Tweet
I am at a a loss for comment (a positive one, mind you) if we're talking about play calling. But if the discussion is pertaining to personnel... then this is my take.
Ben- If he wants to have pass plays to succeed let him keep throwing to players within 30 yards of the LOS. As we saw last night, the plays that worked well weren't the bombs. His receiving corps and TEs are excellent with gains after the catch because the downfield blocking is there. Also, spreading the wealth (6 different receivers not one of them with over 5 receptions)... with to several different players kept the defense on their heels and yielded him drives that not only chewed up clock, ate up yardage but gave the league's number one rated defense rest to wear they stayed fresh, and thus predatorial when it was time for them to take the field.
Moore- As I said in a thread last week. I think that FWP will be more valuable to the team when he isn't in there for every down. Sure last week he gained 100+, but were we able to score points? IMO, the offensive game plan is better executed when the distribution of plays isn't at the focal point of the RB position. Last night we distributed the ball to various RBs on the ground and Moore had 97 collective rush/rec. yards in a limited capacity. He's our version of Marshall Faulk and is very dangerous coming out of the backfield in passing plays. Whether he's the primary target or the dump off relief valve for Ben, the guy commands coverage which will help spread the field. I think his involvement in what we do on the offensive side of the ball is the missing piece in our ability to find this O's "identity."
Russell- Throwback smash mouth fans, look no further than this guy. He's tough and extremely physical. Was there any doubt from all you Big Ten fans that this guy could be a solid contributor to getting points on the board? Minnesota's Golden Gopher's offensive system has yielded Marion Barber, Lawrence Maroney and now Gary Russell.... all at one point having 1K rushing seasons at their alma mater. This guy got lost in the shuffle and it only took reps to find where his talent lies within our system. The number one thing I like about his style of running are his feet. Watch his feet... those treads remind me of the BUS! Big guy but extremely fast chugging dogs that help with his momentum when battering through the line. That one kickoff return he had for 45 yards show cased his "Big Guy Speed" and showed me that this guy can break one if given the blocking.
Heath- The only reason this guy has not gotten the accolades he's deserved for his talent is because for some unknown reason, he's not been integrated into the passing plays. Trouble with the LINE? Fix it by keeping him as the third Tackle to help block. LUNACY!!! This guy's ability to run routes, catch with the softest hands, absorb bone jarring hits from LBs and safeties while still retaining the ball, and yield some serious yardage after the catch.... yes folks, this is not a homer statement: The guy is in the top tier of passing catching TEs like Witten, Gates, Gonzalez, Clarke... I think Heath will be the X-factor that we need against tenacious defenses and will help us keep drives alive when before we weren't able to.
Santonio- 84 yards in 5 catches. Clearly our number 1 receiver, with no disrespect to Hines. Nate and Hines had two catches between them last night and several balls dropped. Off night for both? Possibly. But I say let Hines and Nate decoy the rest of the way and give the major plays to our number one consistent guy who has the speed and route running capabilities. Sweed had some great catches in limited action, but just like Russell, give #14 some reps and involvement and he'll contribute.
Just my observations... and hope that we continue to flourish on offense. We all know that the talent is there, but just like CHESS... wins are often generated when the game plan is executed using several pieces on the board. Notable stat last night... 0 sacks, props to the line, but more importantly props to the type of plays we were using to help our QB stay on his feet and "manage the game."
Ben- If he wants to have pass plays to succeed let him keep throwing to players within 30 yards of the LOS. As we saw last night, the plays that worked well weren't the bombs. His receiving corps and TEs are excellent with gains after the catch because the downfield blocking is there. Also, spreading the wealth (6 different receivers not one of them with over 5 receptions)... with to several different players kept the defense on their heels and yielded him drives that not only chewed up clock, ate up yardage but gave the league's number one rated defense rest to wear they stayed fresh, and thus predatorial when it was time for them to take the field.
Moore- As I said in a thread last week. I think that FWP will be more valuable to the team when he isn't in there for every down. Sure last week he gained 100+, but were we able to score points? IMO, the offensive game plan is better executed when the distribution of plays isn't at the focal point of the RB position. Last night we distributed the ball to various RBs on the ground and Moore had 97 collective rush/rec. yards in a limited capacity. He's our version of Marshall Faulk and is very dangerous coming out of the backfield in passing plays. Whether he's the primary target or the dump off relief valve for Ben, the guy commands coverage which will help spread the field. I think his involvement in what we do on the offensive side of the ball is the missing piece in our ability to find this O's "identity."
Russell- Throwback smash mouth fans, look no further than this guy. He's tough and extremely physical. Was there any doubt from all you Big Ten fans that this guy could be a solid contributor to getting points on the board? Minnesota's Golden Gopher's offensive system has yielded Marion Barber, Lawrence Maroney and now Gary Russell.... all at one point having 1K rushing seasons at their alma mater. This guy got lost in the shuffle and it only took reps to find where his talent lies within our system. The number one thing I like about his style of running are his feet. Watch his feet... those treads remind me of the BUS! Big guy but extremely fast chugging dogs that help with his momentum when battering through the line. That one kickoff return he had for 45 yards show cased his "Big Guy Speed" and showed me that this guy can break one if given the blocking.
Heath- The only reason this guy has not gotten the accolades he's deserved for his talent is because for some unknown reason, he's not been integrated into the passing plays. Trouble with the LINE? Fix it by keeping him as the third Tackle to help block. LUNACY!!! This guy's ability to run routes, catch with the softest hands, absorb bone jarring hits from LBs and safeties while still retaining the ball, and yield some serious yardage after the catch.... yes folks, this is not a homer statement: The guy is in the top tier of passing catching TEs like Witten, Gates, Gonzalez, Clarke... I think Heath will be the X-factor that we need against tenacious defenses and will help us keep drives alive when before we weren't able to.
Santonio- 84 yards in 5 catches. Clearly our number 1 receiver, with no disrespect to Hines. Nate and Hines had two catches between them last night and several balls dropped. Off night for both? Possibly. But I say let Hines and Nate decoy the rest of the way and give the major plays to our number one consistent guy who has the speed and route running capabilities. Sweed had some great catches in limited action, but just like Russell, give #14 some reps and involvement and he'll contribute.
Just my observations... and hope that we continue to flourish on offense. We all know that the talent is there, but just like CHESS... wins are often generated when the game plan is executed using several pieces on the board. Notable stat last night... 0 sacks, props to the line, but more importantly props to the type of plays we were using to help our QB stay on his feet and "manage the game."
Comment