The rotoheads over at Football Outsiders also wonder about Panthers defensive coordinator Mike Trgovac dropping Julius Peppers off in pass coverage. As Michael David Smith recounts events from the Ravens game:
Peppers dropped into coverage a few more times as Carolina zone-blitzed with Draft or other linebackers. On a first-and-10 in the third quarter, Todd Heap went in motion to the right and Peppers dropped back to cover Heap, which would usually be a linebacker’s job. Kyle Boller (who played most of the game in relief of McNair) rolled to his right and threw to Heap, and Peppers tackled him for a nine-yard gain.
In general, I don’t like that strategy for the Panthers. Why not have Peppers rush the passer so Boller can’t roll to the right in the first place, rather than having Peppers drop back and therefore giving Boller free rein to find someone open? It’s not that Peppers can’t cover the tight end, it’s just that he’s so great at rushing the passer that having him in coverage seems like a waste. It’s an interesting strategy for an occasional change of pace, but generally if the other team is passing and Peppers isn’t rushing, Carolina isn’t using his talents properly.
And this observation is in the course of Smith crowning Peppers the best defensive player n the NFL. No kidding. That’s why I want Pep in Carson Palmer’s grill all-day on Sunday. How’s about it, Trgo?
