Dan Connor vs Bears.

[PantherBrew]

After watching the highlights of the big runs, I noticed a theme of most of them.

Dan Connor is getting cut blocked by the guards, and being completely taken out of the play. Now this is partially his fault and partially the D-linemans.

I guess you could say that it is the DT's fault for not being Suh, but I tend to put the more of the blame on Connor. If we had a DT that constantly demanded double teams then Connors life would be much easier. Think Dan Morgan when he had Kris Jenkins. Think Ray Lewis and Ngata.

It seems like e is getting his reads a split second too late, which could be slow reaction or not being mentally prepared to what run to expect when their in certain formations and then anticipating that run. This could be from not seeing much film of the Bears running the ball like they have been.

Or, it could be a problem with talent. It comes to two facets, either he isnt using his hands very well to shed the blocker and/or he is not athletic enough to avoid contact with a cutting olineman.

Either way, we have to find a way for him to "get downhill" quicker either by cheating and taking a chance before he is sure of the play, or he needs to see the play and go straight to the gap to blow up the lead and hope the help it around. The Saint's will see this, and will not mind running the ball all game if we can't stop it.

http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-game-highlights/09000d5d822c3645/Bears-vs-Panthers-highlights

[Snowman926]

Is Tatupu still out there????

[PantherBrew]

Is Tatupu still out there????

I don't believe he would be better than Connor.

He has surgery on both knees in the offseason. I am sure he would be much worse.

Btw, this isn't and indictment thread on Connor, I think he is a good player, but he has got to improve, just like many of the other players on defense.

The long runs are not his fault alone, but this is just a trend I saw on the big ones. Also, Godfrey and other DB's need to get better at tackling in space. This would really help limit those 25+ yard runs to around 8-10 yards. Darius Butler is actually a good tackler. He made several nice form tackles agasint Jacksonville and Chicago.

[DaCityKats]

i seen this as well he is late attacking the hole, therefore this allows him to get blocked a lot. Fua does command a double(even tho he gets pushed around) so that should allow him to make plays. a played that killed us sunday was that stretch play to the outside Forte broke every time he ran that. no scrapping by the LB because the DE's were setting the edge and at times were getting blocked down to the inside.

[pawsandclaws]

Either way, we have to find a way for him to "get downhill" quicker either by cheating and taking a chance before he is sure of the play, or he needs to see the play and go straight to the gap to blow up the lead and hope the help it around. The Saint's will see this, and will not mind running the ball all game if we can't stop it.

I agree. I think you will see more run blitzing and shooting the gaps. Opens you up to other plays but it sure beats getting gashed consistently. If you can get them into a few third and longs by guessing right....

[DaCityKats]

BB I dont know at times he was just being out beasted.

[Murph]

I remember reading somewhere after the draft a scout explaining why Connor dropped to the 3rd round when everyone had him as a 2nd round lock. When comparing him to Paul Posluszny, Dan didn't quite have that extra burst of speed to get into the play. Instincts were not as sharp. Not a huge difference but since measurables are a big factor to being selected very early, it played a part.

[Proudiddy]

I was watching a show yesterday that was breaking down different runs the Bears did on us, can't remember which show, but I noticed this to be a recurring theme as well. In the breakdown, they kept referring to how well executed it was, but all my eyes kept doing was going away from the run and blocks in the immediate vicinity to the middle and far side of the field.

Almost every play Connor was getting taken out of it... Sadly, I didn't notice the Bears doing it as often as our own players. I saw at least twice where a DT took him out trying to get to the runner. It was a bit embarrassing to watch... And all I could think about is that he kept getting knocked out of the play in the middle of the field because he couldn't get lateral or to the edge fast enough.

I think he's a great player as well, but this is obviously one of his limitations. It also reminded me of how frustrated Rivera sounded in the presser yesterday when referring to the problem with execution and how a lot of it was guys not being disciplined in their assignments - Not Connor in this example, but the DL and ST guys running over teammates to be the first one there and they ended up taking themselves and others out of the play.

[Snake]

As Rivera said, it players not being were they need to be.

[Fiz]

He's a reason they started gashing us on stretch plays.

Dude needs to be in a 3-4

[DaCityKats]

yep nobody(lb) was on the 2nd level to make a play.

[raleigh-panther]

On Sirius NFL Radio yesterday, they were a lot more blunt and said, and who could argue really based on results that the 'Panthers front 7 are the worst in the NFL'.

They specifically pointed at Connor as well.

Can't remember the commentator's name, ex player...this was around 9am EDT yesterday...made very valid points it seemed, said he had looked at film of Connor and he was constantly being caught up in 'trash' and not getting to the play.

[Brooklyn Bully]

He's simply not that good. He's average. Average guys get beat from time to time.

/thread

[Mr. Scot]

He's good. He's just not Jon Beason good.

And yeah, the DTs make a difference. Still, you gotta do your job.