2nd Down Play Calling
 

I noticed a lot this season and especially in the first half today against Jacksonville that the Skins will get into a 2nd and 8,7,6 or 5 and always call a run play. It seems like you would want to throw to get the first down or at least cut it down so you have a 3rd and short. With a run on 2nd and 7 that goes a yard or two is gonna leave you with a 3rd and 5 or longer. It seems as if throwing on 2nd and long would make more sense. Even take a shot downfield because what is the difference between a 1 or 2 yard gain compared with a long pass attempt down the field . If it's completed then big gain and first down and if it is incomplete then you have a similar 3rd and long as if you had run for a short gain. I think the offense needs to be more dynamic on second down basically.

What are some thoughts as to the play calling on second down??

Re: 2nd Down Play Calling
 

Our Skins scored 36 points against one of the best Defenses in the league today...the same defense that allowed only 14 offensive points against the best offense in the league in Indy last week. I'm not going to second guess the play calling that netted us 22 first downs. Kudo's to Saunders.

Re: 2nd Down Play Calling
 

Oh yea...I'm not tryin' to harsh to winning buzz at all this is just something i noticed over the first couple games but i guess if you are converting your 3rd downs, like 50% today, then a big 2nd down play isn't necessary.

Re: 2nd Down Play Calling
 

We're averaging over 23 points per game. I'm not one to 2nd guess Al Saunders offense and obviously neither are you.

Re: 2nd Down Play Calling
 

Yes, the Skins were trying to get into manageable downs. At one point I was like "here we go again, settling for a field goal." It was fortunate that Moss showed up today. He made everyone look good.

Re: 2nd Down Play Calling
 

SkinsLove, we were saying the same thing during the game. Did we use a play action fake once during the game? There were a few times when it seemed like the perfect call; but then again, I'm not a coach and I'm not all that great at Madden, so what do I know?

Re: 2nd Down Play Calling
 

If you look around the league 2nd down has become a popular running down simply because teams are trying to stay out of 3rd and longs.

Re: 2nd Down Play Calling
 

If first down doesn't produce much and you end up in a second and long, I love running plays there. You're in a much worse position if you end up throwing incompletions on 2nd and 9, thus ending up in 3rd and 9s all day long. Then you get blitzed and you're often punting.

Plus the continued threat of the run pounds the defense, controls the clock, and makes the D tired. It helps open up the field.

I like attacking through the air when you have 2nd and 5 or better. If it's incomplete, you still have a 3rd and manageable to pick it up.

Re: 2nd Down Play Calling
 

Running the ball on 2nd and long is as much about punishing a defense as anything else. Sooner or later, running, more than passing, wears them down and makes everything easier.

Re: 2nd Down Play Calling
 

I also noticed this, but it's about establishing the run, and, most likely, setting up plays for later in the game. You throw out of that same run formation late in the game, and the D bites on the fake.

Anywho, it worked, whatever the reason behind it.

Re: 2nd Down Play Calling
 

It worked! And it's what has made the Skins' sucessful in the past..... don't worry, I'm sure down the road, it's going to set up something big...

Re: 2nd Down Play Calling
 

we scored 36 points on a very good defense and someone is complaining? wtf?