Should Gibbs Flip The Script: Passing Team Now?
 

Over the past two weeks, we've all seen Jason Campbell get more comfortable running the offense and particularly take to the no-huddle offense. I've noticed two things happening in the process.

[B]1. The offense seems to be much more in synch and in rythm. Campbell also seems to be on top of his reads more and hitting the open receiver. Also, we know one of Campbell's strong suits is his poise. This hurried fashion seems to suit his demeanor quite well.[/B]

[B]2. I've also noticed the defense seems to be more on their heels in response to this style of play by the Skins. We're less predicatable and they can't situational substitute. It looks like we're even throwing more on first and second downs. [/B]

What I'm getting at is, and maybe this just me, should we become more pass oriented going forward. Not suggesting we abandon the run or not give Clinton his opportunities, but I think we may have tapped into something over the past two weeks; we can actually move the ball without eating up a lot of the clock, which in turn helps us manage the clock more effectively.

Should Gibbs/Saunders flip the script some and become a pass first offense? Is smash mouth football overrated and just something we're "trying too hard" to hang our hat on?

Just to be clear, I'm not suggesting we become Air Coryell and let Jason air it out 50 or even 40 times a game. But if this team is going to compete for the rest of the season and put up points, for that matter, the template from yesterday's game may be what the doctor ordered for the personnel we curently have.

Re: Should Gibbs Flip The Script: Passing Team Now?
 

I think Gibbs still wants to run, and always will. The difference now is we don't have to lean on the running game so hard. If it's not working like yesterday, Campbell is capable of taking over and the coaches have some confidence in him now.

Re: Should Gibbs Flip The Script: Passing Team Now?
 

I don't think they should flip the script. They just need to continue to put in the game plan that makes sense for that weeks opponent. Dallas and Philly are better against the run than the pass, which is why I suspect that we saw improvement in the passing game and a more aggressive game plan with regard to the passing game the previous two games. This week we play Tampa Bay which is much better against the pass than they are at stopping the run. I would think we'd pound the ball with Portis and Sellers and set up some play action passes, but not flip the script and become a passing team.

Re: Should Gibbs Flip The Script: Passing Team Now?
 

I want to see Gibbs/Saunders game plan to attack the opponent's weakness. Against Dallas that is clearly the safeties in pass coverage. I would expect to see a balanced approach with Campbell taking more shots the rest of the year.

Re: Should Gibbs Flip The Script: Passing Team Now?
 

I think a balanced attack is what's needed, other teams need to respect our running game and now our passing game. You need both to be successful and to able to open it up like you saw yesterday.

Re: Should Gibbs Flip The Script: Passing Team Now?
 

As far as I'm concerned, J. Campbell's stats for yesterday, 33/[I]54[/I], 348 yds, 2 TD's, 1 INT indicates to me that the script has already been flipped...lol

Re: Should Gibbs Flip The Script: Passing Team Now?
 

[quote=SFREDSKIN;380416]I think a balanced attack is what's needed, other teams need to respect our running game and now our passing game. You need both to be successful and to able to open it up like you saw yesterday.[/quote]

I think the balance attack approach is such a bunch of BS. You do what you have to do to score TD's. If the opponent is weak against the run then run it. If they are weak in coverage then pass it. All depends on the opponent and how they play defense.

Re: Should Gibbs Flip The Script: Passing Team Now?
 

[quote=skinsfan69;380433]I think the balance attack approach is such a bunch of BS. You do what you have to do to score TD's. If the opponent is weak against the run then run it. If they are weak in coverage then pass it. All depends on the opponent and how they play defense.[/quote]

And that's why I said are we trying too hard to be a smash mouth team.

Yes, we can run the ball and pound people, but that doesn't have to be the game plan week in and week out.

Re: Should Gibbs Flip The Script: Passing Team Now?
 

[quote=12thMan;380400]Over the past two weeks, we've all seen Jason Campbell get more comfortable running the offense and particularly take to the no-huddle offense. I've noticed two things happening in the process.

