Creative route running for WRs

[Paintrain]

Matty, I agree and disagree about the protection. Manning seemingly has all day to throw, but I saw something on NFL Network a couple of weeks ago that like 65% of his throws are gone in less than 3 seconds. Granted the shotgun skews that number a little, but you don't have to have all day to throw the ball down the field.

The routes have to be more imaginative. Having one player run deep doesn't challenge the DB's. Having 2 players run deep into the same area (how many times did we see that this year) doesn't challenge the defense either. The ball needs to be thrown 10-15 yds at least on most plays. Throwing hitches and screens are ways to beat the defense for yds between the 30's but you have to get it down the field on better patterns in order to put points up.

I don't know that I saw any of our receivers do a double move at all this year. Everything is down and out, down and curl. Did we throw a post pattern at all this season? Is Royal only a viable receiver in the red zone? The guy is huge, he needs to be a target in the middle of the field.

Also, what happened to the RB screen? I can't recall us running many, if any, this year. Portis has good hands usually and can motor once in space. The Packers, Colts and Pats all use the screen as 'an extension of the running game' (I know, I hate that too) and get big plays occasionally. Hell, the Giants got at least 5-6 big plays on screens this year alone!

I don't think a complete overhaul of the playbook is neccessary, but at least update it to the late 90's!