The offense had a better week. The defense had the better week. But improved play from the offensive line and skill players are notable developments.
Here are my choices for the top performers from Week 4:
QB: Jack Sears -- persevered through rough start to week, Saturday scrimmage; playmaker instincts; thinks on his feet
TB: Vavae Malepeai -- three-down skill set; deceptively speedy
WR: Tyler Vaughns -- reliable; aggressive on 50-50 balls; supreme body control
TE: Erik Krommenhoek -- improved hands; provides a big target
OL: Clayton Johnston -- good athlete; position flexibility; enhanced his techniques
DL: Christian Rector -- active hands; savvy; sheds blocks well
LB: Porter Gustin -- stretches of dominance; more vocal; showing less hesitancy
CB: Biggie Marshall -- has really worked on his ball skills; positioning himself well; better footwork
S: Marvell Tell -- covering a lot of ground; more assertive in the huddle; creating turnovers
Newcomer of the week: OLB Kana’i Mauga -- his feet never stop; sneaky pass rusher; Pendergast lauds his consistency, conscientiousness and pad level
Here are my choices for the top performers from Week 4:
QB: Jack Sears -- persevered through rough start to week, Saturday scrimmage; playmaker instincts; thinks on his feet
TB: Vavae Malepeai -- three-down skill set; deceptively speedy
WR: Tyler Vaughns -- reliable; aggressive on 50-50 balls; supreme body control
TE: Erik Krommenhoek -- improved hands; provides a big target
OL: Clayton Johnston -- good athlete; position flexibility; enhanced his techniques
DL: Christian Rector -- active hands; savvy; sheds blocks well
LB: Porter Gustin -- stretches of dominance; more vocal; showing less hesitancy
CB: Biggie Marshall -- has really worked on his ball skills; positioning himself well; better footwork
S: Marvell Tell -- covering a lot of ground; more assertive in the huddle; creating turnovers
Honorable mentions: QB Matt Fink (more efficient), TB Aca’Cedric Ware (running hard, with force), WR Velus Jones (playing fast, becoming a more complete WR), OL Austin Jackson (better understanding, physical), OL Jordan Austin (winning more 1-on-1s), DL Jay Tufele (most improved D-lineman), LB Cam Smith (dependable, leader), CB Jonathan Lockett (cerebral, opportunistic), CB Ajene Harris (more aggressive, using his body), S Isaiah Pola-Mao (communicating, assignment sound)
Newcomer of the week: OLB Kana’i Mauga -- his feet never stop; sneaky pass rusher; Pendergast lauds his consistency, conscientiousness and pad level
Honorable mention: C Justin Dedich (superb snapper, holding his own with the first team), DL Caleb Tremblay (consistently wins 1-on-1s), S Talanoa Hufanga (plays sideline to sideline, hustles)
