Confessions of a Polluted Mindset - May 27 2020

The Weekly Packers Brain Drain from Jersey Al.

Proposed Rule changes:

Onside Kick alternative - So instead of attempting an onside kick, teams can now choose to run one play fromm their own 35 yard line, needing to gain 15 yards. If they do, it's a first down and the offense keeps the ball. if they don't the ball is placed at their own 25 yard line and the other team gets the ball. While I'm not averse to change (more on that later), I just don't know if I like this. Why make it easier for a team that has dug themselves into a hole? The odds SHOULD be long for them to make a successful comeback. Sure you'll have more comebacks and more exciting finishes, but will the team have really earned the win. You're also increasing the role of the referees - for example, what happens if a questionable defensive holding call is made on the play - FIRST DOWN! A gift! Overall I don't hate it, but I don't like it either -  I feel like this is messing a bit too much with the integrity of the result.

Booth Umpire - This would add an eight official "in the sky" for every game. How this would be implemented and how/when the official would be consulted has not been made clear so I'll reserve judgement, but if it efficiently helps get calls right, I'm onboard.

Clock manipulation - The idea is to prevent teams from manipulating the game clock by committing multiple dead-ball fouls while the clock is running. We saw this prominently in the playoffs last year and frankly, it became a bit of a farce. I'm 100% for this one.

Play Calling: So in that Zoom conference call a week or so ago, Rodgers stated that he will continue wearing the play cheat sheet wristband.  "It helps Matt and it helps myself where just him telling me a number and me reading off a card is easier than 12 words from him to me and then 12 words at least once if not twice from me to the guys in the huddle," said Rodgers. "It allows us to get out of the huddle a little bit quicker and get to the line of scrimmage because this offense is a lot about checks at the line of scrimmage." My first thought on this is, with all the issues the last few years with getting plays off on time, did Mike McCarthy ever suggest or try to get Rodgers to do this? If not, why? If so, did Rodgers resist? Regardless, kudos to LaFleuer for getting this proud, set in his ways, future Hall of Fame QB to see the light.

Montravious Adams: What can you say? Not that I was counting on him to play a significant role (or even make) this team, I just fail to understand the lack of responsibilty shown. If he doesn't care enough to get his car registered and insured, does he really care about football? Has lack of motivation been the reason for his disappointing career thus far? I'm not saying it has - I don't know a thing about his personality - but one has to wonder.

Za'Darius Smith: You have to feel for the guy. The only team he's made is the all-underappreciated team. And even when someone tries to show him some love, he still get's snubbed. Here Smith is listed as the second-most disruptive player in the NFL last season (Myles Garrett was #1). So does he get mentioned in the title? Nope, let's put Nick Bosa (#4) in there. " Myles Garrett, Nick Bosa among NFL's top 10 disruptors of 2019"

 

 

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"Jersey Al" Bracco is the Editor-In-Chief, part owner and wearer of many hats for CheeseheadTV.com and PackersTalk.com. He is also a recovering Mason Crosby truther.  Follow Al on twitter at @JerseyalGBP

__________________________

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16 points
 

Comments (61)

Fan-Friendly This filter will hide comments which have ratio of 5 to 1 down-vote to up-vote.
Lare's picture

May 27, 2020 at 06:25 am

Booth Umpire: I agree with Al, I'm in favor with anything they can do to get the calls right.

Play Calling: "It helps Matt and it helps myself where just him telling me a number and me reading off a card is easier than 12 words from him to me and then 12 words at least once if not twice from me to the guys in the huddle," said Rodgers.

I guess I have a little bit different take on this. Why on earth do they need 12 words in a play call? That's more words than the number of players they have on the field at the time.

Montravius Adams: Any time you're wondering why certain players don't make many plays and don't get much playing time, it's probably not due to their abilities below the shoulders.

7 points
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dobber's picture

May 27, 2020 at 09:04 am

Remember that Montravious Adams was a bit of a tease in college, too, until his senior year when he broke out. This is a contract year for him...maybe he wakes up, plays a decent season, and the Packers get a nice addition to the comp pick formula for him.

