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

[skinsguy]

Originally Posted by The Zimmermans

The playaction was really slowing the development of the plays, and with their all out blitzing scheme, the PA shoulda been thrown out the window in the second half.

Well, I can understand wanting to do more playaction in the second half, seeing as how our running game was killing Atlanta. The problem is, I think with a young quarterback we needed to have kept with the running game a little more.

[SmootSmack]

Originally Posted by The Zimmermans

The playaction was really slowing the development of the plays, and with their all out blitzing scheme, the PA shoulda been thrown out the window in the second half.

On the flip side, the only way Campbell will get better at effectively running play action (especially under pressure) is to practice it in live game situations, right?

[MTK]

On a related note, did anyone catch the playaction fake JC gave at one point, I think it was in the 2nd half somewhere. He turned to his right and there was nobody there but he still gave the fake. I just thought it was funny, he obviously got crossed up.

[Longtimefan]

To be honest, I don't think we should have had our young QB throwing 38 passes. We can't complain about the play of Campbell because in reality, he's playing exactly the way I expected him to play, like a rookie. I'm convinced however he's gaining valuable experience, and that's what it's all about.

[The Zimmermans]

Originally Posted by skinsguy

Well, I can understand wanting to do more playaction in the second half, seeing as how our running game was killing Atlanta. The problem is, I think with a young quarterback we needed to have kept with the running game a little more.

I was saying that we should have STOPPED doing the playaction so much in the second half because the falcons were reading it. That's when we should have tried that quick slant or screen passes.

[hooskins]

Originally Posted by Mattyk72

On a related note, did anyone catch the playaction fake JC gave at one point, I think it was in the 2nd half somewhere. He turned to his right and there was nobody there but he still gave the fake. I just thought it was funny, he obviously got crossed up.

Yeah I saw that and LOLed. Sorry guys, Im studying for finals right now and it sucks...

[GTripp0012]

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.

Our pass blocking has been overrated for years though. Last year, Mark Brunell led the league in QB hurries (this stat was surprising to me), and that was with Portis. This year, Portis has been injured, and was basically a non factor on third downs before heading to IR. Consequently, our pass blocking has been horrible at times this season, merely adequate at others.

The hogs up front have done a great job moving people off the ball in the run game, both this year and last, but as Campbell grows, I think we may have to start moving to a pass oriented blocking scheme, and might want to bring in some different linemen to do it. I'm not sure I'd bring Dock back next year.

Also, when was the last time a lineman held on a run play? It always seems to be a reciever or TE getting called. But in pass protection, we get flags all the time with the front 5.

[GTripp0012]

Originally Posted by hooskins

Yeah I saw that and LOLed. Sorry guys, Im studying for finals right now and it sucks...

This is the way I study for finals. Little WP action to clear the mind.

[skinsguy]

Originally Posted by The Zimmermans

I was saying that we should have STOPPED doing the playaction so much in the second half because the falcons were reading it. That's when we should have tried that quick slant or screen passes.

Well, I don't see anything wrong with doing playaction at all. After all, whether it is a Gibbs offense or Saunders offense, both use play action quite a bit....so it is something that Campbell has to do in a real game situation. A good screen pass works wonders if it's done right, but can be difficult for an inexperienced QB to master in the NFL.

[hooskins]

Originally Posted by GTripp0012

This is the way I study for finals. Little WP action to clear the mind.

Wait for college man, finals are insane.

[charlielyons]

Originally Posted by 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.

i totally agree, he should be taking only 3 or 5 step drops instead of 7 and yes his windup is long but the coaches need to exploit his strengths.... like throwing the long ball, the guy has a cannon and they need to roll him out without doing p.a but with the running back fake and his windup hes just going to get killed. let the kid focus on his confidence and reads this year and improve his mechanics in the off season

[GTripp0012]

Originally Posted by hooskins

Wait for college man, finals are insane.

I'm in college...I'm just on 12 credits and 2 of em are "Football Coaching Therory"

Thus, I really have nothing to study for.