[B]1. The offense seems to be much more in synch and in rythm. Campbell also seems to be on top of his reads more and hitting the open receiver. Also, we know one of Campbell's strong suits is his poise. This hurried fashion seems to suit his demeanor quite well.[/B]

[B]2. I've also noticed the defense seems to be more on their heels in response to this style of play by the Skins. We're less predicatable and they can't situational substitute. It looks like we're even throwing more on first and second downs. [/B]

What I'm getting at is, and maybe this just me, should we become more pass oriented going forward. Not suggesting we abandon the run or not give Clinton his opportunities, but I think we may have tapped into something over the past two weeks; we can actually move the ball without eating up a lot of the clock, which in turn helps us manage the clock more effectively.

Should Gibbs/Saunders flip the script some and become a pass first offense? Is smash mouth football overrated and just something we're "trying too hard" to hang our hat on?

Just to be clear, I'm not suggesting we become Air Coryell and let Jason air it out 50 or even 40 times a game. But if this team is going to compete for the rest of the season and put up points, for that matter, the template from yesterday's game may be what the doctor ordered for the personnel we curently have.[/quote]

It's a passing league now. The rules beg you to pass it. All of the real good teams pass it to score. We need to adopt to this mindset. Sanders understands this, Gibbs and Bugel do not.

Re: Should Gibbs Flip The Script: Passing Team Now?
 

[quote=12thMan;380436]And that's why I said are we trying too hard to be a smash mouth team.

Yes, we can run the ball and pound people, but that doesn't have to be the game plan week in and week out.[/quote]

I think you will start to see us really opening things up now. Gibbs has to look around the league and see what the real good teams are doing. He's stubborn as hell but I don't think he is stupid. We have got to start scoring more points. The goal can't be 21 or 24 points. He has to have the mindset to score 30 or more every week. And you don't do that in today's NFL playing smashmouth. I'm sorry but that stuff is out like bucket seats, or the mullet haircut.

Re: Should Gibbs Flip The Script: Passing Team Now?
 

I was going to post that we have to stick to the run because historically that's how teams have their success in the playoffs. But the more I think about it, I don't think we can get to the playoffs in the first place if we try to run 75% of the time. I wouldn't say that we need to bring back the run and shoot or run no huddle, I just think we need to see more of a bias towards the pass until teams stop stacking the box against us.

Re: Should Gibbs Flip The Script: Passing Team Now?
 

Who would have thought we'd see JC put the ball in the air 50 times!

Re: Should Gibbs Flip The Script: Passing Team Now?
 

[QUOTE=skinsfan69;380433]I think the balance attack approach is such a bunch of BS. You do what you have to do to score TD's. If the opponent is weak against the run then run it. If they are weak in coverage then pass it. All depends on the opponent and how they play defense.[/QUOTE]

Go back to 1983 when the Redskins set an NFL scoring record, where we a passing team? A running team? No, we were a balanced team 50-50. You need both especially as winter approaches. You need running to eat up the clock and tire your opponents defense.

Re: Should Gibbs Flip The Script: Passing Team Now?
 

Anyone hear anything about who was calling the plays. I heard speculation on I think Mike & Mike this morning that it was Saunders

Re: Should Gibbs Flip The Script: Passing Team Now?
 

From Mike Wise's article in the Post the other day after putting up 25 points on the Eagles.. Some very interesting trends in today's NFL..

[i]"Every week, there is incontrovertible evidence against the running game, against even balance, in the NFL.

The four division leaders that seem on a collision course to meet in the respective conference championship games -- the Patriots, Colts, Cowboys and Packers -- all feature spread-the-field passing offenses that put up points.

[b]Twenty-one teams did not have a back rush for 100 yards last week, including six teams that scored more points than Washington. Eight teams won that did not have a back rush for 90 yards.[/b]

Everybody throws now. The Rams, for goodness sake, put up 37 points; Steven Jackson ran for just 76 yards in their win.

The Patriots are the standard; for all this talk of how multidimensional pro football's best team is, New England has had a running back rush for more than 100 yards in just three of their nine wins. [b]The day they annihilated the Cowboys by scoring 48 points, the Patriots had 75 yards rushing and averaged 2.6 yards per carry. [/b]" [/i]

Not to say that we are the Patriots, but the trend of higher scoring offenses have a heavy lean to the passing game. As some of us have been saying all year, we've got to open the playbook up to be able to compete with the elite teams.. Yesterday we either scored or drove deep into Dallas territory on all but 2 possessions in the 2nd half.. Against Philly we did the same, either driving or scoring on almost every possession. The same can't be said for the handcuffed Campbell all of the previous weeks..

