Re: Flashback: The end of the '07 season...
[quote]The defense then took over, and repeated what it had done against Denver, the New York Jets, and the Jaguars on Dec. 16. [/quote]
All true. HOWEVER. We should have been able to run down the clock more in each of those games. And not put our D in that position. We should have gained a couple of first downs and let Ben take the knee. We used to take that for granted.
Re: Flashback: The end of the '07 season...
[quote=MeetJoeGreene]All true. HOWEVER. We should have been able to run down the clock more in each of those games. And not put our D in that position. We should have gained a couple of first downs and let Ben take the knee. We used to take that for granted.[/quote]
Yes we did.... Cowher was a mastermind when it came to clock management. ... Add to that, Arians is not capable of making the changes during a game so as to implement such a plan.... But I won't get started on that issue.
Re: Flashback: The end of the '07 season...
[quote=NKySteeler][quote=MeetJoeGreene]All true. HOWEVER. We should have been able to run down the clock more in each of those games. And not put our D in that position. We should have gained a couple of first downs and let Ben take the knee. We used to take that for granted.[/quote]
Yes we did.... Cowher was a mastermind when it came to clock management. ... Add to that, Arians is not capable of making the changes during a game so as to implement such a plan.... But I won't get started on that issue.[/quote]
I don't think that this year, we'll be having that problem. After an entire season of riding the FWP wagon.... "the wheels came off." Our running game just got a shot of adrenaline. I'm telling you that our run attack will be the best in the AFC. I have no doubt. We have a two-headed monster and lump (Russell) that's about to burst into the third head. What I'm excited about is the prospect of a back who can catch out of the backfield. We have had no such threat in years. I remember St. Louis' offensive scheme in it's hay day..... not only did you have to worry about the nasty receivers but what spread the field even more, you had the perennial pro-bowler Marshall Faulk who was consistently yielding just as many yards catching balls out in the flat as he was running. If we can use Mendenhall in this aspect.... what defense could cover all our receivers and a pass catching RB. Imagine the yards after the catch by our RB, with our bone crushing, big game blocking WRs paving the way to the endzone. Done deal, game over.
Re: Flashback: The end of the '07 season...
Also regarding last year, it seemed to me the wheels came off when Aaron Smith went down. A couple of games in October and then out for the rest in December really showed us how valuable he is. I believe his bicep tear still isn't fully healed but that he'll be in camp. Let's hope so!