FILM REVIEW FROM NFP - TD To Walker wasn't Dennard's fault

[Ian]

Interesting take on the play from Matt Bowen:

Film Study: Kaepernick lights up the Patriots | National Football Post

 

[skspikex2]

Dennard got hang out to dry on that play. Hard to blame anyone who have to cover 2 players going deep.

 

[Pats-Phan]

Credit where credit is do. 49ers had the right play called and executed it well. Impressive play by Kapernick moving McCourty and then making a long, accurate throw.

 

[DaBruinz]

Mentioned this in the Post Game thread that Dennard wasn't at fault. Can't pass 2 guys back to a single guy and expect that guy to handle them both. Especially when one is Vernon Davis.

 

[hovis]

Interesting breakdown. I wonder if McCourty's decision to focus on Moss was a pure misread or the result of a coaching point to focus on him.

 

[Triumph]

I only count 1 safety.

The Pats are screwed either way even if McCourty covers Davis, Every WR/TE has single coverage.

 

[Deus Irae]

I don't mean this to be snarky, but was there anyone who was blaming Dennard? I hadn't seen any threads like that.

 

[Brady_to_Moss]

I don't mean this to be snarky, but was there anyone who was blaming Dennard? I hadn't seen any threads like that.

i didn't see 1 person blame him

 

[BradyBranch39]

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.

 

[Triumph]

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.

I understand that, but single coverage is what NFL QBs look for. With only 3 back and 8 at the LOS the Pats are clearly in the wrong defense.

McCourty on Davis is a mismatch.

 

[BlueThunder]

Nobody blamed Dennard because it was obvious that the Pats were in Patricia's famous Can't Cover Two coverage.

 

[patfanken]

Nobody blamed Dennard because it was obvious that the Pats were in Patricia's famous Can't Cover Two 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;

 

[Sfpat]

Nobody blamed Dennard because it was obvious that the Pats were in Patricia's famous Can't Cover anyone coverage.

I fixed it for you.

I believe all of the TD's and long passes happened when the Pats were in zone. They did well when playing man.

 

[BlueThunder]

My comment was meant TIC. Dennard is a rookie and made a mistake that we all hope is a learning experience and doesn't happen again.

OT questions: Is Gregory going to make next season's roster? Same with Ras I.

 

[Triumph]

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;

Either way it was going to be a big play for SF.

TD? No, but definitely 1st and goal. Kapernick only completed 15 passes and had 4 TDs. He was in deep strike heaven.

 

[patfanken]

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

 

[Deus Irae]

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.

 

[patfanken]

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.

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.

 

[Triumph]

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

Dennard may have gambled that Kapernick would see Vern Davis as his second read and Walker last since Moss was his first read.

This season would be depressing knowing that the pass defense wasnt any better than the last few seasons and that another secondary collapse in the post season was likely. Dennard has that Rodney Harrison air about him like hes not taking anybodys crap. Talib and Dennard are good enough to win a Championship IMO.

 

[NSPF]

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.

And then Davis scores a touchdown instead of Walker, what's your point?