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Carson's scrambling ability


Skilly McRailnob

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ESPN radio was just talking about Roethlisberger's scrambling ability and I started to think about Carson. Seemed like he had plenty of opportunites to run this year, but rarely did.

He's no Vick, but he's no Marino either. Carson has plenty of athletic ability and I think he should run a bit more when given an open field. Thoughts?

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ESPN radio was just talking about Roethlisberger's scrambling ability and I started to think about Carson. Seemed like he had plenty of opportunites to run this year, but rarely did.

He's no Vick, but he's no Marino either. Carson has plenty of athletic ability and I think he should run a bit more when given an open field. Thoughts?

Only if we get better at play-action to freeze rushers on the outside and give receivers the second level to follow Carson wherever he runs to.

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I'm sure Carson will develop this aspect of his game in time.

As he gains more experience/confidence in reading defences, along with knowing when his own offencive options are blown, I'm sure he will take-off down field more often. His "athletic ability" was one of the big factors they coaches kept saying he possessed, so I'm sure they are aware of what he can do and will develop it accordingly.

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Carson isn't a scrambler. Never has been, never wanted him to be one. He's a pure pocket QB who wisely uses his athletic ability to step up or slide around the pass rush....just buying time until he can make a play with his arm. He's also very accurate when throwing on deliberate rollouts....a huge plus that shows off his mobility. So maybe that makes some of us want to see something more. But again, Palmer uses his mobility to buy time for his arm...not opportunities for his feet.

I've watched Palmer a great deal dating back to his first USC days and I know if a play completely breaks down his first, second, and usually last inclination is to throw the ball away without ever looking for a running lane. And I doubt I can accurately express to you how incredibly okay I am with this.

That said, I wouldn't mind seeing Palmer gain a few more rushing attempts by way of the short yardage QB sneak or better yet....by taking a knee on the last play of most Bengal games. ;)

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Carson isn't a scrambler. Never has been, never wanted him to be one. He's a pure pocket QB who wisely uses his athletic ability to step up or slide around the pass rush....just buying time until he can make a play with his arm. He's also very accurate when throwing on deliberate rollouts....a huge plus that shows off his mobility. So maybe that makes some of us want to see something more. But again, Palmer uses his mobility to buy time for his arm...not opportunities for his feet.

I've watched Palmer a great deal dating back to his first USC days and I know if a play completely breaks down his first, second, and usually last inclination is to throw the ball away without ever looking for a running lane. And I doubt I can accurately express to you how incredibly okay I am with this.

That said, I wouldn't mind seeing Palmer gain a few more rushing attempts by way of the short yardage QB sneak or better yet....by taking a knee on the last play of most Bengal games. ;)

I don't have a problem at all with the lack of need to train Palmer to look for the pass and wisely throw the ball away. But I do like the fact that as the season wore on he started to discover that he could hurt teams with his legs as a last resort for making a play.

Ken Anderson was a pocket passer and not known for scrambling until he'd been playing a while. Suddenly he became known as a guy that was mobile enough to hurt defenses with his legs as well as his arm and head. It's all about making plays. Palmer is a sophisticated quarterback, so I'm sure he'll develop a keen awareness for when to stay with his first inclination and when to pull it down and move the chains on foot.

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I don't have a problem at all with the lack of need to train Palmer to look for the pass and wisely throw the ball away. But I do like the fact that as the season wore on he started to discover that he could hurt teams with his legs as a last resort for making a play.

Ken Anderson was a pocket passer and not known for scrambling until he'd been playing a while. Suddenly he became known as a guy that was mobile enough to hurt defenses with his legs as well as his arm and head. It's all about making plays. Palmer is a sophisticated quarterback, so I'm sure he'll develop a keen awareness for when to stay with his first inclination and when to pull it down and move the chains on foot.

Dead on. I'm thrilled that we have a young QB whose first instinct is to throw the ball. It's far easier to go from that point to learning when you should run than it is to go from thinking run first to throwing.

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He's a pure pocket QB who wisely uses his athletic ability to step up or slide around the pass rush

Agreed - his speed and altheticism is a bonus and should be used that way - use it wisely.

He is a bit injury prone and QB's who run in the NFL don't last long - that or they are constantly hurt and missing big games (see Vick and McNair and McNabb for examples). McNabb has almost stopped his scrambling downfield altogether it seems of late (may change in the playoffs).

Unless you are a horse like Culpepper (and he is more of pocket passer than ever now also), there's just too many monsters on defense these days taking cheap shots for him to risk running - that is what your RB and WR's are for.

Palmer did just fine sitting back and firing away - he's got the best arm in the NFL IMO next to Culpepper and he should take advantage of it.

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Last resort? Free lane? Perhaps I misunderstood the expressions of desire for a QB who scrambles more often. Are you guys talking about the ability to recognize the gimmee when it's there or truly embracing a willingness to freelance?

