The New York Giants Thursday Night Football win over the Carolina Panthers was a story of one thing: leverage. The 36 to 7 win happened mostly because the G-Men were able to get their offensive blockers up and under the pads of the Panthers Defenders more often on every play. Take this running play.
It started out of the I-Formation as a pass-look, run – what’s called a draw play. But it’s notable in that none of the players in blue was able at all to get free of the offensive line people – they were blocked.
Part of this is borne of design – the Panthers don’t play an exotic defense that puts a line person in position for quick, un-interrupted penetration. The other part of the problem is coaching: the Panthers have to practice keeping their pads LOW. Even if it means getting into a four-point stance to do so. That’s most of the game right there.
On Offense, same problem in reverse. Plus, add this: the Panthers don’t have 10 3-step-drop plays for Cam Newton to run, and are too obsessed with the whole running quarterback deal. In fact, I’m starting to think the entire approach is producing a really lazy set of coaches – teach the fellow the art of the passing game, and forget this option running crap. Its going to get a really talented guy killed. Cam Newton doesn’t deserve that.
On the other side of the ball, congrats to New York Giants Head Coach Tom Coughlin for putting on a clinic on football basics. Well done.