QB or defense: what's the bigger problem?

[GTripp0012]

Originally Posted by illdefined

yes. let me find the link.



that's my point, I would too. the last TD Cooley had was that play, but Cooley isn't getting it enough as is, being covered by a LB in man or zone.



exactly about the monkey, hence the frustation. Brunell not throwing to the middle of the field isn't a theory, it was illustrated in game 2 with stats before Saunders' offense came to town, and it's a recent career hallmark of his conservative play.

of course it's not an every down defense, my point was that defenses don't feel the need to cover the window because of Brunell's tendencies. Lloyd has made that exact over the middle 20yarder by the way, but not often enough (just ask Lloyd when he's not screaming), the 2-3 times this season Brunell has reacted quickly enough and felt confident enough for it.



huh? i just said the mike stays in the instance i gave, its him barreling his way to the dump off/runner way before the safeties, because he knows where Mark is throwing (or where Portis is drawing). especially if Cooley stayed in to block. no need for a cover-3 when Mark doesn't look over the middle past the LB. and again, it was a blitz.

Well, my sig would imply I don't think the guy is getting the ball enough. I was almost being sarcastic with the first three paragraphs. It's not going to be that simple, obviously. Defenses will mix looks and coverages all day, and I'm sure we and every other team in the league sees a varity of cover 2s week in and week out. We have plays to beat the two. When you see Lloyd or Randle El go over the middle and Brunell hit them, chances are the play is being called out of the cover 2 beater section of the Saunders playbook. We still have the back as a check down, but theres a reason that it doesnt go there on that play. The intended reciever(s) was open, and for a big chunk of yardage. Simple pitch and catch. No YAC necessary. But that play is designed to beat open coverages. If that play is called agaisnt a closed coverage, I'm sure Brunell will check down.

Also, I'm 100% sure its far more complicated than this, but hopefully this sheds a little light on all the check downs. Sure you could rear back and fire it in there a la favre no matter what the coverage is, but thats not Gibbs style football, and Brunell isn't Brett Favre in his prime. He, due to coaching and style, is far better than Favre is now, IMO.

Anyway, the offense is working the way it is, but it is hard to see that when you are 2-5.