rogers again, this time with a different receiver, #87 (whoever that is) and scored on a 45 yard TD pass.

They brutalized Rogers on three straight plays. Rogers was completely winded, and the Bengals knew it.

Might as well get those out of his system now, but yes, he needs to get into shape.

[itvnetop]

Originally Posted by Beemnseven

On the very next play, they went at Rogers again, this time with a different receiver, #87 (whoever that is) and scored on a 45 yard TD pass.

87 is Kelley Washington- I was really good friends with his brother at Sherando H.S. (Stephens City, VA) while he was a frosh. He went directly to MLB minor leagues after graduating- didn't do too well. Became a stud at Tennessee (the year after Donte Stallworth left).

Drafted with the first pick of the third round by the Bengals the same year Carson Palmer was taken (neck injury concerns dropped KW's draft status). I know i'm sounding like i'm hyping a friend up, but i really believe he takes over the #2 WR spot from Houshmandzadeh this year.

[Sociofan]

Originally Posted by itvnetop

87 is Kelley Washington- I was really good friends with his brother at Sherando H.S. (Stephens City, VA) while he was a frosh. He went directly to MLB minor leagues after graduating- didn't do too well. Became a stud at Tennessee (the year after Donte Stallworth left).

Drafted with the first pick of the third round by the Bengals the same year Carson Palmer was taken (neck injury concerns dropped KW's draft status). I know i'm sounding like i'm hyping a friend up, but i really believe he takes over the #2 WR spot from Houshmandzadeh this year.

Did you see Kelley Washington's dance? Is that the gayest dance you've ever seen or what? My nephew said he practiced that stupid dance all throughout his football camp this season.

[itvnetop]

Originally Posted by Sociofan

Did you see Kelley Washington's dance? Is that the gayest dance you've ever seen or what? My nephew said he practiced that stupid dance all throughout his football camp this season.

I guess we should keep him out of the end zone if you don't want to see it... and the dance got him an extra few seconds on sportscenter. He came in to the league cocky because he believes you have to be that way to be a WR superstar... not saying I agree with it, but i'm not the one playing on Sundays.

While we'd like more Marvin Harrison-types, the wide receiver superstar that receives the most marketing attention are the prima donnas. Like it or not, that's the way it is today. If you don't like it, complain to Nike or Adidas. Don't buy their product. But I guarantee you if the Marvin Harrison persona becomes more marketable than Randy Moss', you'll see a complete flip flop of personalities.

I think most of this is just a business thing with Kelley. When he was in H.S., he was the quietest kid ever. Even when he was tearing up the local headlines, he was always humble (I remember him selling christmas trees in 40 degree weather with our band because his brother was a member).

You didn't hear about his mouth until the year before the NFL draft: CBS did a 5 minute segment on him right before the Tenn-Fla game. ESPN magazine wrote a five page article with a two page spread naming him "The Future." He's a bright kid- so considering these facts, I'd say all of this is just one long-term business plan. He dropped to the third round in the draft due to questions about his neck injuries (that could potentially have ended his career). His hype was justified.

As long as he's not breaking the law and he's keeps working hard to become a great player on the field, he'll stand to make a sizeable amount of dollars outside of his contract. If Kelley totally flops after these antics, he's the one who stands to lose the most (namely reputation)- he'll deserve as much negative press as he gets by that point. Nonetheless, It's a risk I believe he'll win. His natural, athletic ability is matched by his work ethic- he never partied in college, instead he stayed in his dorm and cranked out a few hundred pushups on Friday nights. The Bengals are ranting over his preseason so far. It just took him a few seasons to get acclimated to the league. Sorry for the rant, but he's an old friend- before his name gets too muddied, I've got to stick up for him just like any friend would.

[saskin]

Originally Posted by Sociofan

Did you see Kelley Washington's dance? Is that the gayest dance you've ever seen or what? My nephew said he practiced that stupid dance all throughout his football camp this season.

I just saw it, that is the gayest dance ever...especially in that one uniform. I was half expecting a team mate to come up and go "way ta go girlfriend!"

[Beemnseven]

Ramsey was 9 for 18, 190 yards, 1 TD, 2 ints.

The good news is that Ramsey hit a few long passes and was able to move the ball, and the TD to Thrash was threading the needle through two defenders. The long pass to Patten was thrown perfectly.

The bad news is that every good throw was overshadowed by incredibly stupid throws. Both picks were not bad routes by the intended receivers, just outright ridiculous throws.

It looked like Ramsey was so eager to hit the big play, he overlooked a lot of the underneath stuff and intermediate throws. And like someone else pointed out, on those he missed, they weren't just incompletions, they were big turnovers. There was only one completion to a tight end -- Robert Royal, and none to a running back, except one that bounced right out of Ladell Betts hands on the second series of the game. It would have been a third down conversion, but Betts flat out dropped it. Not Ramsey's fault at all.

These are just initial reactions at approximately 12:20 am, and I'm really tired. I need to sleep on it and assess my thoughts tomorrow morning after several cups of coffee.

I will say that we need to see Brunell against the Pittsburgh starters just to see what he can do. I would say this even if Ramsey was flawless. You've got to get a good idea of Brunell, as he looked sharp again, with real zip on his throws and good poise in the pocket -- sidestepping and sliding away from the rush, along with a long completion after a good scramble. It reminded me of the Brunell of old. Really did.

For those who could not watch or hear the game, Joe Theismann, Jeff Bostic, and Charles Mann all agreed that there's a QB controversy brewing. Looking at Ramsey's play, you cannot conclude otherwise.