Post game chat with Cleft Crusty (Vikings)

[Cleft Crusty]

mr crusty, the coach was pretty daring today with the 4th down calls. were those calls acts of desperation or confidence?

Neither, really. I'd say McCarthy was playing the odds - he could choose from long field goals, with his place kicker struggling a bit as of late, punts, which likely gain him 15 yards of field position, or allow his hot QB and offense to give it a shot. But if I had to choose between desperation and confidence, there's no question it was confidence. But in my best estimation, McCarthy was taking the good odds.

[3irty1]

Mr. Crusty,

How do we get such great pressure with a simple 4 man rush? It doesn't seem to matter who we put out there with Kampman. What are they doing right?

[Cleft Crusty]

Mr. Crusty,

How do we get such great pressure with a simple 4 man rush? It doesn't seem to matter who we put out there with Kampman. What are they doing right?

There are several factors. First, Kampman is such a good technician, he applies some pressure on every down. He's drawing a decent number of doulble teams as well. Inside, Pickett is gobbling up two guys on every run down. Jenkins is solid at the other end on run and is a disruptive force playing from inside on passing downs. Williams can play anywhere. Jolly and Cole provide consisten push - both are stout tackles. And KGB has revived his career as a PRS (pass rush specialist). Now add that all up and you have an incredibly deep defensive line that collectively never tires, so as the game goes on they get better and better. Teams expect the D-line to tire out, but it just doesn't happen with the Packers.' The scheme at defensive back - with Harris and Woodson engaging and mauling receiver - also makes the QB hold the ball longer, and that only helps the line. Finally, is the offense continues their improvement to a methodical, multi-play drive team, that can gobble up huge chunks of clock and score, the D-line stays even fresher, plays from a lead, making them all the harder to defeat.

[Cleft Crusty]

And that's it for this week's chat, Folks. Clefty has to get some sack time and go get dialysis in preparation for the Carolina Panthers game. Sitting at the game and in front of the computer really takes it out of me these days, even though I can still bench press 275.

[Tarlam!]

Wow. I am left knowing our very own Cleft Crusty is a world class NFL Analyst. and no, I am NOT focussing on ANALyst here, although I do on ESPN!

An awe-inspiring post game chat. Riveting. I mean that!

[gbgary]

very entertaining thread!!!