This is the kind of thread I was waiting for, so thank you for bringing this up. I have been saying for a few years now that I believe you get the best version of Tua by replicating Sean Payton's offense for Brees. West Coast principles. It actually wouldn't be far off of what we do now but there needs to be a change in position importance on the totem pole as well as the kind of players you're bringing in. Tua and Brees are similar players in that they are both shorter, highly accurate, mobility is not a big part of their game, high IQ, etc.
I think you can sacrifice on the BIG $ players like Tyreek and spend that money on making sure the Offensive Line is legit because it all starts with being able to run the ball and pass protection.
Right now, I could consider our offense "top heavy" from a talent standpoint. That should change and there should be "roles" in the offense. During the Payton/Brees duo, you had a bigger body possession guy that would be considered your #1 but nobody technically has to be a #1 or #2 or #3, etc...just acquire DIVERSE talent and put guys in roles that accentuate their strengths. Again, right now, we have 6 slot WR's with varying degrees of speed and blocking abilities...that's about the only different from Tyreek as our #1 to Tahj Washington who we didnt even see play, and everything in between. We need a possession WR to work the middle of the field. An athletic TE that can be a seam buster, red zone, 1 on 1, matchup problem. And then just depth of quality, decent guys. A speedster, a possession guy, and a big TE would all compliment each other. Also a high use of RB's in the pass game lessens the need for such high quality WR talent/money to be spent. Achane is fantastic. Im a Jaylen Wright fan. Only thing missing is a tough, 220-230lb RB that can make you pay and is tough to tackle when it gets cold later in the season.
I think we would all agree the offensive line needs to be solidified. Need a major upgrade at OG. Not saying much here that people probably haven't already thought but it needs to be a group thats an asset, not just one that is "good enough." Patrick Paul, Brewer, and Austin Jackson isn't a bad start(assuming Paul can play) but when we make additions this offseason, one guard better be the best OL on our team and the other cannot be worse than Paul, Brewer, or Jackson.
Run the ball, a lot. Actually be a physical run team, and leave no question about it(Deuce McCallister/Pierre Thomas). Use the RB's in the pass game(Sproles, Bush, Spiller). Earn single high looks and use a ton of playaction. Tua is smart, let him operate pre-snap with some control of the offense and changing things at the line. He's seen enough and been in this offense long enough to take more control of what goes on out there. How the offense spread the ball around this year more is the same kind of target breakdown I'd like to see going forward. I don't care who gets what or how much. Take what the defense is giving you and be efficient. And as for Mike McDaniel, he needs to get away from THAT many screens and swings(with a blocker) and spread out the eligible pass catchers and let Tua and his accuracy go to work as well as getting away from so many -6 yard runs that leave us behind the sticks. Efficient playcalling + a legit Run game + Efficient pass game. No superstars needed, just guys with higher IQ that do at least 1 thing really well to fill roles
