Jump to content

  • Welcome!

    Register and log in easily with Twitter or Google accounts!

    Or simply create a new Huddle account. 

    Members receive fewer ads , access our dark theme, and the ability to join the discussion!

     

"Riverboat Ron" nickname does not have just to do with 4th downs

teeray

By teeray,
in Carolina Panthers

Recommended Posts

teeray Rookie

teeray

Posted
Posted

Everyone has talked about Riverboat Ron and his newfound willingness to go for it in fourth down situations.  But that is only part of the story.

 

I can't find the quote, but I remember Rivera had a quote after the Bears loss last year, (paraphrasing) "You have to make them drive down the field and beat you". and one of the beat writers writing "That is exactly what they did"

 

Time after time, we would get in these situations and we would run very basic coverage, just keep everything in front of you, just rush 3 or 4, drop 7 or 8, get really deep, etc.

 

But in these late game situations during this win streak, he has also gambled much more often on defense late in games, and it has paid off big time.  Against New England only up by 4 we dialed up a CB blitz on that final drive, against SF Kuechly blitzed one of their final drives and got a sack, if I recall Mitchell got a sack late in the game against the Rams.

 

No longer, late in games in crucial defensive positions are we just sitting back and hoping they make a mistake.  Riverboat Ron has gotten much more aggressive and has shown much more faith in the defense to make a play and cover with sending extra guys and being aggressive on the perimeter instead of just loose zones and being conservative. 

 

I think the change has also played as much of a part in our winning streak and ability to win close games as has his willingness to go for it on fourth down.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

Go to topic listing

  • PMH4OWPW7JD2TDGWZKTOYL2T3E.jpg

  • Topics

  • Posts

    • MillionDollarCam
      NHL Draft 2025

      By MillionDollarCam · Posted

      Malcom Spence is the best player remaining, hope he’s there.
    • TD alt
      ESPN's All Quarter Century Team 2000-2025

      By TD alt · Posted

      The era that you played in, and, more importantly, who you played with actually matters. Honestly, that's why these issues will be debated forever, as it's just difficult to say that this person or that person is better when you're discussing the passage of time. As for me, after Rice, Moss and maybe Megatron and T.O., there's probably a dozen or so guys that can be argued about to the cows come home. Personally, I'm not putting Fitz, Harrison, Johnson, Evans, or especially D-Hop, Jefferson, Chase or Hill definitely in front of Smitty (and Colston ain't even in the discussion). Context and all that stuff actually matters. Things like the triple crown matter. 
    • OneBadCat
      ESPN's All Quarter Century Team 2000-2025

      By OneBadCat · Posted

      Some of those guys? Yeah honestly you can.  I would 100% take Steve Smith over Larry Fitzgerald, Harrison, even Mike Evans. He is 100% a better player than those guys in his prime. If you look at the numbers Smith is historically under targeted in comparison to his contemporaries. He was only targeted 150 times or more only once in his career. Fitzgerald for example was targeted well above that 9 different seasons. Had Smith played with Peyton, Brady, Greatest Show on Turf, or even with Warner in Arizona he would broken records. His 2008 season was ridiculous accumulating 1400 yards in 13 games on less than 80 receptions. All time he also lost a season due to injury in 04, barely played WR as a rookie. Got robbed of 1k season with Clausen. Thats easily another 1800yds minimum that should have been tacked on to his #s. The only guys I’d say for certain are better than Smith are Rice, Moss, TO, Megatron, Julio Jones, Antonio Brown.
×
×
  • Create New...