Can we discuss Smitty's absense, and it's effect on our Offense?

[TCF2]

**TL;DR alert**

Ok, so Smitty is out for an undetermined amount of time. Based on his attempt to return to the game and seeing him so hobbled, I'd say at least 3 weeks, and if we're fortunate enough to make it to the NFC Championship game, then maybe he comes back then. Anything involving his return will certainly be a blessing.

First we'll talk about how his injury effected our O this game:

It was very obvious that him being out of the offense for the remaining 3 qtrs plus was no bueno for us. We were held to our lowest total yardage game of the season for us. Sure we have to attribute some of that to The Saints' D, but a lot if that stemmed from the fact that Cam was missing his go to Wide Out. Our offense was horrid... Plain and simple, up until that last drive.

Before we look forward, I'd like to speculate as to how Cam feels about Smitty's injury:

If you watched his post game interview, he looked very annoyed being there. This kind of caught me off guard a little bit after such a big win. At first, I was writing it off as being frustrated all day, and for the most part being bottled up and having a frustrating day. But then, I was like, hold up... I've seen this before from Andrew Luck... This year in fact. Very uncharacteristic post game interviews from them both.... Care to know what they have in common??? Well, they both know that due to their inaccuracy, they caused injury to their #1 WR. Luck did it earlier in the season by throwing behind an open Reggie Wayne. We all know that outcome, and if u recall his interview, you remember how somber and ticked off he was and now this should all be clicking for everyone still reading. If Cam hits Smitty in stride on that play it's likely 6... Watch the replay if u don't believe me. Alas, Cam over through him and when Smitty went to stop he hurt his PCL. Cam feels guilty about getting Smitty hurt. Not my place to judge whether he's right or wrong to do so, but I can empathize with how he feels. He needs to rebound quickly though, and I'm sure he knows this as well

Now let's move in to how this will effect us going into thePlayoffs:

First things first... We gotta go to ATL without Smitty... This will be tough... Or will it be? This is the million dollar question every fan wants to know right now... Cam will have Olsen as his line security blanket. Yeah LaFell and Gettis (I meant Ginn) are still there, even Hixon (who I've made fun of in each weekly installment of "WR Swag" threads because he had done nothing. Anyways, this should hurt our offense one would think right???

Let's think about that though... There are QBs accross the League that have 9 different receivers catch a ball every week. I mean every week I see this stat... Never have I thought about Cam doing this... But doing this is what will get us to the promise land. He's gonna need to make his reads quickly and throw to the open Receiver, and not Smitty, cause he won't be there. What I would pay to be able to be in practice this week, in his QB meetings... I'd love to know how they're gonna coach him up. This is new ground for Cam... Smittys suspensions came prior to Cams arrival. He's not used to not having Smitty...

Will it hurt us or help us? It could hurt us, but it could help us... I'm curious as to what the huddle thinks. Regardless of being right or wrong, we will find out come Sunday in ATL. That offense is going to have to adjust to life without Smitty at a very important juncture... How will they respond?

Discuss

[KSpan]

Cam did not cause Smitty's injury.

[AceBoogie]

He was upset with himself because he didn't play well. And gettis isn't on the team anymore

[OneBadCat]

Smitty's injury was a freak thing to happen. 

 

 

As to what it means for our offense. I think it means we have to put a little more faith in the guys already there and also consider all our options. Maybe the ones we didn't consider before. Using guys like Barner, McNutt, Brandon Williams etc.

[Jangler]

We are finally going to have to have a receiver step up and become that receiver we have been looking for...for years. Now would be as good a time as any.

[PhillyB]

did a potato type this thread for you

[ajax4132]

The next evolution for Cam

 

1. Spreading the ball around

2. Improving on his ability to lead wr

3. making more plays

 

This is what makes elite qbs

 

 

[L-TownCat]

Holy Wall of Text Batman!

[Happy Panther]

Unfortunately, as much as I defend Lafell, we have tried him as the long ball this year and it hasn't worked. Ginn has the legs and he has struggled with the long ball too.

 

Smith caught a perfect deep pass on our first drive Sunday. 

 

We have definitely lost a threat but who knows what happens next week. I bet somebody steps up and we get a "where's the haters" thread.

 

I really want a home playoff game.

[pstall]

did a potato type this thread for you

He motorboated his keyboard

[KJ89]

Jesus your posts are long.

too long..

I didn't read.

[top dawg]

Where we are going to miss Smitty the most is making those clutch third down receptions to move the chains at key times during the game. Hopefully we can keep third-and-longs to a minimum which will begin with smarter and more imaginative play calling on first and  second  downs.   We really don't have the luxury to run D-will into the middle of a pile a couple of times per possession. Of course every wide-out that we have is going to have to step up as well. And, perhaps we can begin to get Barner in some space.

[caatfan]

Cam feels guilty about getting Smitty hurt.

 

Cam will go into a deep depression and never be able to throw to a WR again. 

 

 

NE is winning without Gronk. We can win without Smith. He had 4 receptions over 20 yds. That's 4th on the team. 

[jayflip]

No disrespect to Smiff, but next man up. We're gonna McNutt all over Ryan's stupid, punchable face on Sunday.