Finger of Shame- TJ

[Greylock]

Anzalone was mugging TJ 10-15 yrds downfield all game.  As was Dets CB's.  B-Flo and KOC should have figured that out and adjusted quickly.  We were not doing the same to their playmakers.

Exactly, they were holding and mugging all of the receivers and were getting away with it.  But Flores was comfortable in his soft zone coverage, letting receivers catch the ball but limiting the YAC.  He should have been playing the same tight coverage.

[Canthony]

Exactly, they were holding and mugging all of the receivers and were getting away with it.  But Flores was comfortable in his soft zone coverage, letting receivers catch the ball but limiting the YAC.  He should have been playing the same tight coverage.

There were so many plays though that defined this game for us. The INT that was dropped with us down by just a score would have changed the game. The 3rd and 16 I believe that Darnold missed a wide open TJ would have given us momentum. Over throws that would have been big plays. The defense being able to get pressure but not other times when needed was a big question for me.

[comet52]

Exactly, they were holding and mugging all of the receivers and were getting away with it.  But Flores was comfortable in his soft zone coverage, letting receivers catch the ball but limiting the YAC.  He should have been playing the same tight coverage.

We don't really have guys who can do it, not for 4 quarters. Secondary needs upgrading this off-season.

[JimmyinSD]

We don't really have guys who can do it, not for 4 quarters.  Secondary needs upgrading this off-season.

you beat me to it,  and besides, how many CBs in the league can handle St Brown in press coverage?  he loses 99% of them with his first move,  the other 1% with a quick 2nd move.

[medaille]

Its always been this way, that most of the season, teams aren't allowed to hold and then in the playoffs, they for whatever reason change to defensive holding is allowed all the time. People have been saying that campbell tells his CBS to hold every play because they won't call it.

I really think that they just need to be consistent. It shouldn't change whether its a penalty or not just because the officiating team is different, or the player is more regarded or whatever, or it's the postseason.

[JimmyinSD]

Its always been this way, that most of the season, teams aren't allowed to hold and then in the playoffs, they for whatever reason change to defensive holding is allowed all the time.  People have been saying that campbell tells his CBS to hold every play because they won't call it.

I really think that they just need to be consistent.  It shouldn't change whether its a penalty or not just because the officiating team is different, or the player is more regarded or whatever, or it's the postseason.

when the refs flip script and let shit like that go,  it really begs the question of the integrity of the game.

[hogjowlsjohnny]

when the refs flip script and let shit like that go,  it really begs the question of the integrity of the game.

Damn right. Reminds me of 2009 season playoff against the Saints.

[medaille]

when the refs flip script and let shit like that go,  it really begs the question of the integrity of the game.

I feel like it makes the whole postseason really weird, because the regular season rewards teams like ours that are more of a finesse team, and then to win in the playoffs you need to be a physical team as well.

I totally get it in one sense, that you want to stymie player safety issues, but also want hard hitting plays during the primetime games.  But defensive grabbiness isn’t really a player safety issue, it just changes the style of the game to reward different teams.  I do feel like it really benefits a team like the Lions though that is averaging 33 points a game, and can afford to stack up regular season penalties, and then to have those penalties ignored in primetime is nuts, whereas other teams probably lose those games, and have to play clean in the regular season and then retrain themselves how to play in the postseason.

[pattersaur]

I feel like it makes the whole postseason really weird, because the regular season rewards teams like ours that are more of a finesse team, and then to win in the playoffs you need to be a physical team as well.

I totally get it in one sense, that you want to stymie player safety issues, but also want hard hitting plays during the primetime games.  But defensive grabbiness isn’t really a player safety issue, it just changes the style of the game to reward different teams.  I do feel like it really benefits a team like the Lions though that is averaging 33 points a game, and can afford to stack up regular season penalties, and then to have those penalties ignored in primetime is nuts, whereas other teams probably lose those games, and have to play clean in the regular season and then retrain themselves how to play in the postseason.

Same thing happens in the NBA. I don't have a strong opinion one way or the other but yeah, coaches should be aware of it and adapt if possible.

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It was a bad game for everyone. Sam, KO, TJ, JJ, JA. All of those players have had really good seasons though, so I doubt it continues next week. I guess if all your best players are going to suck at any given time, it's probably best that all of it happens in one game--a game that isn't a season-ender. 

Now just throw those performances in one big box with some heavy rocks and drown it in the Mississippi.

For sure. The money side of it might be affecting my feelings too. Whereas everyone else you mentioned has vastly outperformed their contracts, TJ... eh. He's been fine. Hopefully he torches the Rams and I feel like a bozo here shortly.