Interesting Francisco tidbit

[CaptTurbo]

There has been a lot of speculation over what veterans were in trouble in terms of being released after the draft (at least, before Tuesday’s bombshell). One guy taking some heat is safety Aaron Francisco. You can argue the merits of Francisco, but know this: Francisco looked like he was in the wrong spot of a couple of plays late in the Super Bowl but I was told it was other defensive breakdowns and not Francisco’s errors. Something to keep in mind.

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I think DRC was the breakdown on the Holmes TD at the end and our LB on the holmes catch and run in th efinal drive. I am basing this on my memory of the game watching ti last night and its last drive about 20 times.

 

[Shane]

There has been a lot of speculation over what veterans were in trouble in terms of being released after the draft (at least, before Tuesday’s bombshell). One guy taking some heat is safety Aaron Francisco. You can argue the merits of Francisco, but know this: Francisco looked like he was in the wrong spot of a couple of plays late in the Super Bowl but I was told it was other defensive breakdowns and not Francisco’s errors. Something to keep in mind.

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I think DRC was the breakdown on the Holmes TD at the end and our LB on the holmes catch and run in th efinal drive. I am basing this on my memory of the game watching ti last night and its last drive about 20 times.

Francisco was exactly in the right spot on the huge pass play that got the Steelers down to the 5 yard line or so. He could have easily made the tackle HAD HE NOT SLIPPED!

 

[Mulli]

Francisco was exactly in the right spot on the huge pass play that got the Steelers down to the 5 yard line or so. He could have easily made the tackle HAD HE NOT SLIPPED!

In my opinion, Francisco was late getting over to Holmes on the last play.

He also fumbled on the pick return vs. the Iggles.

 

[Saxon079]

He has three interceptions in four seasons and one of those he fumbled right back I'm going to be very disappointed if we have to count on him on defense this year. Special-teams he get's the job done but in my opinion, he plays week on D and I think we can do a lot better.

 

[Mulli]

I might be alone in this, but I don't think Francisco is even that good on special teams.

 

[PoolBoy]

Francisco thinks tackling is falling down in front of a guy when he is on defense. and im with mulli, i dont even notice him on special teams. Last year guys I remember on special teams were Calais, Hightower, HIGHSMITH, and Morey. I noticed Rackers making more tackling plays than Francisco.

 

[Mulli]

Francisco thinks tackling is falling down in front of a guy when he is on defense. and im with mulli, i dont even notice him on special teams. Last year guys I remember on special teams were Calais, Hightower, HIGHSMITH, and Morey. I noticed Rackers making more tackling plays than Francisco.

I also cannot remember Hester running right past Francisco with the greatest of ease.

 

[JeffGollin]

D Urban makes note of this issue --

"...One guy taking some heat is safety Aaron Francisco. You can argue the merits of Francisco, but know this: Francisco looked like he was in the wrong spot of a couple of plays late in the Super Bowl but I was told it was other defensive breakdowns and not Francisco’s errors...."

Well...maybe not then, but there were times during the regular season where he seemed to be a half-step late.

 

[PoolBoy]

thats what OP said Gollin, he just didn't quote Urban.

 

[Bobcat]

I might be alone in this, but I don't think Francisco is even that good on special teams.

I strongly disagree with you he is a great Special Teams Player...!!! You hear his Name called on most kick-off returns and Punt returns in on the Tackles.

BOBCAT

 

[Zeno]

Even in the preseason Francisco has looked bad when he has to play defense--thats from the first camp he was here. If he plays ST only I question how many special teams only players we can afford to carry without sacrificing depth at another position---we already have 4--Rackers, Graham, LS(forget his name) and Morey...if Garvin or Howling makes the team that will be 5.

 

[Duckjake]

In my opinion, Francisco was late getting over to Holmes on the last play.

Inquiring minds want to know how Holmes gets open in the corner of the endzone with 3 Cardinal defenders on him, not once, but twice. On successive plays no less.

 

[lauraw]

I think he has the wrong last name for the Cardinals....Actually Francisco was my great grandparents name coming from the Basque old country near Spain.

 

[Shane]

Inquiring minds want to know how Holmes gets open in the corner of the endzone with 3 Cardinal defenders on him, not once, but twice. On successive plays no less.

He wasnt open. He was blanketed not by one but three defenders. That throw was just damn perfect and was in the only spot it could be. Gotta give credit where its due.

 

[Duckjake]

He wasnt open. He was blanketed not by one but three defenders. That throw was just damn perfect and was in the only spot it could be. Gotta give credit where its due.

There was too much space between Holmes and the Cards defenders for him to be blanketed. Why wasn't a Cardinal DB in that Corner? Cover Holmes front and back like basketball teams do 7 footers. I guess maybe the Cards didn't think the Steelers would run the same route again to the other side.

But since Pittsburgh did the Steelers must have seen something in the Cards coverage that they thought they could exploit.

 

[sportznutt]

He may have picked off Roth had he not slipped there......also, did he almost have a pick before the 2 minute warning?

 

[MoeIsBetter]

He may have picked off Roth had he not slipped there......also, did he almost have a pick before the 2 minute warning?

Yeah we almost won the superbowl too but almost isn't good enough.

 

[sportznutt]

I'm still sad.

 

[LVCARDFREAK]

But since Pittsburgh did the Steelers must have seen something in the Cards coverage that they thought they could exploit.

Am I imaginging things, or do I remember Rothleisberger talking about how we used the 'pump fake' all night because the Cards DB's were very aggressive and he thought he could get them out of position. Thats what it looked like on the long throw to me. Fransisco looked like he bit on a pump fake and slipped.

 

[Crazy Canuck]

Inquiring minds want to know how Holmes gets open in the corner of the endzone with 3 Cardinal defenders on him, not once, but twice. On successive plays no less.

... and "inquiring minds" want to know what coaches know that posters don't about the relative merits of Mr. Francisco...

PS: DRC got confused, seized up and Holmes made it to the 5...

 

[bg7brd]

We definitely need improvement in the backfield but it's hard on the DBs when the QB has enough time to check down to his 3rd option.

 

[Mainstreet]

Inquiring minds want to know how Holmes gets open in the corner of the endzone with 3 Cardinal defenders on him, not once, but twice. On successive plays no less.

I'm still wondering if one foot on top of another foot on Holmes catch should count as two feet in-bounds. Was there ever any clarification besides the referees ruling it was a legal catch?

 

[Pariah]

it was inbounds. as close as you can get, but without question inbounds.

 

[Mainstreet]

it was inbounds. as close as you can get, but without question inbounds.

I guess I am looking at it as a technicality for future reference. Does one foot resting atop the other foot (in-bounds) count as a legal catch or do two feet actually have to touch the ground in-bounds if not forced out? I guess I'm wondering if the referees saw the still photo would they have ruled the same. I'm not trying to replay the game. I'm uncertain of how the rule book reads.

Just one of those things I have trouble putting to rest. Until I saw the still photo, I thought it was a legal catch. Maybe the rules don't cover it.


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[lauraw]

He had both toes down first before his right foot rode up on top of his other foot; sad to say, I have a copy of the SuperBowl and have watched the play in disbelief 30+ times. Big Ben and Holmes just beat us, simple as that.