5 points
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fordguy's picture

May 27, 2020 at 01:44 pm

If they want to simplify play calling even more, give all of the players wristbands and Rodgers can call it from the huddle or can come from the sidelines. That would make audibles, the hurry up offence and in noisey stadiums much easier.

0 points
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Bure9620's picture

May 27, 2020 at 04:51 pm

Offenses are getting wordier, I am guessing they have a check within the call based on the defensive set. I also think that is where Rodgers will be calling less audibles within the offense. There is possiblly a protection based on the check also.

0 points
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Minniman's picture

May 29, 2020 at 03:36 pm

Re Play Calling: Whatever it takes to speed the game up. It will only benefit the older and wilier QB to run fast plays and cut down a defenses think time. Also if the Packers are going to use multiple play options for the same player groupings (with an emphasis on run no less) then as another poster below mentioned have more offensive players wear them.

I know I bang on about the Patriots a bit but that first drive when they played the Packers last (2 seasons ago I think) was a great example of this. They isolated an inexperienced Packers defensive group on the field and went no huddle all the way down the field and scored. BANG. DONE. Super smart coaching and execution by a seasoned and wily QB.

0 points
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MarkinMadison's picture

May 27, 2020 at 07:04 am

One play. 15 yards. Rodgers might actually force a throw. Maybe. Probably not.

0 points
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Guam's picture

May 27, 2020 at 07:24 am

Onside Kick - this is such a departure from the normal structure of the game that it feels contrived. Traditionally when you score, you return the ball to the other team to give them a chance on offense (and make your defense responsible for stopping them). With this arrangement, it is entirely possible for a team to score multiple time without ever giving the ball back to the opposing team's offense. The more I think about this , the less I like it.

M. Adams - I think Lare hit the nail on the head. Adam's continued failures are due to cranial malfunctions. I suspect he is done as a Packer.

18 points
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Big_Mel_75's picture

May 27, 2020 at 08:32 am

I read somewhere else that they will only be able to use the on side alternate twice in a game.

2 points
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dobber's picture

May 27, 2020 at 09:52 am

That still means that a team can score up to 24 unanswered points at the end of a game. That was true before, but teams will be more proficient at gaining 15 yards than at recovering onside kicks.

5 points
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dobber's picture

May 27, 2020 at 09:06 am

"this is such a departure from the normal structure of the game that it feels contrived. "

People said the same thing about shootouts in hockey...the DH in baseball...

0 points
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Guam's picture

May 27, 2020 at 03:05 pm

You are absolutely right Dobber and for what it is worth, I don't like shootouts in hockey or the DH in baseball. I guess I am a dyed in the wool traditionalist.

6 points
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Coldworld's picture

May 27, 2020 at 04:37 pm

I agree, I don’t want football made more of a lottery than some officials already contrive.

4 points
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dobber's picture

May 28, 2020 at 10:33 am

Agreed. The current point system in hockey rewards teams over the course of the season to play for OT. Is that the fault of the shootout? No. But they need to increase the value of regulation wins. They've alredy figured this out in college, minor league, and international hockey.

As for MLB...well, analytics has rendered the sport nigh unto unwatchable. Strategy is gone. This "three outcomes" era of baseball is terrible, and I can't imagine how many great all-around ballplayers haven't even gotten a chance because they don't fit that paradigm.

0 points
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CheesyTex's picture

May 27, 2020 at 02:19 pm

Guam: "Traditionally when...", Could not agree with you more. IMO most football purists don't even value the onside kick as a core part of the game -- win it or lose it without an artificial chance to steal it at the end that is just to create some excitement for the fans.

8 points
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Slim11's picture

May 28, 2020 at 02:23 pm

Crazy as this sounds, the "on-side kick alternative" might have a little history to it.

Many years ago, in the Senior Bowl or East_West Shrine game (both?), there was an option for a team behind by a certain number of points (I remember 14...) to exercise the option of receiving a kickoff after they scored in order to catch up. I remember seeing it more than once and hated that rule. I think the rule is gone.

Having been a kicker in HS and one year in college, I do not like the elimination of the on-side kick. This is just another example of the quality of the game eroding over time.

