Not enough protection for Campbell along with Campbell's inexperience=offensive woes

[hooskins]

This has been mentioned in several threads across the board, but I thought it was important to organize the thoughts. I feel that the offense struggled to be consistent because of two main things.
1-
After the first quarter it seems that the Falcons figured out how to stop our offense, pressure JC. After a while they figured out how to stuff the run, and forced us into passing downs. It seemed like on every passing play, especially 3rd and longs, they brought the house, and JC looked like a deer in the headlights.

Not adjusting to this was Saunders biggest mistake IMO. He should have changed things so that JC would have more protection when passing, especially on third downs.

He also ran play action way too much, and JC was getting hammer right after he faked the handoff. I understand why he did that, seeing that we were running all over them. But after a couple failed PA passes, he should have tried to straight pass to give Campbell more time. Of course this isn't all his fault, because Campbell is a young QB, and even he has admitted it takes him a while to make his reads. Either way, Saunders should have adjusted based on Campbell's skill level.

2-
It seems like everyone is ready to blame Gibbs/Saunders when Campbell didn't have a great game. Of course we shouldn't expect him to be amazing, but that doesn't mean we absolve him of all blame. He had three basic errors.

a)His selection of passes were very predictable, and almost Brunell-like. He went Moss nine times I think, going 7-9. While his percentage with other recievers was quite low. Cooley did drop a few, so that is not Campbell's fault, but other passes were simply bad. They were off target, low, etc. Some of this is due to pressure but some are just a young QB's errors. He threw to a double covered Moss once, when he wasn't under pressure.

b)Campbell took too many steps back, instead of releasing quickly. This is a combination of the playcalling and Campbell being uncomfortable. Saunders should have told him to do quick three step drops, but at the same time if he isn't yet comfortable doing so, how can Saunders force him to? I think he is taking 7 step drops because he is still young, and he feels he needs time and space to read the D. 2-3 step passes may be a bit too quick for him.

c)The windup. Yes I said it. He takes a bit too long to release the throw. I expect this to be changed in the offseason, and I don't expect or want it to be fixed now. JC is just throwing how he feels is best. Nevertheless, the extra half second it takes him to windup can easily be the difference between a TD and a sack.

[hooskins]

Thoughts?

[Longtimefan]

Originally Posted by hooskins

Thoughts?

The amount of steps the QB takes in his drop is predicated on the design of the play. Some plays call for a three step drop, and others may call for anything from a five to seven step drop. However many steps the play calls for, you must have protection beyond a couple seconds. Jason Campbell got in trouble a couple times Sunday because the backs in the backfield were not efficient at picking up the blitz. There's no way you can throw it if you don't have time, and by Jason being young, he panicked, tried to make something happen, and wound up making a costly mistake.

[skinsguy]

Originally Posted by hooskins

Thoughts?

What about how low Campbell has to squat under center? That has to slow him down even more. He has to go from that position into his back pedal, and then the long wind up to pass the ball. The pass protection has to be perfect to allow that much time from Center - QB exchange to Campbell passing.

[hooskins]

Originally Posted by skinsguy

What about how low Campbell has to squat under center? That has to slow him down even more. He has to go from that position into his back pedal, and then the long wind up to pass the ball. The pass protection has to be perfect to allow that much time from Center - QB exchange to Campbell passing.

I noticed that too, and I realize he is tall, but I have never seen tall QBs squatting like they are gonna take a dump.

[skinsguy]

Originally Posted by hooskins

I noticed that too, and I realize he is tall, but I have never seen tall QBs squatting like they are gonna take a dump.

Doug Williams was tall and never had to squat that low...and he had a similar wind up. I wonder if there is anyway of training Casey to not squat so low or if maybe he is just a short guy to begin with? Brunell had the same problem as well.

[railcon56]

Originally Posted by skinsguy

Doug Williams was tall and never had to squat that low...and he had a similar wind up. I wonder if there is anyway of training Casey to not squat so low or if maybe he is just a short guy to begin with? Brunell had the same problem as well.

maybe a lower center makes for a better snap/exchange?

[Luxorreb]

well said hooskins. I was at the game and noticed his long drops every time he passed the ball. And by the end of the game the defense was cluing on that.

[The Zimmermans]

Originally Posted by Luxorreb

well said hooskins. I was at the game and noticed his long drops every time he passed the ball. And by the end of the game the defense was cluing on that.

haha yeah, it's almost like we need a combination of brunell and campbell, cause now campbell is struggling on the short quick throws that brunell made so effortlessly. JK, but seriously, we only threw that slant rout once, we needed to utilize that on third down when they were sending all their linebackers.

[MTK]

The lack of good protection is what was most obvious to me. Too often he had guys running at him totally unblocked. That's a tough task for any QB let alone an inexperienced one.

[JGisLordOfTheRings]

Originally Posted by Mattyk72

The lack of good protection is what was most obvious to me. Too often he had guys running at him totally unblocked. That's a tough task for any QB let alone an inexperienced one.

AMEN! What's the point in wanting your QB to do well and pass well if you aren't going to try and protect him? Lets face it. We miss Portis. Betts is good, dont get me wrong, he had a great GAME. He doesnt block as well as Portis does and that hurts. Just please guys, give JC a little time. He's young and getting a little wiser I think, even though its hard to say that after the 1st Int he threw. Regardless, protect JC, end of story.

[hooskins]

Originally Posted by JGisLordOfTheRings

AMEN! What's the point in wanting your QB to do well and pass well if you aren't going to try and protect him? Lets face it. We miss Portis. Betts is good, dont get me wrong, he had a great GAME. He doesnt block as well as Portis does and that hurts. Just please guys, give JC a little time. He's young and getting a little wiser I think, even though its hard to say that after the 1st Int he threw. Regardless, protect JC, end of story.

I don't think people are done with Campbell lol. He is the future and we know he has potential. But that doesn't mean you baby him and not point out his flaws.

[Longtimefan]

Originally Posted by Mattyk72

The lack of good protection is what was most obvious to me. Too often he had guys running at him totally unblocked. That's a tough task for any QB let alone an inexperienced one.

That's where we miss Portis in the backfield, and Betts shows his liability, a couple of plays in Sunday's game is an example of what I'm talking about.

[hooskins]

Originally Posted by Longtimefan

That's where we miss Portis in the backfield, and Betts shows his liability, a couple of plays in Sunday's game is an example of what I'm talking about.

Yeah I agree, most people dont realize how good Portis actually is.

[hooskins]

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