Observations from a brief All-22 study (1 Viewer)

[Nolan]

I just spent about an hour sifting through the all-22 from Sundays game, mostly because I wanted to see what we had Kamara running in the passing game in traditional dropback sets.

I've obviously been vocal about utilizing Kamara more on the choice route versus man coverage.. and honestly, Tampa ran a lot of Cover 2. There were next to no opportunities to take advantage of Kamara in man coverage. Outside of designed screens, it was mostly flares and routes to the flat, with one stick route coming out of a slot type position.

The bigger issue here, is that for the entire game we continued to try and bang our heads into the strength of Cover 2 with a lot of horizontal routes without challenging the middle of the field vertically. Tampa didn't really change anything throughout the game. The middle of the field was wide open all game and we didn't attack it. Next to no seam routes even run, let alone thrown to. When we took deep shots, it was easy reads for these safeties because they didn't have any sort of choice to make.

It's not like this is rocket science. It's well known that the seams are how you exploit Cover 2. And with corners having to respect the flats with Kamara being so dangerous, it can open up the sidelines for big plays too so as long as you even have a threat in the middle of the field and force the safety to play a side. But these safeties didn't even have to think. And if the MLB runs with the seam, you take the lower read with room for yards after the catch. I don't want to hear anything about the unexpected Juwan injury either. Graham, while he isn't what he used to be, he knows more than anyone how to attack a seam. Mike has done it and can do it. Taysom could have posed a threat.

It's honestly just amateur hour at best. So while I hear everyone in that the season isn't lost, we're 2-2, getting healthy.. Yeah, that's cool, but we're still very much blind at the wheel. I don't know what Tampa has shown this season in terms of defense, but if they caught you off guard and Cover 2 isn't what you were expecting - then it's really easy to adjust. If they've shown a lot of Cover 2 this season and this was the plan to attack it, then we're in even bigger trouble. This level of incompetence is absolutely wild.

 

[BreesusSaves]

Behold, a basic concept that was basically nonexistent against Tampa.

 

[BayouSAINTJoe]

I just spent about an hour sifting through the all-22 from Sundays game, mostly because I wanted to see what we had Kamara running in the passing game in traditional dropback sets.

I've obviously been vocal about utilizing Kamara more on the choice route versus man coverage.. and honestly, Tampa ran a lot of Cover 2. There were next to no opportunities to take advantage of Kamara in man coverage. Outside of designed screens, it was mostly flares and routes to the flat, with one stick route coming out of a slot type position.

The bigger issue here, is that for the entire game we continued to try and bang our heads into the strength of Cover 2 with a lot of horizontal routes without challenging the middle of the field vertically. Tampa didn't really change anything throughout the game. The middle of the field was wide open all game and we didn't attack it. Next to no seam routes even run, let alone thrown to. When we took deep shots, it was easy reads for these safeties because they didn't have any sort of choice to make.

It's not like this is rocket science. It's well known that the seams are how you exploit Cover 2. And with corners having to respect the flats with Kamara being so dangerous, it can open up the sidelines for big plays too so as long as you even have a threat in the middle of the field and force the safety to play a side. But these safeties didn't even have to think. And if the MLB runs with the seam, you take the lower read with room for yards after the catch. I don't want to hear anything about the unexpected Juwan injury either. Graham, while he isn't what he used to be, he knows more than anyone how to attack a seam. Mike has done it and can do it. Taysom could have posed a threat.

It's honestly just amateur hour at best. So while I hear everyone in that the season isn't lost, we're 2-2, getting healthy.. Yeah, that's cool, but we're still very much blind at the wheel. I don't know what Tampa has shown this season in terms of defense, but if they caught you off guard and Cover 2 isn't what you were expecting - then it's really easy to adjust. If they've shown a lot of Cover 2 this season and this was the plan to attack it, then we're in even bigger trouble. This level of incompetence is absolutely wild.

Thank you....I pointed out a while back that we are just flat out not attacking the middle of the field. I think we're at 7 passes (being generous) thrown to the intermediate middle of the field through the first 4 games

Edit...my bad 6 passes to the "intermediate" middle:

 

[TribuneUK]

Behold, a basic concept that was basically nonexistent against Tampa.

Mike carries the TE as he covers the hole under the 2 deep, safeties take the fly and post, strong corner covers the out, while you hope the Will can't cover your RB. Hardly the mind-melting offensive concept for a Cover 2 to deal with.

