Skins final preseason game results/thoughts

Skins pulled out the victory - not that it mattered much but there were a few things to take note of in the game:



1. Beck was borderline bad. He started the game and played the entire first half. He played with the starting O line and backup WRs and RBs and was given the opportunity to separate himself. He did...just in the wrong direction. Thought he was pretty bad. He fumbled a snap on the TB's goal line. He missed a pretty open Armstrong on a deep throw to open the game. He threw a bad INT off his back foot in the end zone. He had two really bad throws that could have easily been picked off. He missed a couple of open receivers on short routes. What he does do VERY well is sell the play action and roll out well. He had a couple of decent passes but don't think he did anything that would have him pull away from Rex in Effect. Interestingly, Rexy didn't play at all (although he was dressed). I believe that the starting nod will go to Rex but we'll find out next week for sure.



2. O line not great. The starting O line went up the TB back up D line and did not look great. Becks was under duress more often than he should have so this was disappointing. They will have to pick it up against the G men.



3. Banks solidified his spot on the team. Guy has been out the last couple of weeks but came back yesterday and ran back a 90+ yard punt for a TD although he almost botched it by celebrating early and letting go of the football before crossing the plain of the goal line. Fortunately, instant replay showed he scored before releasing the football. I suppose it is a good lesson to learn in preseason. I doubt he will ever do something like that again. TB punted away from him the rest of the game but he showed that he continues to be a special teams weapon.



4. D looked good. Mostly backups playing but I still loved the pressure they put on. Thought the LBs (Jackson, Riley, Fox) all played well. They created pressure and turnovers which we haven't seen in quite some time.



5. The Love Torain. Good to see him back and he ran hard. He's a big back and had some nice runs. Will be interesting to see the RB depth chart. No question Hightower will be the starter. Seems like Helu is the backup. I know Shanny likes Torain and Royster and both had solid games last night so will be interesting to see what we do with those guys.



All in all, a pretty good game for many of the backups. The tough decisions now have to be made as the final roster will be set in the next couple of days. Bruce Allen commented a few times that he thinks there will be some trades made. We'll see what happens but preseason is all over and the regular season starts in less than a week.



HAIL SKINS!!!