Panthers vs. Bears Running Game Day Commentary

I knew you were looking it up. I was also hoping it would come back in my favor. I will say I applaud you for doing that, instead of just saying it regardless. I respect that a whole bunch. So:


I was wrong.



I have to clarify something though. There were calls for blitzing earlier this year, and they got out of hand. I certainly wish we were a team that blitzed like crazy, Ive always been partial to that. BUt I dont want blitzing JUST to do it. I also think we dont blitz enough on third downs. If we blitzed 61% of the passes, which it appears we did, then I think we shouldve blitzed 75%. And not one guy on the edge, or one jerk off up the gut. I wanted 8, 9 guys coming. Orton had too much time. Even on some of the blitzes you mentioned, Peppers would drop, then bringing the number of rushers to five. A rookie quarterback. Five on five. I disagree with that.

Even so, I was wrong about it, and stand corrected. It stings, but it is what it is. I am sick to death of the way we do though. I will stand by that. And I want more brought when we do, otherwise were just taking away a football player on the D for something that wont be effective. Bring em or dont bring em.

BUt yeah, this is a bit of a lesson for me. This is the first time Ive been wrong about this, however. I get accused of saying things before without thinking, but I often am so sure I am right I dont take time to make absolutely sure. When Piper and I got into it about PA passing, I was right about that game. Today, however, I am wrong. Ill take it, learn from it, and be pissed about it. It wont happen too much, so enjoy it.

 

What were the odds of getting a first down or touchdown on the 4th and 6? I felt like the FG was a good chance and getting points gives you a mental lift. It's all hindsight, but I think if we would have got 3 and then got Jake just a short rest we would have had a better chance.

 

Well if nothing else losing makes for a more exciting TBR :banginghe

 

What I'll enjoy is talking football with you when I don't have to spend time looking up shit when the answer was obvious all along. But more importantly, note that we did demonstrably better when we didn't blitz. On our 17 blitzes we gave up 117 yards (and got the one gift-wrapped interception), for an average of 6.9 per attempt. On the 11 pass attempts where we didn't blitz, we gave up 39 yards (and the one TD) for an average of 3.5 per attempt. Seven of those eleven attempts were either incompletions or for no gain.

 

I noticed that. I dont know if it was luck or not. Lots of balls got batted, and lots were dropped when the receivers were open, so I dont know if Ill put a whole lot of stock into that, but sure, I took one on the chin on that one. Good job.

 

Blitzing actually makes a rookie QB's job easier. All he has to do is make his hot read and deliver the ball. When you drop back into coverage, he has to figure out which guys are going to get open and then deliver the ball accurately.

 

Part of that is true. In theory, that works, but thats rarely the way it works out on the field.

 

Let's face it..in today's game, Chicago was by far the better team. The score shouldn't have been as close as it was. They intimidated us...that's what is so embarrassing.

Stephen Davis hits a whole as fast as Grid picking up a bar tab...and I've never seen a back like him go down, most times, after a first hit. His running days are behind him. Heck, I'd rather see Goings get the ball...at least he'll give you a 2nd effort.

Oh...is Schaub coming up on contract time?

 

its all you fault

 

Probably since I was not in town this weekend...sorry


I'll be there next time....I just got back in from DC :bananalam