Quote:He simply tried to limit the INTs and focus on the run game -  converting with the pass when needed.  It's a sound strategy for a young quarterback who's making bad decisions.  I don't think he relented, the score and the clock demanded the shift. 

 

Of the first half drives -  2 were ended by incomplete passes.  2 ended by completed passes that were shy of the marker on 3rd and long  - and one ended with a sack.  

 

They actually tried to go deep three times in the first half.  Two were thwarted by pressure, one was incomplete. 

 

Here are two of the screen grabs showing the receivers going deep from the first half. 

 



 

 

 

I didn't mean to imply they didn't try a deep pass or 2/ 3 in the first half, but it was clear that they were intentionally trying to play close to the vest. And you say above that they were trying to limit the INT - Bortles had more almost INT's in the first half when they were predominantly keeping everything short, than in the 2nd half when they opened it up. As a matter of fact most of Bortles pick 6's and INT's this season have been on the shorter passes as opposed to the intermediate or deeper attempts. 

 

They shouldn't wait to try deeper passes "until they have to open it up" or "when the score and clock dictated it" as you said...they should have been as vertical in the first half as the 2nd and maybe they wouldn't have been behind in the score to begin with. 

 

You can still have a good running game while taking deep shots off play action downfield - Norv Turner made a name for himself as offensive coordinator doing just that. (calling that style of game) 

 

Fisch needs to quit with the trying to hide Bortles from mistakes and let him play to his strengths. There will be INT's. So what. Let him make them. Bortles looks more uncomfortable when he's trying to force 5 yard slants that are blanketed than he ever does when he's playing his vertical game. 

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