Because that what he wants anyway -- Allen that is.

I was listening to Jim Rome yesterday on my way to lunch (I can't listen to him after lunch, or I'd lose it), and he was talking about Detroit's Calvin Johnson. Namely, that Johnson WAS well covered during the 4th-q of the game with Dallas this weekend. Johnson was sometimes even double, or even triple covered. And Stafford STILL threw the ball to him, and Johnson STILL caught it. I was reminiscing on this as I watched last week's Cal Sports Report program last night. And guess what? Maynard threw the ball to Allen when he was well-covered -- and Allen STILL caught it! Maynard threw the ball to Allen when he was double-covered -- and he STILL caught it.

Several balls to Jones in similar (although not quite as tight) circumstances, and Jones still caught it. I cannot remember a time when we had a duo of such quality wide receivers, coupled with a QB that was not afraid to get it to them -- no matter the circumstances.

Now it was just WA, but still --Maynard to Allen is money; most of the time. Is Maynard's completion % any higher when throwing to Allen (as opposed to the overall, which I understand is around 52%)?

This combination needs to become our bread and butter for the remainder of the 2011 season. When we've burned them enough through the air, they will be soft enough to run against.

Moral of the story: If I can't have a Johnson like Detroit's, I'll definitely take an Allen like Cal's. That dude went from middling-good, to a super-star this season.

Agree but Maynard needs to give him balls he can catch. NOt just talking about the last play but two critical passes in the 3Q in the red zone.

I agree. Get the ball in his hands as much as possible. I think we should have him return punts as well.

Yes, he's special. He simply is more gifted than most any player he lines up against. Two players? His talent outweighs both of them put together.

It is also why I would put him on defense for a couple of key series in the first half and then some in the second half. Don't have to play him there all game, but some game-changing situations could be a key difference between a win and a loss. He is special enough to do this.

Detroit just took advantage of Johnson's height and leaping ability. Most of the DB's these days tend to be relatively short. It's like a basketball rebound. Position is key (this is controlled in large part by where the qb throws the ball) and after that it's just size and leaping ability. Allen and Jones are tall and athletic. We should be able to make similar "jump ball" type throws. It's all part of leveraging the advantages you have.

I think that Keenan and Marvin will be even more effective if Calvin starts making some more plays. One catch a game doesn't draw much attention, if we can get some more production out of our third receiver then more passing lanes will open up.

freshfunk;584660 said:

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Agree but Maynard needs to give him balls he can catch. NOt just talking about the last play but two critical passes in the 3Q in the red zone.

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Yup - if anything I wouldn't be surprised if the completion percentage to Allen is lower than it would be if he was looking at the other receivers because he forces the ball in. Anytime he's forcing it to Allen, the chances are that Jones, Calvin and/or Miller are open. One of the biggest change I've noticed is that we seem to have guys wide open on most plays, but Zach picks one guy and throws to him regardless of coverage. Just looking at the ESPN recap - against UW Zach was 10/20 throwing to Keenan, and 13/23 throwing to everyone else.

pappysghost;584667 said:

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Detroit just took advantage of Johnson's height and leaping ability. Most of the DB's these days tend to be relatively short. It's like a basketball rebound. Position is key (this is controlled in large part by where the qb throws the ball) and after that it's just size and leaping ability. Allen and Jones are tall and athletic. We should be able to make similar "jump ball" type throws. It's all part of leveraging the advantages you have.

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Tony G has said that basketball helps him tremendously when tightly covered. He puts his hip into the defender, and leverages off that to out jump them.

GBMARIN;584718 said:

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Tony G has said that basketball helps him tremendously when tightly covered. He puts his hip into the defender, and leverages off that to out jump them.

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That's what I do when I play three-flies-up. :bear:

It's just like when they were kids. I can see Maynard in the huddle saying, "ok, Keenan, go 10 yards to the trash can, hitch left past old man Johnson's car and I'll chuck it to you." The other guys are like, uh hello, I'm on the team too you know.