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Chris Gamble didn't duck the obvious Monday, admitting his play in Saturday night's exhibition against Baltimore was unsatisfactory.
“It was bad technique,” he said. “I can play way better than that.”
Gamble didn't look like the shutdown corner he is being paid to be.
He gave up a 42-yard pass to Baltimore receiver Kelley Washington, a journeyman who has six starts in six NFL seasons. Gamble also surrendered pass plays of 26 and 10 yards to Derrick Mason, a 35-year-old veteran who decided to come out of retirement in early August.
Gamble's struggles played a big role in the Panthers giving up 247 yards passing in 21/2 quarters to Ravens second-year quarterback Joe Flacco.
“I came out and played a bad game, missed a couple of tackles and gave up a deep ball,” said Gamble. “I watched the (film) and corrected the mistakes and I'm ready for the next game.”
Gamble also was penalized 5 yards for an illegal-hands-to-the-face infraction.
Gamble's coverage skills are widely regarded around the NFL. His 20 career interceptions rank second on the Panthers' all-time list.
At age 26 and in his sixth pro season, he's in the prime of his career.
The Panthers were able to keep Gamble, a 2004 first-round pick, off the 2009 free agency market by giving him a six-year, $53million contract in November.
The deal raised expectations. He's counting $7million against this year's salary cap, including a $4million base salary.
Gamble said the mistakes he made against the Ravens were “simple stuff” and that he's still adjusting to the system of new Panthers defensive coordinator Ron Meeks.
“There's a lot more technique, a lot of reads and a lot of zone,” Gamble said. “You've got to watch the quarterback and break on the ball.
“Last year was mostly man-to-man. Now we've got more zone read(s).”
Meeks has a background with the Cover 2 zone popularized in Tampa Bay and Indianapolis by former Buccaneers and Colts coach Tony Dungy.
Gamble said there are definite advantages to the new way – if the techniques are properly executed.
“In the Cover 2, we weren't getting a good jam to force them inside,” he said of the game against the Ravens. “You want to re-route (a receiver's) feet, bump (him), stuff like that.”
