And if he doesn't check down, and forces balls into double coverage with the zone and man under they were showing, he'd get killed for that. He has not been able to go downfield yet this season. Combination of factors here, but I would rather he check down to LDT, then force a deep ball into double coverage. Schottenheimer was the problem yesterday, as he is most of the time. He puts together a game plan and sticks with it regardless of what the defense shows him, even if it's different than what they have shown on film, because he's stubborn. If the plays don't work, it's execution not his play calling. Only when he has to does he start to adjust. Usually this is when they are trailing by two scores, and is why they needed to comeback in 4 games last year in miraculous fashion, and this year as well with Dallas game. Holmes basically said as much after Steelers AFCCG and after yesterday's game, and if you read between the lines Sanchez says it almost every week when they struggle and he says "well, we finally got somethings going, they showed us some different looks, but it was too late".
I totally agree with you on many of the points you made. But, I just cannot put blame completely on the defense. Yes the Steelers defense was outstanding. But 3 and outs do not help the defense at all. The 9 minute drive, totally unacceptable, but if the offense holds the ball for a bit, perhaps our defense could regroup. Like i said earlier, Sanchez is not going anywhere, BUT, if Schotty does not get this together, he has to go. Our biggest offensive problem in the past decade was being too conservative/not being able to throw the ball long. Schotty does not know how to exploit mismatches. Plaxico was single covered for majority of the game, the guy is 6'5, why not toss it up in the air and let him pluck it out? I will admit one thing, his play calling has been Sanchez' down fall many times.
Demo: great stuff... love the dialogue... thanks for keeping it above board...(I am an admitted Sanchez apologist) And I think I find where we completely agree: Totally agree re: Schottenheimer... to me THAT'S Sanchez's biggest problem, and I really, really feel the fact that they knew a lockout was coming, and wanted to keep continuity, saved his job. I really think Ryan would have liked to fire him and move Callahan in, but they knew continuity would be key if there was a lockout, and so he kept his job.
I am no Schottenheimer fan, but the blame never lies on just one person. People did run some routes down the field, Sanchez just rarely looked down the field. And the one time he did early, he forced an interception.
I thoght he could have thrown a better pass to Mulligan, the ball was tipped and that's why Mulligan dropped it even though it still should have been caught. That whole play was shit... somebody explain why Burress, Holmes and Mason are all within 5 yards of each other. It's a bullshit play and to the surprise of nobody it ended in failure. That is on Schotty but the execution was terrible. That ball needs to be thrown out of the back of the endzone or out of bounds. Not forced into traffic.
Nope, it never does, but you can't throw down the field if you take 3 steps and have a guy on top of you. There was no time for plays to develop and when there was, guys were not open. So he checked down. (many times after dodging someone in his face after 3 steps) And he didn't force an interception going down field. He was at the Raider 24, and made a completely year 1 QB play in year 3 that he JUST cannot make anymore. He tried to extend a play, threw a terribly illadvised pass on first down in the scoring zone, instead of throwing it away and getting another play. It was awful. Not the reason they lost the game, by any means, but awful nonetheless. Santonio Holmes questioned his play calling. (again) And he was in the game. I don't think I am too off base in questioning it, if he did.
You're not, and you make a lot of good points. Like I said, it's a mixture of blame. Schottenheimer didn't have a good gameplan once the Raiders adjusted to more zone. Sanchez didn't make enough plays, and he made the one critical mistake. And the offensive line was so bad that he had no time to make good decisions a lot of the time.
And yet when he wins with poor stats all we hear is 'he needs to raise his completion percentage', 'Sanchez is riding on his teammates coattails', etc. He's on pace for a 4,000+ yard, 32 TD season with over 60% completion. He's running for his life half the time and getting knocked around like a piñata. He's the last guy to be pointing fingers at on this team right now.
I can't help but wonder if somewhere on a Giants board there isn't a "Year 8 and Eli is still making dumb decisions" thread...
Seriously. I know someone caught it but, he there was no ability for any YAC since it was kind of behind him. He has to lead the guy there.
how bout big ben? its amazing how peyton manning delivered the colts a superbowl, and yeah he has blew some ass in the playoffs, but look at that team without him. even eli. if the jets win a superbowl i could give a fuck what happens, i will be drunk still.
we are seriously missing big Wood.. Wayne Hunter just isnt very good. he continues to get eat up by every end that faces him.
If you are stat watcher he had a great game, but anyone who watched the game knows that wasn't the case. 74 yards on screen another 70 against a soft defense. I admit I have been up and down on Sanchez, and was not an advocate of drafting Sanchez. That being said, I have seen alot of good improvements out of Sanchez. My only concern is when can we count on him. I can't in good faith say I would want him to be my QB IF WE HAD to win a football game.
If he has time in the pocket, he can do well. It's not like he has all day and then throws the ball directly to a linebacker.
Why would you not want him to be your QB if we had to win the football game? The guy has led numerous 4th quarter comebacks for us. When the pressure is on, Sanchez thrives.
I really miss Brad Smith. The guy really was a huge influence on a lot of what we did on offense. I could have sworn we were baiting the defenses throughout the season (2010) to have him throw it down field in the playoffs 1 time? I don't recall that 'big play' we saved the entire season ever happening, thanks to Schotty. Also Schotty is too predictable. In my opinion, Dustin Keller is a mismatch in our favor every time, Plaxico is a mismatch in our favor everytime, and Santonio is just a big time player who knows how to make big time plays. I don't see how a defense can possibly cover all 3 every single down. We all know the NFL is an up and down league. With that being said, I truly believe our time is now, and I really hope we can capitalize on the talent we have. I don't want to be that team that got so close only to fall short every time (McNabb lol).
The OL doesn't allow Sanchez to look downfield, because he has zero time. I agree with what you're saying, but if the line gives him time Sanchez can take advantage of downfield throws. And if schotty stops getting out coached.
