If he plays, the Pats will just send an Olineman to blindside him like they did to Strickland in 2009.
Cro has one job this week...keep the play in front. No, looking in the backfield. He has to own the deep ball. He can't let his assignment get past him...whoever it ends up being.
They will run hurry up...you know they will try to catch us substituting too. The Officials need to let the defense sub, if Pats O subs. They will get that call once, bet. But 5 yards won't mean shit as long as we are getting to Brady.
I honestly don't want Cromartie to have a big role this week. Most weeks he'll be fine, but stopping the Patriots is all about making quick tackles after receptions to limit YAC. He doesn't tackle. He needs a babysitter if he's in man coverage this week.
Good memory--I barely recall this--I think Strickland was in his first year with us and was playing well. Never really got into the flow again.
He's fine in coverage, but a couple of his tackle attempts this year have been downright pathetic. Whether it's his hip injury or just old age resulting in a decline in physicality, he's not tackling well. If he doesn't improve this week Brady will look to exploit that with quick throws to Amendola, Lefell or whomever he's covering to force him to make an open field tackle.
He's always had this look of laziness but that's because he relies on his athleticism more than technique .. Except that year without Revis...damn he was a beast.
Honestly i think it's time to chill out on Cromartie. You people act like he's been playing terrible... outside of the single one big play he let up in the first two games he's been locked down. LaFell isn't even that good. Cro will strap him up with ease. Revis will guard Edelman.. Skrine/McDougle on Amendola.. i like it. if we win this game im calling 13-3 for us. 11-5 at worst..
The only reason I brought him up is because DB tackling is critical against NE and his tackling has been poor. His coverage is definitely fine.
A lot of Gronk's success is based on missed tackles. And he can easily overpower Cro. Our best tackler in the secondary is Pryor. So he's a big part of the mix in covering Gronk and preventing him from big plays. As for red zone coverage of him it's hard to cover him.
I don't think there is a real "good match up" for Gronk... you can only hope to contain em. Esp. With Brady throwing to him and Edelman about 40 times a damn game
Gronks going to catch alot of balls. We just have to make sure he goes to the ground afterwards. Skrine is strong, not just for his size. He can redirect gronk and slow him down till the gang tackle arrives.
