Officially Concerned about the Offense

[fieryprophet]

Nine in the box. It's what we've seen for weeks. We don't have the tools to deal with it, namely a consistent downfield threat. I've said it over and over, play-calling can't fix a roster deficiency.

 

Here's what I think we might see in the playoffs, though:

 

1) Brandon Williams comes out of hiding in more 2 TE sets, and becomes a vertical option across from Olsen.

 

2) A few more deep shots to Ginn, just trying to back the safeties off.

 

3) Some more spread formations, to stretch the defense and give Cam more running lanes if no one gets open.

 

And despite all of these "troubles" we're still winning and have a chance against anyone because of our defense. There's still cards up the sleeve, but teams have been stuffing the box since San Francisco, I don't know why this surprises anyone.

[*FreeFua*]

The offense scoring 14 points against the 27th ranked defense in the league who was also missing key defensive starters is an awfully bad omen.

Deangelo running for 3.3 yards per carry against the leagues 31st ranked rushing defense is pretty bad.

For a ground based methodical offense to lose the time of possession battle by nearly 10 minutes is scary.

If not for Cam's legs and ability to make clutch plays this offense would be absolutely horrendous.

Top issues with the offense in no particular order:

- Lafell's inconsistency

- Byron Bell (self explanatory)

- Lack of sharp, quick passing plays and hot routes.

I can't remember if it was the first play or second when Bell's guy blew by him, ran over DWill then hit Cam. But if Cam had another second Ginn had a step or two on his man down field.

DWill's inability to run through a arm tackle cost this offense many times, as far as I'm concerned Tolbert should be the full time back. Can't ever question Tolberts desire to fight for those extra yards.

The play calling is awful. The last drive they handed the ball off to Deangelo twice and ran Newton on a 3rd and 10. Before that there was a 3rd play that where Shula called for a short swing pass, play never had a chance.

The designed Cam runs are good for a 3rd and 4, 3rd and 5. Shula called one on 3rd and 8 I think. In order for Cam to get the first he's most likely going to be taking a shot.

I was wrong about LaFell and ill admit that. This was his time to step up with Smitty out an he didn't do a thing. Burkhead and Lynch gave credit to Hixon for his blocking yesterday, well if Hixon can block there's almost no reason to pay LaFell.

I seriously don't mean to come off as a negative person but these issues are alarming in the bigger picture. I'm happy as hell to be 12-4, but now I want more! With a QB like Cam there shouldn't be so many issues on offense. He can only bail out Shula so much.

[caatfan]

What's needed is the offense that went 60 yds. in 30 sec. to win the Saints game, and not the one that couldn't get a 1st down to end the Falcons game.

[Silent Majority]

What the fug is our offensive philosophy? Not what YOU think it is, but what is it, based on what is being done on the field. We don't do anything particularly well. Shula doesn't call plays to get the O into a groove. Its almost like he throws darts at the play sheet. The onlly consistent thing we do is run that dumb ass dive play, right into the guards butt cheeks.

[Cj72]

I'm worried about the lack of rushing but other than that I'm good. It wasn't too long ago that without Steve Smith they would be lucky to score any at all.

[BigBoss]

It's quite a few thing on offense and honestly a lil bit of everything.

 

Cam threw some high ones....

 

Our Receivers also dropped some good ones....

 

but our offensive line gives up too many sacks and really struggles to beat anybody at the line of scrimmage. 

 

Our running backs could show better vision and strength.... welll one of them.

[doogy]

I honestly believe its the execution, especially in the run game. I do not blame Shula for the run plays he called yesterday, especially against that defense. At some point our O-Line needs to wake up and create some holes. As for Cam, he needs to come out a lot better come Jan.12th and IMO Shula needs to run some read options right out of the gate to get him involved and into the game, I find he plays much better when he's involved in the run game. At this point though, I don't think our O-Line is going to improve much in the run game and I think Shula will really need to use more spread sets in both the passing and running game to give our guys 1 on 1 match ups. 

 

 

[TANTRIC-NINJA]

I feel like the run calls are awful. They run this hb belly weak where the handoff goes strong side but is intended to cut back to the weak...It seems to get blown up pretty easy. To me its the scheme as the most basic teams have quicker hitting run plays.

On one play against Atlanta Deangelo took the handoff, Gross had the seal and the DE grazed Deangelo who fell to the ground with 30 yards open in front of him.

It is a combo of slow developing run plays and a HB who does not run as hard through contact like he did.

Execution of hitting open WRs is an issue with Cam who probally should be throwing more on the sideline.

Shula's pass offense has very little margin for error so one drop on a drive or overthrow can derail his conservative run calls that net 2-3 yards.

[Cyberjag]

Shula isn't really doing much to open things up for us with his playcalling, but Cam hasn't been very accurate either.  And in the second half of the season we played some pretty good defenses.

 

I'm not terribly worried about how we looked against Atlanta and Tampa Bay either--division games are always a little different. 

 

But Cam needs to be more accurate on his mid-range passes, or we're going to end up with way too much on the defense to feel comfortable.

[fieryprophet]

This is absolutely obvious to us, so I am positive it is obvious to professional coaches.

 

So the question is, why is it not being addressed? Are they worried for Cam throwing quick picks? Are they less worried about Cam throwing the deep ball because, well, its almost like a punt anyways if intercepted.

 

Cam's been very risk-averse as well, and his deep ball placement has tended to err on giving only his guy a chance at the ball, but making it hard for even his player to catch it too. He's overthrown Olsen repeatedly downfield, and yesterday's overhyped stretch of high balls probably makes it harder for them to take the yoke off when Cam's not settled down.

[bigdog10]

Playcalling wll garner most of the bashing (and it should get it's fair share), however Cam is missing some throws due to mechanics and also due to the O-Line being pushed into his lap.

 

There were a couple times yesterday, where Cam had Olsen open and didn't deliver the ball on time.  On the pick to Hixon, he also made the wrong hot read (tolbert was wide open in the flat for about 15 yards and the first down). 

 

The good news is that Cam is not turning the ball over at an alarming rate, which is keeping us in ball games and winning them with defense and clutch throws by Cam and catches by his receivers.  If Cam has a 3+ turnover game (similar to the red rifle yesterday), we are fugged.

[bigdog10]

Also, we need to at least start throwing two bombs a game to ginn (even if it is an overthrow or an interception that is essentially a punt).

 

Ginn needs to be turned loose and at least make the other team think about getting the safety out of the box.

[*FreeFua*]

Also, Newton has said when he gets involved with his legs early it helps him get into a rhythm. That's was noticeable on the TD drive before half.

Why is Shula waiting until almost half time to do this. Cam's best with his legs when the play breaks down. This may sound dumb but they need some designed drop back plays where Cam takes off when it looks like its a normal passing play.

[Sawyerballer]

Just heard a stat on WFNZ. No team has ever won the Super Bowl with an offense ranked below 24th in the league. We are 26th.