Lost in all the praise that has been heaped on Matthew Stafford has been the small plays that allowed Stafford to make his mark on the franchise. I wanted to point out two separate huge blocks by Kevin Smith and Daniel Loper that allowed Stafford the pull out a miracle.
We’ll start by looking at the 2nd last play of the game. Stafford mad scramble was made possible by two huge blocks. I took a few screen shots since NFL.com steadfastly refuses to be user-friendly and allow embedded videos. The first key play is basically Kevin Smith getting in the way of a hard charging Browns LB, Marcus Bernard. After Gosder Cherilus completely whiffed on a comeback block, Smith got in the way of Bernard, as you can see below.
This allowed Daniel Loper, who hasn’t made a decent play all year, to hustle back and get himself in position to get a solid block on Bernard, which allowed Stafford to throw the pass downfield that eventually caused the interference.
Those two key plays allowed the final play to happen. And on that final play, Kevin Smith made the best block I’ve seen any Lion make this year.
That right there is an absolute textbook cut block on Kenyon Coleman. Coleman was running free on Stafford and if a back like Aaron Brown is in the game, that block is not properly made. The cut block also forced Coleman outside, which opened up a huge passing lane for Stafford to zip the ball to Pettigrew. AND HE ACTUALLY CAUGHT THE PASS!!!
I’ve been critical of Kevin Smith on this blog in the past but he was superb on Sunday. That’s the most complete game he’s played since coming into the league. And the blocks he and Loper made allowed Matt Stafford to display his heroics. One player does not make a team. Without the small contributions from the unsung heroes, the big things are not possible.
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Let’s not forget the anti-heroes either. On THE PLAY, Backus and Rameriez allowed the defensive tackle free that got the hit on Stafford. The two of them had him double teamed several yards away from the where Stafford eventually planted his feet and threw the pass. However the Dynamic Duo let him run free to plant Stafford and cause the shoulder separation that will cause him to probably miss a couple of games. It is a shame that the hustle of Smith and Loper was not matched by these two. Also on that play Raiola, matched up alone on a D-lineman completely took his man out of the play. Even Cherilus (who wiffed on the block on the Bernard, hustled all the way over from the right side of the line to at least attempt a play on the linebacker. Bernard got away from Cherilus because he is quicker in open space than the right tackle. But at least Cherilus made a hustle play to try and keep the play alive. What I hope all of the O-linemen learn is that with Stafford there is a good possibility that the play is never dead and they need to keep playing.
BigFoote,
You make an outstanding point on Backus and Ramirez. If you frequent this blog, you’ll know that I’m not a fan of either one of those guys and it appears I’ve missed an opportunity to slag them further. I will not miss the next one.
Thanks for the insight.
You have to watch the nfl videos on Stafford.
You cannot deny the guys will to win
http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-films-anatomy-of-a-play/09000d5d8147b67c/WK-11-Anatomy-Stafford-shows-guts-and-glory
http://www.nfl.com/videos/detroit-lions/09000d5d8147c551/Sound-FX-Matthew-Stafford-mic-d-up
This game and those last two plays will stay with me forever
Thanks a lot for those Rob, Mayock’s analysis was bang on!
You know, my old coach used to say if the O Line came over to help the QB up after a sack like that, the QB had every right to kick them in nuts. I was painfully aware of Backus & Ramirez’s contributions on the play (see Big Al’s pics over at TWFE for a shot of them hustling over after the play to look at Stafford crumbled up like Beetle Bailey after Sarge pummeled him), but I hadn’t really noticed Smith’s blocks. Thanks for pointing that out. Yet another reason to be thankful this thanksgiving.