Average Analysis: Atlanta Postgame

[ItsNotGonnaBeAlright]

EDIT: Snipping for space...

In Conclusion:

I said that the Panthers would look better, but they probably still wouldn't pull out the win. Well, some things looked better and they still didn't pull out the win. Nothing to be ashamed of (except for ST and maybe secondary work), and I look for things to improve. Next week against Dallas should look MUCH better, but I'll get into that later.

[Glenn07]

I agree with you here! Jake looked great. His accuracy was remarkable at times. Can't fault him for the interception...he was about to get nailed and it was 4th down. Your right...ST stink and the secondary. I thought Crossman should have went a long time ago. I hope Jake keeps it up. He really impressed me today. I actually felt confident in him.

[Udogg]

I was proud of Jake... Not very proud of our defense or special teams. If thats the best Rhys can do, I think we can cut him.

[ItsNotGonnaBeAlright]

Considering what they were up against, I was fine with how the defense played for the most part. Looked like a much more fixable unit than I was really expecting. I don't feel like we'll be in a "offense carrying the defense" kind of situation for much longer.

[Upper Deck West End Zone]

Special teams lost it for us today.

[rico6]

Special teams lost it for us today.

Naw ATL had at least two 80-yard scoring drives, which killed clock, and limited how our offense could play. Don't get me wrong special teams was crap but comparing it to our defense which gave up a score almost every possession is nothing short of unacceptable.

[ItsNotGonnaBeAlright]

Naw ATL had at least two 80-yard scoring drives, which killed clock, and limited how our offense could play. Don't get me wrong special teams was crap but comparing it to our defense which gave up a score almost every possession is nothing short of unacceptable.

The defense faltered on a lot of close situations against a very good offense who got lucky several times.

The special teams more often than not set up that same very good offense with very good field posistion.

[WCABBall]

Delhomme was Delhomme (Inconsistent - Good today bad tommorrow). I blasted him last week and this week I have to give him credit - solid and gave us a chance to win. I know 8 guys caught passes but still threw to Smith and Moose 22 times and the other WR 2 times. Don't worry about fumbles. D Willy had his first in two years - they are gonna happen every once in a blue moon.

Defensively I agree that Atlanta is just that good. Our defense is still suspect but the Falcons made incredible catches two times on 3rd down that would have forced FG instead they completed them and go TD's (difference in the game). Gonzalez is incredible.

Special teams was the real problem today. The blocked punt is inexcusible. Should not happen but once every 4-5 years and we have one every year if not more. Lloyd has to go. The other kicker was consistently deep in the endzone with his kicks. Captain caught the ball but little else. We need playmakers out there. On coverage we need Lemen. Cut the guy who looked to me to be a perfect special teams guy. Brings aggressiveness along with enthusiasm

[guyinchesapeake]

I agree with most of what was stated in the very first post. Jake was a totally different guy today than the past 2 games. Defense didn't seem to have much success when blitzing, much less generating any real pressure on Ryan with the front 4 alone. Special teams continue to disappoint, especially on coverage. I expect more blocked punts as the season progresses, it just takes Baker too darned long to get rid of the ball.

We're still turning the ball over too many times, 3 fumbles (and 1 INT) are going to kill most any team. I was heartened to see the ball spread around to the receivers and backs. Some things opened up when the TEs were included as part of the pass offense! I have to observe, though, we're still too predictable on offense, and we offer no wrinkles at all on offense or STs. I would love to see a reverse attempted on a punt or kickoff return. I'd like to see an onside kick (once in a blue moon) tried when it's NOT late in the game and we gotta have the ball back ASAP. Though Jake did much better in throwing 'dink' passes out in the flats to our RBs, some screen passes to keep the defense back on their heels would help too, I didn't see any attempted today. Speaking of reverses, one or 2 to Smith or even Jarrett is worth trying each game.

All in all, a much better effort offensively today. We can turn this around, but we have to maximize opportunities as well. I don't think we converted any of the turnovers we recovered from them, and our 4 turnovers speak for themselves. An NFL season is a marathon, not a sprint, and if we can hold on to the ball, we should be OK.

[ItsNotGonnaBeAlright]

I agree with most of what was stated in the very first post. Jake was a totally different guy today than the past 2 games. Defense didn't seem to have much success when blitzing, much less generating any real pressure on Ryan with the front 4 alone. Special teams continue to disappoint, especially on coverage. I expect more blocked punts as the season progresses, it just takes Baker too darned long to get rid of the ball.

We're still turning the ball over too many times, 3 fumbles (and 1 INT) are going to kill most any team. I was heartened to see the ball spread around to the receivers and backs. Some things opened up when the TEs were included as part of the pass offense! I have to observe, though, we're still too predictable on offense, and we offer no wrinkles at all on offense or STs. I would love to see a reverse attempted on a punt or kickoff return. I'd like to see an onside kick (once in a blue moon) tried when it's NOT late in the game and we gotta have the ball back ASAP. Though Jake did much better in throwing 'dink' passes out in the flats to our RBs, some screen passes to keep the defense back on their heels would help too, I didn't see any attempted today. Speaking of reverses, one or 2 to Smith or even Jarrett is worth trying each game.

All in all, a much better effort offensively today. We can turn this around, but we have to maximize opportunities as well. I don't think we converted any of the turnovers we recovered from them, and our 4 turnovers speak for themselves. An NFL season is a marathon, not a sprint, and if we can hold on to the ball, we should be OK.

The one trick play they attempted went horribly wrong and almost wound up as an interception. I'm all for opening up the playbook, but it needs to be kept at an extreme minimum unless there is a new guy as the head coach.

I agree entirely on your points about Baker and the pass rush. Baker is really starting to show nervousness with his age and that could very well become the liability that kills us down the stretch. The pass rush simply isn't there, and with no one player on the defensive line requiring a constant double team, blitzing can be thrown right out the window. I do have to say, though, with all the talk of "holding" being more strictly enforced, the Panthers defensive line sure was held a lot. One play, Peppers was being dragged backward in a headlock. Not sure I can fully blame the line for that one.

[guyinchesapeake]

"The one trick play they attempted went horribly wrong and almost wound up as an interception. I'm all for opening up the playbook, but it needs to be kept at an extreme minimum unless there is a new guy as the head coach."

I watched the game at a local sportsbar, and for the life of me, I missed that play, I must have made a bathroom call when that happened. The problem with our team is, on the few occasions we try a trick play, we abandon them altogether, regardless of success. I'm not saying do them several times a game, or even once a game, but I AM SAYING we should try them several times a season. I've never liked our 'flea flicker', there are better ways to execute one. I would like to see a 'hook and ladder' sometime. I ESPECIALLY want to see some reverses to our WRs, and an occasional one executed by our return teams, if nothing else than to give the other side something to think about and watch out for. We just don't help ourself enough.