1 points
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mnbadger's picture

May 27, 2020 at 08:02 am

Not a fan of proposed onside kick rule. Seems gimmicky. It doesn't measure up to the history of the game and as Al stated, devalues a late, hard fought lead.
Monty seemed like a good guy during his draft. More excited about the birth of his new child and proud that he could provide a better youth than he had.
Still pulling for him, but super disappointed.

10 points
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Demon's picture

May 27, 2020 at 08:22 am

I for one am really glad that Adams will be able to provide more and better weed for his child than he had growing up.

Just another example of mindless coachspeak from GB staff, another wasted draft pick, and a complete waste of a roster spot.

-5 points
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Coldworld's picture

May 27, 2020 at 08:43 am

Weed is not perceived as the social ill you clearly regard it in many states and communities. These are misdemeanors to boot. Do I wish NFL players were sensible enough to avoid this type of thing? Certainly! That said, youth and other factors perpetually suggest otherwise.

Adams better show up on the field, but if this is the worst off season legal infraction we suffer this off season, we should have cause to celebrate.

6 points
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PatrickGB's picture

May 27, 2020 at 12:37 pm

“Weed” is a mind altering drug. People who use it get stupid. Stupid people get more stupid. There are limited uses for it in a very limited set of cases. I am torn on the issue of its legality. It should not be abused and certainly not before getting into the driver’s seat. I agree with you coldworld that I am happy that this is the only infraction by our team members so far. My guess that this virus thing might also have played a role.

-3 points
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Demon's picture

May 27, 2020 at 03:10 pm

I agree Patrick anyone who would jeopradize an NFL career so they can smoke weed is STUPID. No other way to explain it.

-2 points
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mrj007's picture

May 27, 2020 at 06:53 pm

Same can be said for alcohol. Mind altering drug and makes you stupid. At least weed doesn't give you a hang over or ulcers....

4 points
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Guam's picture

May 27, 2020 at 03:16 pm

Weed is less the issue for me than the unregistered and uninsured car. Bonehead move at best and speaks to a mindset that is worrisome.

10 points
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Coldworld's picture

May 27, 2020 at 04:41 pm

Immaturity kills talent so many times.

I’m off to partake of another mind altering drug that society seems to bless . Here’s to beer on a hot day!

7 points
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mrj007's picture

May 27, 2020 at 06:56 pm

Immaturity limits opportunity. Randy Moss did a TON of dumb shit. His talent was never diminished. Same with Antonio Brown and Michael Vick. Immaturity didn't limit talent only their opportunity

0 points
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Coldworld's picture

May 27, 2020 at 08:31 pm

Randy Moss was the exception.

0 points
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Dano-W's picture

May 27, 2020 at 08:06 am

Montravius Adams- I never liked the pick from the start. Many scouting reports were that he was just a guy and plays stiff. Then last year in preseason there was some pretty favorable chatter about how he has come along and primed for a big third year. Then he fell out of favor and you hardly heard from him all season long. Lack of motivation appears to me to be his biggest downfall and recent legal trouble proves it.
Here is one scouts report on him before the draft that pretty much sums him up.

NFC scout: “I don’t like him much. I just don’t think he’s very talented. Not strong against the run, not overly athletic, kind of a one-year guy. Little bit of an underachiever.”

I would be surprised to see him make the team this year.

3 points
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Coldworld's picture

May 27, 2020 at 08:31 am

Yes, though that appraisal of Adams was far from universal, here is a summary from WalterFootball.com that represents a contrary view:

“ Scouting sources had this to say about Adams, "Can physically do what he wants but his block ID is poor, gets earholes when he as to play static. Can't anticipate what's coming, similar to Robert Nkemdiche. Same type of ability and issues. Adams probably will run in the 4.8s at the combine. Adams is a good character kid. He isn't lazy, just still figuring it out." Thus, Adams needs to develop his instincts, anticipation, and run-defense technique to be a well-balanced three-down defender. ”

On this take, perhaps it is more lack of instincts. Don’t disagree with the view that he had better show up fast.

