Too Many Underneath Passes...

[Tone_E]

After watching tonights game, I noticed that we are almost exclusively using underneath plays on third downs. Both CPep and Harrington did it, so I'm assuming its designed that way. Quick reads, see nothing, hit the underneath.

I am a little concerned at our playcalling. The quick wr screens and underneath crossing routes / te rb passes was pretty much all I saw. We have to stretch the field more, and can't rely on YAC from our receivers all the time to convert on third downs. I know, I know, its just the preseason and we don't want to show our cards right away, but still, this is the time to practice those 20 - 30 yard plays down field, and get C Pep into rythem with Chambers and Booker.

I know this isn't the entire offense, but I was aggrevated tonight, and wanted to see deeper routes on third down.

Just wondering what your thoughts are.

 

[Fresh]

I'm assuming this is due to not wanting to open up the playbook in the preseason.

 

[Tone_E]

I'm assuming this is due to not wanting to open up the playbook in the preseason.

I understand, but try to use more than two pages Saban/Mularkey. :wink:

 

[JCfinfan]

I'm assuming this is due to not wanting to open up the playbook in the preseason.

Good point. It bothered me alot. Maybe the receivers were covered. I couldn't tell on the plays.

 

[Geforce]

A lot of those dump off passes gained first downs. It would be kinda reckless to just throw the ball deep into coverage just to be doing it. A lot of times you have to take what the defense is giving you.

 

[Tone_E]

A lot of those dump off passes gained first downs. It would be kinda reckless to just throw the ball deep into coverage just to be doing it. A lot of times you have to take what the defense is giving you.

They were converging too quickly on the dumps. They knew they were coming.

 

[Lester]

Yeah, it drives me crazy. Reminded me of Wanny days when we would just run a rb draw every third down because we didn't thinnk we would actually get it.

 

[SECfootball]

Those underneath passes were the key to us effectively moving the ball down the field on several of the first half drives.

 

[Geforce]

They were converging too quickly on the dumps. They knew they were coming.

Ronnie and McMike picked up two 1st down off dump passes.

 

[popularwar]

Take what the defense gives you. Most of those went for first downs so I'm cool with it. I just hope we have more diverse play calling during the season.

 

[dolfanmark]

Saban is very secretive. I wouldn't put too much stock in the pre-season playcalling. We've got a very difficult opening game against the Steelers. I'm sure that Saban doesn't want to give the Steelers anything at all to look at. We're going to need every advantage we can get in that opener.

 

[Lester]

they did work a few times, but the majority of them went nowhere, just gave us 4 extra yards to punt from. I guess it is safer and less chance of a pic, which we still haven't thrown in preseason, but it's harder to watch.

Madden always makes a comment about it in the game. Kinda funny.

 

[DoggPhin]

I'm assuming this is due to not wanting to open up the playbook in the preseason.

Yeah partly ... but Mularkey and Saban are expected to run a fairly conservative "ball control" type Offense. That's what they are about. Except with Mularkey we will get a few more gadget plays and they pulled a good one tonight!

The broadcast tonight mentioned Fins maybe looking for another RB on the trade wire ... and possibly using our extra WR's or D-linemen as bait. Not being sure Ronnie can carry the entire load and Saban LIKES to run by "committee" with several backs. We shall see ...

I just don't think we'll see a wide open Run & Shoot Offense this year! :shakeno:

 

[Tone_E]

Saban is very secretive. I wouldn't put too much stock in the pre-season playcalling. We've got a very difficult opening game against the Steelers. I'm sure that Saban doesn't want to give the Steelers anything at all to look at. We're going to need every advantage we can get in that opener.

I can see that, but it better be true becasue now the Steelers are gonna study our underneath plays, and be prepared for them hardcore.

You are right though, and I dont think Cowher will put too much emphasis on it, its just that I would like to see C Pep get into a better rythem with the WRs. You saw it tonight, had Booker one on one, and a simple curl woulda gained us 15 yards, instead Booker countinued on, and the pass fell harmlessly on the ground.

 

[DaunteFin]

i dont know what are you guys complaining about...as soon as we found out that Mularkey is joining us, we knew that the play calling was going to change a lot..i don't know if any of you heard during the game, but we were 2nd worst team in NFL in ball posession category last season...and don't underestimate it, because that means our DEF had to be out there a lot more than our opponent's defences...and with us having so many veteran defenders on this team, resting fot extra 3-5 minutes will mean a lot..and i'm sure we will still see plenty of long balls from Daunte this season... maybe we won't throw 10 every single game like we did last year..