wagon

The one thing that stuck out more than any other was that Foster and Williams combined for over 150 yards on the ground. I know it's against the Rams who are not the most physcial team in the league, but it's good to see.

 

Thats exactly what I was thinking. I thought the defense tackled with purpose and evil intent.

 

Psychosematic. Neither the play-calling or the offense were really that different, but people who hated Henning will perceive it that way. In fact, it was strikingly like the game last year against St. Louis.

 

I don't believe I saw any 3rd and long draw plays.

 

There were two that I saw:

3-5-STL 5 (5:34) 26-D.Foster up the middle to SL 3 for 2 yards (54-B.Chillar). FUMBLES (54-B.Chillar), RECOVERED by SL-54-B.Chillar at SL 3. 54-B.Chillar to SL 3 for no gain (26-D.Foster). Play Challenged by CAR and Upheld. (Timeout #1 at 05:21.)

3-10-CAR 45 (4:18) 34-D.Williams up the middle to SL 43 for 12 yards (27-L.Walls).

 

We even ran that misdirection pitch play once more than we should. We ran plays till they stopped it. Did a lot of the same things. Sure. Similar in many ways. I still think some of those 3rd down runs are Fox driven.

Still, I liked the use of King, I liked how the run game went (against a weak D, I know). I liked the pace of the calls. I liked the adjustments.

Not saying Henning never did any of these things, but it's a well called game.

 

the zone blocking, of course, is going to look different. i can't remember us coming out with a Henning offense and moving people around like we did that first drive, or running so much. I can't remember but one instance in four years where a Delhomme led, Henning coached team had a productive 2nd receiver as a TE and the slot receiver had 2 scores.

Similarities - we ran a reverse early, and we used that 'philly' formation, albeit to try to disguise where Smith was. We ran a lot, and should've. It's going to look similar, in that it's many of those same guys, and that most offenses have some of the same elements. That Hoover dive/Foster pitch play was definitely a holdover.


It doesn't mean the new offense will be markedly better, but Davidson has these guys' ears right now and they're able to do the fundamentals right now. The fun stuff with formations, the flexibility of audibles, those are just bonuses and things I think an NFL team should be doing.

 

Davidson has a plan. Not to say that coaching is all that matters, but Delhomme looks more sound. His play fakes had more of a purpose. His release looked a little quicker. He didn't look like a stumbling, fumbling riverboat..um...gambler....guy.

 

There was one late. DeAngelo made the first down.

 

It was different from a Henning game in that we didn't throw deep as much, or I don't think we did anyway.

I'm on the TE wagon. If teams forget to account for our TE in the passing game, it looks like we'll make it a point to help them remember.