What FIVE things will you be watching most in Preseason Game 1?

[Rain Man]

P(i)oll(i) to follow. Stay tuned.

[Mr. Krab]

repost

[Deberg_1990]

Pass Rush
Run stopping ability
LJ
Matt Cassell
Coaching

[keg in kc]

O-line
Front-7
Kicking (seriously)
Wide Receivers
Cassel

[CupidStunt]

- WR hands and seperation
- Entire DL in all facets
- Hali's pass-rush
- Pollard being closer to the line
- The entire defensive system and how it works

[PhillyChiefFan]

1. Run Stop
2. Pass Rush
3. Cassel
4. Wideouts
5. LJ's pass blocking

[Molitoth]

I only voted for one.

The #2 receiver spot - who's making a run?

[Rain Man]

I went with (in order):

The defensive system under Clancy
Dorsey's performance
Cassel's performance
The DE's in general
Tamba Hali

There's a ton of stuff to be watching, actually. I'm really interested in all of the topics in the poll, but these five rise to the top.

[teedubya]

I will be watching the beer pour down my throat...

[Dayze]

In no real particular order

1. Offense/Cassel – watching for overall execution and focus. No stupid penalties like holding/false-start, etc on short yardage (or any down for that matter). I’ld like to see Cassel for a quarter and go something like 7of 10/11 for 75 yds; zero picks. A TD would be a nice bonus because that would mean they moved it down field in the 1Q.
2. Running game – last year it seemed the opposing defenses established a new line of scrimmage in our backfield. I’m looking for sustained blocking, and moving the LOS forward. I’ll also be watching for the RBs to hit the correct holes/making good decisions. Looking for the RBs to get up field; and not stretch the play east & west on a running play meant to go inside.
3. Tackling – sounds simple; but I put this on the level of interest I have in the offense making minimal mistakes that beat themselves/stall drives. It seemed too many plays were extended last year because our guys didn’t wrap up. Just make the tackle, and don’t worry about getting on sports center
4. Jackson at DE; Dorsey, and Hali at OLB; I want to see Jackson; specifically his effectiveness in holding the block (against him) and pushing the runner inside or outside of his gap (depending on play call responsibility). I want to see if it appears like Dorsey can move to DE in the 3-4; I want to see signs of progress;. Hali, I want to see in coverage. I want to see if he can drop/turn his hips and run with a guy out of the flat, or someone coming into his zone/seam from the slot etc.
5. STs: I want to see consistency; no fumbling on kick/punt returns. No stupid blocks in the back or holding calls that negate a average/decent return. I want to see the kicker punch it through when called upon.

[HC_Chief]

I will be watching the beer pour down my throat...

Good answer. :thumb:

Same for me. I'll also be watching both lines, the defensive scheme, the WR corps, and Cassel. But I like the beer answer the most.

[The Franchise]

Ehhh.....I'm more interested in these.

1. The defensive scheme.
2. The mood on the sidelines.
3. The transition for Hali.
4. The offensive line.
5. The run defense.

[ModSocks]

Did i miss the "All of the above" option?

[Skip Towne]

Where's the P(i)oll(i)?

[the Talking Can]

Cassel
RT
Hali
Dorsey
Jackson/Magee

[KcFanInGA]

LJ of old, Cassel the real deal, Bowe drop or not, #2 reciever, and Dorsey, in no particular order. I live in GA, anyone know how I might be able to see this game, other than another day spent drinking in Taco Mac?

[BigVE]

Did i miss the "All of the above" option?

Nah, just click ALL of the boxes. It worked for me. ;)

[BigMeatballDave]

I won't be able to watch until Sunday morning on NFL Network.

[Chief Chief]

I'm hoping for alot of sideline shots of the Texans' cheerleaders!!

[Mr. Krab]

Can our Oline and Dline hold their own(at least)
Players motivated and aggressive
Overall Coaching. Do the players seem to know what they are supposed to do.

[Consistent1]

This....

[JD10367]

I won't be able to watch anything, but I selected the four things I think are most important (LJ, Cassel, Bowe, Tamba) and the fifth thing I selected was a win. Preseason wins are usually unimportant but, when you've only won 2 games, and you're trying to buy into a new hardline approach by a cranky coach, starting the preseason with a victory would be helpful. Yeah, it's mostly Scrub vs. Scrub after the first quarter, but.... Blow 'em out by 37-3 and the players will feel good and think, "Hey, maybe there's something TO this coach's methods..."

[KCChiefsMan]

Haley, Dorsey, Jackson, Tamba and Cassel

[B_Ambuehl]

Dorsey, McGee, and Tyson Jackson.

I'm paying a ton of attention to young defensive lineman in all the preseason games. Watching the Patriots last night it's looking like Belichick hosed the entire NFL again. Fifth round DT Myron Pryor and 2nd rounder Ron Brace both look as good or better than any rookie interior lineman I've ever seen. That d-line is gonna continue to be tough as hell for years to come.

Ziggy Hood has a ways to go. Sen'Derrick Marks looked fairly solid.

[JuicesFlowing]

1. O-line
2. Cassel
3. Pass rush??
4. LJ -- is he gonna be a bull in a china shop like the old days?
5. Linebackers

[Reerun_KC]

1. Run Stop
2. Pass Rush
3. Cassel
4. Wideouts
5. LJ's pass blocking

ROFL

Yeah okay....

[raybec 4]

Cassel
Edwards/Tyler
Dorsey
Haley
Jackson

Defense as a whole got honorable mention but mostly because of the awesomeness of the word Pendergastophy

[Titty Meat]

1. Cassel
2. Coaching
3. O-line
4. WR's
5. Bernard Pollard Vs Mike Brown

[milkman]

I'll be watching Branden Albert, Rudy Niswanger, and the RTs on offense, while on defense I'll be paying particular attention to Glen Dorsey and Tamba Hali.

[GoHuge]

I don't think you can gather alot from the first or even second preseason game with the offense, but I would like to see the defense look like they are "getting" it. Playing rather than thinking. Would really like to see DJ unleashed. He has WAY too much potential to be a constant drop back cover 2 schemed guy. He seems really pumped with this new defensive scheme. I don't think he's ever had a decent D-line in front of him nor has he been properly used. Would like to see if Pollard plays like he's got some goddamn sense. Really want to see what the D-line does.

[DTLB58]

ROFL

Yeah okay....

Well since Vrabel has been working with him before and after practices on blitz pick-ups I'd say it a realistic goal that he should be getting better and a must to be on the field in Haley's offense.

[Consistent1]

Slaton Security Inc. Vonta and Boomer prepare for warfare.....