Who Looked Good, Who Didn't? Colts v. Bengals

This edition of Who Looked Good, Who Didn't? will be brief (temporarily).  I will edit it later when I have a chance to get a better look at the game (had to watch a live feed of only the first half).  As the game does not air again until Saturday on NFL Network, some of my observations may be for naught because final cuts will be made that day.

Who Looked Good?

Safety:

Jamie Silva -

via cache.daylife.com

I cannot point to exact plays for Silva, due to the crappy nature of my feed, and I RARELY look at the stat sheet to determine my opinions about players.  However, Silva was credited with 7 tackles, 6 assists, and a sack.  HOLY GOD!  This kid has really started to come into his own.  He's a solid tackler, makes plays all over the field, is one of the best coverage unit players on the team.  In short, I'm stoked about Silva's progress.  This team is the deepest team in the NFL at safety, and by a pretty comfortable margin.  If it came down to Gio v. Silva, keep Silva, no question.

Cornerback:

Jacob Lacey

via www.nationalchamps.net

Lacey continued his strong preseason performance against the Bengals.  Whenever someone attempts to throw the ball his way it seems like he's whispering into the ear of his assignment.  Very few passes have been completed to his assignment, that I've noticed, and a good chunk of the targets his way have resulted in either break-ups, deflections, or an interception.  The kid is fast, rangy, hits hard, and has a great motor.  It will be very difficult for me to watch this kid get waived or sit on the practice squad, if that is the case.  Oh yeah, 3 tackles, 2 assists, 2 passes defensed, and an interception.

Linebacker:

Ramon Humber -

While I was disappointed with Humber on at least one special teams play, on kick coverage, it seems that he spent much of the game making tackles and stopping plays while much of the defense was focused on the dandelions in right field.  It has been a back-and-forth proposition between Humber and Tauiliili for who has been most impressive in a given week.  Weeks 1 and 3 belong to Tauiliili.  Weeks 2 and 4 belong to Humber.  Both have a propensity to make plays on special teams.  Both are fast, quick to the ball, and seem like budding young linebackers with a lot of upside.  Today it was Humber who recorded 3 tackles and 6 assists.

Defensive Tackle:

Adrian Grady (or Mr. T?)

via media.scout.com

via www.getkempt.com

Okay.  I've seen enough.  Grady is a player folks.  The guy regularly gets penetration, gets push, disrupts running lanes, man-handles offensive linemen, and makes plays.  Against third stringers, you say?  Okay, point taken.  But the thing is, if you know how to play football, if you have the physical abilities to play football, you should be able to play football pretty well against almost any competition.  From my naked eye it seems to me that his assets, his talents and skills, are the kind that will be disruptive against anyone.  Maybe that won't be the case but from what I've seen, I think the best starting DT rotation on the team would be a paring of Ed Johnson and Adrian Grady.  Week One we may have the chance to see Grady start alongside Mookie or Muir.  I hope we do.  And if he looks strong in that game, I would keep him there without thinking twice.  He recorded 1 tackle and 4 assists.  (Taylor and Muir were the only other DTs to register assists, 4 between the two of them, none solo)

Offensive Line:

Kyle DeVan (GRRRR!)

via www.everyjoe.com

DeVan finds his way onto this list again.  Honestly, I have more confidence in DeVan than any of our other interior offensive lineman.  He'd be the number one back-up on my roster for each of the positions.  I wouldn't mind seeing him start at RG, if Pollak doesn't cut it.  Him or Ugoh at RG.  Either way, when he is snapping the ball he has a good command of the line and looks like a young Jeff Saturday out there.  When he is playing guard he's constantly sticking with his assignments, has looked solid against the pass, and gets to the second level against the run.  What's not to like? 

Wide Receiver:

Taj Smith

via cache.daylife.com

So, we finally got to see what all the fuss was about re: Smith during training camp.  He ran great routes, displayed great hands, and vacuumed up anything catchable that was thrown his way.  He even showed "something" on his kick return opportunity though he would be a project there at best, or so it would seem.  If the Colts keep five WRs, Smith is the no-brainer choice.  Do they have room?  Smith finished the night with 5 receptions for 59 yards and a touchdown.

Tight End:

Jacob Tamme

via 2.bp.blogspot.com

Tamme needs more time to develop as a blocker, as Dallas Clark did when he first came into the league, but he has shown some similarities to Clark as a receiver.  No, I'm not saying he is Clark, the second coming of Clark, or anything like that.  Clark is a Pro Bowl TE (he will be a Pro Bowler this year barring injury).  Tamme is a young TE with a lot of potential, good hands, solid route running, and enough athleticism to create mismatches and yards after the catch.  He is a no-brainer to make the team and is clearly one of the better pass-receiving options on the roster.  Tamme recorded 4 receptions for 35 yards.

Running Back:

Lance Ball -

Here is a guy who would be a victim if you judged players based solely on a stat sheet.  Ball ran faster, harder, and was quicker to holes than Simpson.  If it came down to a decision between Ball and Simpson for the final RB spot, I would take Ball without question.  That said, I doubt he displaces Hart on the roster but he looked pretty good carrying the ball.  Ball finished with 9 carries for 31 yards.

Who Didn't?

Offensive Line:

Jaime Thomas -

Thomas plays guard, so of course there is a bit less lateral movement than there would be if he were on the outside.  However, Thomas has stones tied to his feet and was abused multiple times by stunting defensive linemen who would use speed to go to his right or left.  All that size and strength will get you no where if you can't keep your hands on your assignment.  This made life really difficult for Ugoh, who has enough trouble keeping himself from being the goat.