THREE WORDS: Defensive Playoff Philosophy should be...

[HGG]

..."CLOSE THE DEAL."

1. Quit getting burned on 3rd and 8 (or long).

2. If a ball hits you in the hands on First or Second Down, then INTERCEPT IT, instead of bobbling it before it finally hits the ground, only for you to then get burned on 3rd and 6 as the team marches down the field for a score (see multiple times during the Giants game). If you intercept a ball that's thrown right to you, THAT'S A DEFENSIVE STOP, jocks. You can then get off the field. You don't have to spot the offense THREE DOWNS each time, you know? :mad2:

"CLOSE THE DEAL."

Stop keeping it open. You don't stop them on 3rd and long, like you don't. You don't intercept most balls that are thrown directly to you, like you didn't most of the second half of the season, you keep giving the other offense chances to score, which they have been doing.

CLOSE THE DEAL!

Do that, and this team won't lose, because the offense is putting up enough points, even though they need to stop giving up when they have a cushion.

INCREASE THE CUSHION, should be their mindset, even if it's just by a field goal. Their goal should be to score something every time, not merely just to try and waste time, which hasn't been working (trying to make sure that you score would guarantee more time being wasted, duh).

Defense...CLOSE THE DEAL.

Offense...INCREASE THE CUSHION.

That is all.

[Delhommey]

Ahhhh yes.

As all great football minds know, games are typically decided by force of will.

[Cyberjag]

WHATEVER ANNOYS HGG

Seriously, after watching your meltdown in the New Orleans game thread, I think with a little more work the Panthers coaches can get you out on a ledge. It doesn't get more entertaining than that!

[Cyberjag]

Ahhhh yes.

As all great football minds know, games are typically decided by force of will.

Well great, just great. Now EVERYBODY knows.

[E CaT PanTHer]

The Panthers have done really well on 1st and 2nd down. If they can just put the clamps on 3rd down, this team will be very scary in the playoffs. Imagine if all those 3rd and longs are not converted .... that puts the ball in our offense's hand and there's no telling how many points they'll score.

[HGG]

Ahhhh yes.

As all great football minds know, games are typically decided by force of will.

Works for Belichick.

If you think you are better than the other guy, that's what you try to do. You force your will on them.

That's how DeAngelo Williams is playing these days, like he refuses to be denied. Previous seasons, as soon as he was touched from behind, he'd just slide down to the ground. Not any more.

He's forcing his will.

If the Defense had the same mindset, they might not keep getting burned on 3rd and 5 or more.

[Delhommey]

Oh. OK.

And to think that all this time all the film study, planning and practice could have been replaced by a passionate reading of "The Little Engine That Could."

[Kevin Greene]

Oh. OK.

And to think that all this time all the film study, planning and practice could have been replaced by a passionate reading of "The Little Engine That Could."

I prefer Bob the Builder. "Yes we can."

[Sweeneyman]

Oh. OK.

And to think that all this time all the film study, planning and practice could have been replaced by a passionate reading of "The Little Engine That Could."

Oh. OK

A desire, and will to win is not required to win in any sport, and can be replaced with simple preparation.

You were a pine rider growing up weren't you?

[Cyberjag]

The pregame story has been doing the job lately, but I think Fox needs to read with more passion during halftime.

[Delhommey]

As Chris Hanson once said, "Keep Chopin' Wood!"

[Cyberjag]

Hey, no Chris Hanson references around here, ok? I'm still a little sensitive about that.

[CharlotteBeer.com]

As Chris Hanson once said, "Keep Chopin' Wood!"

How about, "Lay the Wood." Or "Bring the Pain."

Hell, why not Smash and Dash, just to piss Lendale White off even more.

[Fiz]

massage the prostate