The Throwback Screen

[Mr. Scot]

Decided to go back and take a look at this play just for fun...

To start off with, the formation is a slight modification of a three receiver set. Modified in the sense that the player lined up outside where you might typically expect the X receiver to be is actually a runningback, specifically Christian McCaffrey. 

Devin Funchess is to McCaffrey's right, lined up in the slot. Torrey Smith is split wide to the other side. Cam Newton is in shotgun with CJ Anderson next to him, typical of a zone read backfield. Lined up in front of Anderson in the fullback role is Ian Thomas, and the linemen are bunched in fairly typical splits (maybe just a tad tight).

Now, if you wondered why McCaffrey was out wide (as Rich Gannon did,
taking a moment to point him out with the telestrator) that's kind of the  point.

You might commonly expect that if McCaffrey is going to line up as a receiver, it'll be in the slot. Putting him out wide is designed to draw the attention of the defense and make them ask themselves "Hey, why's he over there?", and all indications are that it worked.

So with attention successfully focused on him, McCaffrey goes in deep motion on a path that will put him crossing behind Newton. Having watched their film, the defense likely knows that we could hand it off to McCaffrey here and run a sweep. We've compounded that thinking in their minds already by running that same play with DJ Moore earlier in the game.

As the Joker would say, "it's all part of the plan".

This time though, the ball isn't snapped until McCaffrey has already gotten a step or two past Newton and is headed toward the right flat.  Newton turns that direction as soon as he has the ball and the defense - as you might expect -  starts flowing that way, likely still believing that McCaffrey is the primary target. 

Up front, the line has turned in the direction of McCaffrey as well. You can see them doing the half-hearted "oops, you got by me" blocks that are typical of a screen. What's not as noticable is that they're also subtly flowing backward in the opposite direction.

Meanwhile, Funchess, Smith and Thomas all run medium pass routes flowing toward the same side of the field as McCaffrey. By this point, almost everything is moving toward the right sideline. Everything that is except CJ Anderson. Anderson appears to have run to a spot where he could throw a backside block if needed. Everybody's chasing McCaffrey, so there's nobody there to block.

Just as well...

Anderson then turns to make himself open for the screen pass. Newton, who had been facing the opposite way (and thus had his back to Anderson) is about halfway turned around when Anderson makes his move.

It's not easy to turn around, check where your target is and throw a pass to them. Feel free to try it sometime if you doubt me. Newton, however executes the maneuver exactly as he should. The ball goes to Anderson at around gut level in a spot where he can easily catch it, turn and run.

By this time, all those offensive lineman who were sneaking out to the backside of the play are in great position to pave the road for Anderson, and they do. Chris Clark and Ryan Kalil both did an especially good job blocking at the second level and beyond. Anderson smartly follows his blocking and has an easy path to the end zone.

Touchdown!

One of the things I remember being jealous of while observing some of the Saints plays was how well Sean Payton does at placing blockers in position to help his chosen ball carrier or receiver. This play accomplished that too, and it was fun to watch. Actually found myself thinking a little of Rob Chudzinski.

But it's Norv Turner, not Chudzinski, who has the keys to the car now. Still a lot of football to be played, but at least so far he's given us reason to hope, and plays like this are part of that...

... especially when they work as well as this one did.
 

[PantherPhann89]

A nice write up, a better play design, an even better play execution...

[London Loves Luke]

The best part of this three week stretch on offence is that no one, especially the Giants after the bye, have a clue how we’re gonna use McCaffrey/Cam/CJ.

We’ve always game planned the season under Ron to an extent, it’s why we tend to start slow on offence. But this extra versatility must be driving DCs crazy.

[Boxhead85]

I re-watched this play many times already this morning. It is a beautiful work of art. All the parts were working like a well-oiled machine. We'll only see more of these types of plays a few times a game going forward.

[CarolinaNut]

 

 

[tondi]

The best play of the game if for no other reason than the trickeration factor. 

[KB_fan]

6 hours ago, London Loves Luke said:

The best part of this three week stretch on offence is that no one, especially the Giants after the bye, have a clue how we’re gonna use McCaffrey/Cam/CJ.

We’ve always game planned the season under Ron to an extent, it’s why we tend to start slow on offence. But this extra versatility must be driving DCs crazy.

THIS THIS THIS!!!!  Our offense is just totally the opposite of the pretty predictable and stale team we'd become in 2016 & 2017.  It was already evident yesterday just how much Norv's ability and willingness to adapt made a difference.  Cincy was expecting CMC to catch passes.  That's how they structured their D.  Surprise!  Leaving all kinds of room for us to run all over the field!

I'm so eagerly anticipating the Norv vs. Shurmur/Shula showdown and to see how Ron & Eric Washington do in attacking the Giants' Offense.  

[RumHam]

Torrey Smith needs to just split himself off this team. Holding back DJ Moore. Jesus where does Samuel even fit in if he did come back?

[Mr. Scot]

Being attacked by a guy with a sword would be rough. It'd be even rougher if that guy were a samurai who really knew how to use it.

Our offense has weapons, but weapons alone aren't that effective unless they're in the hands of somebody who knows what to do with them.

Turner knows how to use his weapons.

[Ricky Spanish]

I am content with the way the offense is being run the first 3 weeks of the season. Execution as a whole has been good aside from a few drops here and there, playcalling has been great, and adjustments are being made mid-game. 

Yay Norv.

[Mr. Scot]

5 minutes ago, Cracka McNasty said:

I am content with the way the offense is being run the first 3 weeks of the season. Execution as a whole has been good aside from a few drops here and there, playcalling has been great, and adjustments are being made mid-game. 

Yay Norv.

Take time to review film of previous season's offenses and you'll go from content to ecstatic 

[thefuzz]

Thing of beauty...didn't look like anything the Panthers have run in a few years....and Cam hit the spot.  That wasn't an easy throw, and one that Cam has sometimes sailed in the past.

CMC is what makes this offense hard to figure out...that and Cam being able to do things no one else has ever been able.

[Bartin]

Y’all know Shula ran this exact same play last year right against the Patriots for a TD to Fozzy, right? Acting like this is some original Norv genius play SMH.

 

[Mr. Scot]

12 minutes ago, Bartin said:

Y’all know Shula ran this exact same play last year right against the Patriots for a TD to Fozzy, right? Acting like this is some original Norv genius play SMH.

 

The play itself isn't the point.

This play was just one example of Turner using the defense's focus on McCaffrey against them. There's plenty of others. This one just happened to be the most fun.

Let's say you focus on McCaffrey. that means you're not paying as much attention to Cam Newton. Spy on Newton? Cool. You still have to account for McCaffrey.

It's been said many a time that Mike Shula did not know how to use a back like Christian McCaffrey. That's generally considered a big reason why he doesn't work here anymore.

Turner does know, and it shows.