Cosell Talks: What’S At A Premium

[R0CKnR0LLA]

In a passing league, it clearly makes sense defensively to do two things: rush the quarterback and cover receivers. One reason a big-time pass rusher can be so important, a reason rarely discussed, is the impact he has on the eligible receiver count. Football is a numbers game. There are five eligible receivers on every play. If the offense is forced to keep one or two of those receivers in to pass block to account for a big-time pass rusher, then the defense gains a significant advantage. They now have more defenders to cover fewer receivers. The numbers favor the defense.

Corner is becoming an even more critical position in the new-wave NFL, with the increased athleticism and formation versatility of tight ends. Again, it comes back to numbers. If you have a corner who can cover man-to-man without help from another defender, whether it be a safety, a linebacker or a slot corner, then you have more players available to defend the four other eligible receivers. And that corner does not have to match up to the most dangerous wide receiver. If you’re playing the Patriots for instance, you can put your best cover corner on Deion Branch and then have more bodies to play Wes Welker, Rob Gronkowski and/or Aaron Hernandez.

I always call pure man coverage on one wide receiver the “Deion” coverage, in honor of Deion Sanders, who played man-to-man with no help as well as any corner I have ever seen on film. The Jets utilize the same coverage scheme with Darrelle Revis. I saw the Cardinals do it later in the season with Patrick Peterson. It’s a tremendous advantage for the defense in terms of coverage flexibility, and it really underlines the vital importance of the cornerback position in today’s NFL.

http://nflfilms.nfl.com/2012/04/12/cosell-talks-whats-at-a-premium/

[Jackofalltrades]

Your point?

[Seltzer]

I do agree with the overall theme about the premium being put on rushing the passer and cover guys. And the Panthers certainly weren't lights out in either one of those departments.

And if the Panthers can get a "pure" cover corner in the 2nd Round, even a guy with questions like Janoris Jenkins, they should.

But in regards to the 1st round of the Panthers draft, Kuechly was the best choice for the Panthers b/c it filled their biggest need with the best player available.

LB have to cover TE's and RB's in the middle of the field too in this now pass-heavy league. The pass coverage by the Panther's LB's last year was beyond atrocious. The Panthers got killed on 3rd down in every way possible, but none more demoralizing than the absolute inability for the LB's to stop underneath routes. LB tackling wasn't as bad as in the secondary, but it wasn't great either outside of Anderson.

Connor was a complete disappointment as a starter, especially in pass coverage but his tackling was as good as advertised either. I don't understand why people think he should have been resigned but yet think Martin is the worst safety of all time.

Martin has the ability, but needs to prove he can regain a starter's job. To me, Connor proved he doesn't have the ability to be a starter.

The Panthers pass rush wasn't great, but it wasn't awful either. Charles Johnson earned his money last year. Hardy played ok and Applewhite and Keiser contributed some. Just like at CB, have good options at #3 and #4 DE, not sure if any can be #2

The pass defense started off the year awful but made decent strides. McClain and Fua can't be written off yet. Very few DT's come in and play lights out. Jason Shirley was a nice addition. Hopefully Ron Edwards will give them a boost.

The secondary coverage wasn't great, but it wasn't completely bad either. The tackling by the secondary was awful, and that's why Godfrey and Martin will be fighting for their starting jobs.

Hopefully Gamble will have another season like last where he earned his #1 CB money. Munnerlyn needs to go back to nickel back, and Darius Butler isn't bad as your 4th guy. If Hogan can't be the #2 CB, then there still is a problem there as of this minute.

[csx]

Your point?

I think the point was to post an interesting article

[R0CKnR0LLA]

Bill Parcells had a very good breakdown a day before the draft talking overall draft strategy and echoed many of the same things.

One of his main points was that your 1st round picks should be premier impact positions, especially top 10 picks. He said on offense that would be QB, OT, WR and on defense it would be DE and DT (specifically ones that can rush the passer) and CB.

[LinvilleGorge]

Are people still bitching about not taking Gilmore at #9?

