i have read a number of articles, including in the st louis paper, criticizing bulger for the two turnovers. The INT is on bulger. No question about it. Lousy throw. He tried to force it into double coverage to avery to make a play when we were down 17-0. I defy one person on this board to tell me that bulger had anything at all to do with getting us down 17-0 or whether that INT really changed the game. The defense was DOA and we couldnt run at all.
The point of this post however is to discuss the alleged bulger "fumble" and how people include the fumble as part of the criticism of bulgers play.That point of view is EXACTLY what we bulger "apologists" are talking about regarding unfair criticism.
Sure, statistically its a fumble. Meanwhile, the guy got KILLED from the blindside while he was trying to throw. There is not one qb in the nfl that holds onto that ball under those circumstances.
Is bulger playing well or anywhere near his capability? OF course not. If he the "cause" of why we are so bad and did he "fail to show up yesterday>" Of course not. He is an above average qb playing under terrible circumstances and as a result he looks awful.
People need to look at matt ryan. The falcons have built a terrific offensive line with an excellent runnning game. Look at their down and distance. Ryan is protected and the defense has to defend pass and run. Play action is very very effective. He makes safe quality throws and has time to make them. He has the look of a fine young qb. 99% of the people on this board thought dorsey was a better pick than ryan. You sure wouldnt feel that way if you were a falcons fan now. However, lets assume ryan was playing for the rams or raiders. Does anyone honestly believe that he would be having anywhere near the same kind of success?
The qb is the most important position on the field, but he is still in large part of function of the weapons around him, starting with the offensive line. You dont blame your qb for fumbling when he gets clobbered from the blind side and loses the ball, you blame whoever missed their blocking assignment, which of course i see no significant mention of in the post game articles, mainly general statements about lousy offensive line play.
There is no way i would use a top 5 pick right now to replace bulger. Give me either the best offensive tackle of Rey Manglimaimulia. Bulger isnt carrying the team on his own, an unrealistic expectation to start, but he is not the cause of our problems.
I watched eli manning carefully last night. He sure doesnt look like a superstar to me. Does he win? sure. Watch their running game and pass protection. Is he good. Sure. But put him behind the rams line with no running game and he will look no better than bulger.
ramming speed to all
general...
-11-10-2008, 07:15 AM
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