It's not Brunell's fault!

[Gmanc711]

Originally Posted by Sheriff Gonna Getcha

Agreed. This was a bad game for Samuels, but he gets a pass because he has been pretty consistent this year and everyone is entitled to have an off day. On the other hand, Jansen has looked bad ALL season long. I'm starting to really wonder what is wrong with Jansen.

Honestly though, I know Samuels didnt play well....but Freeney is one of the best (prob #2 behind Peppers) defensive ends in the league....why the hell did we leave Samuels out on an island with him and not give him any freaking help???

Especially after it was conistently happening for a half, why not have sellers chip him or somthing. Christ that pissed me off.

[NYCSkin]

Originally Posted by Gmanc711

Honestly though, I know Samuels didnt play well....but Freeney is one of the best (prob #2 behind Peppers) defensive ends in the league....why the hell did we leave Samuels out on an island with him and not give him any freaking help???

Especially after it was conistently happening for a half, why not have sellers chip him or somthing. Christ that pissed me off.

Also when you're behind, those DEs can just tee off on our OTs. Samuels and Jansen are serviceable and better when they are not playing on their heels. In the Sanders offense they are just exposed more since we are not Max protecting anymore.

[skinnyfan]

Originally Posted by NYCSkin

Also when you're behind, those DEs can just tee off on our OTs. Samuels and Jansen are serviceable and better when they are not playing on their heels. In the Sanders offense they are just exposed more since we are not Max protecting anymore.

I agree with the whole behind issue, but there was a protection problem from the start. They may not have sacked Brunell too often, but they sure as hell hurried him and with Brunell "a hurry" is just as good as a sack because he is scared to death to step up in the pocket and take a hit and too slow to run away from anyone. Our line, behind or not, is very average. They all bitched about smashmouth football all week and on Portis' first 7 carries he had 1 yard. And when we dropped back to pass Brunell had about 2.5 seconds to get rid of it. Our line is not good........period, no excuses for them. 3 points against the Giants, couldn't run on the Titans in the second half....avg. of 1.2 yards per carry in that game, and really couldn't run today until late when they scored a garbage TD and that came when the Colts were laying back and giving the underneath stuff up. With tackles like Samuels and Jansen they should be counted on for WAY more than just serviceable.

[Beemnseven]

Originally Posted by skinnyfan

I agree with the whole behind issue, but there was a protection problem from the start. They may not have sacked Brunell too often, but they sure as hell hurried him and with Brunell "a hurry" is just as good as a sack because he is scared to death to step up in the pocket and take a hit and too slow to run away from anyone. Our line, behind or not, is very average. They all bitched about smashmouth football all week and on Portis' first 7 carries he had 1 yard. And when we dropped back to pass Brunell had about 2.5 seconds to get rid of it. Our line is not good........period, no excuses for them. 3 points against the Giants, couldn't run on the Titans in the second half....avg. of 1.2 yards per carry in that game, and really couldn't run today until late when they scored a garbage TD and that came when the Colts were laying back and giving the underneath stuff up. With tackles like Samuels and Jansen they should be counted on for WAY more than just serviceable.

That's a great point right there. This offensive line is serviceable when things are going well. But when it's a dogfight, and the quarterback has to start winging it, forget it -- these guys fold.

And God help us if there's a fast defensive end lining up against Samuels. You said earlier skinnyfan, Chris Samuels could have been called for holding on just about every play.

Brunell is the obvious target, but the offensive line, especially with games like this, and the ones against the Giants and Cowboys, are a very close second in the categories that deserve serious blame.