2 points
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jannes bjornson's picture

May 27, 2020 at 10:04 pm

Montravious would be a better fit in a 4-3. He can pass rush when given the reps, but he has to square the table and dial his head in 100% or he will be working the rebound circuit.

0 points
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Handsback's picture

May 27, 2020 at 08:12 am

It's a brave new world in the NFL and changes are coming by the buckets. I guess I'm in the wait and see mode for the alternate onside kick rule.
Question on Adams...didn't he get hurt bad in one of the first 2 games of the year? Read from someone that he should have gone on IR but gutted out the remaining games. If that is the case, I would cut him some serious slack. If not, prove you can be a starter in this league.

5 points
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Coldworld's picture

May 27, 2020 at 08:37 am

Hadn’t heard of the injury to Adams. If true, that would change things.

Players who play through injuries are to be commended if they are still needed as depth. Too often, since we don’t know. It gets them vilified. I think MVS has suffered from that to some extent this off season.

3 points
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jannes bjornson's picture

May 27, 2020 at 10:06 pm

I would move Pettine before Montravious.

-6 points
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dobber's picture

May 28, 2020 at 10:57 am

If it's effort or intellect dependent, coaching changes don't typically make a difference.

0 points
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RCPackerFan's picture

May 27, 2020 at 08:13 am

Proposed Rule changes:

Onside Kick alternative -
Overall I agree with your take Al. I'm kind of indifferent on the idea. The way the onside kick is now with the new kickoff rules, the onside kick is almost impossible to get back. So I like coming up with a new way to give the team behind a better chance to get the ball back. If they would go with this 1 down and 15 yards, and a holding or DPI or something happens I think they should just gain those yards but replay the down. So If the DPI occurred 20 yards down field, they move the ball 20 yards downfield but replay the 1 down and 15 yards to go. I don't think it should be an automatic 1st down because the good offenses will find ways to get a penalty.

Booth Umpire -
I really think they need the booth umpire to overlook everything, and to be the one that reviews place. It would speed up the game to have the booth umpire.
I like the idea and hope they find a good way to implement this.

Play Calling:
I think we will see the plays getting in faster this year. Just with Rodgers having more knowledge of the offense and LaFleur and Rodgers working together more. And I think if he is comfortable wearing the cheat sheet wrist band, then do it!

Montravious Adams:
Just seems like Adams was already a borderline roster player as it is. To me he is now put under the microscope and will have to show significant improvement to stay. Feels like another DL bust.

Za'Darius Smith:
I hope Smith takes this out on opposing QB's. He simply was a stud for us last year. He deserves a lot more recognition then what he got.
If Gary takes a step this year, and becomes another threat, Za'Darius could be even better. Our front has the potential to be scary good if Gary does take a step. The Smiths, Clark, Gary. That could become a scary front!

8 points
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Johnblood27's picture

May 27, 2020 at 08:30 am

I am a Packer fan and that front scares me - against good running teams...

-3 points
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4
PatrickGB's picture

May 27, 2020 at 12:44 pm

It’s odd that the Packers defense did ok against other running teams while failing miserably against the niners. Perhaps, they scouted us better and had a better gameplan and personnel. We can’t easily fix the personnel thing but we can improve the defensive gameplan.

1 points
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Thegreatreynoldo's picture

May 28, 2020 at 05:23 am

Run D stats against top 16 running teams:

Wk 2: gave up 198 to MN which averaged 133 7.3 ave
Wk 4: gave up 176 to PHI which averaged 121 5.3 ave
Wk 5: gave up 122 to DAL which averaged 134. Win! 5.8 ave
Wk 7: gave up 155 to OAK which averaged 118. 5.0 ave
Wk 10: allowed 120 to CAR which averaged 113. Win! 5.2 ave.
Wk 12: allowed 122 to SF which averaged 144. Win! ... um not. 5.1 ave
Wk 16: allowed 57 to MN which averaged 133. Win! 3.6 ave Win!
Wk 17: allowed 110 to SEA which averaged 137. Win ! 4.6 ave
WK 18: allowed 285 to SF which averaged 144. 6.8 ave

Couple of wins gross, but just one by average gained per rush. Seattle averaged 4.6 yards per carry during the season, which is the same as GB allowed in the division game. Draw on that.

