How Do You Improve Execution?

Much of the team’s problems in year 3 of Gase’s tenure seem to come down to improper execution. I believe some fans and even some coaches believe that NFL players are professionals, so their technique should already be honed early in their careers. Given the increasingly limited practice time coaches have, it’s understandable why they would choose to focus most of that time on the intricacies of the scheme for the week over technique work.

However, this is where I believe Gase needs to talk to Shula. I think the players are largely being put in position to make plays, but they’re not physically executing plays. Small physical errors continue to lead to penalties and also lead to breakdowns. I believe the coaching staff needs to put more emphasis on individual position work and get back to basics. There’s a big difference between getting physically and mentally beaten and failing to execute. I think Gase’s teams continually beat themselves and he’s expressed his frustration, but he hasn’t adequately addressed it.

 

Think trying to draw the defense offside but having your own lineman false start says it all.

 

I’m not necessarily for this one but... fire the coach. Make the players that feel comfortable, become uncomfortable. Threaten their job security and the execution will improve for a couple games.

 

Get better players

 

Great Question!

It's a relief to see a thread that analyses the team as opposed to whining about the team. Your analysis concerning limited practice and the players not executing the plays properly makes a lot of sense. I don't know what the answer is, but this is clearly the place to start looking.

 

Question I'd have ... if other teams, the good teams have less of this, isn't it about the coaching? They're all playing / working under the same rules. That's my biggest concern with Gase, I like a lot of what he does, but he doesn't seem to be able to correct the flaws we've seen since day 1.

 

You know what John McKay would say to your question had he been coaching this team.

 

I wouldn't go that far yet. I'd take it in steps.
step 1; Ross brings in Gase - "Adam, this is you'r third year. I love a lot of what you're doing, but I'm getting old and can't continue to wait for small improvements. Getting this team to start fast and score more points is DIRECTLY on you. I think you can do it, but I need to see evidence before I move on. Do you understand?"
step 2; Bench a few players ('stars,' if necessary') even for a half, if their poor execution is noticeable and consistent. Don't need to cut people. Don't need to demote them long term. These guys are professionals and have a lot of pride. Just get their attention. The good ones will improve. Those who can't improve? The team has learned something.
step 3; the hardest one. "Look guys. I've been calling plays since I've been here and our starts are always sluggish. Out points scored isn't acceptable. If I don't improve in those two areas next Sunday, I'm going to let Loggins call plays the following Sunday. I hold myself to the same standards I hold you."
DO SOMETHING to stimulate change. Just waiting for things to 'gel' isn't a strategy.

 

Shula had his 70s guys doing 4-a-days.

In Miami. In August. Which speaks volumes for why they were the toughest team in the league.

And played nearly flawlessly.

Coaches don’t get to do that anymore.

 

I think there's a disconnect at some level between what the coaches want the players to do, and what the players think the coaches want them to do.

I don't know if that's because we have dumb/bad players, if the coaches can't teach what they want done, or what. What I do know is that the coaching staff has to give the talent a chance to succeed, and this year we absolutely haven't seen that on a consistent basis.

 

Better, as far as athletic ability, or intelligence?

 

Draft a leader on offense.

 

What do you think the age cut off is of fans who get that reference? That was a hilarious comment back in the day. IIRC that was 1978-1979?

 

My concern is, are some of the players being asked to do things they're just not good at? My prime example is Gesicki. The FO/HC saw his tape from college I'm sure. There's only one reason they used a 2nd round pick on him. They could see he could catch the football. There's no way they looked at that tape and said "wow, he can block"
So why draft a TE with a high 2nd round pick and try to make him a blocker? Yes it's ok they want him to get better at it but you drafted him to be a big target for Tannehill and with Parker missing almost every game, Gesicki is the ONLY big target we have and yet we're not using him.

Sometimes you need to adapt to what your players can do instead of trying to make them do things they're not good at.