AV will get another few starts. Hope that was just an anomaly. I wonder if edge rushers have an…edge…no pun intended…in week 1 for some reason. Lewan sucked. Orlando Brown Jr sucked. Chandler Jones had 5 sacks. Derrick Thomas set the single game record 6 sacks in a week 1 game. Are pass rushers just foaming at the mouth like rabid dogs, going 1000 mph in week 1 after 6 weeks of QBs being off limits to them? Pass blockers are going through the motions but just overpowered? Do things normalize after this week?
I was looking at PFF grades and stats before the game yesterday, and I noticed dang near every team had a bad to terrible pass blocking grade for week 1. Seems as though we weren't the only ones having issues. Part of me wonders if it's because teams know who they have week 1 and just have a longer time to prepare, and scheme for them.
Knowing Gruden, I 100% believe he treated this game like it was the Superbowl. Week 1, on MNF, at home for the first time in front of fans. He gave us everything his team had. I wouldn't be surprised if that's the best game they play all season.
Unfortunately we get hit with KC in week 2, so 0-2 is probably our reality. I don't think the sky is falling. I don't think we suck all of a sudden. But I think, and hope this was a huge wake up call. They need to let Williams handle the load. They need to scheme better for the DB's to have a chance. And most of all, the line needs to wake up and realize that everyone isn't scared of them just because they're huge.
I also think with all of the injuries last minute to Edwards and Hill, our playbook was probably limited. Seemed like Murray ran a limited amount of zone run designs. I think we improve as the season rolls on.