Blizzard? Um, Whizz? Er, Balk?

[DerekLee1]

What was that defensive play called again that we did where the linebacker came straight in between the center and tackle and slammed the QB to the turf? And again later where the safety came around the end straight after the quarterback?

In all seriousness, the defensive playcalling did not look the same as it has these past 10 weeks. Anybody think that maybe Smith is no longer calling the defensive plays? Or is he just desperate because of all of the criticism? Methinks he's out the door, and while Kubes won't do anything publicly, I think his duties have been handed off to someone else behind the scenes. Much like Sherman's were handed off to Shanahan the last few weeks of last season when Sherman accepted the A&M job. Just a hunch.

[alphajoker]

I can only hope your hunch turns out be true and Smith is gone after the season.

[b0ng]

That Adibi kid sure is fast huh?

[ATXtexanfan]

DerekLee1 please be right, nice observation

[eriadoc]

Ryans was the LB that slammed the QB up the middle, IIRC. My issue with those plays is the same issue I always have - they don't happen enough. I'd like to see Ryans blitz more (injured leg notwithstanding).

I agree about Adibi. I hope he keeps the speed at a higher weight next season.

[alphajoker]

Diles, Ryans and Adibi - those are my starters at LB going into 2009, well if I was the coach.

[b0ng]

Originally Posted by eriadoc

Ryans was the LB that slammed the QB up the middle, IIRC. My issue with those plays is the same issue I always have - they don't happen enough. I'd like to see Ryans blitz more (injured leg notwithstanding).

I agree about Adibi. I hope he keeps the speed at a higher weight next season.

I watched it twice and was pretty sure that it was number 52 that did it, and the guy was a buttload skinnier than Ryans is.

[eriadoc]

Originally Posted by b0ng

I watched it twice and was pretty sure that it was number 52 that did it, and the guy was a buttload skinnier than Ryans is.

Having only watched it live, I defer to your observation.

[gtexan02]

I think Smith was still calling plays, I just think he happened to catch the Bills Browns game last week and saw that the Cleveland OL was suseptible to a LB rush up the gut. It happened at least 5 times last week

[Jackie Chiles]

Whoever was calling the plays must have been watching tape of the MNF game between Cleveland and Buffalo the week before. Kawika Mitchell was coming free up the middle at will. DeMeco has always had the knack for finding a soft spot in the protection, I'll never understand why he doesn't(didn't?) get to blitz a whole lot more often.

gtexan you beat me by about 3 minutes on the Buffalo game, grrr.

[b0ng]

Originally Posted by eriadoc

Having only watched it live, I defer to your observation.

On the first viewing I thought the exact same thing because it looked like the MLB that did the rushing, but when I saw the reverse view you could see the number big as day, and it wasn't 59.

Also, I love Adibi.

[spurstexanstros]

Originally Posted by DerekLee1

What was that defensive play called again that we did where the linebacker came straight in between the center and tackle and slammed the QB to the turf? And again later where the safety came around the end straight after the quarterback?

In all seriousness, the defensive playcalling did not look the same as it has these past 10 weeks. Anybody think that maybe Smith is no longer calling the defensive plays? Or is he just desperate because of all of the criticism? Methinks he's out the door, and while Kubes won't do anything publicly, I think his duties have been handed off to someone else behind the scenes. Much like Sherman's were handed off to Shanahan the last few weeks of last season when Sherman accepted the A&M job. Just a hunch.

I think it was called a blitz....maybe Amobi knows what it was...errrr. nevermind

[scourge]

Originally Posted by b0ng

On the first viewing I thought the exact same thing because it looked like the MLB that did the rushing, but when I saw the reverse view you could see the number big as day, and it wasn't 59.

Also, I love Adibi.

Yeah, it was Ryans who ran up the middle and shoved the QB to the ground.

[DiehardChris]

Originally Posted by DerekLee1

What was that defensive play called again that we did where the linebacker came straight in between the center and tackle and slammed the QB to the turf? And again later where the safety came around the end straight after the quarterback?

In all seriousness, the defensive playcalling did not look the same as it has these past 10 weeks. Anybody think that maybe Smith is no longer calling the defensive plays? Or is he just desperate because of all of the criticism? Methinks he's out the door, and while Kubes won't do anything publicly, I think his duties have been handed off to someone else behind the scenes. Much like Sherman's were handed off to Shanahan the last few weeks of last season when Sherman accepted the A&M job. Just a hunch.

I think it was more of a case of us going against Brady Quinn. If we would have tried that against Manning, it would have been worse than 33-27.

[mussop]

Originally Posted by b0ng

On the first viewing I thought the exact same thing because it looked like the MLB that did the rushing, but when I saw the reverse view you could see the number big as day, and it wasn't 59.

Also, I love Adibi.

You are wrong it was Ryans.

Also, I love Adibi too!

[texasguy346]

Originally Posted by eriadoc

Ryans was the LB that slammed the QB up the middle, IIRC. My issue with those plays is the same issue I always have - they don't happen enough. I'd like to see Ryans blitz more (injured leg notwithstanding).

Originally Posted by b0ng

On the first viewing I thought the exact same thing because it looked like the MLB that did the rushing, but when I saw the reverse view you could see the number big as day, and it wasn't 59.

Y'all are both right. There were a couple of plays where a LB shot the gap & made it to the QB. Adibi crushed Quinn on one play, and I remember Ryans making a similar play during the game.

[DerekLee1]

I think McNair needs to come out now and either publicly or privately say to Kubiak what he plans to do with him after the season. If Kubes is to be retained (likely), then Kubes needs to say to hell with the season, privately demote Richard Smith, and start evaluating young guys such as Adibi, Molden, and Barber in starting roles. In addition, use it as an opportunity to sample Frank Bush's defensive playcalling. This was, after all, the guy that was his first choice for DC and this gives him a GREAT chance to see what Bush can do without handing him the reigns at the beginning of a season.

Man up, McNair. Make the call.