What was Tanner Mcevoy doing on this punt return?

[Legatron4]

So I've watched these highlights about 50 times and every time this play comes up I get so confused. Maybe someone can help me out.

View: https://youtu.be/KhJBmOm9HZQ

He had a clean lane to tackle Cooper. He could have stuck him pretty good. But it was like he forgot which side of ball he was on. I could be wrong but his job is to tackle the returner, no?

Any insight would be appreciated.

 

[Karate61]

So I've watched these highlights about 50 times and every time this play comes up I get so confused. Maybe someone can help me out.

View: https://youtu.be/KhJBmOm9HZQ

He had a clean lane to tackle Cooper. He could have stuck him pretty good. But it was like he forgot which side of ball he was on. I could be wrong but his job is to tackle the returner, no?

Any insight would be appreciated.

First of all, this was the Hags worst day in their football history...nothing went right for them.

It appears McEvoy broke to left to cover "his" lane of assignment. I think McEvoy was nervous about getting his clocked cleaned by #58 Littleton. He loses sight of Cooper as he looks at Littleton over his left shoulder. Littleton breaks off (with a little shove from McEvoy) to help block the other player #42. And, by the time McEvoy looks back for Cooper, he over-ran the play and Cooper runs by him.

The Rams were sticking the Hawks all over the place this day. Hags were scared shitless, and it shows with McEvoy on this play...

 

[den-the-coach]

Sorry @Legatron4 I thought Mcevoy played it perfectly, does anyone else concur?

 

[Debacled]

Was getting to his assignment to seal the edge there. If he goes after Cooper a cut to the outside is completely clean.

If anything it looks like (I think) #57 and #58 over pursue and skate by when Cooper cuts into his lane.

 

[VeteranRamFan]

Looks to me like he forgot he was to tackle and was looking to block!

 

[Legatron4]

Looks to me like he forgot he was to tackle and was looking to block!

This is my thought.

Was getting to his assignment to seal the edge there. If he goes after Cooper a cut to the outside is completely clean.

If anything it looks like (I think) #57 and #58 over pursue and skate by when Cooper cuts into his lane.

Cooper broke loose anyway. Maybe I don't understand how lane assignments work but if it was me I would have at least attempted to tackle him lol

 

[Tano]

I think Tanner has watched too much film of Craig Dahl

 

[Elmgrovegnome]

I think he got caught out of position at the line. He must have gotten tied up by some blockers and washed down the line. He came from the right side. It's not likely that he was lined up on that side. So he was desperate to get back into position. He was so focused on getting to his assigned lane that he didn't look for the runner until it was too late.

If this was a designed play by the Rams, then it was sweet. If they were purposely targeting McAvoy at the line to push him way out of position, then have Cooper run towards where he was supposed to be then kudos to Bones for scheming it, and the players for executing it.

 

[jrry32]

This is my thought.

Cooper broke loose anyway. Maybe I don't understand how lane assignments work but if it was me I would have at least attempted to tackle him lol

McEvoy did his job there. He's containing Cooper and forcing him back inside to help. If he tries to make a beeline for Cooper, Cooper can bounce outside where there's no help. The Seahawks had three or four guys in position to make the play once Cooper was forced back inside, but none of them did. By containing Cooper, McEvoy wasn't in a position to make the play himself, but he didn't screw it up here.

To use an analogy, it's similar to a DE or OLB setting the edge. If Longacre runs out on a toss play and forces David Johnson back inside by taking away the sideline, it's not his fault if Barron, Littleton, and Joyner all whiff on their tackles resulting in a long run for a TD. Longacre did his job, but his teammates failed to do theirs.

 

[Legatron4]

McEvoy did his job there. He's containing Cooper and forcing him back inside to help. If he tries to make a beeline for Cooper, Cooper can bounce outside where there's no help. The Seahawks had three or four guys in position to make the play once Cooper was forced back inside, but none of them did. By containing Cooper, McEvoy wasn't in a position to make the play himself, but he didn't screw it up here.

To use an analogy, it's similar to a DE or OLB setting the edge. If Longacre runs out on a toss play and forces David Johnson back inside by taking away the sideline, it's not his fault if Barron, Littleton, and Joyner all whiff on their tackles resulting in a long run for a TD. Longacre did his job, but his teammates failed to do theirs.

So basically it's his job to take on blockers so the gunners can make a play on the ball carrier?

 

[Legatron4]

I think he got caught out of position at the line. He must have gotten tied up by some blockers and washed down the line. He came from the right side. It's not likely that he was lined up on that side. So he was desperate to get back into position. He was so focused on getting to his assigned lane that he didn't look for the runner until it was too late.

If this was a designed play by the Rams, then it was sweet. If they were purposely targeting McAvoy at the line to push him way out of position, then have Cooper run towards where he was supposed to be then kudos to Bones for scheming it, and the players for executing it.

I hope we keep Bones forever. I'm not sure how good of a head coach he would be. But guys certainly enjoy playing for him.

 

[jrry32]

So basically it's his job to take on blockers so the gunners can make a play on the ball carrier?

Nah, it's his job to turn the runner back inside.

 

[snackdaddy]

I'd like to comment but I'm still trying to figure out which one McEvoy is. :huh:

 

[Legatron4]

I'd like to comment but I'm still trying to figure out which one McEvoy is. :huh:

He's 19. The one that looked to be blocking instead of trying to tackle lol