Why all the complaining?

[SmootSmack]

Originally Posted by JWsleep

Here's some thoughts on the offense. I actually feel it's a combination of things here, injuries, playcalling AND execution.

1. Injuries: we cannot run the ball. Both Gibbs and Saunders predicate much of their offensive philosophy on balance and running for a high average. Taking that aspect of the game away is a big blow. The big loss here is Thomas, IMO, but Rabach is a close second. And that's not to mention Jansen who, IMO, would have come on after a slow start and was always about the run game.

2. Reaction to the injuries leads to a modified game plan, no doubt. They still tried to establish the run, but failed. And they had lots of short drops, because Pucillo cannot make the line calls like Rabach (and can't block as well either). The D has been lights out, so a conservative game plan is not crazy. Plus, they aren't ready just to send JC back there like McNabb, if they ever will. First, he could get hurt with this line (did you see Wade on that sack? Wtf? Wake up!). Second, he could make the wrong read (as has been mentioned, he hasn't started a full season's worth of games yet!). So it's not nuts, again. My complaint is that I think JC is ready to step up, and I'd like to see that more. But I get the thinking here.

3. Execution: we were in 3rd and short a lot, and couldn't convert. It doesn't take a dang long bomb there. The lack of a run really hurts here. But my guess is that on most of those third and short "behind the line" throws were not the first reads. I could be wrong, but it seemed JC came off a longer route and threw underneath. That avoids the sack, and you HOPE someone can make a guy miss. We couldn't do that. So better reads, more time to throw, and a juke or two would help! And my guess is also that blocks are being missed--again, you can point to injury, but still. And finally, on the screen INT. JC is 6' 5" and failed to get it over the rusher. That screen was a nice call. We didn't execute.

The big stat for this O is 3rd down percentage. We do well when we convert--that opens the playbook, tires the D, and creates opportunities to take shots. We are having trouble with that, no doubt. All three factors are to blame.

Nice post. As for the question in the thread title, the simple answer is many fans don't know what to do if they're not complaining. How much you want to bet that if we win next week there will be threads such as "We Nearly Blew It" "How Could We Beat the Pats But Lose to The Packers" "Cut Frost Now" and so on. It's the nature of the beast.