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Chris Gamble has size, skills to match Tillman's success against Calvin Johnson

jtnc

By jtnc,
in Carolina Panthers

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jtnc Newbie

jtnc

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Calvin Johnson has been nothing short of elite through the first nine games, but against the Chicago Bears last Sunday, cornerback Charles Tillman delivered the best performance imaginable against the Detroit Lions star wide receiver.

Johnson was targeted a season-high 19 times against the Bears, but was held to just seven receptions, 81 yards and no touchdowns. Tillman, on the other hand, did find the end zone, picking off a Matthew Stafford pass intended for Johnson and returning it 44 yards for the touchdown.

The 6-foot-2, 198-pound Tillman was largely successful because of his willingness to physically engage Johnson off the line of scrimmage. On the pick-six, Tillman jammed Johnson at the line so well that the receiver decided to abandon his original slant route. Unfortunately for the Lions, Stafford had already started his throwing motion, leaving Tillman in perfect position to make the play.

"I really just wanted to be physical with him," Tillman said after the game. "The equalizer in football is hitting."

With Tillman and the Bears in the rear-view mirror, a new challenge awaits Johnson this week - Carolina Panthers cornerback Chris Gamble.

Even though the Panthers are just 2-7, and the only player generating conversation nationally is rookie quarterback Cam Newton, Gamble is in the middle of a remarkable season.

At first glance, there's nothing impressive about the statistics - Gamble has only recorded 16 tackles, two interceptions and three pass defenses - but the story is how little the opposition is throwing his way.

The Panthers corner has only been thrown at 30 times this season, the sixth lowest total in the league among cornerbacks who have played at least 50 percent of their team's defensive snaps. Even more impressive, Gamble has only allowed 11 receptions. That 36.7 percent rate is the third best in the NFL behind only Pittsburgh's Ike Taylor and New York Jets' Darrelle Revis.

:eek:

At 6-foot-1, 200 pounds, Gamble also has the size and strength to match Tillman's physical game plan that stymied Johnson. And while Johnson is in a league of his own when it comes to physical tools, Gamble has matched up with several other elite receivers this season, including Larry Fitzgerald, Greg Jennings and Roddy White, and kept each in check.

In the season-opener, Fitzgerald was targeted seven times, but held three receptions and 62 yards. Jennings caught just two passes for 55 yards (and a touchdown) despite eight targets. White only hauled in two balls for a mere 21 yards in Week 6, both season-lows.

All factors considered, this is the individual matchup to watch. Both Johnson and Gamble are performing at an elite levels heading into the game, and it should be interesting to see who comes out with the upper hand on Sunday.

http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2011/11/chris_gamble_has_size_skills_t.html]

Don't Gamble with Gamble.

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jtnc Newbie

jtnc

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I'm glad they put those stats out there.

Still LOL'ing @ the f*cktards on here that said Gamble sucks and they wanted him cut, released, traded, etc. I said it then and I'll say it again - Gamble is the man.

Was on the observer earlier, and clueless fans still do.

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Snake Grand Master

Snake

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For some reason Im not even worried about Johnson next Sunday. Its the rest of the team that concerns me.

On a side note, It would be really awesome if Butler could be a good to great CB. It would be like back in the day Lucas was in his prime.

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