Had some plans for this, but Covid and the NFL dropped those into a wood chipper and there's carnage all over the place. Let's go with some quick-hit thoughts on all 53 players on the roster right now (plus David Andrews)...
1. QB Cam Newton: Still confounded by his poor passing performance against the Raiders. Hopefully for the team, it was just a bad day at the office, which can happen. But with how historically bad the Seahawks have been in the secondary through three games, you have to wonder if this is a precursor of struggles to come. Worth noting Newton has practiced against a man coverage team this season, and perhaps he'll fare better against those teams (most good teams play man).
2. QB Brian Hoyer: Continues to have one of the biggest tells in the NFL — his patting of the ball before he throws. Good DBs — I'm looking at you, Tyrann Mathieu — will see that and jump a route.
4. QB Jarrett Stidham: As soon as Newton signed, he was the favorite to be the starter if he proved to be healthy. But the Patriots also wanted to see Stidham mount a real, Tom Brady-like camp charge for the job to give an indication for his future. It didn't happen, and there is real disappointment there. Don't use the injury as an excuse.
4. K Nick Folk: Everyone obsesses about kickers but did you know Folk has just one more miss than Harrison Butker, who also has one more XP miss than Folk? Fine line.
7. P Jake Bailey: His kickoff average of 64.9 ranks tied for ninth in the league, and his yards per punt (46.7) ranks 15th.
10. WR Damiere Byrd: Hasn't shown that he's been a huge improvement over Philip Dorsett, but he seems to be garnering confidence and a faster playing speed every game.
11. WR Julian Edelman: I might put him on IR right now and let him rest through the bye week. He's never going to make it through 16 games at this rate.
15. WR N'Keal Harry: He's averaging 4.7 yards after the catch — and that's the best among the team's receivers. That's not good. There are 14 rookies drafted by other teams with a higher YAC average.
16. WR Jakobi Meyers: Have to wonder how many chances he gets when Gunner Olszewski is activated.
21. S Adrian Phillips: A perfect example of a player who will be more of a weapon at the end of the season as he learns the system better, but his three missed tackles are tied for tops on the team.
22. ST Cody Davis: The New Nate Ebner leads the team with three special teams tackles.
24. CB Stephon Gilmore: Has allowed 66.7 percent completions and a passer rating of 98.7, plus three flags. In the 2019 season, it was 49 percent, 47.4 and six total.
25. S Terrence Brooks: Was one of the keys to turning the defense around in the second half vs. Raiders. Could be the new box safety going forward.
26. RB Sony Michel: What a difference a line makes — Michel averaged 2.55 yards after contact last season, 4.12 this season.'
(Adams Richins for BSJ)
Kyle Dugger
(Adam Richins for BSJ)