Howard in Review

[Todd347347]

I watched "The Game of The WeeK" on the NFL Network last night(tivo) and I have a couple comments about Howards performance. Unfortunately they showed alot of Howard which is bad becuase they show all the big plays. But what I noticed was some great throws by Jake. The first touchdown, Howard was all over him and he had a perfect throw. The long third down inside our 20 right before the half, again howard was all over smith as he made a diving catch. Was Howard bad or did he get beat by some great plays. I think its both, but I am worried about just flat out replacing him. Hopefully Saban will take things slow with these new guys in the secondary. Maybe Saban is just putting Howard on notice :) On the flip side, that short screen pass that the back got to the outside, Howard had the angle but was either terribly slow or gave up. The back just ran right around howard... that play was bad.

 

[fin4life2]

He played for Carolina for 4 years...he should know Delhomme and Smith like a book...since he defended them in practice every day!!No excuse! :shakeno:

 

[finfromthenorth]

The man is brutal. No one should get beat that many times in one game.

 

[Shamboubou]

He played for Carolina for 4 years...he should know Delhomme and Smith like a book...since he defended them in practice every day!!No excuse! :shakeno:

That is exactly why they went after him, they knew that he was weak. What I dont understand is why didn't we put Madison on him? I know Mad isn't as great as he used to be but he is better than Howard. Or why didnt we try and put Daniels on him?

I do agree though too that Howard just got beat on some good plays also, by one of the best WR in the NFL.

 

[LarryFinFan]

I watched "The Game of The WeeK" on the NFL Network last night(tivo) and I have a couple comments about Howards performance. Unfortunately they showed alot of Howard which is bad becuase they show all the big plays. But what I noticed was some great throws by Jake. The first touchdown, Howard was all over him and he had a perfect throw. The long third down inside our 20 right before the half, again howard was all over smith as he made a diving catch. Was Howard bad or did he get beat by some great plays. I think its both, but I am worried about just flat out replacing him. Hopefully Saban will take things slow with these new guys in the secondary. Maybe Saban is just putting Howard on notice :) On the flip side, that short screen pass that the back got to the outside, Howard had the angle but was either terribly slow or gave up. The back just ran right around howard... that play was bad.

I agree with you that Jake was very hot last week. I even made a post in the gameday thread that he was as accurate a QB as I had seen in years...and I was a supporter of Howards, until this game. He continues, as you stated, to take bad angles and get beat. Yes, Jake was hitting guys where only they could get the ball and he was hitting them in stride but that does not excuse Howard for his poor play. By now, he should not be caught out of position like he seems to be as much as he is...I don't think that replacing Howard totally is the best option, since we have nothing behind him. I am sure that Howard is the best option that we have right now, even given his blunders. Thomas is a career backup and Jackson is raw. But I'm sure that Saban has something up his sleeve to cover up that defficiency, or at least I hope he does.

 

[Schleprock]

As far as the first TD scored; yeah, great throw, but my problem is what happened before the throw. Watch the play again and look at the field and initial coverage. Howard and all were in great position...there was only ONE way for Smith to go to get open...and that was an out pattern!! Howard had all the work done for him, there was no way Smith was crossing the endzone or pulling up a hitch. So, Howard should have known the route before Smith even broke it out. That was my problem with him on that play.

As for Smith's second TD...JT was COVERING HIM!! That is on the coaching stff, sorry. It was liek taking candy from a baby. Smith did a 5 yard slant to pull JT a step inside from the slot, then whipped back outside. Unless JT could have read the route from the get go there was no way he was stopping it.

 

[FinFan57]

A couple of comments. First, from what I've read, Carolina actually went after Howard. They knew he was weak and they took it to him. They designed plays to avoid Travis and Sam, most of the time, to get to Howard.

Also, let's not forget, most of our anger is not about one game with Howard. He has repeatedly not lived up to his huge contract. He didn't play well last year and he looked awful against the Jets.

I just think it's time to give someone else a look. At least a player like Kiwaukee Thomas or Eddie Jackson may have an upside.