Without this devolving into another playcalling thread, it's obvious the gameplan has changed the past couple of weeks to a more aggressive stance. The defense has let us down, the past 2 weeks, not a lack of offensive production. We're closer to the 24 points per game we need to be a 10 win team.

I really think Campbell's inaccuracy deep down the field is lack of attempts during the early parts of the season.. You've got to get into a rhythm at game speed to get those connections down pat.. He'll get more on point with those down the stretch and lead us into the playoffs, IF he's allowed to keep doing what he's been doing..

Re: Should Gibbs Flip The Script: Passing Team Now?
 

You have to have recievers taller than 5'3'' to really air it out

Re: Should Gibbs Flip The Script: Passing Team Now?
 

[QUOTE=skinsfan69;380433]I think the balance attack approach is such a bunch of BS. You do what you have to do to score TD's. If the opponent is weak against the run then run it. If they are weak in coverage then pass it. All depends on the opponent and how they play defense.[/QUOTE]

I agree with you, although I wouldn't have in the past.

When we were driving late in the game against the cowboys yesterday, I was saying, "Keep throwing!" On the last scoring drive we had, we threw something like 6 or 7 consecutive times. I think only one was incomplete, and one other wasn't for a first down. I had this terrible feeling we would pass our way into the red-zone, and then get stuffed trying to run it. We didn't, and we ended up scoring a touchdown. Coincidence? I think not.

I believe that you don't stop doing something that works, just for the sake of balance. You wait until the defense stops you.

Re: Should Gibbs Flip The Script: Passing Team Now?
 

[quote=naschultzmd;380479]You have to have recievers taller than 5'3'' to really air it out[/quote]


welcome to the board, by the way

Re: Should Gibbs Flip The Script: Passing Team Now?
 

I think this team still needs to run quite a bit. That's not to say that we shouldn't use the hurry-up, the hurry-up can help us run AND help us throw more effectively.

But I don't like passing all that much more than running, UNLESS the situation calls for it and we're behind in the game.

Why did Cambpell air it out 50 times against Dallas? Because for much of the 2nd half, we were down and needed to catch up. We saw what happened when he aired it out that much... he threw a pick. And that's on a very very good day for him. This is not to second-guess the decision to throw, the decision to throw that much was necessitated by the fact that we were down.

But you can't throw a pick if you're running the ball. Of course you can fumble, but Portis's fumble rate is a lot lower than Campbell's INT rate.

In the end, I'm in favor of attacking the defense with whatever the situation calls for. If we're ahead, lean heavier on the run (though change the scheme a bit to be less conservative). If we're behind, lean on the pass. And at all times, feature the hurry-up.

Turnovers are still the factor that has the most influence on the outcome of NFL games. You have to approach the game with balance, and be ready to adjust based on the situation.

Re: Should Gibbs Flip The Script: Passing Team Now?
 

I think the offense is finally finding its identity - it's becoming Saunders's offense.

Re: Should Gibbs Flip The Script: Passing Team Now?
 

The offense is developing and coming on strong but needs to get better in pressure situations when the game is on the line, particularly in the red zone.

Re: Should Gibbs Flip The Script: Passing Team Now?
 

But, why not toss the ball to CP more often. He's a heckuva a receiver and it allows him to do what he does best, take on defenders one v one...

Re: Should Gibbs Flip The Script: Passing Team Now?
 

I feel like the Redskins change from week to week. One week it's running, then the next it's passing, but never with any logical plan. The offense doesn't have any faith in the defense, and the defense doesn't have any faith in the offense.

One thing for sure, it really looked good having Reche and Keenan in the Tampa game.

Re: Should Gibbs Flip The Script: Passing Team Now?
 

By the way, if we had Richie Petitbon instead of Greg Williams, we would have beaten Dallas (It hurt to even write that name!). Then we wouldn't be talking about flipping the script!

Re: Should Gibbs Flip The Script: Passing Team Now?
 

[quote=JLee9718;380516]By the way, if we had Richie Petitbon instead of Greg Williams, we would have beaten Dallas (It hurt to even write that name!). Then we wouldn't be talking about flipping the script![/quote]

Man, that name almost brought a tear to my eye. How the mighty have fallen.

How long you been on Warpath?

Re: Should Gibbs Flip The Script: Passing Team Now?
 

