tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3580115438716980446.post3568406908676634796..comments2024-03-22T03:17:47.335-04:00Comments on Armchair Linebacker - a New Writing blog: I Know I Shouldn't Complain, But . . .Raven Mackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00777849609532782535noreply@blogger.comBlogger23125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3580115438716980446.post-63090194048782801312011-09-17T19:37:54.516-04:002011-09-17T19:37:54.516-04:00Oh, absolutely. I understand needing to protect th...Oh, absolutely. I understand needing to protect the guys from the heat. But tactically, I'm not sure how that affected the choice to go into a defensive shell with a full quarter left to go in the game. I understand how it affected their decision making offensively, but I'm not sure how it affected anything defensively.Neilhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16300561079216508635noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3580115438716980446.post-77606930528028491442011-09-17T16:09:16.943-04:002011-09-17T16:09:16.943-04:00I grew up in the North, but I now live in the Sout...I grew up in the North, but I now live in the South, and I own a construction company with employees. I pay serious attention to the heat. It can kill. That is a lot worse than an injury. You can feel when you hsve had too much heat. You also want to be in a prevent mode before it gets that bad.<br /><br />DanAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3580115438716980446.post-65267526492550850542011-09-17T15:05:09.272-04:002011-09-17T15:05:09.272-04:00Yeah, I think if it got to the point that Stafford...Yeah, I think if it got to the point that Stafford couldn't even throw thanks to Crampgate, then ... yeah, I think they probably should have gone to Hill. Then again, that no doubt would have led to mass freakouts amongst all of us, wondering what was wrong with Stafford, so ... who knows?<br /><br />Also, welcome to the blog - this goes to everyone just finding us. "Long winded" is kind of my thing, but so is "very entertaining". Or at least I like to think so. Don't be afraid to hunt around the site, but prepare your mind and your soul for they will never be the same again.Neilhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16300561079216508635noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3580115438716980446.post-21830493378020181052011-09-17T14:17:28.974-04:002011-09-17T14:17:28.974-04:00Great Read. Perhaps a little long winded, but very...Great Read. Perhaps a little long winded, but very entertaining. I agree 100% on everything you said. Here's may take on what Gym Shorts said regarding running because of the cramps... YOU PUT IN SHAUN HILL. You don't shut down your offense to run 3 and out with 20 minutes left on the clock.Lawrancehttp://dontbeatwit.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3580115438716980446.post-4339922567515036702011-09-17T05:58:34.939-04:002011-09-17T05:58:34.939-04:00I listened to an interview with Schwartz yesterday...I listened to an interview with Schwartz yesterday where he was asked about going to the run mode too early. He said he thought it was absolutely the right thing to do because of the cramps. That Stafford was under tremendous pressure because his legs were having difficulty planting for throws with how tense they were. I'm just happy they were able to go run, even it wasn't great. If we'd not been able to run at all, that would've revealed a little too much.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3580115438716980446.post-11072146882497356352011-09-16T19:32:01.010-04:002011-09-16T19:32:01.010-04:00You bring up a good point, Danny. For as awesome a...You bring up a good point, Danny. For as awesome as The Schwartz is, he's still figuring this shit out too. That's why I threw in my comment about "the good ones eventually do [figure it out]." I believe that Schwartz will figure out how to best put teams away. I have faith in him. I'm just worried that we might see some growing pains on this front this season.Neilhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16300561079216508635noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3580115438716980446.post-91763996355832147132011-09-16T19:06:41.743-04:002011-09-16T19:06:41.743-04:00Well said Neil. One thing we do have to remember t...Well said Neil. One thing we do have to remember though, is that just like our Lions, Schwartz himself isn't used to winning games, at least not as HC. I think Schwartz took into account how we blew the Jets game last year, and decided to play it as safe as possible. And we can only dispute so much, considering we did get the win. After all, crazier things have happened than a LB picking off a so-called 'safe' screen pass for 6 the other way.