Is our offense predictable or not?

[MasterAwesome]

I could've sworn there were tons of people complaining about how we run it too much out of Shotgun, not giving our HBs a chance to accelerate out of the backfield on run plays...

[saX man]

I think you can give credence to the idea that yes, they come into different games with different approaches.  So game to game we're not entirely predictable but first to second half?  That is continuously a different story.  

Bottom line: Casual fans are frustrated with a 2-0 team that's been to playoffs 3 of the last 4 years.  They have seen the SAME issues with this team for a while and vocalize it.  The unfortunate situation is that we're stuck with a solid yet inconsistent coach who inculcates a great team culture yet is stuck on Shula and somewhat above-average vets.  Other problems are because of our OL situation, the OC, and a QB coming off an injury with inconsistent weapons and others' we aren't yet using at their expected capacity.  

You can see how we're overemphasizing CMC right away, the problems with the playbook, the shaky OL (Bless Turner and I have high hopes Moton however) and the unfortunate situation at WR. 

So you see, there's a handful of things right now that are preventing this offense from loosening up and playing Cam style football with some awesome weapons.  

[LinvilleGorge]

Shula has had 8 complete seasons as an NFL OC. Offensive rankings in those 8 seasons:

30, 23, 18, 27, 18, 19, 1, 15

Which one is the anomaly? 

 

[panthers55]

10 minutes ago, MasterAwesome said:

I could've sworn there were tons of people complaining about how we run it too much out of Shotgun, not giving our HBs a chance to accelerate out of the backfield on run plays...

If it isn't one thing it is something else. People won't be happy until Shula is gone even if who we replace him with is worse.

Waits for the old saw about anyone would be better than Shula. 

You can't win.....

[LinvilleGorge]

2 minutes ago, saX man said:

I think you can give credence to the idea that yes, they come into different games with different approaches.  So game to game we're not entirely predictable but first to second half?  That is continuously a different story.  

To your point, last week our first three drives of the game totaled 108 yards. It didn't translate on the scoreboard, but that's moving the ball decently. The first three drives of the second half totaled -15 yards.

[xav8tor]

In answer to the original question, how can anyone not admit that our offensive play calling is too predictable? If you showed me an X/O chart of a play, I'd tell you that whoever drew that didn't know how to play tic tack toe. In other words, I don't know a ton about the intricacies of the game, yet all too often, I know what's coming when we have the ball. Imagine how easy it is for opposing teams. Romo would have a field day announcing one of our games doing his new gig.

What happened to the evolution and creativity we were promised? Admittedly, we've seen glimpses of it in some CMC pass plays, but nowhere near what was expected. Far too many predictably stuffed runs, for example. Where are all the disguised screens and slot routes? I know I don't know what the hell I'm talking about, but if we don't score 30 plus at home against the defense we face tomorrow, that's going to be evidence of a serious issue.

[xav8tor]

18 minutes ago, LinvilleGorge said:

Shula has had 8 complete seasons as an NFL OC. Offensive rankings in those 8 seasons:

30, 23, 18, 27, 18, 19, 1, 15

Which one is the anomaly? 

 

Aside from that outlier, looking to me like it's peaking at average, and even that rise could be due to talent on the field, not in the booth, or some other factors, or a combo platter. Regardless, I wonder what the numbers would look like with our offensive players directed by BB and McDaniels, or similar minds...assuming such a thing even exists.

[iamhubby1]

 

    I would be interested to know how many plays these guys are actually calling? Or their non football loving wives? LOL

 

    Folks will say anything to make their point sound valid.  Look ma, I called that play. lol

[xav8tor]

The problem is that opposing players, coaches, and coordinators are apparently predicting our calls with regularity. A few have, on occasion, said as much, and it's compounded by our staff saying that we don't game plan our offense. It's no wonder some guys can predict a play or two. If we don't game plan, then it goes without saying that the chances of predicting what the calls will be goes up exponentially.

[Lumps]

8 hours ago, LinvilleGorge said:

I appreciate 55's effort to actually do some digging and put forth an argument.

