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The man played and coahced football for 40 years. He didn't forget how to run the offense.
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I guess he didn't forget how to manage the clock either.
Sorry - but playcalling killed us. Not talent. We have an improved Oline this year (praying there are no injuries between now and opening day) yet we've gotten worse at WR. Our offense is all about Portis, that's damn right. I like to watch Portis run, but we need to cater to Portis, and we need to spread the field a bit more. Maybe throw 5 more times a game, and establish in intermediate passing game. I'm not suggesting a west coast system, or a Spurrieresque system. When you have a back like Portis, work him like he should be worked, but you need to make the opposing defense RESPECT the passing game. With the next Montana under center, he has enough skill to make teams fear his arm.
Increase the difficulty of the routes, and run more than 3 plays out of certain formations. We do need to open up the offense, but not wide open. I want to see us throw it on first down from time to time, maybe even through it past the marker on 3rd and 7.
I think that last years goes on Gibbs for not changing the offense near enough. Didn't he used to be the master of halftime adjustments? What happened? Do the new defenses confuse him? Either way, I don't care. He's a smart man and will certainly work hard to try to figure out what causes him all these problems. If he stays this conservative during the next season, I think there should be serious concern and an overwhelming desire for a proven offensive coordinator.
As far as losing games from being conservative. Absolutely. He'd get one TD up in the 3rd and try to run out the clock. He lost any aggression he had built up. I hoped the skins would go into the 4th quarter by 3 down just so they wouldn't try to sit on the ball and make our tired defense defend a lead. Our defense was great, but if it's 3rd and something, THROW THE DAMN BALL! Sorry, but try to pick up that first down. You figure if you have a 50% completion rate you'll burn much more time off the clock trying to get that 3rd than running it for virtually no chance.
Either way -- I just want it to start!