“To Consider Blitzing Is Somewhat Foolish …”
December 7th, 2010
Many fans agonized about the Falcons completing a 25-yard pass to Roddy White on 3rd-and-20 from their own territory on the game-winning drive Sunday.
3rd-and-20!!
Agonizing. Joe, and probably the rest of the stadium, wanted to see more pressure on the quarterback rather than the three-man front the Bucs trotted out there.
Raheem Morris was hit with a question from a caller about coming after Matt Ryan on that fateful play during The Raheem Morris Show on WDAE-AM 620 last night. Raheem said he made the right call.
“On the 3rd-and-20, you know, to consider blitzing is somewhat foolish when you have that down and distance and you can execute a pretty much routine play that we were not able to yesterday,” Raheem said.
No question this was a routine play and a spectacular throw by Ryan. But because of all the time Ryan had it also became a routine play for the Falcons. You can watch it again here.
But Joe would still rather see the Bucs take their chances with more aggression.
December 7th, 2010 at 1:52 pm
I watched Pittsburgh play Baltimore. You never know what linebacker is coming!
In that game, Palomolu knocked Flacco senseless on a blind side blitz. Tampa USED to have that kind of a pass rush, and IMHO we need to get it back again. Or guys like Matt Ryan and Drew Brees are going to continue to pick us apart.
December 7th, 2010 at 1:55 pm
He could have run a 4-2-5 and kept everything in front of the defense, give them the underneath. By 4, I mean 4 DL or 3 DL and 1 blitzing LB. Drop the db’s way off.
There was a better way.
Of course, not allowing a kick return TD would have helped too.
December 7th, 2010 at 1:57 pm
Apple Roof,
That’s basically the basis for a 3-4 defense. You never know who is coming. We do not have the players for that scheme. Ask Washington how that works out.
December 7th, 2010 at 1:57 pm
I don’t agree. The success rate with that down and distance goes UP when you add pressure, especially with Matt Ryan at QB.
December 7th, 2010 at 1:58 pm
By success rate, I mean the offense’s success rate. Whoops!
December 7th, 2010 at 1:58 pm
I wonder how long until the haters chime in?
December 7th, 2010 at 2:07 pm
Jaime,
You are exactly right. Ask any QB in the league what they want to see in that situation and they will tell you they would love to see a blitz.
Joe you even had a post about this in the offseason.
December 7th, 2010 at 2:55 pm
Hawaiian Buc, go put your hula skirt and coconut bra on you uptight biotch.
December 7th, 2010 at 3:05 pm
Having Rah as head coach is somewhat foolish.
December 7th, 2010 at 3:13 pm
Nice one Buc You! But no thanks, I have more fun taking them off your mom!
December 7th, 2010 at 10:44 pm
Stop blaming the call by Raheem. The defense called is designed to prevent just about anything over 10 yards.
The coverage should have been closer. The execution was bad, not the call. Whoever was the underneath CB (Biggers?), he needed to drop back further with Roddy before breaking off. He broke off at about 10 yards. No reason for it when they have to get 20.
The only issue I have is 4 should be rushing, NEVER 3 unless they add a stud DE to go along with McCoy and Price someday as the 3 rushing. With this group however, they can not get pressure with 3.
December 8th, 2010 at 12:17 am
Raheem Morris has stated this was a cover 2 defense (from a 3-3-5 set, obviously). The idea behind the cover 2 is to force the opponent to throw short, and come up and make the tackle. In a 3rd and 20 situation, that is a fine call. Sure, they could have rushed 4 instead of 3, but there was a lot of field to cover, and good players out there that can run after the catch. Having more guys back to come up and make the tackle is sound strategy. Unfortunately, on this play it didn’t work. It happens in the NFL.
I remember the SB with the Steelers & Cardinals. The Cards were down, and Fitz is really good at running a post pattern and running after the catch. The Steelers knew this, they called a defense to cover it, and Fitz still ran the route, caught the ball and scored the TD. Of course, the other end of that is the Steelers TD to win the game. The call was good, the coverage wasn’t even bad. It was just a perfect pass by Big Ben, and a perfect catch by Holmes. There’s not much you can do about plays like that.