Some observations:
1) GOOD- Denver’s pocket contain of Cam. He got loose a few times but they adjusted and controlled his ability to scramble. Said Ware: “we made sure we kept the pocket tight so he couldn’t get out and run.”
2) GOOD- taking Olsen out of the game. I did not review film but it looked like Olsen got plenty of attention from Denver defenders, who gave single coverage to the other wideouts. Olsen had nothing over the top. When Brown went down, it looked like death for Newton.
3) BAD- no adjustments by the CAR Offensive Coordinator to the Denver pass rush (flares, screens, draws, slants). How many times do we have to explain on this blog how important it is for an OC to help his OL and his QB by not allowing the DL to tee off on the QB. One pass (flare?) to the RB all game. No screens, no slants to my recollection. No delayed draws that I can recall. A grand total of one of these plays all game.
4) BAD- Denver ran every time on 2nd and short. Before everyone lines up to give Kubiak a parade tomorrow, remember that after the first time he had a 2nd and 3, the next 4 times he was in 2nd and short they ran EVERY time, they were stopped EVERY time, they did not convert 3rd down EVERY time, and this stopped each drive EVERY time. Wait, Morse code, we want to protect our 39 year old QB and run the ball more. Bullbleep, use Peyton in some quick 3 step drops and get rid of the ball. Mix it up. Stop being so damn predictable.
5) Lay off Cam re the fumble… they beat the living snot out of him and he was hurt. Let’s see how fast you are diving into a pile when your ribs may be broken. I do not know how hurt he was, but Cam Newton was a pinata back there. He is a very tough, very big QB, he put his body out there plenty of times and took MANY hits. I don’t begrudge the move.
6) BAD- the Denver Prevent Offense. I know, I know, Denver won the game. But you have to remember that Carolina was down by 6 and had the ball with a chance to win the game. If the DEN offense just gets a few first downs here & there, they cut down the number of possessions that Carolina sees the ball by at least 2, if not more. I do not want to hear how great Denver’s Defense is… that Carolina isn’t scoring in 10 quarters. The prevent offense is reckless and irresponsible. Granted, Newton and his OC were unable to make the adjustments, but just a couple of CAR plays on Offense and we are all asking how Denver outplayed them everywhere except the final score.
7) Defense Still Wins Championships. Memo to Reese- it is okay not to completely ignore your Defensive Identity.
8) Peyton Manning- please retire. I for one thought it was reckless to come back to play at his age after neck surgery. Please acknowledge that Manning did not “win” his team the game in any way. In fact, he could have easily cost them by not stepping into the pocket more, throwing an INT, having his ball stripped a couple of times, and just not having the kind of velocity on the ball a professional QB needs. I am thrilled he got another ring. He deserves it. But do what is best and exit a champion. Your body is telling you it is over. Do not make the mistake of overstaying your welcome.
Kudos to Denver for a well deserved win. Great Defense. Let’s be fair and acknowledge that Denver’s offense really did not do much, and that Carolina’s OC did not help matters either. These were two good teams in a good football game. I wish Von Miller was wearing blue, but it will never happen. If the Giants were picking #2 that year, do any of you really think Reese would have taken a Linebacker?! Puhleeze. He takes AJ Green or Julio Jones, more and more WRs. But if this game reminded us anything, Linebacker still matters in the NFL.
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