Panthers at Giants Sunday Night Running Gameday Commentary 11/21/08

The way we started the game, honestly the Giants could not keep up with us as evidenced by us jumping out 21-10. I give credit to our playcalling in the 1st half, we were spreading the ball around well.

Now with that said, let me question our playcalling in the 2nd half because (as others have noted) it was different from an offensive standpoint for sure. There was at least 4 possessions in the 2nd half & OT that if we just get one first down, we probably win that ballgame,,, we got nothing 2 times from midfield and ended up punting twice (3rd qtr), then when we were pinned down on the 1 (a first down there, at least maybe they don't get a short field), and then when we got within 50 yards for that last FG attempt we just stopped.

We played "not to lose" in the 2nd half, so we lost.

 

If that 50 yd FG try was 3 feet further to the right, we are praising Fox ball rather than whining about the actual result.

As for the block on Beason, it stood out because it was center screen and the result sucked (for us). If that's the way the refs called it all game then it is what it is.

 

It hurts to lose but to put it some sort of sane perspective the Panthers played well. The run defense was bad and their is no way to spin that but the team took the World Champs to overtime in a crucial game on their field. Sometimes a loss will make you better.

 

Last night was a game they should have nailed down. No doubt about that. They played solid football for most of the game in bad conditions and a hostile enviroment. Going to have to quit playing safe all the time if they want a shot at the Super Bowl though.

P.S. Just me or has Gamble looked worse since he signed that new contract?

 

i didnt notice gamble yesterday other than the play he would have had a pick but godfrey gets in the way. yesterday was a game of almosts for us...thats what is so damn frustrating. the giants made some mistakes, enough to lose the game, but we couldnt take advantage.

 

When you give up 300 rushing yards you're not going to beat many teams.

Delhomme sucks and is holding back that offense. With the running game he has, he should be producing much more. Of the 19 attempts last night 3 should have been picked and one was a clear pick six. You guys need to try to sign Cassel next year.

 

Giving up 300 is bad... I never thought they would lose giving up runs like that in OT. Can't afford Cassel.

 

He has. Also, Thomas Davis and Diggs are struggling with gap containment, perhaps in part because the DTs aren't keeping linemen away from them. We actually did a good job on Brandon Jacobs last night, but we have struggled all season with those quicker backs like Ward. Chris Harris has also gone MIA.

 

we stopped the base runs so they went with the spread looks and got it done there. It's pretty simple - we were weak on the DL, they're strong on the OL, nickel D means a man on a man and if you block to a man, you have bigger runs. Nickel also does make it much harder to stack the line, sure. It's a good adjustment and we didn't contain it.

 

He sure has, I commented on that several games back.

His stats illustrate this.

2007: 15 games: 76 solo tackles, 20 assists. Also the 8 FF.

2008: 15 games: 56 solo tackles, 10 assists. 2 FF. edit to add: he picked up 10 solos just last night, which really helped his season line.

Naturally FF will decrease if you're not around the ball.