West Coast Offense - Good, Bad or Ugly?

[SkinsFanSince91]

Originally Posted by Ade Jimoh Fan Club

I know we have some smart football folks on this site - I was wondering what you thought about the switch to the West Coast Offense, specifically:

1) Is it just me or is this a terrible move for Campbell? He throws a sweet, sweet long ball, but his short dinks and dumps are horid. They are almost always off target - he just doesn't have that touch in his arsenal. Since this pretty much IS the West Coast Offense, do you think Campbell can change this part of his game, or is the beginning of the end for him...?

2) We definitely have the perfect receivers for this offense; fast, speedy, RAC WR's. Plus Portis has shown himself to be a great (and in my opinion, underutilzed) receiver. Do you think we are good in this area?

3) What does this mean for the O-Line? I know we had a lot of injuries last year, but they group should be starting next year intact and we all know they are a pretty good group of linemen. Does the West Coast Offense call for a different set of O-Lineman? (i.e. smaller and more agile?)

4) We all know that the priorities for the draft are D-Linemen and DB's. Is the move to West Coast Offense going to re-prioritize any of our draft picks?

Thanks for your input!

THE ADE

1) While accuracy is not yet JC's strong suit, Im sure than having a former QB as the head coach will definitely be an asset. Zorn will undoubtedly have Campbell more than ready before the season starts, and as someone mentioned earlier, he ran a version of this in college.

2) I think that we are good in this area, but we definitely could do better. The WCO does need receivers that have YAC (yards after catch) ability, it also requires larger receivers who can also break tackles in this predominantly short pass oriented offense. I dont think we need to draft a receiver right away because of this, but we may want to look into it and/or keep our eyes open to who's released in free agency.

3) Our O-line is good. Just add depth in the off season and we will be good. The WCO should bode well for them, because the WCO requires shorter drops from the QB. This in turn, shortens the time that the O-line has to sustain their blocks in pass protection.

4) I think that depending on how our cap space looks, what we do in free agency, and who we release will dictate who we draft. We need a receiver anyway, so Im sure we will address that in the draft. If the draft were held today, I think we would take Devin Thomas out of Michigan state if he is there. At earliest we get a receiver in the 2nd round.

Side Note - I think we should snatch up this guy in the 3rd round. He is projected as a 3rd round player at best, but I say he is the best receivers that you have never heard ofYouTube - Inside K-State Sports - Jordy Nelson Highlight Video

He would be a joy to have and a value pick at that for us in those middle rounds.

[Monkeydad]

What has been Campbell's worst downfall as a QB so far? Fumbling.

This offense will get the ball out of his hands so he's not standing around looking for Cooley to get open since WRs are covered.

Sounds like he'll excel.

[MTK]

There are plenty of cold weather teams that utilize WCO principles. Philly, Green Bay, Denver, Seattle, and even New England to a degree.

I found a good article on the history of the WCO, it's by our friend Lenny P but it's still worth the read:

ESPN.com: NFL - All roads lead to Walsh ... sort of

[Longtimefan]

Originally Posted by Mattyk72

There are plenty of cold weather teams that utilize WCO principles. Philly, Green Bay, Denver, Seattle, and even New England to a degree.

I found a good article on the history of the WCO, it's by our friend Lenny P but it's still worth the read:

ESPN.com: NFL - All roads lead to Walsh ... sort of

Over the years I have become a proponent of the WC after witnessing how effective it can be run by some teams [not all that use it] There have been varying viewpoints, and each viewpoint has it's pro's and con's. I certainly cannot argue with success, and after watching Bill Walsh win four SB utilizing this particular type offense, I see no reason why it can't be successful for the Redskins. Right coaching-right personell=success.

[MTK]

Pros and cons of the west coast

[wilsowilso]

Originally Posted by Bishop Hammer

I read somewhere that the WCO Jason Campbell ran at Auburn was grossly simplified so he could operate it more effectivly. In addition to it be simplified it was also a run first style of the WCO, which many believed is why Campbell was so accurate in the passing game that year. Bear in mind, there were also two top 5 running backs (Cadillac Williams and Ronnie Brown) on the team, when Auburn went undeafeted, as well.

If someone knows other wise I would like to hear it.

Jason Campbell holds Auburn's career completion percentage at 64.6%.
This guy had to run a new system every single year he was there and he still ends up with the all time accuracy record?

To say Ronnie Brown and especially Cadillac Williams have underachieved as pro's considering where they were drafted would be an understatement. Those two running backs play so far seems to help prove that Auburn's quarterback was quite possibly the reason that team was so efficient. Also college teams usually run simplified versions of pro schemes if they attempt to run them at all.

