The Protection Dilemma

[Mr. Scot]

While I'm thinking of it, another issue arising from week one.

The offense definitely had protection issues last week, especially in the second half. And with the starting right tackle down, that's likely to continue. So one of the big questions that needs to be answered this week will be how to prevent that particular disaster from happening again.

One solution is to go "max protect", which means keeping backs and tight ends in for extra blocking. The positive? More blockers to keep the QB upright and give him time to make a good decision. The downside? It means fewer receiving options.

Now, if the defense blitzes, you have extra people to pick it up and not as many defenders back in protection, so that's good. But if they only rush four, you wind up with two - maybe three - receivers trying to find an opening between seven defenders. Combine that with a receiving corps that isn't exactly keeping DCs awake at night, and it's a recipe for a coverage sack or a bad QB decision.

For this to work properly, you need the "extra blockers" to be smart and know when to release and run a short route rather than stay in when they aren't needed. You might only wind up with a modest gain in that scenario (unless someone breaks something) but still, that's better than a sack, an incomplete or a pick.

The flipside? Send a good number of receiving options out there so that even if the prime guys are covered, the QB has an option. And of course, designate a "hot read' for when there's a jailbreak.

Also good in theory, but you still need at least half-decent protection from the line for this to work, and at the moment it's a big question as to whether we have that. You also need for the QB to be able to make quick decisions, something Moore did well in prior starts, but not so well last week. Throw in that your execution needs to be crisp for this to be effective, and "crisp' wasn't exactly a word I would have used for the offensive execution last week. And again, the quality of the receivers is a factor.

Bottom Line: Winning the war in the trenches is vital, as is having a QB who can get the ball out without too much hesitation (something Scherer emphasizes).

But knowing that we didn't see either of those things happen in week one, looking at the pros and cons of "more blockers" vs "more receivers" and bearing in mind that the opponent this week is different, which approach is the wise one for week two?

[TXpanther6554]

I say more blockers in the beginning of the game and if moore responds well without any critical mistakes add more receivers. I think if he gets rattled early itll be a long afternoon.

[Snake]

If we have better game play calling then I dont think it will be an issure this week. If not and we let the bucs know what we are doing on every down then it could get just as ugly. With the way we played last week im not sure if we could have been the Raiders or Browns.

[MrBubba]

Run the ball so well, you don't have to throw.

[Seamonk]

The issue is mainly that our entire right side is new right now and that our left side is coming back from Injury. The main thing is to run the ball and make an effort. There were no holes opening up last week, most of the big plays and yardage was from bouncing the ball outside. We if start the game on an aggressive run the ball approach it could probably get the D-line a little gassed even if we're behind at first. Plus the less time our defense sees the field the better, our Line is small and gonna have a hard time getting Freeman to the ground, our defense is gonna have to jump routes and make plays when they're on the field, and for that they need to be well rested. We passed WAY too much last week especially in situations where we'd normally run the ball and EASILY get the first. AKA the redzone. Last week, we weren't wearing down the giants line at all. Sure they have fresh guys coming in, but there was no effort at all, no push, no drive. Instead of pushing for that extra yard, we got dropped behind the line for minus 2. Point to the Vikings game last season, Moore didn't throw much the first half and we churned the run game through the end and won. Same with the giants(last season), we didn't get 50 yard runs in the first half, we got them in the second half when the defense was gassed and out of it. You gotta do the little stuff to get the big stuff.

[DickolausJ]

Honestly I think pound for pound the Giants have the best D-line in the current game. And we still had a chance to win that game if Moore had not turned into a bumbling rookie in the red zone trying to force balloons into mouse holes.

Sure the O-line has been shakey in the preseason and its 1st game but do you really think Schwartz will have to block Justin Tuck all year. I mean seriously what other team is going to have Osi Umenyiora as a situational pass rusher. Canty and Cofields are beasts in the middle and Kiwanuka is such a physical speciman when healthy he has played back and forth between LB and DE his entire career without missing a beat.

Yes I'm concerned we have not done our job opening holes in the running game but I think once we get Otah back (if ever) and the guys have time to gel things will start opening up.

Instead of more guys blocking we need to start diversing the playcalling. How about passing more on 1st down and 2nd down. How about calling more screens or spreading out our receivers with one RB in the backfield and then running. We just need to be less predictable.

Still I don't think the O-line will be as tested as much as it was in week 1 all the rest of the year until we play the Bengals, Ravens, and Steelers. Godamn that NFC North...

[Mr. Scot]

The Vikes D-Line of last year was just as good or better, and we handled them without Jordan Gross.

In that game, they rolled Moore out a lot, something else that I expected more of last week, but didn't really see as much.

[homeblown]

Instead of more guys blocking we need to start diversing the playcalling. How about passing more on 1st down and 2nd down. How about calling more screens or spreading out our receivers with one RB in the backfield and then running. We just need to be less predictable.

Agreed, at some points last week the passing game was looking better than the running game, and they wanted to run on 2 downs then pass on 3rd. I would like to see more passing on 1st down, playaction on 2nd. Throw things off a bit. They know we're coming out to run the ball, lets change it up a bit.

And it doesn't help when the defense is on the field more than the offense either.

[beastson]

Almost every time we went to max protect, it worked

[2jakefansinva]

Honestly I think pound for pound the Giants have the best D-line in the current game. And we still had a chance to win that game if Moore had not turned into a bumbling rookie in the red zone trying to force balloons into mouse holes.

Sure the O-line has been shakey in the preseason and its 1st game but do you really think Schwartz will have to block Justin Tuck all year. I mean seriously what other team is going to have Osi Umenyiora as a situational pass rusher. Canty and Cofields are beasts in the middle and Kiwanuka is such a physical speciman when healthy he has played back and forth between LB and DE his entire career without missing a beat.

Yes I'm concerned we have not done our job opening holes in the running game but I think once we get Otah back (if ever) and the guys have time to gel things will start opening up.

Instead of more guys blocking we need to start diversing the playcalling. How about passing more on 1st down and 2nd down. How about calling more screens or spreading out our receivers with one RB in the backfield and then running. We just need to be less predictable.

Still I don't think the O-line will be as tested as much as it was in week 1 all the rest of the year until we play the Bengals, Ravens, and Steelers. Godamn that NFC North...

Totally agree.....although Panther fans have been calling for this for years. I really don't believe we have a screen pass in the playbook.

[DickolausJ]

Totally agree.....although Panther fans have been calling for this for years. I really don't believe we have a screen pass in the playbook.

We do. And I know for sure we called a screen atleast once in that game. Maybe even twice. Crazy huh?

[EMSMedic79]

Matt Moore can thank the O-line's superior protection for his concussion last week. They were non exsistant the 2nd half.

[Pimpdaddy]

Moore has to help himself too, in addition to Davidson enabling him. Mix up the freaking plays and audiblize!!! Move the pocket too but that means we will need some new plays....

[YourMomsLover]

Yea sure...we do have an awesome backfield...but that means squat if our o line blows chunks