Adjustment at the Line of Scrimmage

[AJ Duhe]

Did anyone else notice that we repeatedly continue to force the run against stacked fronts? I understand that sometimes you just have to be able to pound the rock and keep the defense honest, but there were times in Sunday's game where Ajayi didn't have a chance given the pre-snap look from the Jets' defense.

Given the look of the defense, I expected Cutler to check to another play...a quick hit pass to loosen the defense, but he never did. This is a part of Tannehill's game that he began to execute more confidently last year, and I think this is part of Cutler's deficiencies that frustrate Gase. Gase said, "The faster you can get out of the huddle, the more things you can do – shifts, motions, cadence,” You’ve got more options. You’re able to see a defense, you might be able to check out of something. The closer you get to 0, now you’re limiting what you can do."

I'm hoping Matt Moore can be a little more efficient at getting the offense lined up and making the correct adjustments.

 

[datruth55]

I noticed. I also noticed that both Cutler and Moore did the same thing, stared at 8-man fronts and never audibled. And then I began to wonder if Gase allows his QBs to audible. I know he let Tannehill do it but I have not seen Cutler do it once and in the almost 2 quarters Moore played he didn't do it either.

 

[artdnj]

Gase is an offensive juggernaut so he must allow a qb, especially one of Cutlers experience and success, to audible out of a run play when facing a stacked box. My HS football team did that.

 

[VBCheeseGrater]

Yes definitely noticed. I can forgive Moore on his first series where they just ran it while cutler was being looked at. Hopefully we will see some audibles out of runs against stacked box and also snapping the ball a bit sooner vs Balt. These guys as a unit should continue getting more streamlined.

 

[malok]

You'd want Cutler to audible to a pass facing heavy pressure? What have you seen so far from him that leads you to believe that would end well?

Gase doesn't trust him to stand in and take a shot to complete the pass. He was protecting against the turnovers and sacks that would inevitably come.

 

[fansinceGWilson]

. . . part of Cutler's deficiencies that frustrate Gase. Gase said, "The faster you can get out of the huddle, the more things you can do – shifts, motions, cadence,” You’ve got more options. You’re able to see a defense, you might be able to check out of something. The closer you get to 0, now you’re limiting what you can do."
I'm hoping Matt Moore can be a little more efficient at getting the offense lined up and making the correct adjustments.

Gase can't have that both ways. Can't be "frustrated" with getting out of the huddle slowly and allow it for 6 games without a HINT of improvement. I've seen no writer/analyst give even an opinion of the cause and I'll not guess, except to say it seems several seconds tick off the clock before the QB starts calling the play. And that wasn't "Cutler's" deficiency, it was MM's also, although some of that may be he was thrown into the fire.

Can QBs change plays? Cutler and MM have been around long enough to earn that trust, I can't see why they SHOULDN'T audible, particularly running against 8-9 in the box. The quote saying "you might be able to check out of something" implies they can. We'll learn more in BLT, but having 10 seconds when they get to the LOS is unacceptable.

 

[fansinceGWilson]

You'd want Cutler to audible to a pass facing heavy pressure? What have you seen so far from him that leads you to believe that would end well?

Gase doesn't trust him to stand in and take a shot to complete the pass. He was protecting against the turnovers and sacks that would inevitably come.

This is one reeason I'd like to see Grant/Stills flanked wide on opposite sides. No sane DC would put a DB on them one on one and let Landry roam the middle. That's an adjustment that can be forced before the huddle.

 

[malok]

This is one reeason I'd like to see Grant/Stills flanked wide on opposite sides. No sane DC would put a DB on them one on one and let Landry roam the middle. That's an adjustment that can be forced before the huddle.

You might keep a safety over the top of Stills, but no DC fears Grant. He's done nothing to warrant fear yet.

 

[finmann]

It was frustrating to see Ajayi trying to run the ball against an 8 man box, it seem to be predictable as well. Question is, will Gase allow Moore to audible at the line of scrimmage? Can we protect Moore in passing situations without him getting killed? Gase was touted as an offense guy, I hope he can turn it around.

 

[hoops]

moore didn't audible last year either...cutler still references a wrist play sheet in the huddle indicating he doesn't know the offense as well as gase has said so I'd say the odds are good he hasn't been given free reign to check out....probably will sprinkle some things to him here and there

 

[JJM_7]

Can I just say it's super frustrating how we constantly insist on running the football, even when we're having zero success?

BUT, I will say this, I think that's one of the keys to our fourth quarter success under Adam Gase, and why we're able to finish so strong and win so many close games.

In the past with other coordinators when our running game wasn't working in the first half we'd completely abandon it. But with Gase, you see him pushing those running plays throughout the game, even when they're not working and we're going 3 and out because of it. He understands that by having a balanced offense all throughout the game, you give yourself a chance in the fourth quarter.

OTOH, it's also one of the reasons why we have such slow starts on offense with Gase at the helm. But it does pay dividends late in games when our offense is able to finish strong by both running and passing the football.

We need better run blocking from the OL next year. That's an absolute must. But I do understand why Gase is so adamant about sticking with the running game even when it's not working (which is usually 80% of the time).

 

[Danny]

Everyone has notice including the other team. I'm ok with trying to run it but they kept trying to run inside on that stack box. Why not try to run outside? We did try to run some screens but man our offense sucks at that too. The o-line is letting the d-line get by way too quick so the screen can't develop. So many times the defense call for us to run a PA pass but we were not doing it. It's very frustrating

Ozzy rules!!

 

[fansinceGWilson]

You might keep a safety over the top of Stills, but no DC fears Grant. He's done nothing to warrant fear yet.

We disagree. I don't think he'd get the same respect as Stills, but even a dropped bomb would force a change of some degree

 

[BSQ]

We are undefeated when Ajayi gets 18 or more carries. The streak almost ended with the Jets but we pulled it out.

 

[malok]

We disagree. I don't think he'd get the same respect as Stills, but even a dropped bomb would force a change of some degree

3 career catches for 15 yards. Not gonna get special attention from anyone.