I think we have been trying to be a balanced offensive team, up until the last two games we haven't been hitting the WR's with frequency.

The script has been fine all along, we just have had poor execution.

Keep the offense balanced and we are in good shape, if you can run the ball and pass the ball effectively. What a threat a team brings to the table with a truely balanced attack.

IMO we don't want to ever be a one dimensional team with the talent we have on both sides of the ball.

Re: Should Gibbs Flip The Script: Passing Team Now?
 

[quote=JLee9718;380512]I feel like the Redskins change from week to week. One week it's running, then the next it's passing, but never with any logical plan. [B]The offense doesn't have any faith in the defense, and the defense doesn't have any faith in the offense.[/B][/quote]

Cant agree with you there. I think it was Marcus Washington that said in the locker room after the game that part of the reason they were able to hold the Dallas Offense to a 3 and out late in the game was that the D saw "a fire in our offenses eyes. We wanted to get the ball back to them; we really thought they would score for us."

I think this team is finally starting to trust each other and play for one another.

As far as if we should shift our offensive strategy I have to give an emphatic yes. I think it was Randel El who said something to the effect of: "Jason is comfortable running the spread offense, and thats what he wants to do. Its what WE want to do." and Cooley: "It makes everyone out there more of a threat. When we do that it allows everyone to get the catches they should."

I would like to see us continue to spread the field and play no huddle, and do it early. If we can keep defenses guessing and keep them on their heels we'll be able to do anything we want offensively. Portis will still be able to contribute, and in this scenario he'll most likely have more room to run. And he is totally on board from what he says...he would rather be winning then getting all the carries and padding his stats, plus it seems he loves to smash people in the face when pass blocking.

This team seems to want this fast-paced gunslinging offense to be their identity, and if we start to get early leads we'll be able to slow it down an pound it out, because they wont be able to disregard Campbell's arm, it will be in the back of their minds that he could put the nail in the coffin if they dont protect against the big play.

We'll see what happens next week, but Campbell seems to be the man.

Re: Should Gibbs Flip The Script: Passing Team Now?
 

[quote=WillH;380530]Cant agree with you there. I think it was Marcus Washington that said in the locker room after the game that part of the reason they were able to hold the Dallas Offense to a 3 and out late in the game was that the D saw "a fire in our offenses eyes. We wanted to get the ball back to them; we really thought they would score for us."

I think this team is finally starting to trust each other and play for one another.

As far as if we should shift our offensive strategy I have to give an emphatic yes. I think it was Randel El who said something to the effect of: "Jason is comfortable running the spread offense, and thats what he wants to do. Its what WE want to do." and Cooley: "It makes everyone out there more of a threat. When we do that it allows everyone to get the catches they should."

I would like to see us continue to spread the field and play no huddle, and do it early. If we can keep defenses guessing and keep them on their heels we'll be able to do anything we want offensively. Portis will still be able to contribute, and in this scenario he'll most likely have more room to run. And he is totally on board from what he says...he would rather be winning then getting all the carries and padding his stats, plus it seems he loves to smash people in the face when pass blocking.

This team seems to want this fast-paced gunslinging offense to be their identity, and if we start to get early leads we'll be able to slow it down an pound it out, because they wont be able to disregard Campbell's arm, it will be in the back of their minds that he could put the nail in the coffin if they dont protect against the big play.

We'll see what happens next week, but Campbell seems to be the man.[/quote]

Good post, Will. Not just because I was thinking the same thing, but it seems to me that Gibbs and Co. have been trying to force a round peg into a square hole for the longest. The no-huddle, more fast paced offense may suit our personnel a little better than run, run, run and wear 'em down philosophy. I guess time will ultimately tell.

I still believe the attack must have some balance, but balance doesn't always mean equal distribution and 50/50 play calling. If you noticed yesterday, even Jason's pass distribution to his receivers were pretty balanced and not so one dimensional. A good step forward for this team.

Re: Should Gibbs Flip The Script: Passing Team Now?
 

[quote=willyboy23;380510]But, why not toss the ball to CP more often. He's a heckuva a receiver and it allows him to do what he does best, take on defenders one v one...[/quote]

Which Clinton Portis have you been watching? Clinton Portis is one of the worst pass catching running backs in the league. He cannot catch and run at the same time. In order to catch a ball, he has to stop and turn around and face the quarterback. He drops more passes when he tries to catch the ball over his shoulder. The next time the Skins play, pay close attention to Portis when he catches balls out of the backfield. He always have to square his shoulders to the passer and then run after the catch. I love Portis to death, but his technique on swing passes is horrible.

