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2019 Offensive Schemes

KoolAid Sipper

KoolAid Sipper

AFCEVET
I would like to discuss observations, strategies, etc on the 2019 season's offense. The good and bad as it relates to play calls/formations, execution, situational awareness and so on.
 
I'll add my input after I re-watch today's game, I'm usually to emotionally charged during the game to be objective. I'll be focusing on blitz pickup, not just how the OL picks it up but also how the receivers and Watson react. I think it would be kind of cool if each week a couple of posters focus on a particular aspect. For example 2 or 3 focus on the running game, 2 or 3 focus on routes, etc. of course it wouldn't be limited. Sort of a building block to drill down concepts and observations.
 
I want to see WRs and TEs get open. It just always seems that at times Watson is either holding the ball too long or nobody is open.
 
santo said:
I think at one point I saw a RB screen in the second half. I do wonder if OB was calling plays because they didn’t look like anything he would do. lol
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Now that you mention it, that's something that's been nagging at me about this game. Obviously this particular game plan worked, whereas the one with the Jags didn't, and the one at NO worked well enough to win. That still spells unpredictable to me. Carolina will be interesting.
 
santo said:
I think at one point I saw a RB screen in the second half. I do wonder if OB was calling plays because they didn’t look like anything he would do. lol
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You did see a screen …. once in the first half and another in the second half , the one in the first half was a total disaster , resulted in the Chargers first TD.

They just don't execute those plays well at all …. now we know why they don't run that play.
 
JB said:
We just needed another thread to discuss this
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I like it. Allows us to focus on one area in this thread if posters stick to that.

Tunsil who was supposed to be magnificent at blocking on screenplays seemed confused at least twice. I think that's just a study issue that he will get better at.

Watson can get much better at situational awareness. Some of that will come with confidence in his oline.

I could not tell who was doing offensive play-calling this game but it needs to get better. Still, whomever it was included tight ends and that was a good thing.
 
Thorn said:
Carolina will be interesting.
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I expect they beat Carolina …. fairly easily being a home game against a poor to middling team.

I'm looking at the following week against Atlanta …. hard for me to believe they lost to the Dolts.
 
badboy said:
I like it. Allows us to focus on one area in this thread if posters stick to that.

Tunsil who was supposed to be magnificent at blocking on screenplays seemed confused at least twice. I think that's just a study issue that he will get better at.

Watson can get much better at situational awareness. Some of that will come with confidence in his oline.

I could not tell who was doing offensive play-calling this game but it needs to get better. Still, whomever it was included tight ends and that was a good thing.
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In all fairness , that DB sniffed out both those plays and blew them up ….
 
Corrosion said:
You did see a screen …. once in the first half and another in the second half , the one in the first half was a total disaster , resulted in the Chargers first TD.

They just don't execute those plays well at all …. now we know why they don't run that play.
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Not true. I've seen that play hit for chunk yds by DHop and Fuller in other games. The "disaster" in the first half was more due to WadeP having his boys ready for that play. As you said yourself, the DBs sniffed it out.

JB said:
You misspelled Geez...
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Actually Webster says he didn't....
geez
interjection
less common spelling of JEEZ
—used as a mild oath or introductory expletive (as to express surprise)
LINK
 
I don’t know if the second half yesterday was a watershed event or not. Gotta wait and see. But it seems that OB was trusting the OL more and new routes were developing, particularly with ample use of the TE’s. Maybe? this is the start of something. It’s eventually going to start at some point.
 
ObsiWan said:
Not true. I've seen that play hit for chunk yds by DHop and Fuller in other games. The "disaster" in the first half was more due to WadeP having his boys ready for that play. As you said yourself, the DBs sniffed it out.


