First Reactions: Rams 17, Titans 16

Three Stars:

1. Thad Lewis – This guy impresses me more and more every time I see him. He didn’t have a ton of time on the field, but boy was he impressive when he did step under center. He was sharp in his reads, he showed off his strong arm, and he made everyone around him better. We are in big trouble if something happens to Sam, but seeing Lewis and even AJ Feeley make me feel like we would still be able to compete.

2. Donnie Avery – I have to give credit where it’s due. Avery came back tonight after a year off and looked explosive. He made the nice touchdown catch, and overall I just liked what I saw from him. I still don’t trust him, but he proved that when healthy he can impact this team. Also, I thought Greg Salas looked decent on the final drive and so did Fendi Onobun.

3. Jabara Williams – Williams was one of those guys I kept a close eye on, and he didn’t disappoint. The guy was everywhere when he was on the field. He is faster than I expected, and his motor never turned off. I still think of him as a project, but with the right coaching I really think this guy could turn into an impact player for this team down the road. Keep your eye on him when he gets his chance.

Overall, I think we learned that this team is still a long way from being in midseason form. That’s to be expected, so don’t freak out. The defense is a bit concerning, but I have the utmost confidence in Spags and the rest of the staff to get that unit where it needs to be. The guys are still learning the offense, but I think we have seen plenty of flashes of how good they can be. The big test comes on Friday in Kansas City in the “dress rehearsal” for the regular season.