0 points
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RCPackerFan's picture

May 28, 2020 at 06:28 am

Wk 2: gave up 198 to MN
In this game I remember they were doing a good job against the run minus 1- 75 yard run they gave up to Cook. Take away that 75 yard run and make it a 15 (they had a lot of chances to make it less), and the run defense looks much better in that game.
I get you can't take out those plays, I'm just saying that, that 1 play really changed the outlook of what that defense looked like that day.

4 points
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stockholder's picture

May 27, 2020 at 08:52 am

I like the on side kick. Keep it! Booth Umpire- Don't like it. Clock manipulation- Stop it. Play Calling wrist ban - Keeping it simple works for everyone. Adams pullover - I agree. ZaDarious Smith - I believe the play-off games have a lot to do with this. : )

-1 points
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1
Leatherhead's picture

May 27, 2020 at 08:42 am

Montravius. You could have hired a competent, intelligent, capable person to handle your business like registrations and licenses and this wouldn’t have happened. These are the details of adulthood and they have to be taken care of. Your situation in Green Bay is precarious and this doesn’t help.

Z Smith was one of the big reasons we improved so much on defense. In addition to his sacks and pressures, he did some savvy leadership things that helped and I hope he has another real good year.

Simplifying the play calling is great, because it’s hard to do a lot of motion when you only have a few seconds on the clock.

Onside kick. IMO, there was nothing wrong with giving the coverage unit a running start. That’s what kick offs should be.

2 points
3
1
Johnblood27's picture

May 27, 2020 at 08:43 am

The new on-sides kick rule sounds a lot like the old NHL penalty rule where the offending team served all the time of the penalty regardless of how many goals the opposition scored.

The NHL did away with the rule for good reason, too much advantage to strong offensive teams and too much of a momentum shifter for a 60 minute TEAM sport.

I do not like the rule proposal at all.

M Adams - this guy needs to be a STAR (I mean better than Lowry and WAYYY better than Lancaster or anyone else not named Clark on the DL) from day one this year or the GBP need to let him move on. We have some serviceable journeymen in the DL room right now and more will be available at cut down time. He has had every opportunity to show up, he has squandered his best chances and this one more camp is all he has left with GB, IMO.

Play cheat sheet - I really do not care one bit HOW they do it, but plays MUST be called and executed MUCH more efficiently than in the past. I get that Rodgers is a perfectionist and tries to over manipulate formation and play to the offenses advantage. Sometimes in a physical game like football, you just have to "run the damn play and get the hell out of there". Let the OL get off the snap and lean on guys, gain some momentum from being the aggressor, the run game will prosper and the passing game in the MLF scheme all starts with the run. Make ONE chack if needed and run the damn play!

ZSmith was appreciated plenty by the only entity that matters. His Team. He got a huge payday and then earned it. Enough of the wimpy begging for accolades that do not mean squat. Play the game for 1)Your own personal pride 2) your teammates that give their all for you 3) your coaching leadership that places you in the best position for your success. Shut up and play and stop with all the t-shirt messages, it is contrived and just plain silly during the course of a professional athletic event. Grow up, you are a man with a man-sized contract, just do your job and act like it is not a surprise when you succeed.

-2 points
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PatrickGB's picture

May 27, 2020 at 12:47 pm

Thumbs up! Well said.

-2 points
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Johnblood27's picture

May 31, 2020 at 10:34 am

Thanks Patrick, I guess it just does not pay to be in agreement with me!

0 ups, 2 downs for you!

Hahahahahaha

0 points
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Since'61's picture

May 27, 2020 at 09:04 am

The onside kick alternative is a bit too contrived for me. I would prefer that the league just go back to the original onside kick rules.
This approach is almost like giving the offense a turnover and a possession they haven’t earned. The worst part will be questionable defensive holding and DPI calls on the alternative play.

I have been advocating for the “eye in the sky” booth official for a long time. Anything which helps get the calls correct is good for everyone and for the integrity of the game.