Also, did Juwan Johnson get much time? I saw Graham go out with the starters and never noticed JJ after that. If anyone's going into the seam from TE, I'd hope it would be him.

 

[Saint Taysom]

A washed QB and a clueless OC with a stale system just does not work! No matter the other weapons.

Now add a HC that is either too ignorant or too scared to recognize and address an issue, and you have a sinking ship with the SOS turned off by the captain!

 

[meily]

I just spent about an hour sifting through the all-22 from Sundays game, mostly because I wanted to see what we had Kamara running in the passing game in traditional dropback sets.

I've obviously been vocal about utilizing Kamara more on the choice route versus man coverage.. and honestly, Tampa ran a lot of Cover 2. There were next to no opportunities to take advantage of Kamara in man coverage. Outside of designed screens, it was mostly flares and routes to the flat, with one stick route coming out of a slot type position.

The bigger issue here, is that for the entire game we continued to try and bang our heads into the strength of Cover 2 with a lot of horizontal routes without challenging the middle of the field vertically. Tampa didn't really change anything throughout the game. The middle of the field was wide open all game and we didn't attack it. Next to no seam routes even run, let alone thrown to. When we took deep shots, it was easy reads for these safeties because they didn't have any sort of choice to make.

It's not like this is rocket science. It's well known that the seams are how you exploit Cover 2. And with corners having to respect the flats with Kamara being so dangerous, it can open up the sidelines for big plays too so as long as you even have a threat in the middle of the field and force the safety to play a side. But these safeties didn't even have to think. And if the MLB runs with the seam, you take the lower read with room for yards after the catch. I don't want to hear anything about the unexpected Juwan injury either. Graham, while he isn't what he used to be, he knows more than anyone how to attack a seam. Mike has done it and can do it. Taysom could have posed a threat.

It's honestly just amateur hour at best. So while I hear everyone in that the season isn't lost, we're 2-2, getting healthy.. Yeah, that's cool, but we're still very much blind at the wheel. I don't know what Tampa has shown this season in terms of defense, but if they caught you off guard and Cover 2 isn't what you were expecting - then it's really easy to adjust. If they've shown a lot of Cover 2 this season and this was the plan to attack it, then we're in even bigger trouble. This level of incompetence is absolutely wild.

you throw the ball 37 times for 127 yards with a 3.4 average!!! Yeah, you did not have an answer for their defense so you called plays to get completions (5 yard outs), which is what PC has been doing since he took over, he does not have a system, he just calls plays.

 

[Nolan]

Mike carries the TE as he covers the hole under the 2 deep, safeties take the fly and post, strong corner covers the out, while you hope the Will can't cover your RB. Hardly the mind-melting offensive concept for a Cover 2 to deal with.

Also, did Juwan Johnson get much time? I saw Graham go out with the starters and never noticed JJ after that. If anyone's going into the seam from TE, I'd hope it would be him.

Juwan was injured in warm-ups and never played. It's still not an excuse to not properly attack a Cover 2.

 

[Infoman]

Not saying this means anything.... Just an observation... There are quite a few Good to Decent NFL QBs and Offenses that have really struggled to start the season... It's not just us... Go have a look at who's at the bottom in QBR and Total offense after 4 weeks... It's kinda head scratching. Again, no point... just weird and unexpected.

 

[Nolan]

An example of a serious missed opportunity. We FINALLY call something that can exploit their defense, and Carr rushes the check down (ball out in literally under 2 seconds) despite a reasonable pocket to step into. Big hole in the middle of the field that Mike is breaking into. He only needed another second at most - step up a little bit and deliver a strike down the middle of the field to the most sure handed receiver this team has ever had. Is it the cleanest looking pocket ever? No, but it's more than fine for him to step up and deliver a strike.

There's no point in occupying the left side of the field with Olave and Graham running vertical routes if we're not going to abuse the middle and take the touchdown to Mike. I don't want to hear anything about Carr having happy feet because of pressure thus far throughout the season. For as many sacks as he's taken from our O-line getting abused, he's taken just as many because he's eyes are too far down the field.

But again, this isn't all on Carr. This is literally one play I can provide where we even had a chance to attack this defense. Our gameplan and our coaching are doing next to nothing in terms of helping him succeed.