Re: Should Gibbs Flip The Script: Passing Team Now?
 

[QUOTE=Schneed10;380495]I think this team still needs to run quite a bit. That's not to say that we shouldn't use the hurry-up, the hurry-up can help us run AND help us throw more effectively.

But I don't like passing all that much more than running, UNLESS the situation calls for it and we're behind in the game.

Why did Cambpell air it out 50 times against Dallas? Because for much of the 2nd half, we were down and needed to catch up. We saw what happened when he aired it out that much... he threw a pick. And that's on a very very good day for him. This is not to second-guess the decision to throw, the decision to throw that much was necessitated by the fact that we were down.

But you can't throw a pick if you're running the ball. Of course you can fumble, but Portis's fumble rate is a lot lower than Campbell's INT rate.

In the end, I'm in favor of attacking the defense with whatever the situation calls for. If we're ahead, lean heavier on the run (though change the scheme a bit to be less conservative). If we're behind, lean on the pass. And at all times, feature the hurry-up.

Turnovers are still the factor that has the most influence on the outcome of NFL games. You have to approach the game with balance, and be ready to adjust based on the situation.[/QUOTE] Coach Gibbs is that you??

Success in today's NFL is predicated on scoring points in bundles and making the other team outscore you. The mentality of not wanting to throw the ball because you're afraid of turnovers is the biggest reason our offense was stuck in the '80s for the past 4 years..

The notion of 'balance' and 'running and defense wins' are antiquated. Look at the top teams NE (#2 in passing offense), Dallas (#3), GB(#1), Indy (#6) and they are in the top 6 of passing offense and are outpacing their running games by 164, 152, 222 & 128 yards per game.. They are all also in the top 15 in rushing yards per game (none exceeding 132 YPG) but that's not balance, that's passing early, getting up on your opponent by 3-4 TD and running the ball to maintain possession and keep them off the field.

Re: Should Gibbs Flip The Script: Passing Team Now?
 

[QUOTE][QUOTE=hail_2_da_skins;380539]Which Clinton Portis have you been watching? Clinton Portis is one of the worst pass catching running backs in the league. He cannot catch and run at the same time. In order to catch a ball, he has to stop and turn around and face the quarterback. He drops more passes when he tries to catch the ball over his shoulder. The next time the Skins play,[U] pay close attention to Portis when he catches balls out of the backfield. [/U]He always have to square his shoulders to the passer and then run after the catch. I love Portis to death, but his technique on swing passes is horrible.[/QUOTE]

I sure will (thought I had!!)

Re: Should Gibbs Flip The Script: Passing Team Now?
 

If the defense were playing better you could consider going pass heavy. But, with the defense giving up huge plays, I think it's wise to be a little methodical and use more time. You can really aggrevate your defensive woes by giving the other team too many posessions. A game can become a track meet really fast and the way our secondary looked yesterday, I don't think we want a track meet.

Re: Should Gibbs Flip The Script: Passing Team Now?
 

You say you don't want a track meet but when you go into play a team like Dallas I think you have to expect to have to put up 28+ points. I really do think we should pass more because that seemed to work yesterday.

Re: Should Gibbs Flip The Script: Passing Team Now?
 

[quote=Paintrain;380547]Coach Gibbs is that you??

Success in today's NFL is predicated on scoring points in bundles and making the other team outscore you. The mentality of not wanting to throw the ball because you're afraid of turnovers is the biggest reason our offense was stuck in the '80s for the past 4 years..

The notion of 'balance' and 'running and defense wins' are antiquated. Look at the top teams NE (#2 in passing offense), Dallas (#3), GB(#1), Indy (#6) and they are in the top 6 of passing offense and are outpacing their running games by 164, 152, 222 & 128 yards per game.. They are all also in the top 15 in rushing yards per game (none exceeding 132 YPG) but that's not balance, that's passing early, getting up on your opponent by 3-4 TD and running the ball to maintain possession and keep them off the field.[/quote]

But aren't you arguing for the Martz philosophy? All due respect to the Redskins WRs, but we don't have Roy Williams, Calvin Johnson, Mike Furrey, and Shaun McDonald lining up for us. Or even Reggie Wayne, Marvin Harrison and Dallas Clark. Or even Randy Moss, Wes Welker, Donte Stallworth, and Ben Watson.