Actually Webster says he didn't....
geez
interjection
less common spelling of JEEZ
—used as a mild oath or introductory expletive (as to express surprise)
LINK
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except he spelled Jees
 
Copycat league. I noticed new wrinkles yesterday, not sure who's responsible Kelly or OBrien himself, but the NFL being a copycat league it was wise to use some current game theory trends that defenses are having slow time adjusting to, and mainly those are the bunch/stack sets on the receiving corp. Usually, OBrien will lineup 4 and 5 and use receiving concepts that take a long time to materialize - combine that with a bad OL and its a recipe for disaster. Yesterday watching stacks eat up the blitz happy defense was a revelation. Watching DHOP break off routes and Deshaun in tune with him was nice. Tight end integration was the game changer in the 2nd half. Houston so often ignores the TE in the passing game I wouldnt be surprised if LAC just overlooked that aspect and we stung their ass. More weapons for Deshaun is a good thing.

Run game is alot of ZBS and RB read and recognition stuff - one cut go. Hyde's game is made for that style in between the tackles. Duke is not meant to be run inside, he needs to be allowed to run in space. OBriens sell-out attempts at balance in run/pass that they sometimes just run an inside dive not even believing it will be a positive play, but to somewhat keep the defense at home.

Play action was used more yesterday than at other times and it looked great. Muddle huddle after big plays is a smart move.

I need more of what I saw yesterday. I believe that OBrien CAN get better also, he needs to relax his grip on the "MY WAY" philosophy and implement new ideas into his preparation. Worked great yesterday.

Defensively - RAC doesnt have the talent necessary to be a competitive unit so his concepts are not working as they should (WINK) :kitten:
 
justmy2cents said:
There is no way I could ever explain how funny that is ! I am literally that oaf who is dancing down the way, spinning and dancing and winking at everyone, cause I'm so cool .... and the back of pants are ripped wide open .... and the harder they laugh, the more I must be sooo cool !
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SlimyHalfDiscus-size_restricted.gif
 
Dejaview said:
I don’t know if the second half yesterday was a watershed event or not. Gotta wait and see. But it seems that OB was trusting the OL more and new routes were developing, particularly with ample use of the TE’s. Maybe? this is the start of something. It’s eventually going to start at some point.
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Six years in and were looking at one game (hell, one half) to give us hope that something positive might actually be happening.

That's sign enough.
 
So, I've had time to watch all 3 games objectively regarding the Texans when blitzed and here are my observations:

- Most of the time, there is an outlet. Believe or not Watson can avoid a negative play. However it could hamper his ability to make a big play. For sustainability he needs to understand to take what is given.
- The WRs are just running their routes, there is no adjustment between the QB and WRs based on what the defense is showing.
- The Oline needs time to gel and learning multiple positions is a failure. I know a lot of people have said this but understanding this and seeing the misses on passing off blocks and being out of position is atrocious.
- The middle of the line is just bad, they always seem to have the need to double team and when a delayed rush comes in it throws everything off.
- Henderson is trash.
- Devlin needs to go, it shouldn't be optional. If you look at the tape the O-line has been too inconsistent. The Saints showed blitzes that totally confused the OL, yeah its the first game and new pieces are there so a pass given. The - Jags were missing a key component on the D-Line and we got lucky. The Chargers have a strong DL and had weaknesses in the secondary due to injury. So they didn't blitz too much, but when they did it exposed the lack of discipline on the line. But the it also involves the lack of vision in Watson.

Of course this is all my opinion and nothing is 100% all the time.
 
KoolAid Sipper said:
So, I've had time to watch all 3 games objectively regarding the Texans when blitzed and here are my observations:

- Most of the time, there is an outlet. Believe or not Watson can avoid a negative play. However it could hamper his ability to make a big play. For sustainability he needs to understand to take what is given.
- The WRs are just running their routes, there is no adjustment between the QB and WRs based on what the defense is showing.
- The Oline needs time to gel and learning multiple positions is a failure. I know a lot of people have said this but understanding this and seeing the misses on passing off blocks and being out of position is atrocious.
- The middle of the line is just bad, they always seem to have the need to double team and when a delayed rush comes in it throws everything off.
- Henderson is trash.
- Devlin needs to go, it shouldn't be optional. If you look at the tape the O-line has been too inconsistent. The Saints showed blitzes that totally confused the OL, yeah its the first game and new pieces are there so a pass given. The - Jags were missing a key component on the D-Line and we got lucky. The Chargers have a strong DL and had weaknesses in the secondary due to injury. So they didn't blitz too much, but when they did it exposed the lack of discipline on the line. But the it also involves the lack of vision in Watson.

