Now Moving Forward... Going "0 For" In Third Down Conversions

[Proudiddy]

How much of a concern is it?

All of us are just speculating, but what do you think it was? Missing Smitty? Shula's play calls? Poor blocking/execution?

I think it is a combination of each of those, but I'm worried that it was missing Smitty more than the others because he bailed us out multiple times this year on third down.

I think right behind that was the actual playcalls, because we have seen time and time again this year that our offense struggles, and then coincidentally we run our hurry-up offense and start hitting on all cylinders. I think some of Shula's calls bog down the offense with long developing routes, and being forced to "quicken" things up in a hurry-up scenario forces the offense to shorten routes and speed up reads.

All I know is, they better have the kinks worked out by Sunday and not look back, and guys like Ginn and Hixon need to step up big time in case Smitty is out for any extended period of time.

[mav1234]

Smitty has been huge on 3rd and 4th down and we missed him.

 

But a week of practice with the new starting receivers will make next week a little better.

 

I really hope that last drive was a sign of things to come with Ginn and Hixon.

[TheRed]

Weren't we one of the top offenses on 3rd down at one point? Poor execution, play calling didn't help.

[IGSaint]

Can we enjoy this win as fans and not start complaining until midweek? Yeesh...

[PhillyB]

shocking stat, IMO, and compounds how impressive that win really was. 

 

i think a big part of the problem is we never really got third-and-shorts, which never quite let us get the run game on track and get more shots at offensive snaps.

 

it was ugly but i'll take the win.

[NanuqoftheNorth]

I'm looking forward to seeing what Ginn, Hixon and maybe King can do with Cam next week.

If this team doesn't have a mental lapse these receivers should be able to get it done without Smitty's help.

Even if he is able to go next week, would rather SS get extra recovery time for the playoffs.

[BerryLoMein]

I like to think we are just saving the good stuff for the playoffs.

[rayzor]

so i guess its official, we're already over beating the saints and taking the lead in the division and possibly secuing at least the number two seed in the division and already on to worrying about what didnt work so well and might not work later?

enjoy the win folks. save worrying for later. eat drink and have lots of sex!

[ItsNotGonnaBeAlright]

I'd blame unproductive 1st and 2nd downs due in equal measure to questionable playcalling, poor execution, and a Saints defense that showed up to stop the things we do well. The fact that we found a way to win in spite of those three things puts me at ease here.

[Proudiddy]

so i guess its official, we're already over beating the saints and taking the lead in the division and possibly secuing at least the number two seed in the division and already on to worrying about what didnt work so well and might not work later?

enjoy the win folks. save worrying for later. eat drink and have lots of sex!

Make no doubt about it Razor, I AM THOROUGHLY ENJOYING THE WIN. I'm just saying, we need to at least think about it moving forward. I'm sure the coaching staff is already working their way through it - while enjoying the win.

Don't mistake this genuine discussion for an "Debbie downer" thread, lol.

[philit99]

First off how many Blitzes did NO send on us on 3 down. As a matter of fact I think they Blitzed about 75% of the game. This is the reason Cam and our offense looked so bad. Cam is going to have to speed that internal clock up on recognized blitz packages. We struggle handling the blitz, that is what Arizona showed the NFL on tape. Second, I was very disappointed in not seeing the bowling ball carry at least ten times. I think we beat ATL but it will be close. We need to work on hot routes, and red zone play calling.

[Proudiddy]

First off how many Blitzes did NO send on us on 3 down. As a matter of fact I think they Blitzed about 75% of the game. This is the reason Cam and our offense looked so bad. Cam is going to have to speed that internal clock up on recognized blitz packages. We struggle handling the blitz, that is what Arizona showed the NFL on tape. Second, I was very disappointed in not seeing the bowling ball carry at least ten times. I think we beat ATL but it will be close. We need to work on hot routes, and red zone play calling.

All things considered, blitzing that much should result in them getting burned quite a bit... which they weren't until that last drive and DeAngelo's TD run earlier. I think this goes back to the playcalls. If you have 7 people blitzing, you've got one-on-ones across the board and the possibility of a back being completely unaccounted for. So someone SHOULD be open and Cam should be able to hit them quickly when presented with such a blitz. I don't ever see a 'hot read' there for him though...

[BigBoss]

so i guess its official, we're already over beating the saints and taking the lead in the division and possibly secuing at least the number two seed in the division and already on to worrying about what didnt work so well and might not work later?

enjoy the win folks. save worrying for later. eat drink and have lots of sex!

 

Nothing wrong with talking about what we can do to improve as a team. It's pretty obvious by your comments you didn't see a second of the game today. Because our offense today doesn't get us anywhere in the playoffs.

[pstall]

i'm a bit concerned. it wouldn't hurt to be a little more dynamic.

 

the offense literally slept walked the entire 2nd half and when it was money ball time they woke up.

 

can't do that in the playoffs and expect to advance.