This was the comment in question, with the article linked below.
| He struggled to win one-on-one battles deep and failed to make defenders miss after the catch, so defenses coolly played in front of him, letting him catch dinks and dunks. He was open because defenses permitted it. |
So what I'm wondering is how this is meant to be understood. If a guy can't win battles deep, why would you play a soft coverage underneath? Wouldn't you be able to play aggressive coverage underneath with no fear of being beaten over the top?
Why would defenses "permit" him to make any catches at all?
In my opinion, Jernigan's best attribute is getting open underneath. It is very difficult for teams to man-cover him in the short passing game without him winning those battles. The easiest route to prevent the most damage is to play off and tackle. This might sound the same as what Ebenezer Samuel is saying here, but rather than give Jernigan any credit for being difficult to cover, he makes it sound like covering him is a breeze and the only catches he makes are because the defense is indifferent.
What about you? Do you agree with me that the observation made by Ebenezer Samuel is flawed?
Article is primarily about Beckham's possible return to action - (
New Window )
I'm clearly not the best defensive mind on this board or even this thread, and what you're suggesting (give up the 8 yd pass vs. 80) makes TONS of sense if you're concerned that the guy is a threat for 80. What I don't get is if you absolutely DON'T think the guy is a threat for 80, why then permit him to even catch the 8?
I mean this seriously. If I'm not worried that my guy can beat me deep I just stay on his hip, right? Why wouldn't I just press-cover the crap out of him right on the LOS? Can you answer that?
vs. Detroit
2&9 5yds
2&8 9yds first down
1&10 8yds
3&7 3yds
vs. Phoenix
2&9 - 4yds
1&10 - 11 yds first down.
I get down & distance - but twice they gave up first downs on six receptions and only once did permitting a catch result in a fourth down.
Kind of answering my own question here - I'm guessing from looking at the catches he does have, most of them are in typical running situations where the defense would likely be thinking stop the run and keep any catches to minimal gain. So maybe that's why they are permitting him to catch the ball.
Giants D was letting all the underneath stuff go, and were pretty consistently able to get the fabled K-gun offense off the field.
Anyone NFL caliber WR will be an upgrade.
The reality is Jernigan despite Some being excited by a few games isn't wasn't going to make any coordinators or DBs nervous.