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Interesting take on the play from Matt Bowen:
Film Study: Kaepernick lights up the Patriots | National Football Post
Film Study: Kaepernick lights up the Patriots | National Football Post
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CLICK HERE to Register for a free account and login for a smoother ad-free experience. It's easy, and only takes a few moments.I don't mean this to be snarky, but was there anyone who was blaming Dennard? I hadn't seen any threads like that.
But if McCourty covers Davis, Dennard can decisively cover Walker without having to worry "What if I leave Davis?".I only count 1 safety.
The Pats are screwed either way even if McCourty covers Davis, Every WR/TE has single coverage.
But if McCourty covers Davis, Dennard can decisively cover Walker without having to worry "What if I leave Davis?".
Then the decision isn't so easy for Colin "I have started 18 quarters in my pro career" Kaepernick.
This would be an insightful comment......except they WEREN'T. They were in a cover 3. And the reason they were in a cover 3 instead of the cover 2 was that that a cover 3 is designed to better defend against deep strikes by the offense.Nobody blamed Dennard because it was obvious that the Pats were in Patricia's famous Can't Cover Two coverage.
Nobody blamed Dennard because it was obvious that the Pats were in Patricia's famous Can't Cover anyone coverage.
This would be an insightful comment......except they WEREN'T. They were in a cover 3. And the reason they were in a cover 3 instead of the cover 2 was that that a cover 3 is designed to better defend against deep strikes by the offense.
This is not to say that the play wasn't well designed and executed. But believe me, when they went over this in the film room. it should have been pointed out to Dennard that he STILL made a critical mistake on this play. In cover 3 he is responsible for his deep third. Part of that responsibility is that you don't let a receiver get deeper than you. So even if you want to give Dennard a pass because he was drawn in toward Davis; he STILL have to chastise him for NOT getting enough depth on this play. If he had gotten enough depth, then he would have had a shot at recovering when Kaepernick turned to his side.
So while I see the point Ian is making in this thread, it still doesn't absolve Dennard for making the fundamental error of not getting enough depth in his drop;
But he might have had a shot IF, he had originally gained enough depth. The even though he was sucked to the inside by the Davis route, he could have at least been in position to recover and make a play on the ball.Dennard's initial play was fine. McCourty was the problem, and that hung Dennard out to dry. He had no shot. The tape verifies that.
I don't "blame" Dennard, because what he did was a typical rookie mistake. Especially one that would be made by someone who excels at man to man coverage. BUT it was a mistake nonetheless. Over time the hope would be that he will make it fewer and fewer times during his career with the Pats, because at this point, he looks like he was the steal of the draft....even with the rookie mistakes
But he might have had a shot IF, he had originally gained enough depth. The even though he was sucked to the inside by the Davis route, he could have at least been in position to recover and make a play on the ball.
What isn't commented on in the article and what we see in the pictures is not only was he looking inside because of McCourty's move toward Moss, but he let Walker get 10 yds behind him because he stopped gaining depth.