Throughout the season following each game I will be taking a look at the rookies and how they fared each week. This will consist of thoughts such as the positive and negatives from that game, areas to watch or work on and clips to support what I’m sharing. Hopefully, this will shed some insight on some things you may or may not have seen.
Regular Season Week 8
Active Players
Devin Bush/ILB – Relatively speaking it was a quiet game for Bush. He had seven tackles on the night but didn’t really stand out in that aspect. In the roaming defense they were using that allowed Vince Williams to attack the backfield Bush spent a lot of time in coverage and there he was good. In Man coverage he blanketed tight ends and running backs and showed good awareness in Zone.
He did get stuck on some blocks versus offensive lineman getting pushed back away from the ball and his most notable play was a missed tackle on Miami’s second touchdown.
Here he is in coverage showing awareness and being assignment sound in what looks like a matchup Zone. He’s over the TE and at the snap makes it looks like he’s going to carry him up the field. His eyes however are on the number 2 receiver in the slot and when he breaks in, Bush tracks him to make the quick tackle.
Diontae Johnson/WR – Johnson had a good night setting a new career high in receiving yards with 84 on 5 receptions. The biggest catch was the 2 yard slant he took an extra 43 yards on 3rd and 20 for a touchdown. He did a nice job moving the chains coming up with 3 catches that resulted in first downs including two on third down. He could have had another reception on third down but he lost his footing. Good to see his ability to get open is becoming beneficial in critical situations.
He made a fantastic one handed catch down the right sideline but was called for offensive pass interference. He was also called for a false start for not getting set before the snap but Mason Rudolph needs to confirm everyone is set before calling for the ball.
Here is the one handed catch. He got called for holding the right arm of Xavien Howard (25).
Benny Snell Jr. /RB – Snell got the work as the number two RB again this week and did a solid job. His biggest gain came on a counter around the left edge gaining 5 yards but his most impressive run came early in the third. He was hit behind the line of scrimmage but was able to drive through and carry the tackler for 4 yards after contact for a 3 yard gain.
He made a nice adjustment on a screen pass behind him that would have been a 16 yard gain if not for a holding penalty on Maurkice Pouncey. He beat his man on the kickoff just before the half but it looked like the blocker held his left arm preventing him from making that tackle.
Here is the three yard run after he was hit behind the LOS.
Isaiah Buggs/DL – With the loss or Stephon Tuitt, Buggs finally got a chance to be active on game day. He saw 13 plays on defense and one on special teams. He was not able to record any tackles but didn’t do anything detrimental either. He saw most of his action inside, showed a good motor to chase the ball and was able to put some pressure on the interior offensive lineman while rushing the passer.
Here it looks like he’s over the center and is going to get solid push into the backfield before spinning to try and get in on Cam Heyward’s sack
Devlin Hodges/QB – Suited up as the number two QB.
Inactive for Week 1 – Justin Layne/DB, Zach Gentry/TE, Ulysses Gilbert III/ILB
Practice Squad – Derwin Gray/OG, Alexander Myres/CB, Tony Brooks-James/RB
