I'm very confident we will take of business this weekend. Home Field Advantage DOES have a major component in this game, regardless of what SI.com is saying http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2006/writers/don_banks/01/17/road.teams/index.html
I truly believe this year's team is a team of destiny.
Here are my keys to beating this team (feel free to contribute your thoughts)
1. Contain Steve Smith: I cannot address this enough....Nick Goings is going nowhere. He is a bruiser, 3 to 5 yard type carrier. Smith can hurt you deep, on reverses, punt returns. Double this guy, and keep Trufant on him as much as possible.
2. I said this last week: Shaun Alexander has to play aggressively. Mike Ditka indicated that he think SA is soft and can't take big hits. I don't agree w/ him, but I do want to see SA talking some smack, hitting the hole hard. Apparently he was sick last week on meds, so expect to see a different player this week.
3. Big Game from an unlikely hero: Someone like a Joe J, a Bobby Engram, or a Jeremey Stevens need to make some big plays. Carolina will be keying on D-Jax and SA, so look for one of these guys to step up
4. Effectively blitzing: our 4 down lineman approach vs. WA will not work vs. Carolina. We need to blitz correctly on a 3rd and long to really stick them. Lofa can be a huge here
5. Smart play calling from the H's: Holgrem call a good game, Hasselbeck making smart audibles similar to those made last week
6. 12th Man: will not be as much of a factor against a good road team, but still needs to come. Everyone in that stadium should leave that game HOARSE
7. No TO's on ST: Get Jimmy Williams out as PT....put in Engram. Scoobey, I pray for your soul that you will NOT fumble again
8. NFL/National Media (ESPN, SI.com, Fox Sports, NFL): I'm a conspiracy theorist, so I'm hoping the NFL does not WANT Carolina in the Superbowl and will NOT give them close calls, etc. It's Seattle's time, and everyone from OR, Idaho, WA, and Vancouver are pulling for this team. Is that a big enough market for you for a big team to get into the Superbowl?
|