Of course this is all my opinion and nothing is 100% all the time.
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If the WRs aren't adjusting routes that means O'Brien is not building hot routes in the system. Nothing necessarily wrong with that but would explain why Watson doesn't go to his hot reads- there aren't any
 
KoolAid Sipper said:
So, I've had time to watch all 3 games objectively regarding the Texans when blitzed and here are my observations:

- Most of the time, there is an outlet. Believe or not Watson can avoid a negative play. However it could hamper his ability to make a big play. For sustainability he needs to understand to take what is given.
- The WRs are just running their routes, there is no adjustment between the QB and WRs based on what the defense is showing.
- The Oline needs time to gel and learning multiple positions is a failure. I know a lot of people have said this but understanding this and seeing the misses on passing off blocks and being out of position is atrocious.
- The middle of the line is just bad, they always seem to have the need to double team and when a delayed rush comes in it throws everything off.
- Henderson is trash.
- Devlin needs to go, it shouldn't be optional. If you look at the tape the O-line has been too inconsistent. The Saints showed blitzes that totally confused the OL, yeah its the first game and new pieces are there so a pass given. The - Jags were missing a key component on the D-Line and we got lucky. The Chargers have a strong DL and had weaknesses in the secondary due to injury. So they didn't blitz too much, but when they did it exposed the lack of discipline on the line. But the it also involves the lack of vision in Watson.

Of course this is all my opinion and nothing is 100% all the time.
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Agreed on Devlin, but I'm willing to give them until after week 6 to become a unit. Signs are promising so far.
 
TheKDog said:
If the WRs aren't adjusting routes that means O'Brien is not building hot routes in the system. Nothing necessarily wrong with that but would explain why Watson doesn't go to his hot reads- there aren't any
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Your statement may or may not be true but the WRs don't seem to be in tune to what's happening pre-snap, and I thought in this offense all the routes could be adjusted based on the QB and WRs reads.

steelbtexan said:
The TE's have been open alot the first 3 games. Hopefully last game is a show of Watson's improvement.
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I agree.
 
TheKDog said:
If the WRs aren't adjusting routes that means O'Brien is not building hot routes in the system. Nothing necessarily wrong with that but would explain why Watson doesn't go to his hot reads- there aren't any
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You maybe right but Hopkins has always basically just ran his route and not deviated from it. Its been one of the biggest criticisms of his that he doesn't cut his route short or start looking for the ball early even if the QB is getting blitzed and Fuller's use since he was drafted has been run deep to a certain marker then start looking over your shoulder. Could be that's how they have been coached, could be they aren't adjusting themselves based on what's happening, could be Watson has told them "Just do your thing and I'll avoid the rushers or just take the hit after throwing it." Fact is we don't know.
 
Been spending the morning reading/watching RB receiving roles (Gordon vs Hyde vs League type stuff mainly) and how deadly they can be and I started to think why did we trade so much for Duke Johnson if he hasnt run one wheel route yet? If he isnt being intentionally schemed coming out of the backfield on mismatches. If he isnt intentionally lined up wide to force the LB mismatch?? I think I can remember one sideline pass for a big gain to Duke, but I believe that was set up by Deshaun buying extra time with his mobility, and not a true set design.

There's always SOMETHING I can ***** about huh!?
 
Uncle Rico said:
Been spending the morning reading/watching RB receiving roles (Gordon vs Hyde vs League type stuff mainly) and how deadly they can be and I started to think why did we trade so much for Duke Johnson if he hasnt run one wheel route yet? If he isnt being intentionally schemed coming out of the backfield on mismatches. If he isnt intentionally lined up wide to force the LB mismatch?? I think I can remember one sideline pass for a big gain to Duke, but I believe that was set up by Deshaun buying extra time with his mobility, and not a true set design.

There's always SOMETHING I can ***** about huh!?
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It's like they don't know what he's good at. Only 6 receptions and 55 yards for one of the best receiving backs in the league and a guy who cost a third round pick. He's had over 40 receptions and 400 yards every year prior in his career
 
TheKDog said:
It's like they don't know what he's good at. Only 6 receptions and 55 yards for one of the best receiving backs in the league and a guy who cost a third round pick. He's had over 40 receptions and 400 yards every year prior in his career
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How many targets has he had?
 