Montravious Adams, stupid is as stupid does. It seems like we have at least one of these issues every off season now. Let’s hope that M. Adams is our only one for 2020.
Clock manipulation needs to stop. I had thought that a rule was previously in place to prevent it but obviously I was wrong. Time to put one in the rule book.

Play calling should have been done years ago. It allows the QB to call a play and run it if the sidelines can’t their act together. This prevents wasting a timeout as we have seen far too often during the MM era in particular.

Good job as always AL. Everyone stay well. Thanks, Since ‘61

8 points
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Coldworld's picture

May 27, 2020 at 09:08 am

Great post. The more I think about the onside kick change the less I like it and it’s impact on the game.

I’d like to see if onside kicks were really such a source of injury that the move from the original rule was justified. Unless that is empirically proven, I agree, give us the old rule back!

6 points
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packerbackerjim's picture

May 27, 2020 at 01:48 pm

I cannot recall an injury, serious or otherwise, as a result of an onside kick. Not including the gut punch in the Seattle NFC Championship game.

1 points
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dobber's picture

May 27, 2020 at 09:29 am

The low success rate on the "new" onside kick means any team with a 9-point or greater lead at the 2 minute warning is a winner. Does it upset competitive balance? No. Teams adjust. The current system means teams need to be getting aggressive earlier to avoid being up against that wall. But if those late minutes of games become gimmes, that's all air time and ad time that people won't be watching. Enter the money changers.

The old onside kick and the potential of getting the ball back led teams to manage clock, use timeouts, lengthen games (more TV and ad time), and make the games more entertaining. When the NFL "adjusted" the kickoff rules last year, it killed the onside kick. The damage was done then. Now, admittedly, studies show that onside kicks (even more than regular kickoffs) tend to have higher incidences of injury than scrimmage plays...so given the league's tough spot with regard to CTE and the like, the old kick isn't coming back.

I have no problem with the general idea of what the league is proposing. I said above that it's not really even on par with the addition of the shootout in hockey or the DH in baseball. Those changes actually impact how teams construct rosters.

The NFL needs to make sure the yardage is a play with a probability of completion that is akin to the success rate of the old onside kick. Problem is, 15-yard plays happen all the time in the NFL...they're not even really considered chunk plays anymore. I think you need to go 20 yards to convert, and a conversion doesn't give you yardage, it gives you the ball on your 45 regardless of how big the play is: a free play of this type really COULD upset game balance if teams are scoring TDs. Defensive penalties are a problem, but I would argue that a defensive penalty isn't a first down, just half the distance and re-play without running clock.

2 points
2
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CheesyTex's picture

May 27, 2020 at 02:42 pm

I don't like what the league is proposing at all, but you are right -- CTE , $$$, and other factors will ultimately drive their decision.

Proposals like those in your last paragraph would certainly help make whatever new medicine they devise easier to swallow -- hope they are listening.

0 points
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marpag1's picture

May 27, 2020 at 10:57 am

So ARod and LaFleur have implemented the armband in order to save oh-so-much time in the huddle, and somehow ARod still insists on running the play clock all the way down to the very last split second, every damn time....

If the Packers were ever to snap the ball with 7 seconds remaining on the playclock, it would probably be a guaranteed touchdown. Half the defense would still be tying their shoe or adjusting their jock strap...

6 points
9
3
PatrickGB's picture

May 27, 2020 at 12:52 pm

Yah, what happened to the hurry up offense that the team used to run? I thought it was effective. A lot of free plays occurred when the defense was not ready.

5 points
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PhantomII's picture

June 01, 2020 at 01:18 pm

Hurry up offense by ML was not established last year in the preseason. Suppose to be this year. It is a foundational part to a system. Just did not have the time last year w/ complete new system to learn/ run.
But they needed it.

0 points
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Thegreatreynoldo's picture

May 28, 2020 at 05:30 am

Yup. My first thought as I read Al's words. This just transfers time wasted in the huddle to the wait time between when the team lines up and the snap of the ball.

If there is any impact on the offense, I'd expect it to be minute.

