Quote:
Originally Posted by SmootSmack
Even when teams scored 21+ points against us last year they still ran more (I think around 55%) vs. when they score 21+ against us this year (41%). These are in losses. So teams ran against us more last year. I'm sure there were many reasons for their less aggressive approach. But I believe one of them was our own lack of offensive firepower.
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I'm confused about the idea of a team A being "less aggressive" than they could be on offense, when team B's offense is weak.
I think Team A's goal should be to try and score a TD every series like Patriots '07 or us in '91. (Until the game is out of reach, like say 21 pts in the 4th quarter.) And easing off your normal offense when you have a small lead is just as bad as "prevent defense", in letting an opponent back in the game, IMO. Sure maybe mix your strategy a little, but keep doing what got you the lead in the first place! On offense and D!
I can see the following reasons to be "less aggressive". But none of this has to do with an opponent's anemic offense, IMO :
1. It's the end of the game. You have the lead, and your odds are better to run out the clock than score again.
2. Your defense plays lights out but tires quickly, so you want more time of possession (while still trying to score) to give them a rest.
3. Maybe you planned to be "ball control", or maybe your OL and an RB like Morris unexpectedly stepped up. But your offense is simply built to play "less aggressive" rather than a two minute drill offense so you're always grinding it out.
I can see two reasons to be "less aggressive" than you could be, if the opponent's offense sucks. But I don't agree with them.:
1. Field position. But I think that pales in comparison to giving your offense the best chance to score. And aren't you shorting yourself in the long haul, by not being aggressive as you could be and getting the most yards?
2. You're up 21+ points in the 4th, and just being classy not running up the score. But I don't think that's not really about just the other team's O. Peyton may be more worrisome than Sanchez when they're behind, but I don't think you can rest on any offense in the NFL differently enough to matter. Anything can happen the last couple drives.
So what am I missing, when I don't understand about being "less aggressive" when the other team's O sucks? In this case, SS, are you just saying other teams were being merciful to us, or playing TOP to rest their D to keep us down? Or something else?