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This Is Not A Defense Of Eric Brewer's Play

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For all the bitching from Blues fans about the howlingly bad play from Brewer the last three weeks or so (here is a good example), you might have figured that his was the worst blueline performance.

You'd be wrong. By every measure Barret Jackman's play has been terrible.


Jackman:
GP G A Pts +/- PIM PP SHG GWG S SPct.
30-0-3-3-(-13)- -29 -0-- 0-- 0--- 32 -0.00

Brewer:
GP G A Pts +/- PIM PP SHG GWG S SPct.
25 -1- 6- 7 -(-5)- 27-- 0--0 ---0-- 36- 2.78

Yet, for some reason, Jackman mostly gets a pass from Blues fans. I don't get it. Brewer's upside is so much greater than our other defensemen (with the exception of Johnson), that it makes no sense to attempt to run him out of town. Brewer was terrific the last 30+ games of last season, and he didn't start badly this one either. True, he has been an outright liability out there for awhile, and I certainly hope he gets some confidence back and quickly.

But, to my mind, it is Jackman that has been the biggest disappointment. He isn't taking the penalties he used to, but he is downright passive out there. A passive Barret Jackman is a completely ineffective Barret Jackman. There is no way he looks like a top four defenseman.

It's time he heard about it from Blues fans as well.
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Comments

Anonymous said…
Barret has been underperforming greatly this year, but gets a pass for his blue-collar toughguy image, something there isn't a whole lot of on the Blues right now. To be honest, I've never been impressed with his overall ability and you have to wonder how much he benefitted from his defensive partners, early in his career.

Brewer is playing poorly, but we all know he gets ragged on extra for the Pronger trade.

(Note: Bruins just scored as I typed this and Jackman was on the ice for the PK. (with McKee)
December 22, 2007 at 2:05 PM
Rich Horton said…
Yeah, I understand where some of the extra bile comes from...but we are a hell of a lot better with Brewer playing well.

And dont get me wrong...I like Jackman's blue-collar work ethic. That was always his selling point. He was never gonna wow you with pure talent, but he was supposed to be the guy you'd want in the foxhole. But shit..he sure is on the ice for a lot of goals.

I notice the Bruins radio broadcast team seemed impressed with Brewer today.

His coming around would be big for the new year.
December 22, 2007 at 5:41 PM
Anonymous said…
Watched the game today.. great win. Brewer had a couple small hiccups, but generally, he was solid.
December 22, 2007 at 7:32 PM
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