-1 points
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crayzpackfan's picture

May 27, 2020 at 12:36 pm

The onside kick rule sounds more like a novelty packed full of unintended consequences. Besides, I would truly miss the announcers saying looks like GB is bringing in the hands team (kidding).

Play calling, like many here have stated it is only as good as Rodgers being willing to actually have the ball snapped with more than one second left. I find it maddening when he does this. It allows the defense to time their jump.

Great article. Fun stuff to mull over.

5 points
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Alberta_Packer's picture

May 27, 2020 at 03:09 pm

Onside Kick - Huh, What, Why?

Booth Umpire - not a terrible idea but the NFL game is becoming more officious than the Russian politburo. Soon there will be more officials on, above and off the field - than players on the field.

Play Calling - For all his brilliance, one of A.R's less shining tendencies has always been his protracted snap counts. Even if the play is called earlier - this could just give A.R. more time for added emphatic finger pointing to backs, furtive glances to receivers and nuanced voice counts. Maybe to out-guess defenses - wouldn't hurt to throw a quick snap count in the mix every once in a while.

Montravius Adams - I'm guessing that it's not often that the word "responsibility" and "Montravius Adams" are used in the same sentence. Remember this is a guy that celebrated his draft day at a Hospital Birth Unit. I just get the sense that Adam's pursuit of excellence includes; chilling in his basement, smoking the weed, making babies, cruising around in his semi-legal vehicle and waiting for his NFL pension cheque every month.

Za'Darius Smith - Is his name too hard to spell for some of these deep football minds - so opting for a Nick, a Myles...?

-2 points
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Bure9620's picture

May 27, 2020 at 05:15 pm

This new alternate onside kick is so interesting and I would imagine divisive. It will definitely make the game more exciting, I do understand people's aversion to it. 4th and 15 is not easy to pick up anymore. This rule favors teams with great QBs. This is a desperation play, and that teams still need to drive the length of the field to get points. A huge stand here and this could ice the game or be a huge momentum shot when you stop them. That is another way of looking at it. Also, the 3rd and 15 or more conversion rate is only about 13% in the league. A great defense is not going to give these up. They will smell blood in the water.

What will be interesting are games that get out of hand early and and a team tries 4th and 15 early in the game....it will happen

0 points
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Doug_In_Sandpoint's picture

May 27, 2020 at 07:13 pm

To think that a team used to feel pretty secure with a 16 point lead and :15 left on the clock. Now 2 Hail Mary’s with 2 two point conversions and were in overtime.

2 points
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dobber's picture

May 28, 2020 at 10:23 am

Exactly. These can't be "free plays"...they need to be possession plays. Must convert a one-down for long yardage play to get the ball at your own 40 or 45 yard line. Defenses should not be scoring on these plays, either. Onside kicks were virtually never scoring plays, and when they were, they were more often scoring plays for the receiving team--not the kicking team--but that guy who picks up the bouncing ball and runs through the coverage unit is extremely rare.

0 points
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wildbill's picture

May 28, 2020 at 02:20 am

So happy we got ZSmith and the level of intensity and skill level he brought. But the real unsung hero has to be PSmith as he had a great year but was totally over shadowed by Z. What a great pair. Just wanted to give PSmith a deserved shout out

7 points
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NickPerry's picture

May 28, 2020 at 04:35 am

So it looks like Z Smith needs to make several more of those "Snubbed" T-Shirts to sport under his jersey.

The new onside kick rule is the dumbest thing I've heard in a long time (at least a year) come from the NFL. It's messing with the integrity of the game IMO.

4 points
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Johnblood27's picture

May 31, 2020 at 10:47 am

Hey Al,

Just a thought on this Sunday morning.

How about honoring Adam Czech with a revival of the "Surviving Sunday" off-season column?

Please post how Adams' wife and son are doing.

I truly appreciated Adams columns and miss them now more than ever.

1 points
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JerseyAl's picture

May 31, 2020 at 10:50 am

That's a great idea. I'll see if she would like to do that for a future Sunday.

0 points
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Johnblood27's picture

May 31, 2020 at 04:40 pm

Keep on keepin on Al, and get nags to actually write something sometime, all the video stuff just takes too much of my time, I would rather read.

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