 

[Infoman]

An example of a serious missed opportunity. We FINALLY call something that can exploit their defense, and Carr rushes the check down (ball out in literally under 2 seconds) despite a reasonable pocket to step into. Big hole in the middle of the field that Mike is breaking into. He only needed another second at most - step up a little bit and deliver a strike down the middle of the field to the most sure handed receiver this team has ever had. Is it the cleanest looking pocket ever? No, but it's more than fine for him to step up and deliver a strike.

I'll be honest - That doesn't show me much - And is why I don't like screen shots (no offense - thanks for the post)... In that frame - I (the QB) see the right side S squared up (not shading right and nearer to the hash than my WR) and looking dead at me... He hasn't committed... at this point you have 2 choices... Step up (hope the DT doesn't peel and crush you) - Hope the S goes outside and MT opens up down the middle, if not... Then Run like hell... Or swing this ball to the best player on your team right now... Hard to blame him for making that choice.

 

[Saint Spud]

This is just mind-boggling.

We always talk about when the offense was “at its best” with Drew. He would destroy teams going to Colston, Meachem, Devery, JG, Shockey, etc down the seams.

Carr clearly has the arm strength to do this. And we have the personnel. Why aren’t we?

 

[efil4stnias]

An example of a serious missed opportunity. We FINALLY call something that can exploit their defense, and Carr rushes the check down (ball out in literally under 2 seconds) despite a reasonable pocket to step into. Big hole in the middle of the field that Mike is breaking into. He only needed another second at most - step up a little bit and deliver a strike down the middle of the field to the most sure handed receiver this team has ever had. Is it the cleanest looking pocket ever? No, but it's more than fine for him to step up and deliver a strike.

lots of context missing here- What down is this?

very hard to say much of anything off still....but what i do see is Kamara within 1 yd of LOS with no one within 10 yards of him.

Moreover, that line is collapsing and looks like DT already in a stunt move, meaning that pocket you have circled, aint dere in the next few slides.

The issue, as you pointed out in op- isnt so much design, its WHEN the play is called within the context of the game, our drive, down and distance, side of field etc etc. Add to that, PC tendencies are figured out by not only fans, but DCs too.

 

[Nolan]

I'll be honest - That doesn't show me much - And is why I don't like screen shots... In that frame - I (the QB) see the right side S squared up (not shading right and nearer to the hash than my WR) and looking dead at me... He hasn't committed... at this point you have 2 choices... Step up - Hope the S goes outside and MT opens up down the middle, if not... Then Run like hell... Or swing this ball to the best player on your team right now... Hard to blame him for making that choice.

If you don't like the still shot, then watch the play. He looked at Rashid for a split second before throwing it to the checkdown. Step up with your eyes down field reading the safeties and make the right throw. It's an easy read and likely a touchdown. Mike and Rashid were barely 5 yards into their route before he conceded the check down.

 

[Nolan]

lots of context missing here- What down is this?

very hard to say much of anything off still....but what i do see is Kamara within 1 yd of LOS with no one within 10 yards of him.

Moreover, that line is collapsing and looks like DT already in a stunt move, meaning that pocket you have circled, aint dere in the next few slides.

The issue, as you pointed out in op- isnt so much design, its WHEN the play is called within the context of the game, our drive, down and distance, side of field etc etc. Add to that, PC tendencies are figured out by not only fans, but DCs too.

It's 2nd down. The play was blocked fine, the stunt was picked up. There's a pocket to step into.

My point in the OP actually had nothing to do with when things were called, because we didn't attempt to attack the weakness (middle of the field) of their defense once regardless of down and distance.

And as far as Kamara at the LOS with no one within 10 yards of him, sure. But we had attempted that all game, they are very aware of our tendencies. They're sitting on that. It's why we had next to no yards passing on the day, because we didn't challenge where they were actually leaving holes in their zone once.

 

[Infoman]

If you don't like the still shot, then watch the play. He looked at Rashid for a split second before throwing it to the checkdown. Step up with your eyes down field reading the safeties and make the right throw. It's an easy read and likely a touchdown. Mike and Rashid were barely 5 yards into their route before he conceded the check down.

All good - I said thanks... In this specific shot... The read is check down... Both RCBs are dropping... The Right side S is looking dead at me with no signs of committing outside and is closer to the hash than my WR... The DT is running a stunt.... and no one is within 10 yards of AK... Looks like an easy read to me, and good defense... In this 1 specific case anyway.

If anything .... This case looks like a huge missed opportunity.... To have AK running a "Texas route"