Jason Campbell was voted as SEC player of the year during the undefeated season. It was Jason Campbell who dismantled Tennessee in the SEC Championship game. He completed 27-of-35 for 374 yards. He also rushed for 57 yards, setting an SEC championship game record with 431 yards total offense.

I assume that the Redskins will run a type of WCO that best fits the players that we have to run it. Maybe we can run a simplified version that will allow Campbell to continue to fool people with his inaccuracy.

Al Saunders system might not have been the best fit for Campbell and if you want to see Campbell and his accuracy check out that SEC Championship game. Here is a link.

YouTube - Jason Campbell 2005 SEC Championship Game 1stHalf Highlights 1st half


YouTube - Jason Campbell 2005 SEC Championship Game 2ndHalf Highlights 2nd half

[Ade Jimoh Fan Club]

Originally Posted by wilsowilso

Jason Campbell was voted as SEC player of the year during the undefeated season. It was Jason Campbell who dismantled Tennessee in the SEC Championship game. He completed 27-of-35 for 374 yards. He also rushed for 57 yards, setting an SEC championship game record with 431 yards total offense.

Al Saunders system might not have been the best fit for Campbell and if you want to see Campbell and his accuracy check out that SEC Championship game. Here is a link.

YouTube - Jason Campbell 2005 SEC Championship Game 1stHalf Highlights 1st half


YouTube - Jason Campbell 2005 SEC Championship Game 2ndHalf Highlights 2nd half

WOW. I didn't see that game, but just watched both the clips. If I had to be honest, Campbell was really not all that impressive in those highlights. Especially considering the stats he put up. Almost all of his big plays were when Tennesee didn't pressure him at all and the DB play was horrible. When he was pressured, he was mostly indecisive and usually either threw it away or forced it in to a bad situation. He sure was bailed out a lot by DB penalites... I don't think he'd get away with half of that against an NFL defense. I'm not a Campbell hater for sure, but I came away from those video clips very disappointed. If that is the best game of his college career, then our scouting folks need to be fired. Yikes.

[wilsowilso]

Originally Posted by Ade Jimoh Fan Club

WOW. I didn't see that game, but just watched both the clips. If I had to be honest, Campbell was really not all that impressive in those highlights. Especially considering the stats he put up. Almost all of his big plays were when Tennesee didn't pressure him at all and the DB play was horrible. When he was pressured, he was mostly indecisive and usually either threw it away or forced it in to a bad situation. He sure was bailed out a lot by DB penalites... I don't think he'd get away with half of that against an NFL defense. I'm not a Campbell hater for sure, but I came away from those video clips very disappointed. If that is the best game of his college career, then our scouting folks need to be fired. Yikes.

You must be joking. Maybe football scout isn't the job for you.

[Paintrain]

Originally Posted by wilsowilso

You must be joking. Maybe football scout isn't the job for you.

He's a fan of Ade Jimoh! Obviously scouting talented FB players isn't his forte!

[Monkeydad]

[That Guy]

it'll take time to adjust (maybe a full year) and auburn's WCO isn't the same as the NFL version with better competition and MUCH smaller windows for completions.

[Longtimefan]

Originally Posted by That Guy

it'll take time to adjust (maybe a full year) and auburn's WCO isn't the same as the NFL version with better competition and MUCH smaller windows for completions.

That, coupled with the speed of the offense, as well as the speed of the defensive reaction to it.

What is encouraging though is the fact Jason is not a virgin to this particular offense, despite being played on a higher level. It's only natural that it will take a little while to make the adjustment, I still envision the offense being productive even during the process of the learning curve.

[Skins4Life101]

The west Coast offense is the most fuel efficient offense PERIOD. It caters to every situation possible in todays game. One aspec that is HIGHLY overlooked is the TE position. It is a position that can make or break the system. Two tight ends that can catch and block are best because the westcoast offense provides more sweeps and zone running plays. Also the intermediate threat is potent considering a big body can make the plays across the middle and in the flats.

I hope that Tyler Ecker has built up his skills with his physique and is willing to get serious on offense. We will need him more in this system than ever. Todd Yoder is a decent TE, but not efficient enough to be considered a 4th option in many sets.

Personally I like this offense because on many occasions we can expect to see both Betts and Portis in the back field with 'pick your poison' type plays.

Although it was on the college level, I would like for many of you to google Auburn's 2004 season and watch how truly west coast inspired sets and plays torched the SEC and the college landscape.

Or refer to USC's dominance over the past 4-6 years...