[Ruhskins]

Originally Posted by The Goat

Well here goes...

1) Especially early in the season, test the o-line and force it to find its mean streak. That means a balls to walls rushing attack w/ Thomas pulling often. What is more probable in the first year of the WCO w/ smallish starting receivers: a dominant running game or a dominant passing game? The passing game will have to develop as the season progresses but we can/should be a dominant running team two minutes into week 1.

2) Continuing on the ground game... work Betts and Portis into the game together on maybe half the rushing plays. Smashmouth football will get us a long ways, but using Betts and Portis together will create misdirection and pay dividends.

3) Play to JC's advantage w/ lots of big target sets early in the season (to build his confidence). This could mean moving Cooley, Davis and maybe Kelly around a lot.

4) Again early in the season, avoid testing our pass protection. Until it becomes clear whether Jansen can still handle top d-ends we should always provide him w/ help on the deeper route plays. We can't risk JC getting plastered and dinged up early.

5) Take at least 3 or 4 deep shots per quarter and not always to Moss.

I agree with your #5 especially if our tall receivers Thomas/Kelly develop into deep threats. And my opinion on gadget/trick plays...I dunno but I feel we shouldn't do them if we have fallen behind in the game (i.e. that reversed we ran with S. Moss during the game against Green Bay [when we were down] which resulted in a fumble recovered and ran in for a score).