<br /><br />As the Lions and Schwartz get more used to this winning thing, Id expect them to act like it, and learn to put teams away. Until then, I have to commend Schwartz and the staff.Dannynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3580115438716980446.post-77903169668567692892011-09-16T18:40:53.694-04:002011-09-16T18:40:53.694-04:00Pretty much what I expected. Thanks for the update...Pretty much what I expected. Thanks for the update.Neilhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16300561079216508635noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3580115438716980446.post-37676838756851037162011-09-16T18:34:41.995-04:002011-09-16T18:34:41.995-04:00Schwartz said they had to go to the run game early...Schwartz said they had to go to the run game early i nth egamne because Stafford could only throw with oen leg and they had receivers that were banged up. He wanted to keep it aggressive but injuries left him only to run the ball. As for the prevent defense...well that's just stupid.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3580115438716980446.post-55249721705600640642011-09-15T23:14:15.999-04:002011-09-15T23:14:15.999-04:00CJ,
That's some great stuff right there, and ...CJ,<br /><br />That's some great stuff right there, and it's honestly thought provoking. It's kind of rare when I feel like I'm presented with a new angle that I hadn't really considered before (Damn, how arrogant does that sound?) but you just did it. This is something I will definitely have to think on. For now, I suspect that you may be right. Rest assured, I followed what you were saying. If nothing else, this will give me another prism to look through when these kinds of things happen. <br /><br />Also, from now on, just for you, I will make sure all my monkeys are diaper-clad. I mean my monkey pictures. I don't actually have any monkeys of my own and if I did I wouldn't spend the money on diapers. Those little fuckers are smart enough to learn how to use the toilet and if they won't do that, well ... wait, how did I get started on talking about toilet training monkeys?Neilhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16300561079216508635noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3580115438716980446.post-69195752476049826342011-09-15T21:13:57.347-04:002011-09-15T21:13:57.347-04:00So I had this whole long theory on Jim Schwartz an...So I had this whole long theory on Jim Schwartz and his reliance on exhaustive preparation and planning vs. instinctive decision making, but it has now not posted twice, probably valiantly trying to save you from my bullshit. The gist was this: while there's definitely signs of the innate football conventional wisdom conservatism, it often seems to be more that Schwartz has planned out the game (and myriad eventualities) to the nth degree, and he will persistently try to hammer at the way he has decided they must play rather than reverse and do something else. It's like Jahvid Best up the middle every 3rd down early on last season. Once they had figured out a strategy that accomplished the same thing (some of the tight end stuff) as that play, there was much less dependence on not only that play, but that type of conservative play every third down, but until it got worked out, we saw a variation on it EVERY SINGLE TIME. I think his plan for greatness is worked out on terms of having schemes and personnel for every eventuality, so he and the team are never caught having to completely improvise or go with the gut instinct. I remember when he was first selected he responded to a question seemlingly with a total non sequitur about how he thought the guy that worked and prepared hard during the week was the better choice over the inspired gamecaller under pressure...it made me go hmm at the time, even though I agree and I've seen it come up a few times since. I don't know, this probably made no sense, but rest easy knowing that it didn't probably make a lot more sense before but was a billion times longer. In any case, I think it might be more about him being less willing to give up on a plan until he sees that it can be executed, than just innate football conservatism. <br /><br />Anyways, I love him now and forever, and want him ALWAYS ALWAYS to be our coach, so I am not a reliable observer and I freely admit that. Also, I know what a trapper keeper is.<br /><br />Really thought provoking and so much fun to read Neil. I'm now going to be boring people I watch with trying to discern Schwartz's psychology, which will probably make a pleasant change for them from when I make up conspiracy theories about Roary. <br /><br />Sorry I went on so long, just so you know...I'm a hater, yes, but someone primate diapers are easier to deal with than the monkey manicure pic.CJnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3580115438716980446.post-36470256018986692152011-09-15T17:00:40.032-04:002011-09-15T17:00:40.032-04:00I totally agree with the sentiment that it was a l...I totally agree with the sentiment that it was a lost opportunity to prove that we could score at will/step on the throats of a weaker team. What that fourth quarter effectively did was leave that window of doubt open to let The Fear slither through in the dead of night. It's much easier for people to dismiss that victory as a fluke when it ended the way that it did than if the Lions beat the Bucs into a stain on the turf in the 4th quarter.Neilhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16300561079216508635noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3580115438716980446.post-72419042381489176952011-09-15T15:33:24.295-04:002011-09-15T15:33:24.295-04:00regarding the people using heat as an excuse: i ju...regarding the people using heat as an excuse: i just don't buy it.