Quote:I know that's the idea behind the script.  But what I question is the apparent lack of flexibility we show in response to how the defense lines up.   I know I'm just guessing here, and making some assumptions, but it seems to me that so often, especially early in games, we call a running play and appear to completely disregard down and distance.   I don't know how many 2nd and 10 running plays I've seen this year, but it's a bunch, especially after an incomplete pass on 1st and 10.  "Mixing it up" and "offensive balance" shouldn't mean a pass play is always followed by a running play and vice versa. 

 

Successful offenses line up and take what the defense gives them.   We seem to be trying to force the game plan.   We seem kind of mentally dim.  We're very slow to react to what the opposing defense is doing.   Part of that has to be the scripted plays to open the game.  3 and out, 3 and out, 3 and out.  The scripted plays aren't working!   Oh, but we're finding out stuff.  Meanwhile, we've pretty much blown off the entire first quarter. 

 

First... an offense is not successful if it only takes what the defense gives them. Every now & then, you got to take what you want. 

 

But anyway, I decided to go back & look at the play-by-play of your game against Chicago. Looking at the first 12 plays, looks like the plan, the script work pretty good until ARob batted the ball in the air. 12 plays, 84 yards... not bad at all. 

 

Against the Colts, the first series was a 3 & out. A 4 yard run by Yeldon, an incomplete pass to the TE. & a two yard scramble. I'd have to watch the game (which I didn't) to determine if your QB was making good decisions. Doesn't look like it. However, the second series went for 5 plays, 24 yards & a TD. It started with an incomplete pass to the RB. The obligatory run after an incompletion for 10 yards on 2nd down. Holding penalty. QB scramble, 15 yard run on 2nd down, 3 yard TD pass to the guy ruining my fantasy team. All of these plays should have been in the 15 scripted plays. 

 

Baltimore starts with a 3 & out. Incomplete pass, run for 3 yards, incomplete pass. 2nd series 5 plays 15 yards punt. There was a negative run, Chris Ivory getting stuffed for a -2 yards. One incomplete pass. Again, I'd need to see the timing on that pass, the location of the throw, the route ran, where the defender is. 

 

Still, I don't think the problem is the scripting. QB has to make good decisions. Like that run that was stuffed.... was that an obvious situation where the QB should have checked out of the play? Adjusted the blocking? Should the RB cut it back?

 

& the guys on the other side of the ball get paid too. 

 

IMO, it's silly to worry too much about scripting & not scoring on the first possession. To me, it's more about getting my QB comfortable, in a rhythm, & feeling out the defense. If those things aren't happening & your offensive coordinators haven't figured the defense out until it's too late, that's what I'd complain about. 

 

But that's just me. 

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