Week 8 recap

02 Nov 2006


week 8 recap
Category: Sports

Should we blame the coaches for this loss? It sure wasn't the offense this time and the defense isn't really much better than they demonstrated against Atlanta. The defensive gameplan was awful. I'm okay with playing some zone against Vick but they did a real bad job in covering the sidelines. When Vick rolls out in one direction or the other he shrinks the field and the areas he can succesfully throw to is limited to the hashmark to the sideline. It's up to the corners to play the sidelines and force receivers routes back toward the middle of the field. That didn't happen. The only blitzing was Brooks up the middle like always and all that does is allow Vick to manuever to where he's most comfortable and that's to the outside. Outside linebackers were obliterated on running plays and the safties have to tackle better than they did. Do coaches urge defensive backs to lead with their shoulders when attempting to dislodge the ball from bigger tight ends? Kasevaharn's attempt on Crumpler was pathetic. Tori James is utterly useless. What positives has he provided in the past 6 weeks or so?

Like Willie Anderson, I too was a bit unsettled about Rudi running 13 times in a close game. But at the same time, the offense seemed in a good rhythem and 27 points (including an exciting strike to Henry) is good enough to me. I know offensive lineman like to pound the run and Rudi was going pretty good in the first half but many of the play-calling situations dictated passes and that's okay. I thought Bratkowski was unfairly quesetioned this week when he should have heard more gripes against Tampa Bay and even Carolina.

The game came down to the blown 3 and 16 play in the fourth quarter. We were down 6 with about 9 min. to go and the Falcons were near midfield. They converted on one of the mentioned blown sideline zone coverages and later kicked a field goal which proved to be all they needed. I realize that when Vick starts to run, the coverage breaks down but it was Deltha who blew that one and we need more from our best defensive players. It's those plays that determine a win or a loss.

Big ups to Sugar Shayne Graham for a 50+ field goal before the half. Those conversions are big.

I am now 2-5 in my predictions and have been wrong 5 times in a row. Am I a jinx?

MK- Coat trees are the only trees that grow during the winter.