<br /><br />we had the bucs gassed by the 2nd qtr. they were playing in the same heat we were (here come the slappys telling us "but they live in TB".. lol). when you have your heel on your opponent's throat, you don't let up on it. <br /><br />in sum, my issue is we haven't proven we can put away an opponent at will which means our lauded offense hasn't proven it can score at will. i think we're good but we need to prove b/c the likes or GB and chicago and NO will make us pay for being too conservative otherwiseAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3580115438716980446.post-13948805731350956992011-09-15T15:22:37.497-04:002011-09-15T15:22:37.497-04:00Kool Aid Man,
That sort of thing actually makes m...Kool Aid Man,<br /><br />That sort of thing actually makes me happy to hear because it makes me think that this was a one-off event and not something that will play out week after week after week. The only thing that seems weird to me is that Matthew Stafford was born in the South, grew up in the South and played his college ball in the South so you'd think he'd know how to play in the heat. Then again, there is heat and then there is what you describe which sounds more like a cauldron baked in the fires of hell, so ... yeah, you're right, maybe Stafford deserves a pass on this one.Neilhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16300561079216508635noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3580115438716980446.post-22519775312449434552011-09-15T15:19:09.313-04:002011-09-15T15:19:09.313-04:00"we need to put points on the board at will f..."we need to put points on the board at will for 4 qtrs to prevent jet like debacles and other sordid 4th qtr collapses in this franchises history in the past once and for all."<br /><br />Yeah, the best way to keep The Fear from eating us alive is to not give it any room to breathe.Neilhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16300561079216508635noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3580115438716980446.post-28498946242643212342011-09-15T12:15:26.798-04:002011-09-15T12:15:26.798-04:00Neil,
I was at the game on Sunday and unless you ...Neil,<br /><br />I was at the game on Sunday and unless you were there you can not understand how brutally oppressive the heat was. When they say it was 90 deg. with a heat index of 94 they aren't even coming close to describing the torment of that particular day in hell. The heat felt like it was clearly over 100 deg. I was in the upper deck and a slight breeze would come by every 45 min. or so. Other than that there was no relief from the heat. The real problem was the intensity of the sun. I can't imagine what it was like down on the field where very little breeze would be felt. Schwartz seemed to echo your conclusion that the fast pace of the game early caused Stafford to get worn out a little in the heat. Seems to me they went into slow down mode due to Stafford cramping up.<br /><br />Kool Aid ManAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3580115438716980446.post-15302643119157074202011-09-15T12:13:41.042-04:002011-09-15T12:13:41.042-04:00amen neil. lions played prevent D and O way to ea...amen neil. lions played prevent D and O way to early in that game. we need to put points on the board at will for 4 qtrs to prevent jet like debacles and other sordid 4th qtr collapses in this franchises history in the past once and for all.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3580115438716980446.post-65127092694589940022011-09-15T00:34:29.675-04:002011-09-15T00:34:29.675-04:00Yeah, I'm pretty sure the cramping played a fa...Yeah, I'm pretty sure the cramping played a factor but I still wanna see how they handle that sort of situation in the future before I exhale.<br /><br />Also, I am now depressed because I realize the great truth you spoke about the Trapper Keeper and now I feel as old as the hills. Next time, I'll probably reference Hammer Pants or snap bracelets. Shit, depending on how much I have to drink, the next time I write something I might be WEARING Hammer Pants.Neilhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16300561079216508635noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3580115438716980446.post-39145458150851848242011-09-15T00:04:47.570-04:002011-09-15T00:04:47.570-04:00Neil, you do realize that 3/4 of the people who re...Neil, you do realize that 3/4 of the people who read this post have NO idea what a "trapper keeper" is. Heck, even I had to think about it for a moment, and I'm a child of the '80's.<br />That being said, I was more and more convinced that the heat and the cramping had something to do with going too conservative ( all things in moderation, even conservative football play) and was glad to see you bring it up as well.Azbadger03noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3580115438716980446.post-2616725283843761842011-09-14T22:29:59.542-04:002011-09-14T22:29:59.542-04:00Whiouxsie,
