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Originally Posted by BaltimoreSkins
Yeah I agree. We were also "ahead of the curve" when drafting Robert. In 2012 we looked like the future and several teams have implemented parts of our 2012 offense into theirs. I am not and have not been sold on Gruden just yet but think the man deserves his opportunity.
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I pretty much echo your thoughts on Gruden. He had a terrible year this year but at times, on isolated drives, displayed flashes of brilliance.
There were a handful of drives this year where every play showed a different formation and the defense didn't have any answers and our offense looked like the Pats or Broncos.
There were a few drives this year when you watch the play calling and your screaming at the tv to hand the ball off to Alfmo because the other team hadn't stopped him yet.
Overall, I am happy we stuck with him. He is bright but his lack of experience showed at the worst of times (before the half at SF is a glaring mistake solely on the HC).
We desperately need an identity that is impossible to build while switching HC every other year. You can look at the Cincy offense and see they know what kind of Olineman they want because they all have the same look. Tall, long athletic and strong. Their TE's and receivers follow suit, tall, long, and strong. They know what they are and they build their identity over years. We on the other hand are talking about turning the ship around with this year's draft and FA.
There is inherent value in continuity. Look at Cincy and Pittsburg. They have had high highs and low lows but have stayed the course and are both in a better situation than we are.
I'm not sure if Gruden is the right guy or not but this season with this roster and this defense shouldn't be the test.
I loved the innovation 2012 brought. I was buying into Griffin's comments that he and Alfmo were gonna be another Elway/ Davis. It's a problem I have. I can't stop myself from buying into the hype with this team.
The problem, as it turned out, with our offense in 2012 is that our running/option QB didn't have the inherent slickness and common sense that Wilson or even Kapernick has.
You see those guys run out of bounds on most of their runs holding the ball in front of them to get the first down. They can hold the ball in front of them because the nearest defender is 5 yards away. Our running QB doesn't have the knack to be slippery and elusive, he was just fast and got hammered and hurt.
Since 2012, a knee surgery and dislocated ankle later, it seems like every other team, running quarterback or 6'5" stork, runs the read option better than we do.
The read option/ running qb is still a huge part of the league. All it takes to gain an advantage is to make a defender pause. One or two 6 or 7 yard untouched runs and the defense has to play honest. Even the 6'5" storks are pulling it off right now.