I'm all for the hurry up, spreading the field, and striking quickly in the passing game. We look good, and it is a clear strength of our offense.

Notice that by no means am I suggesting that we always run. I think we should run draws and such out of spread formations to keep the defense off balance. We should feature screen passes which keep aggressive defensive lines in check, and can be used as an extension of the running game. And we should continue to use the hurry up. I definitely don't think we should crowd into the line of scrimmage with a jumbo package and run up the middle all the time, like we've been doing. We should switch the scheme up and modernize it.

But to say that because Campbell threw successfully yesterday after having 50 attempts, that we should approach the game trying to pass 4 out of five times, that's how you give your defense short fields with which to work. It's how you tire your defense out.

In the end, you play to your strength. We've got Clinton Portis, Chris Cooley, solid WRs, and a developing QB. To me, that personnel screams balance.

Re: Should Gibbs Flip The Script: Passing Team Now?
 

It's just funny how this time last week, everyone was screaming to put the load on Clinton Portis and ride the workhorse. Now that Campbell had a big day, necessitated by passing to catch up, everyone wants to see us pass all the time.

How about this, we put together a complete offensive performance where we're both running and passing effectively?

Re: Should Gibbs Flip The Script: Passing Team Now?
 

[quote=Paintrain;380547]Coach Gibbs is that you??

Success in today's NFL is predicated on scoring points in bundles and making the other team outscore you. The mentality of not wanting to throw the ball because you're afraid of turnovers is the biggest reason our offense was stuck in the '80s for the past 4 years..

The notion of 'balance' and 'running and defense wins' are antiquated. Look at the top teams NE (#2 in passing offense), Dallas (#3), GB(#1), Indy (#6) and they are in the top 6 of passing offense and are outpacing their running games by 164, 152, 222 & 128 yards per game.. They are all also in the top 15 in rushing yards per game (none exceeding 132 YPG) but that's not balance, that's passing early, getting up on your opponent by 3-4 TD and running the ball to maintain possession and keep them off the field.[/quote]

Running the ball has been "antiquated" on several non-consecutive occasions since I've been watching the NFL. Gibbs was of course a key architect of Air Coryell which was the first time I remember hearing these things. That offense emerged following a rules change in much the way the current passing teams are aided by an extreme interpretation of the rules. It never lasts though. Defenses adjust and teams go back to running the ball. Or a team emerges that just runs the ball really well and everyone jumps on that caravan for a few seasons.

In addition, there seems to be a pervasive notion that somehow the fans and the media and the bloggers know more about and have a better understanding of the NFL and football generally than Coach Joe Gibbs. You may believe this to be true, but it has absolutely no basis whatsoever in any objective reality. I wish I could just laugh at it, but I can't, because I find it so disrespectful and conceited. The worst assistant coach on the worst team in the league knows more about football than most of us put together.

Re: Should Gibbs Flip The Script: Passing Team Now?
 

[QUOTE=Schneed10;380580]But aren't you arguing for the Martz philosophy? All due respect to the Redskins WRs, but we don't have Roy Williams, Calvin Johnson, Mike Furrey, and Shaun McDonald lining up for us. Or even Reggie Wayne, Marvin Harrison and Dallas Clark. Or even Randy Moss, Wes Welker, Donte Stallworth, and Ben Watson.

I'm all for the hurry up, spreading the field, and striking quickly in the passing game. We look good, and it is a clear strength of our offense.

Notice that by no means am I suggesting that we always run. I think we should run draws and such out of spread formations to keep the defense off balance. We should feature screen passes which keep aggressive defensive lines in check, and can be used as an extension of the running game. And we should continue to use the hurry up. I definitely don't think we should crowd into the line of scrimmage with a jumbo package and run up the middle all the time, like we've been doing. We should switch the scheme up and modernize it.

But to say that because Campbell threw successfully yesterday after having 50 attempts, that we should approach the game trying to pass 4 out of five times, that's how you give your defense short fields with which to work. It's how you tire your defense out.

