Saturday, November 30, 2019

"Do Your Job": Freddie Channeling Lord Insideous Music to My Eyes

We'll eventually find out why Damarius Randall was benched by Freddie Kitchens, but this is a strong Coach laying down the law.

You already know that somehow, some people will manage to whip out that big impressive "dysfunctional" word and say that this demonstrates a lack of discipline, when it's just the opposite.

This is a Lord Insideous (Belichick) move.   Do you think the Patriots are undisciplined?  I mean they're disciplined because he disciplines them, see?  And guys like Whitehead are jettisoned when they get out of hand---get it?

Speaking of the Sith Lord, this "do your job" mantra that Freddie and all his players are repeating is kinda like Bill's mantra, and I am thrilled to be hearing it from this Coach and these players.

Freddie talks about "tunnel vision" and focus, and this is all in Belichick's unpublished "How to Win" manual too.

This is more than an abstract philosophy.  A big chunk of the middle third of the Patriots' roster is always replete with "niche"-players or specialists that other teams couldn't find a use for.

Julian Edelman started out as one of these.

Bill gets these undrafted rookies and castoffs from other teams, and asks them to do fill one small, narrow role.

Situational edge-rusher, or inside run-stuffer or space-eater, blocking TE, pass-catching RB, sneaky little slot receiver, or whatever.

As Pat Kirwan told us, this is the biggest part of this "do your job" thing.

That's what these guys do in their first year with the Patriots (usually in addition to Special Teams, of course).  They might only show up on offense or defense 1-6 times in a given game, but they do show up, and often make an impact.

In year 2, the Patriots expand these players' roles (ie develop them), but the main thing is, they zero in on just one thing initially, and then build around that.

"Do your job", see?  But beyond that, this also means don't "freelance".

Talent aside, the biggest single reason that the Ravens' offense has been so unstoppable is that defenders who are supposed to stay in coverage try to nail Lamar Jackson instead (one of many examples).

That's oversimplifying, as the Ravens deliberately put these poor safeties and linebackers between rocks and hard places, and any Defensive Coordinator who thinks he can micromanage these decisions is an idiot; the 2019 Ravens offense is unprecedented...

However, do you think that the Ravens will dominate the Patriots the next time they play eachother?  You don't think Lord Insideous's defense won't find ways to slow that juggernaut down?  

And why does everybody think that what the Browns did to the Ravens was a fluke, and can't happen again?

That wasn't a digression: Vs the Ravens in game 1, Steve Wilks' defense was extremely disciplined.

Lamar Jackson was contained in the pocket, and pressured inside.  He (and Ingram etc) didn't get gaps to run through inside, because guys weren't overpursuing (getting suckered out of position) and were sticking to their gaps.

Ok now I'm digressing, since the Ravens run G-power a lot and just blast defenders out of the way (don't forget those extra tight ends), but the Browns stood up to that in game one, too, see?

These guys aint sissies, ok?  

Anyway, if Freddie Kitchens wants to copy Lord Insideous, I'm ok with that.

And quit insulting Freddie.  How he maxed out the offense in 2018 was brilliant, and how he's used Kareem Hunt is---well it's exactly what I recommended, so Freddie is obviously either a genius or reads this Blog!

Back to the Randall thing:

The Steelers (partly due to Randall) are running low on wide receivers, and Steve Wilks can man up on the outside receivers with Ward and Williams.

Hodges has not proven a deep passer, and the Steelers don't show a consistent deep threat.

Wilks can keep 7-8 in the box and send a 5th rusher when needed (and field a Wade Phillips style 3-4 as required).

More Browns than Steelers fans expect Mike Tomlin to outsmart Wile E Coyote Freddie Kitchens, and the Steelers to just sorta tighten their chinstraps a little extra and show this more talented upstart team who's boss or something...

I mean it's the BROWNS, right?

Grow.  A.  BRAIN.

And (yawn) Freddie wore a "Pittsburgh Started it" T-shirt.  So I guess the Browns shouldn't bother showing up, or something?

Freddie Freddie Freddie (sigh)...I LOVE you man!

The rest of you snowflakes, get over it.


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