Christ. Why the **** would you post anything from that mega-homer site?

And this defense gives Alex 1 or 2 "hidden" TDs per game.

We had a stretch last year where we had a goal line stand in like 5 straight games. Or how about Ron Parker against Buffalo? Christ, there's at least 4 hidden TDs right there.

What a load of homer garbage.

I love how this assclown even admits that these hidden TD's are "hard to see and prove".

I wonder how many hidden TD's he threw to WR's last year?

19

It's a fine line either way. Too conservative, too much gunslinger.

And I didn't read the article, maybe that's in there somewhere.

Actually, this shook a memory....

In Eli Manning's rookie seasons, Kurt Warner was the opening day starter. Eli of course was awarded the job 2/3rds of the way through the season due to Warner's "lack of production". When Warner's stats were studied, he had completed 17 (iirc) passes between the 5 and the 1 yard line. As we all know, Warner was pulled because the rookie had Manning as a last name.

The 49ers defense really fell off after Alex left.

Matthew Stafford threw 2 times more INT's than Alex, yet Detroit's defense gave up the exact same amount of points per game.

Except that the best scoring offenses in the league tend to have mediocre or worse defenses. Explosive offenses force opposing offenses to be very aggressive, it often leads to small field scores, and it increases your defense's TOP. Sometimes by a lot.

Game management works great if you have the right QB. But as I've said many times before, I don't think Smith is nearly as good a game manager as people think he is.

Using the OP's logic, you know who else makes their defenses so good?

EJ Manuel
Kyle Orton
Carson Palmer
Drew Stanton

Buffalo and Arizona were Top 5 defenses in points allowed per game last season

I think those defenses are mediocre because they're mediocre.

I do think offense and defense are symbiotic, but scoring points makes it easier for a defense in the end.

Don't like the AZ example. That's a defense that is really good regardless of the QB. There are some of those that exist. Buffalo, on the other hand... Orton is a really good game manager. He just has no idea how to finish drives.

I don't think it means you have to go full on Marty Ball. But I think a highly explosive offense is incredibly overrated. I would say the same for Marty Ball except that it gets bashed more than it gets praised. I still believe the model Baltimore used to win their Super Bowl is a sweet spot. Largely game management, but not afraid to make aggressive throws.

He leaves a special "wang" in the kool-aid.

Shorter fields (esp. on turnovers) = more points given up
Larger points = opposing offenses attacking = opposing offenses scoring more
Longer TOPs = tired players in the 4Q, which is when these defenses often fall apart
More points given up = less swagger on defense

I don't promote Marty Ball. But I believe in good balance or a game management philosophy behind a QB who is elite on 3rd downs. A lot of defense is attitude, energy, and confidence. Forcing a defense into short fields, shootouts, or high TOPs isn't going to do that.