An inside look at pre-snap defensive chatter

[Mr. Scot]

Courtesy of Bill Voth...

Quote

Elliott added three receptions for 17 yards, and it would’ve been more if not for Mike Adams.

Late in the third quarter, the Cowboys were facing a third-and-11 from the Carolina 30. That’s when quarterback Dak Prescott swung a screen pass to Elliott, who was one-on-one with Adams.

Let’s let him and cornerback Captain Munnerlyn describe it from here.

Adams: “When they lined up, I saw Cap press. So once (Prescott) pointed at Cap, he knew Cap was blitzing.”

Munnerlyn: “I looked at Mike. I kind of gave him a look like, ‘Hey, you've got to get there’ cause I knew they were going to get the ball out fast and I was unblocked.”

Adams: “So I called Luke (Kuechly). ‘Luke - I'm going to go!’ That meant me and Luke were going to switch men 'cause he had the back and I had the tight end. So once I saw him, I just went and shot it. I was shooting my gun. Whether I miss or make it, I was shooting my gun. I'm going for his legs. I'm not giving him a chance to make a move. I'm going to come full speed and I'm not going to give him a chance to make a move.”

Munnerlyn: “Mike did a great job making of making the tackle. Got the wind knocked out of his old self, but he definitely made the tackle.”

If Adams didn't make the tackle, Elliott may've made it a 10-7 game. Instead, the Cowboys were forced to settle for a field goal attempt that sailed wide right. Then, 63 yards and 3:28 later, Alex Armah plunged in for a 1-yard score that extended the Panthers lead to 16.

Panthers.com: Six Pack

I always love 'behind the scenes' insights like this.  They give you a real window into the game and the thousand-million things that happen before every play.

[Nate Dogg]

It was a helluva a play by Adams. No doubt it was 6 if Zeke made him miss. I don't think anyone would even blame him if he would've missed it. Could you imagine trying to stop Zeke 1 on 1 in the open field? What a play.

[Mr. Scot]

You've got to have some chemistry with each other to be able to communicate with a simple look or a word or something like that.

It takes time and reps together to build that kind of teamwork.

[pantherclaw]

46 minutes ago, Mr. Scot said:

You've got to have some chemistry with each other to be able to communicate with a simple look or a word or something like that.

It takes time and reps together to build that kind of teamwork.

Adam's mentioned that his transition into the Panther defense last year was more difficult than he anticipated, and was part of why he didn't perform up to his own standards.