In the end, you play to your strength. We've got Clinton Portis, Chris Cooley, solid WRs, and a developing QB. To me, that personnel screams balance.[/QUOTE]
Since you mentioned the Martz philosophy (relentlessly attack), yeah pretty much.. He got fired for his game management skills & personality, not because his offense stopped working.. I think a Martz type offense works better for this team than what we've been running.. A fast back, small quick WR with deep speed to separate, a pass catching TE to exploit the seams doesn't support a power running team, which is what we've tried to be for some reason.

I agree with your assessment of our strengths on offense but the crutch of a 'developing QB' is off base I think. Yes, he's developing but he can't fully develop unless you let him. He's a third year QB, not a fresh faced rookie.. He's into his second 'season' as a starter, there's no reason to hold back anything from the game plan for him. He has shown that he is a playmaker, when given the chance. I posted earlier, I think his rust/inaccuracy on the deep ball is because he hadn't had a chance to throw it in games much until the past 2 weeks. If you have a high performance car in the garage you don't take the minivan on a Sunday drive.

I'm not advocating a 80-20 pass-run ratio but I think 65-35 or so would yield us much better results in the W-L columns than what we've done for 80% of the games this year.

Re: Should Gibbs Flip The Script: Passing Team Now?
 

[QUOTE=70Chip;380584]Running the ball has been "antiquated" on several non-consecutive occasions since I've been watching the NFL. Gibbs was of course a key architect of Air Coryell which was the first time I remember hearing these things. That offense emerged following a rules change in much the way the current passing teams are aided by an extreme interpretation of the rules. [b]It never lasts though. Defenses adjust and teams go back to running the ball.[/b] Or a team emerges that just runs the ball really well and everyone jumps on that caravan for a few seasons.

In addition, there seems to be a pervasive notion that somehow the fans and the media and the bloggers know more about and have a better understanding of the NFL and football generally than Coach Joe Gibbs. You may believe this to be true, but it has absolutely no basis whatsoever in any objective reality. I wish I could just laugh at it, but I can't, because I find it so disrespectful and conceited. The worst assistant coach on the worst team in the league knows more about football than most of us put together.[/QUOTE]
And when it does, then adjust back to that but stubbornly sticking to a philosophy, trends and results be damned is kinda silly don't ya think?

I've got tons of respect for Coach Joe, grew up rooting for Gibbs 1.0.. I don't think I 'know more' than anyone in the NFL but knowing more doesn't always equate to making the right decisions. Are you saying that just because we don't know more than the worst assistant on the worst team then we have no right to second guess?

Re: Should Gibbs Flip The Script: Passing Team Now?
 

[quote=Paintrain;380595]And when it does, then adjust back to that but stubbornly sticking to a philosophy, trends and results be damned is kinda silly don't ya think?

I've got tons of respect for Coach Joe, grew up rooting for Gibbs 1.0.. I don't think I 'know more' than anyone in the NFL but knowing more doesn't always equate to making the right decisions. Are you saying that just because we don't know more than the worst assistant on the worst team then we have no right to second guess?[/quote]


If people are going to take a condescending tone towards Gibbs, I'm going to challenge them. That's all.

Re: Should Gibbs Flip The Script: Passing Team Now?
 

[QUOTE=Paintrain;380547]Coach Gibbs is that you??

Success in today's NFL is predicated on scoring points in bundles and making the other team outscore you. The mentality of not wanting to throw the ball because you're afraid of turnovers is the biggest reason our offense was stuck in the '80s for the past 4 years..

The notion of 'balance' and 'running and defense wins' are antiquated. Look at the top teams NE (#2 in passing offense), Dallas (#3), GB(#1), Indy (#6) and they are in the top 6 of passing offense and are outpacing their running games by 164, 152, 222 & 128 yards per game.. They are all also in the top 15 in rushing yards per game (none exceeding 132 YPG) but that's not balance, that's passing early, getting up on your opponent by 3-4 TD and running the ball to maintain possession and keep them off the field.[/QUOTE]

When we pass early, and take say a 17 point lead at halftime and then start running to maintian possession, it's called "lack of a killer instinct."

It's very rare that you can fully succeed without being able to run and stop the run effectively. Ask Elway (Terrell Davis) or Manning (Addai/Rhodes).

People can mock balance all they want, but ultimately it's the best formula for the personnel we have.