Is Byner the Problem?

aehs77 · 10-08-2004, 11:29 PM

i think its the way he is being used he needs to get on the outside to be affective

joecrisp · 10-09-2004, 12:39 AM

This is indeed Byner's first coaching job. His role with the Ravens was Director of Player Development, wherein he "oversaw the player programs, administered continuing education, internship and financial planning programs for the team." In other words, he had no coaching duties.

But I don't think the problems with the running game are attributable to Byner or his lack of coaching experience. Byner is there to essentially emphasize the fundamentals and technique required to play the position in Gibbs's offense. The problems Portis is having are primarily a function of a horizontal passing game that doesn't force the defense to back away from the line of scrimmage, and a lack of chemistry and execution on the part of the blockers.

Of course, Portis has put the ball on the ground 3 times now, and it is the runningback coach's responsibility to ensure that his players know how to secure the ball in traffic. I'd also like to see Portis do a better job of selling counters and play-action fakes. But he's doing a great job in pass protection, so kudos to Byner for that.

The running game will improve, but Bugel still has a lot of work to do to get this line where it needs to be in terms of taking an aggressive attitude with their run-blocking assignments. Gibbs needs to take a more aggressive approach to the passing game in order to pull the linebackers and safeties away from the line of scrimmage, and take the pressure off the running game. Receivers need to catch the ball and hold onto it. Brunell needs to put the ball in the receivers' hands, and stop throwing the ball away when there are open receivers downfield.

There's plenty of blame to go around-- Byner needn't bear it all.

10-08-2004, 11:29 PM	#1
aehs77 Special Teams Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: silver spring Age: 40 Posts: 486	i think its the way he is being used he needs to get on the outside to be affective

10-09-2004, 12:39 AM	#2
joecrisp The Starter Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Charlottesville, VA Age: 49 Posts: 1,501	This is indeed Byner's first coaching job. His role with the Ravens was Director of Player Development, wherein he "oversaw the player programs, administered continuing education, internship and financial planning programs for the team." In other words, he had no coaching duties. But I don't think the problems with the running game are attributable to Byner or his lack of coaching experience. Byner is there to essentially emphasize the fundamentals and technique required to play the position in Gibbs's offense. The problems Portis is having are primarily a function of a horizontal passing game that doesn't force the defense to back away from the line of scrimmage, and a lack of chemistry and execution on the part of the blockers. Of course, Portis has put the ball on the ground 3 times now, and it is the runningback coach's responsibility to ensure that his players know how to secure the ball in traffic. I'd also like to see Portis do a better job of selling counters and play-action fakes. But he's doing a great job in pass protection, so kudos to Byner for that. The running game will improve, but Bugel still has a lot of work to do to get this line where it needs to be in terms of taking an aggressive attitude with their run-blocking assignments. Gibbs needs to take a more aggressive approach to the passing game in order to pull the linebackers and safeties away from the line of scrimmage, and take the pressure off the running game. Receivers need to catch the ball and hold onto it. Brunell needs to put the ball in the receivers' hands, and stop throwing the ball away when there are open receivers downfield. There's plenty of blame to go around-- Byner needn't bear it all.

Is Byner the Problem?

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