Giants game revisited. A few surprises emerge...

[Marguide]

Apparently, I'm a glutton for punishment, because I went back and re-watched the game, taking notes as I went along. It's long, so don't read it if that's a problem for you, but here are my observations:

• The Giants are clearly a better team than the Panthers. While the score would vary, they would probably beat us 5 times out of 5. Much deeper, much more disciplined than we are.
  
• Especially in the first quarter and a half, the Giants absolutely dominated both LOS's.
  
• DWill ran well out of the read option. His runs out of an I formation were much less successful.
  
• The Giants game plan appeared to focus on not letting Cam run the ball. This helped DWill on some of the read options, but overall, it was a successful strategy for the G-men.
  
• Our game plan was to blanket Cruz at all costs, and let the rest of the Giant offense beat us. They did.
  
• Cam did not throw the ball well overall. It wasn't just a case of him making bad decisions leading to turnovers, he just wasn't very accurate all night. Case in point, on our first possession, he had a big completion to Olsen over the middle, but it was a great catch, not a great throw.
  
• We did a fair amount of blitzing, especially early, but generally without success. Remember the Jets preseason game and TD's delayed blitz that got Sanchez? We did the same thing on the Giants first possession, 3rd and 3 from the 15 yard line. This time we sent Anderson. It didn't work. Result, touchdown Giants. On the Giants 2nd possession, with them driving for the goal line again, we had them 3rd and 8. In this case, we just sent 4, but crossed up the rushers, and we got to Eli. They had to settle for a FG.
  
• It is notable to look at the circumstances around each of Cam's interceptions. First interception, we were down 20-0, Smith had just false started for a 5 yard penalty, and it was 2nd and 15. Cam's second int came when we were down 26-7, and it was 3rd and 22 after a big sack on 1st down. His last int came on 4th and goal. The point is, all of his int's came when our backs were against the wall due to down and distance.
  
• Not much point in dwelling on our soft zone coverage, or the poor tackling. That was obvious and has been beat to death.
  
• Joe Adams...ugh.
  

Two more things need discussing. First, Cam's demeanor...I was surprised when re-watching how much was made of nothing. Cam's demeanor was professional throughout the game, and was a big improvement over his demeanor in similar situations last year. Even into the 4th quarter after his first 2 int's, he was still engaged with Shula and other players, his body language in the huddle was fine, etc. Very late in the game, like with 5 mins left, he was still sitting with Shula, but at that point it was obvious nothing he or Shula said would have any outcome on the game. When Cam wasn't talking to Shula, he would typically watch the play on the Jumbotron. At the very end of the game, he was sitting alone on the bench with a dejected look on his face, but the same was true of Kuechly and Beason when they showed them on the bench. Cam went out and shook hands with Eli post-game, so no problem there. Really, all this nonsense about Cam's demeanor is just because he has a towel on his head. Good play or bad, winning or losing, Cam has a towel on his head. Why that is such a huge problem for some of our fans and media is beyond me. It's a towel. Get over it. He acted professionally throughout, despite tough circumstances.

On to Rivera. The on field reporter said he was upset about the soft coverage in the 1st half. I found that a questionable comment, given that he certainly was in a position to do something about it, and apparently didn't. I know you will think this is bs, so I dare you to go back and check...Ron Rivera was never shown on camera moving his lips even once. Not to a player. Not to another coach. Not to an official. Not into his headset. The first time they showed him speak was when he went on the field to congratulate Coughlin post-game. Frankly, I'm much more concerned with Ron's on field behavior than Cam's.

Chud's play calling was not as bad as I first thought. He tried a bit of everything, it just didn't work because of the domination of the Giants d-line.

McDermott and Murphy...not worth discussing.

Anyway, for those with the patience to read all of this, thank you for any comments you may have to add, and hope you found it helpful.

[jtnc]

I also thought his demeanor was fuging overblown, remember when it looked like he was out of it mentally when would get down three scores last year?

He didn't do that. But, you could see the attitude when he shook hands with Eli.......but who wouldn't?

That was a terrible game and we got the dogshit kicked out of us.

[shinallsm]

I just want to see Ron go off on a player any player at least once, show some emotion please!

[SevenSixes]

After watching the game again, albeit reluctantly, I agree that it was a team loss, but not a defeat. I was actually apoplectic after the game and thought our season was lost. What I saw on the "all 22" was a story of failed individual assignments. I do wonder about the play calling, but I think that is my naivete more than poor decisions by Sean. In 7 days this will be one loss in a season, not the defining moment of this 2012 Panther team.. #KeepPounding

[The Saltman]

Finally, a thread worth reading.

[Guest Bwood]

It's because it's Cam Newton. He will be critiqued until his in Canton.

If Brady/Rodgers/The Golden Calf of Bristol did this, they would have commercials about it all in a fun - joking manner.

[jtnc]

It's because it's Cam Newton. He will be critiqued until his in Canton.

If Brady/Rodgers/The Golden Calf of Bristol did this, they would have commercials about it all in a fun - joking manner.

Seems some people are more willing to defend Clausen than Cam.

[Tarheels23]

Rivera's demeanor on the sideline while losing is probably the single most thing that bothered me during that game.

I found it strange that in his presser, he really had to make it known that he was the one that decided to pull Cam, not Shula, or Chud, was his words exactly.

[2jakefansinva]

lose the towel.

[cdandi1]

most logical and well thought out thread in a long time. Good post. Exactly what I was thinking..I am just too lazy to put it into words. B)

[Guest Bwood]

lose the towel.

Stop giving a fug about nothing.

[Ken]

The media over-blowing something about Cam? Now where have I heard this before?

[PhillyB]

you mean the problems are fixable and the apocalypse HASN'T started?

[carolina-chuck]

Nice write up on Rivera.