Honestly though, at the end of the day, we can all pour over situational stats and cherry pick them to fit our particular argument or...

We can just listen to an opposing defensive player who actually studied our offense under a very good DC and then in the aftermath of the euphoria of winning the SB let his guard down and was a little more open and honest than players usually are when talking about the other team.

 

Exactly. Apply this sentiment to simply watching us play on Sundays...you don't need to break anything down just watch the game and see how bad it is.

[iamhubby1]

1 hour ago, xav8tor said:

The problem is that opposing players, coaches, and coordinators are apparently predicting our calls with regularity. A few have, on occasion, said as much, and it's compounded by our staff saying that we don't game plan our offense. It's no wonder some guys can predict a play or two. If we don't game plan, then it goes without saying that the chances of predictting what the calls will be goes up exponentially.

 

    That is an interesting subject. What are the tells they see? I mean, what specifically do they see, that allows them to "Call a Play"? Other than that pesky 1st play of the game run up the A gap with Stewy. How are these people able to "Call a Play"?

 

    Also, what is their success rate? Are they reliable enough to use as a resource? Probably not. But you sure hear about a whole poo ton bunch of folks who seem capable of doing it.

 

    I am smart enough to know that most folks are just trying to make a point about Shula and his play calling. But man, there has to be a better way than claiming to be able to call his plays for him. Because I am pretty sure not a whole lot of folks are going to believe these people actually possess such a gift.

[raleigh-panther]

11 hours ago, panthers55 said:

I did break it down.  if you want more of a breakdown just look at the site I referenced.  There is everything you could want to find and more.  The problem is that with only 2 games in the books there isnt that enough of any one situation to get too specific as the n is pretty low.

There is five years of Shula not two games and a history before that

i know what my eyes tell me. I know what I see on the field 

...and if I want a refresher l don't need to go to any web site.    I just need to rewatch super bowl 50,

that game plan alone should have been enough to get his happy ass fired 

 

 

[panthers55]

1 hour ago, iamhubby1 said:

 

    That is an interesting subject. What are the tells they see? I mean, what specifically do they see, that allows them to "Call a Play"? Other than that pesky 1st play of the game run up the A gap with Stewy. How are these people able to "Call a Play"?

 

    Also, what is their success rate? Are they reliable enough to use as a resource? Probably not. But you sure hear about a whole poo ton bunch of folks who seem capable of doing it.

 

    I am smart enough to know that most folks are just trying to make a point about Shula and his play calling. But man, there has to be a better way than claiming to be able to call his plays for him. Because I am pretty sure not a whole lot of folks are going to believe these people actually possess such a gift.

Not only are you correct but the naysayers repeat the same thing over and over even though it is not relevant, years ago, or made up. Like we don't gameplan our offense. How ignorant. Of course we gameplan and we do it for every team trying to find mismatches to exploit. We determine what their defensive tendencies are based on down and distance and plan accordingly. We have different plays for every situation and Cam has studied film to know what will be open based on what the defense shows. The fact it doesn't always work is a testament to defenses gameplanning for us. One of these days I am going to expose the old we can't make adjustments from 1st to 2nd half crap as well. But I hesitate to put in the effort given it won't do any good. I clearly showed by facts that our playcalling is no more predictable than any team but look who actually read it. Few who have posted actually even discussed the information and that is clear.  And the idea they know what is coming is laughable too. On third and 8 for example who doesn't know it is a pass? That doesn't make you predictable unless you know where the ball is going and to who on what route. And I know there is virtually no one who knows the playbook well enough to know what we are running at any one point. So if we take a sack on third and long all of a sudden every knew what we were doing.  Exactly how many running plays work on third and long. It really is comical how the group speak has been repeated long enough they actually believe it. On to the Saints. I have a bunch of folks coming in for a tailgate, should be great.

[LinvilleGorge]

If you act in real life like you do on this forum, someone at that tailgate is probably gonna put some of your teeth down your throat.