(12-18-2023, 11:01 AM)Mikey Wrote:

(12-18-2023, 07:56 AM)The Real Marty Wrote: This is what I think.  I think the one weakness on this team that leads to all of our problems is our offensive line cannot run block.  If they could run block better, we could restore balance to our offense and we wouldn't have to put the entire offense on Trevor's shoulders.  As a result of not having a better running attack, Trevor has to try to do too much, and therefore, sprinkled in among some great plays are some really bad ones.  But it all comes down to the offensive line not being able to run block. 
Our QB is fine.  We can roll with him for 10 more years.  But without a decent running attack, we will continue to have these frustrations.

correct. We gotta figure out who we are.

If we are run first, game manager ball, Trevor can do that; just darft a run-heavy line that will steamroll a defense.
If we are gonna be all finesse, speed for days and all vertical passing, Trevor can do that, just darft a wall of meat capable of holding their block for multiple seconds.
If we are gonna run sideline to sideline and wonder how it suddenly became 3rd and 8, well, just keep on keepin on.

Pederson knows who we are, he just doesn't have the horses yet to run it. We have to hope that Baalks can get it done this offseason. If we go into next year with Little, Cleveland, New Center, Scherff and Harrison I think we can compete for the trophy. If we dump Scherff then we need to invest in a starting caliber guard early in the draft. Then after that we need to upgrade Shatley, Hance, and CVL in the mid-rounds.

---

(12-18-2023, 11:03 AM)Protozoa Wrote:

(12-18-2023, 10:52 AM)Mikey Wrote: The playcalling was what was helping the team move. Everything was fast-play, one look and throw type stuff to keep the heat out of the backfield. They even said as much during the game. They knew that Ballimer's pass rush is the polar opposite of ours; Trevor wasn't going to be able to dance and slide around to allow 8-second plays to result in an open receiver; this pressure was going to require guys to immediately get open or get to the next down.

I don't like the calls, but without a line that is going to create gaps for an RB to get more than a half yard on first down or allow the QB to scan for an open receiver in 2-3 seconds, what possibly do you think we could be calling differently?

I hate the horizontal nature of our playbook; but we simply do not have the beef up front to command any other scheme.

---

In honor of finals week, we'll grade this a 75%.

Being better than 4 teams isn't better than most.

You and your logic.

---