Oh man, totally. TOTALLY. I hate that ...Whiouxsie,<br /><br />Oh man, totally. TOTALLY. I hate that soft ass defense, mostly because it's based in an outdated way of looking at football. Like you said, these days even Grit Merchants like Drew Stanton can take advantage of that shit. It used to be that you could hang back and force the QB to fuck up, but QBs are just so much better in general these days that if you give even a mediocre one any time at all they will pick you apart. Pressure, pressure and more pressure. I think that's the only way to win these days. And that's also why I'm so glad the Lions have decided to build their defense around their front four.Neilhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16300561079216508635noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3580115438716980446.post-19065208451759105042011-09-14T22:26:08.272-04:002011-09-14T22:26:08.272-04:00JP,
Yeah, I'm interested to see if the Lions ...JP,<br /><br />Yeah, I'm interested to see if the Lions come out and actually play their brand of football or if they retreat into a shell because they somehow feel like they don't "need" to be aggressive in order to beat the Chiefs. If they come out and beat them to death with their own arms and the game ends with Todd Haley wandering around Ford Field naked like he just got strafed with Agent Orange then I think we'll be able to breathe a pretty big sigh of relief about this team. If not, well ...<br /><br />Also, the angst which surrounds the Lions fanbase this season is incredible. People are fucking terrified, and it's all because we finally feel like we have something to lose.<br /><br />Also, also ... man, I forgot all about that tampering shit. Fuck them.Neilhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16300561079216508635noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3580115438716980446.post-73630082802126269672011-09-14T21:23:55.049-04:002011-09-14T21:23:55.049-04:00Related note: You see teams do this all the time ...Related note: You see teams do this all the time with their pass rush. They'll be aggressive on first and second down (which of course are passing downs now, because like you said, the NFL has tweaked the rules of the game so as to better resemble the pass happy video game simulation of the game). They'll blitz. They'll knock the QB around and, with any luck, infect him with the paralyzing sense of trauma common in victims of severe abuse.<br /><br />Then on 3rd and long they'll pull that 3 man 0 linebacker soft zone prevent no-rush bullshit (if you watch the film closely, you'll even see the linemen standing still and counting "1 Aligator, 2 Aligator, 3 Aligator..." before charging) that gives the QB 15 minutes to leisurely peruse the field with his eyes and note each section of the stadium seating which currently has a merchandise or food vendor working it before finally choosing a receiver, who catches the ball and naturally runs for a first down. Then they go back to blitzing and stunting on the next first down.<br /><br />Even my embattled favorite, Alex Smith, or a grizzled grit farmer like Drew Stanton will eventually complete a pass in this situation. Top QBs like Aaron Rodgers or Tom Brady will violate the entire anatomical set of orifices (with an un-lubed Wes Welker. It isn't pretty). And they do, and they have, and they have violated their way into the record books because coaching staffs repeatedly forget that 3rd and Long isn't as Long as it used to be.Whiouxsiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16294574254325222316noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3580115438716980446.post-8139487674163743272011-09-14T18:40:34.698-04:002011-09-14T18:40:34.698-04:00This week should be very telling for all the quest...This week should be very telling for all the questions that you raise. This is a classic trap game, Lions feeling good after a road win, Chiefs getting fucking powerbombed by the Bills, sold out home crowd. It's all there. This is when the old, old Lions(this is the Lions previous to the conventional "old Lions" of the Millen era, also known as "the good ole days)would be busy thinking about how fucking great they were on the sidelines, whilst some shit bird team whipped our fucking ass.<br /><br />It's put up or shut up time, and I know that's cliche and all, but it's true. If this team doesn't want to be a laughingstock, then they need to come out and put the Chiefs down with no mercy. We have the talent, it's a sold out home game, and the Chiefs look like they're one (more) bad half from walking out on Haley. It's time for some killer instinct, time for the Lions to pin their opponent down and deuce on their collective faces.<br /><br />Which goes with what you're sayin. There is no cramping excuses at Ford Field. No reason for the Lions to not slaughter their overmatched and out gunned opponent. <br /><br />Should be a fun game.<br /><br />P.S. I've been looking at some of the KC blogs, and their fanbase seems to be pretty knowledgeable, so I feel bad that their team is looking, well, like shit, but you know what? Those fucking whiny bitches in their front office cost us a draft pick, so fuck the Chiefs.JPhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08963893472040994684noreply@blogger.com