Claiborne was the only CB in this draft worth a top 10 pick. Gilmore was a reach at #10. That's just my opinion though.

[R0CKnR0LLA]

Are people still bitching about not taking Gilmore at #9?

Claiborne was the only CB in this draft worth a top 10 pick. Gilmore was a reach at #10. That's just my opinion though.

never did to begin with

[Snake]

Bill Parcells had a very good breakdown a day before the draft talking overall draft strategy and echoed many of the same things.

One of his main points was that your 1st round picks should be premier impact positions, especially top 10 picks. He said on offense that would be QB, OT, WR and on defense it would be DE and DT (specifically ones that can rush the passer) and CB.

Yep and its clear we are not going to get a good DT or CB in round 2 because of this. Teams are willing to throw away picks to get both positions so its likely we will be choosing a OT or OG when we pick.

[Seltzer]

Kuechly was one of the best 4-3 LB prospects in years, especially in coverage, which was the Panthers biggest weakness last year plus their biggest question mark going into the season.

I don't have a problem with being safe this year either, especially in the first 2 rounds. After all, Newton was the biggest gamble at #1 last year of all time according to some.

We have our franchise QB now, which is the biggest piece towards winning a championship.

Look at the Steelers, Giants, etc. Once you have your QB, it gives you the flexibility to take the BPA's in the 1st couple of rounds and take some gambles on upside later on.

No more reaching for a WR or OT to help out your below average QB. No more trying to reach for a playmaker on defense b/c your offense can't score points.

The stability of having a franchise QB around for years allows you to not panic, which is what bad teams are forced to do, including the Panthers from 2008 until we got Newton.

[Seltzer]

Yep and its clear we are not going to get a good DT or CB in round 2 because of this. Teams are willing to throw away picks to get both positions so its likely we will be choosing a OT or OG when we pick.

I wouldn't be pissed if the Panthers took an O-Lineman with the 2nd round pick if he's by far the BPA. The Panthers are going to have plenty of money to sign role players to fill any gaps after the draft.

The Panthers, regardless of what has been reported, are not in a bad situation salary cap wise.

When you have your franchise QB, you shouldn't panic and mortgage the future in my opinion.

Cam and the offense were able to overcome a lot of deficiencies on defense last year. With Chud back, the offense is going to be good.

Franchise QB's make the defense look better. The Panthers addressed their biggest need on defense with Kuechly.

The Panthers are probably not going to win the Superbowl this year, but they are moving in the right direction. Kuechly can be a 10 year starter. The defense still could use some work, but they will have a full year's worth of coaching this year.

The Falcons and Saints have signed FA's and backloaded deals b/c their window is now.

The Panthers and Bucs are building more for the future, b/c time is on our side and theirs in my opinion.

The Saints will be good as long as they have Brees, but their team has been as good the last couple of years as they were in 2009, and they are going to have cap issues over the next few years.

The Falcons know deep down Ryan can not win on his own like Brees and they have surrounded him with great (but aging) skill players. If they don't advance in the playoffs this year (and I don't even think they'll make the playoffs), it's downhill for a while once Abraham, Gonzales, etc, retire

The Bucs are going to be a team to contend with again I believe. I think the Panthers go into the season with an edge over them, but I like what they're doing. Building around Freeman for the long-haul.

Which is what the Panthers need to be doing and I think they are. Of course, I want (and expect in some ways) the Panthers to make the playoffs this year, but it's Rivera and Hurney's job to set the team up for long-term success now that we have Cam

[Jackofalltrades]

This pick meets an immediate need. Anyone who can't see that should probably just give up on watching football.

[R0CKnR0LLA]

don't see anyone saying it wasn't a need

[Kurb]

This pick meets an immediate need. Anyone who can't see that should probably just give up on watching football.

If you cant see the point of this thread you should probably just give up on watching football. :)

[theyhateme45]

This pick meets an immediate need. Anyone who can't see that should probably just give up on watching football.

Give up watching football? There are valid points from both sides from people who do watch panthers football and are pretty reasonable. Just because they do not agree with you does not mean they do not know football.