JLC Rant/Rip on Playcalling

[GhettoDogAllStars]

I read somewhere that the Giants converted something like seven 3rd downs in the second half, and all but one was 3rd and 5 or longer.

When you are leading 17-3 at halftime, coaching is easy. You rely on your defense, and you run clock. The coaches did just that. The defense let us down this time.

Bottom line: our defense lost this game for us. Plain and simple.

[GMScud]

Originally Posted by GhettoDogAllStars

I read somewhere that the Giants converted something like seven 3rd downs in the second half, and all but one was 3rd and 5 or longer.

When you are leading 17-3 at halftime, coaching is easy. You rely on your defense, and you run clock. The coaches did just that. The defense let us down this time.

Bottom line: our defense lost this game for us. Plain and simple.

I couldn't disagree more. Our offense couldn't get a first down if their life depended on it in the 2nd half. Like Rock Cartwright said after the game, "If you can't give your defense a minute to rest, something is eventually gonna break." That's exactly what happened. We moved the ball well in the first half and the D had little problem stopping the Giants, getting pressure on Eli, and forcing turnovers.

[GhettoDogAllStars]

Originally Posted by GMScud

I couldn't disagree more. Our offense couldn't get a first down if their life depended on it in the 2nd half. Like Rock Cartwright said after the game, "If you can't give your defense a minute to rest, something is eventually gonna break." That's exactly what happened. We moved the ball well in the first half and the D had little problem stopping the Giants, getting pressure on Eli, and forcing turnovers.

So you would blame the terrible 3rd down defense on the offense's failure to move the ball in the second half? Is the defense in any way responsible for giving up so many 3rd down conversions?

I blame the loss on the 3rd down conversions. We had them in 3rd and long several times, and we couldn't stop them. I blame defense for the inability to stop the Giants on 3rd down. Therefore, I blame the loss on the defense.

[GMScud]

Originally Posted by GhettoDogAllStars

So you would blame the terrible 3rd down defense on the offense's failure to move the ball in the second half? Is the defense in any way responsible for giving up so many 3rd down conversions?

I blame the loss on the 3rd down conversions. We had them in 3rd and long several times, and we couldn't stop them. I blame defense for the inability to stop the Giants on 3rd down. Therefore, I blame the loss on the defense.

How was the 3rd down defense in the first half when the offense was actually moving the ball and spelling the D? Exactly. The D was on the field for 21+ minutes in the second half. Unacceptable. The D has been great on 3rd down for 10 outta 12 quarters this year. Our offense is mediocre at best, averaging 17.7pts a game. We had 82 rushing yards in this one. But sure, it was the defense's fault.

[GhettoDogAllStars]

Originally Posted by GMScud

How was the 3rd down defense in the first half when the offense was actually moving the ball and spelling the D? Exactly. The D was on the field for 21+ minutes in the second half. Unacceptable. The D has been great on 3rd down for 10 outta 12 quarters this year. Our offense is mediocre at best, averaging 17.7pts a game. We had 82 rushing yards in this one. But sure, it was the defense's fault.

I know what you mean, and I agree that our offense should share some of the blame. However, defense HAS to make stops on 3rd and long. I am of the opinion that there are NO legitimate excuses for giving up 3rd and long -- ever.

Also, I think that 4 offensive plays are enough time for the defense to rest. Any more than that is just gravy. I think the defense was tired because they couldn't make stops on 3rd and long, and the Giants were able to sustain long drives -- not because the offense was stale.

To say that the defense couldn't do their job because they need more than 4 offensive plays to rest is a poor excuse. Imagine Greg Williams saying, "Well we sucked on defense, but it's not their fault. We simply can't play good defense after 3 and outs, and that is just the way it goes. Anytime we go 3 and out, expect to give up a score."

[GMScud]

Originally Posted by GhettoDogAllStars

I know what you mean, and I agree that our offense should share some of the blame. However, defense HAS to make stops on 3rd and long. I am of the opinion that there are NO legitimate excuses for giving up 3rd and long -- ever.

Also, I think that 4 offensive plays are enough time for the defense to rest. Any more than that is just gravy. I think the defense was tired because they couldn't make stops on 3rd and long, and the Giants were able to sustain long drives -- not because the offense was stale.

To say that the defense couldn't do their job because they need more than 4 offensive plays to rest is a poor excuse. Imagine Greg Williams saying, "Well we sucked on defense, but it's not their fault. We simply can't play good defense after 3 and outs, and that is just the way it goes. Anytime we go 3 and out, expect to give up a score."

I'm not saying the D was perfect. But to say the blame lies squarely on them is just wrong, IMO.

[GMScud]

Bottom line, we play an absolutely MISERABLE defense week 5 vs. Detroit, and we have great film to watch from that Eagles game yesterday on just how to exploit it. If we don't score 28 points I'm gonna be pissed. I want to see JC have at least a pair of TD passes in that one. We gotta come out and pound them. I mean POUND them. I wanna see something a la that San Fran game in 2005...

[itvnetop]

I think JLC may be right. We should be calling more runs- but after this game, it's obvious that the run calling may not fit the current personnel. Losing Thomas meant less effective pulling. I saw some positive things with the misdirection pitch-outs in the first half.