As the game continues to slow down for Palmer I think you can expect to see more complete play across the board, including increased awareness of all playmaking options, resulting in more examples where Palmer pulls the ball down and exploits undefended running lanes. But really, that's about it. This isn't a guy whose going to call his own number on very many running plays...ever.

All of which reminds me....

Hey Joisey, remember how we once laughed ourselves silly for a couple of weeks after Scott Mitchell beat a team by running a naked bootleg? :blink:

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Hey Joisey, remember how we once laughed ourselves silly for a couple of weeks after Scott Mitchell beat a team by running a naked bootleg? :blink:

:lol: But of course! How could I forget the Charge of the Water Buffalo? 2000, week 16, Cincy v. Jax, Cincy is 0-3 vs. Tenn. & Jax combined so this is my last chance for the Bengals to win me a case of Corona :P and who rumbles in (at roughly the speed of smell) but my man Scott?

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His first game against the Jets I remember he took off for a 10 yard scamper. He also did it again in the Baltimore game. Hopefully his injury doesn't hinder his scrambling ability in the future.

Hows CARSON coming along?? Anybody know??

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I wouldn't mind seeing Palmer gain a few more rushing attempts by way of the short yardage QB sneak or better yet....by taking a knee on the last play of most Bengal games. ;)

Uhm, you lose yardage when you take knees....

Pocket QB's are boring.

Run at least a FEW times man, I ain't asking him to impersonate Randall Cunningham.

Don't just be some slow ass white boy throwing all day. Let's see some speed, athletic ability.

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Run at least a FEW times man, I ain't asking him to impersonate Randall Cunningham.

Don't just be some slow ass white boy throwing all day. Let's see some speed, athletic ability.

Ask white "boys" Brady, Pennington, Hasslebeck, Brees, Rothlisberger, Manning, T. Green, Kitna, or Bulger et al.., if they need to scramble? :)

4 of those QB's are in the playoffs still and six of them made the playoffs this year, and don't get hurt much. And they are all non-scramblers.

With the new defensive rules on DB's, let Palmer, like the other's, sit back there and fire away. And get some better pass blocking lineman while they're at it. Qb's don't need to scramble in the NFL. Even if it's a huge weapon as it is with Vick, they just get hurt too much.

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I think that a good offence needs to have a QB that can stay in the pocket and find his reciever but can scramble if it comes down to it. Carson did preaty good for his first season starting but now that he has a feel for what the NFL is like he will probly start taking more oppurtunities when it comes to running.

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I agree NY, I really don't want Carson running unless the play breaks down. If I remember correctly, and If LABengal comes around he may know better, but I always thought that at USC Carson did an extremely good job on designed bootlegs and roll outs and could be very accurate and long throwing on the run. I don't want him doing it every other play like Plummer, but I think a few bootlegs would add another dimension to the O

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Running is something of a luxury, but I would like to see Carson moving out of the pocket to buy time more. He's mobile enough and good enough of a thrower to do it, and not only does it give the receivers more moves, it makes it safer to throw the ball away without penalty. Then, there's always the opportunity to run if a lane opens up.

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Carson's scrambling ability, should he run more?

Hmm....I'll have to check my "Magic 8 Ball" for the answer:

***shake-shake-shake-shake-shake***

And the Magic 8 Ball says:

With an unblocked 300 lb. defensive end rapidly bearing down on him from the blindside, all signs point to "YES! :lol:

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Run at least a FEW times man, I ain't asking him to impersonate Randall Cunningham.

Don't just be some slow ass white boy throwing all day. Let's see some speed, athletic ability.

Ask white "boys" Brady, Pennington, Hasslebeck, Brees, Rothlisberger, Manning, T. Green, Kitna, or Bulger et al.., if they need to scramble? :)

4 of those QB's are in the playoffs still and six of them made the playoffs this year, and don't get hurt much. And they are all non-scramblers.

With the new defensive rules on DB's, let Palmer, like the other's, sit back there and fire away. And get some better pass blocking lineman while they're at it. Qb's don't need to scramble in the NFL. Even if it's a huge weapon as it is with Vick, they just get hurt too much.

Kitna and Roethlisberger CAN run. And Roethlisberger shed's tackles like a f**king Running Back.

All those other QB's can sense the pocket collapsing, but they don't have the speed to do s**t but get sacked. When's the last time the pass rush D was coming and these dudes tried to step up, Especially Bulger, and he just get's slammed on the ground?

THAT's WHAT I'm saying.

Sorry if you got worked up over my usage of white "boys".

Ill be more politically correct next time.

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There were a few times last year where he coulda ran for positive yardage instead of forcing the ball and getting performing his patented INT for 7.

@ Baltimore, I was screamin at the tv for him to run,and fortunately, he musta heard me.

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