What's wrong with our Red Zone offense?

[wilsowilso]

Originally Posted by SBXVII

I think the answer keeps hitting us in the face. When the Giants played us they kept all their defensive lineman and LB lined up between the tackles prior to ball snap. When we played the Rams they did the same thing. Why? cause everyone knows 90% of our runs go between the tackles. All they have to do is load up the middle and stuff the lanes. When the Giants played against Dallas they only kept 3 D-lineman between the tackles. They usually had one DE at each tackle position and one DL floating between them lining up. I believe it was to contain the outside run, but due to this Dallas ran all day up the middle even walked in for a TD. Even Romo ran one up the middle.

Zorn either figures out a way to stretch the other teams defense out or we will see more games like these last two. Hell put 4 WR's in spread them out and run the ball. Even it it's a QB run.

This too!

[Slingin Sammy 33]

Originally Posted by SBXVII

I think the answer keeps hitting us in the face. When the Giants played us they kept all their defensive lineman and LB lined up between the tackles prior to ball snap. When we played the Rams they did the same thing. Why? cause everyone knows 90% of our runs go between the tackles. All they have to do is load up the middle and stuff the lanes. When the Giants played against Dallas they only kept 3 D-lineman between the tackles. They usually had one DE at each tackle position and one DL floating between them lining up. I believe it was to contain the outside run, but due to this Dallas ran all day up the middle even walked in for a TD. Even Romo ran one up the middle.

Zorn either figures out a way to stretch the other teams defense out or we will see more games like these last two. Hell put 4 WR's in spread them out and run the ball. Even it it's a QB run.

We've actually been using too much of the Stretch play, going outside rather than smashing it between the tackles. Even with a tight alignment if the DL gets push while the OL is stepping laterally it blows up the Stretch, as long as the cutback lanes are all filled and the DB on the outside keeps contain (which inside the 10 is pretty easy to do). I believe the Giants alignment particularly had more to do with the abilities of the RBs on the Skins vs. Giants rather than the potential playcall. Portis & Betts are not guys who have the explosiveness to start in and bounce out. Barber (pre-quad injury) and Jones can.

I certainly agree with your point about spreading out the D inside the 10 and creating space. Putting the big WRs on the outside will help spread the CBs out. Zorn needs to use his formations & motions better to get the D where he wants them to set up the inside runs.

[JWsleep]

Good thread.

I agree that throwing on 1st down once in a while would be nice. And given JC's mobility, rolling him a bit is a good option.

But execution is the key--funny thing is we only really notice lack of execution on passing plays: Sellars drop, etc. The failure of execution on a running play is harder to spot. But it could still be the cause of a failed play, rather than the play call. Now, I do think Zorn very much needs to improve there, but if we can't block at the point of attack on a run play, that's just weak.

[SBXVII]

Originally Posted by JWsleep

Good thread.

I agree that throwing on 1st down once in a while would be nice. And given JC's mobility, rolling him a bit is a good option.

But execution is the key--funny thing is we only really notice lack of execution on passing plays: Sellars drop, etc. The failure of execution on a running play is harder to spot. But it could still be the cause of a failed play, rather than the play call. Now, I do think Zorn very much needs to improve there, but if we can't block at the point of attack on a run play, that's just weak.

I think part of it is execution, I think the other part is having a shorter field. When the defense is backed up and all bunched up it makes it more difficult to find a seam in the zone blocking. Between the 20's is not the problem cause atleast one Safety is back to be the last man and help the CB's, then you have the WR's running atleast 2 or 3 CB's out of the play, and a TE taking out one LB so if you can man up on everyone else the RB should have room to run. But when down near the goal line less room to run off those other defenders which actually give them 3 to 4 extra defenders. So you either spread them out or achnowledge your best bet to score is going to be pass.

[Stacks42]

The easy solution is to score long TDs before we get into the Red Zone... problem solved

[SBXVII]

Originally Posted by Stacks42

The easy solution is to score long TDs before we get into the Red Zone... problem solved

and you are correct. If we find ourselves in the red zone, take the delay of game back us up to create more space and pass into the endzone.