(11-14-2023, 01:59 PM)Caldrac Wrote:

(11-14-2023, 01:49 PM)flsprtsgod Wrote: BUt there's the rub, coaching doesn't change the fact that we can't power run the ball and other teams know it. That's why red zone is down, that's why short yardage is an adventure in futility, because they know what we can't do and so sell out on what we can. Vic Ketchman used to say that about quarterbacks, the defense figures out what you can't do and that's the only thing they let you do. Changing the play call isn't fixing that because what you could change it to we simply cannot do with these guys. That's why we need the Smoke N Mirrors, becaus we are not capable of just playing physical football.

I think you're wrong. Coaching CAN change and SHOULD change things about the team conceptually when and if the same concepts continue to fail. It's a mindset. 

We can't power run the football? I agree. We sure as hell can't power run the football when it's starting from the shotgun formation with Etienne having five lineman in front of him and no lead blocker, a TE or H-Back pulling around off tackle or shooting back inside to push the interior.

We'll never know because the staff continues to call the same stupid [BLEEP] there that continues to fail. When was the last time this team actually lined-up on 3rd and short or 4th and short with Lawrence under center and with a split backfield or power formation with TE's stacked on either side?

And what smoke and mirrors are you referring to? The same smoke and mirrors that our opponents continue to routinely see right through and snuff out? Again, even with a 6 - 3 record. Let's not sit back and pretend like this offense has been the catalyst to this team's success.

Coaches can absolutely call plays, design plays, install plays and use formations to offset some of their weaknesses while still going back to some of their bread and butter [BLEEP] that they just have to have in their offense.

You can think that all you want, in the NFL the better player wins and our linemen just aren't very good. Try and hide it all you want, eventually the NFL figures it out. Doug's offense doesn't use lead blockers because it's a pass first system. We've used the TEs that way a few times in short yardage, but even when we do they are still gadgety plays like the Full House they ran to ETN on 4th and short vs the Chargers in the playoffs to get in FG range. When they do use TEs on motions and cracks and the like they usually get blown up (see Strange vs the Chiefs). They just aren't built to bully, they are what they are. Again, you're suggesting that the coaches call plays that our team is even worse at than the plays they use now. Change for the sake of change is a failing strategy. This is a team that will win more games in the second half doing what they've been doing, but what they've been doing just won't be good enough to beat the top 4 or 5 teams in the League. That next step is about filling the weak positions with stronger, better players. I want them to win, you want them to win; I just know what I see and why it's a season-limiting problem.

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