I rewatched the screen-fumble in the 1st on all-22. It boggles my mind how BOB's teams have struggled to run a simple RB screen. After watching the all-22, the problem may be were trying to run complex RB screens? The play design was actually to fake a play-action bootleg to the right, but then to turn around and throw an RB screen to the left. The play design doesn't make sense to me, there's such a thing as too many fakes & mis-directions, right? I mean why fake a handoff to the RB when you want to come right back to him? Why fake the play going left, when the play actually will be to the left? Maybe those that are smarter in play-design can explain it to me.
 
dream_team said:
I rewatched the screen-fumble in the 1st on all-22. It boggles my mind how BOB's teams have struggled to run a simple RB screen. After watching the all-22, the problem may be were trying to run complex RB screens? The play design was actually to fake a play-action bootleg to the right, but then to turn around and throw an RB screen to the left. The play design doesn't make sense to me, there's such a thing as too many fakes & mis-directions, right? I mean why fake a handoff to the RB when you want to come right back to him? Why fake the play going left, when the play actually will be to the left? Maybe those that are smarter in play-design can explain it to me.
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It reminds me of this:

 
Uncle Rico said:
I started to think why did we trade so much for Duke Johnson if he hasnt run one wheel route yet? If he isnt being intentionally schemed coming out of the backfield on mismatches.
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I gotta think BO'b wants to utilize Duke that way. Maybe Watson just prefers the downfield stuff.
 
dream_team said:
I rewatched the screen-fumble in the 1st on all-22. It boggles my mind how BOB's teams have struggled to run a simple RB screen. After watching the all-22, the problem may be were trying to run complex RB screens? The play design was actually to fake a play-action bootleg to the right, but then to turn around and throw an RB screen to the left. The play design doesn't make sense to me, there's such a thing as too many fakes & mis-directions, right? I mean why fake a handoff to the RB when you want to come right back to him? Why fake the play going left, when the play actually will be to the left? Maybe those that are smarter in play-design can explain it to me.
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I can't explain the play design but it didn't look complex. IMO, Tunsil and Sharping mishandled Bosa which translated into Sharping being late to get a block on the DB #20 who maintained his edge responsibility and blew up the play. Watson probably saw this and was thinking to just throw it away without realizing he was making a backwards pass. Had the blocking been better, that play would have been a nice gain.
 
dream_team said:
I rewatched the screen-fumble in the 1st on all-22. It boggles my mind how BOB's teams have struggled to run a simple RB screen. After watching the all-22, the problem may be were trying to run complex RB screens? The play design was actually to fake a play-action bootleg to the right, but then to turn around and throw an RB screen to the left. The play design doesn't make sense to me, there's such a thing as too many fakes & mis-directions, right? I mean why fake a handoff to the RB when you want to come right back to him? Why fake the play going left, when the play actually will be to the left? Maybe those that are smarter in play-design can explain it to me.
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I think that's the play Watson said the running back was to run behind him and instead ran in front of him or vice versa. IIRC, the two also bumped each other but that could be wrong.
 
KoolAid Sipper said:
I can't explain the play design but it didn't look complex. IMO, Tunsil and Sharping mishandled Bosa which translated into Sharping being late to get a block on the DB #20 who maintained his edge responsibility and blew up the play. Watson probably saw this and was thinking to just throw it away without realizing he was making a backwards pass. Had the blocking been better, that play would have been a nice gain.
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The design of the play is to invite the rushers to over pursue …. Tunsil and Sharping didn't mishandle Bosa - all they are suppose to do is chip him , giving Watson an extra tic to get the ball out. In essence , Bosa is Watson's responsibility on that play - avoid him and get the ball to the RB.

#20 sniffed out the play from the get go and was in the RB's jersey - Watson couldn't throw the ball.

Sometimes you just gotta give the other guy some credit - this was one of those plays. Tip your hat to Jax #20.

The only mistake made on that play was by Watson - throwing it backwards.
 
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