Less then Special teams and play calling

[Wp28]

Cost us that game! The Defense Rocked!

 

[Paladin]

Special teams was appalling! Rossum is a good return man, but not that good. What was their average starting field position? The 50 yard line?

 

[Thelt]

The defense was good at times but they gave up too many big plays and too many rushing yards.

The special teams were awful. We could not cover a kick or punt all night.

 

[Elric]

They played with a short field most of the night thanks to poor special teams. That's it for the season

 

[meatpile]

Cost us that game! The Defense Rocked!

Especially on 4th and goal from the 12 with the game/playoff berth / season on the line. They kicked ass there.

And did a good job of stopping Warrick Dunn, too.

 

[lde]

I had a problem with THE 4th down. I think we should have blitzed, at least one. Vick ran for about 10 yards many times. He's their weapon, not the receivers. But other than that, I agree completely.

I think STs has been much poorer this year than last, all year. Maybe the new people, but I have to wonder about O'Brien. Much was written that he wanted to retire this offseason, but wanted to go out with a SB win. I wonder if once you starting thinking about retiring, you already have. Its a saying. I don't know if its true.

 

[meatpile]

I think our defense sucked.

Allowed 5.4 per rush.
Allowed 34 points.
50% of 3rd downs converted.
Gave up the game / season on 4th and goal from the fucking 12.

I'd have definitely said if we score 31 points on them, we win.

Peppers played lights out, though.

 

[Wp28]

I think our defense sucked.

Allowed 5.4 per rush.
Allowed 34 points.
50% of 3rd downs converted.
Gave up the game / season on 4th and goal from the fucking 12.

I'd have definitely said if we score 31 points on them, we win.

Peppers played lights out, though.

Yup, after a couple of hours of sleep, You're right, a few players on defense rocked! overall though they we're bad. you gonna catch any practices this week?

 

[Piper]

We gave up a lot vs the run, usually in spurts. They basically ran it down our throats for a two TD lead in the third.

We did good vs the pass. Lots of pressure, Crumpler was actually "nutted," most of the game, I felt our coverage was good. And we made big plays. pep was awsome.


We were playing man and had our backs to him. Worst call for what happened. nobody saw him go, and only Morgan had a shot.


The play though that hurts the worst is the fumble we didn't get. Ruck had it, and he knocked it away from him.

Special teams and Jake's fumbles and of course the INT. Jake played very well,of course, he got us that lead.

That's as well as we've played them, but we needed one more play.

 

[hasbeen99]

There was plenty of blame to go around from what I could see. This was a game where we really missed our stars being out or gone. I can't help but think that it would've been a very different game with Jenkins, Davis, Foster, Smith, and even Cooper and Smith being on the field.

I blame the following coaches:

Dan Henning. For the most part, he's planned pretty well over the past month. But I can't figure out what he was thinking on that ridiculous Goings sweep he called 6 times. Playcalling in the last 2 minutes and OT was inexcusable. It was worse -- it was putrid. Foul. I could smell the stink all the way here in California.

Mike Trgovac. He's been intimately involved in the defense for three years now. He's seen what doesn't work against ATL, and that's over aggressive pursuit from the front 7. And yet every single play Vick and Dunn made was due to over aggressive pursuit. I saw Minter 2 yards deep in the backfield (as Dunn ran by) so many times I almost puked. Some of the problem is a lack of disciplined, smart defensive football, which largely lies at the players' feet, but not all of it. Some of it is scheme, and that's Trgo's fault. Did he even look at Tampa's game tape?

Sam Mills. I hate to say it, but where the Panthers have been exploited the most against Vicklanta is at linebacker. Bad reads, bad anticipation, lack of discipline. That falls on coaching as much as execution. For crying out loud, Detroit held them to fewer points.

And the following players:

Jake Delhomme. He picked a bad night to have an off game. For the most part, his ball placement was terrible. There were chances to overcome mistakes late in the game and Jake flat out blew it. We've all seen what he is capable of doing in the 2 minute drill in the 4th quarter. He didn't get it done on Saturday, plain and simple.

Dan Morgan. As many mistakes as were made in that game, if Morgan makes that 4th and 12, we win. He didn't stay home (again), tried to compensate too late, and missed him. Other than that play, there were a dozen plays he overpursued and found himself out of position. He doesn't have the speed to make up for those mistakes against Dunn and Vick.

Mark Fields. How many times did we see Fields 2 yards behind Vick or Dunn in the backfield as they were crossing the line of scrimmage, leaving a huge hole on the strong side?

Mike Minter. I'm sure a lot of his being out of position was due to scheming, but still -- he needed to play with discipline and awareness, and he didn't have either on Saturday.


I don't blame Scott O'Brien. He's lost half his best special teamers, especially in key positions like gunners and returners. That hole was painfully obvious against Atlanta. Even with just Cooper on the field, Atlanta's FP gets moved back from the 43 to at least the 30, if not in the 20's. He's been given Broussard and Bennett for returners and Dante Wesley for a gunner. With the exception of OL coach Maser, you can't polish a turd.