Should Gibbs Flip The Script: Passing Team Now?

Good post. You mention the Gibbs jumbo package and how he loves to run out of this formation more than anything else. Then you talk about how Gibbs/Saunders need to "come up" with complimentary running plays out of the no-huddle/shotgun sets. Saunders has the plays in his arsenal. But I think this is where we've had an issue with the Gibbs/Saunders hybrid. The personnel packages in what Gibbs likes to run from and what Al likes to throw from are very different, so it makes fluidity more difficult. Those no-huddle drives involved very little running (Portis had only 12 carries). Is our O-line athletic enough to handle a few stretch plays and tosses? Portis has the speed for sure. I'm in no way suggesting we eliminate jumbo packages and Sellers packages, I just think it's imperative we mix in the run with this new found passing attack.

I agree going to an all passing game is nuts. We ought to run the ball every four or five plays just to keep our opponents honest. Our running game should consist of surprise stuff with Portis, Betts, and Sellers and scrambles by Campbell.

Also, ARE should pass more often. The guy is seriously good as a passer.

It's going to be years and a few rule changes before a team manages to go anywhere without being able to put up 30 or so points a game.

So be it.

ARE is looking pretty good when we decide to take passing seriously, Cooley is one of the best, and if Moss is back we have a fine group of WR's and a good backup, plus adequate to excellent receivers coming out of the backfield. We also have better pass blocking than run blocking.

If Gibbs hasn't seen the light by now, it's time for him to go. I hope he's seen it. If he has, we'll have a shot at the playoffs.

And how often have you seen a team like the 2000 Ravens win it all as opposed to teams like The New England Patriots, The Dallas Cowboys of the 90's, The 49ers and Redskins of the 80's? I don't want to have a fluke campionship team in Washington, I want to have a consistent winner.

Yeah, but I think the point to be made is that the league has changed. It was once a rushing league, and now it's a passing league. I too want a consistent contender. What do the teams you mentioned have in common? HOF quarterbacks.

Personally, I have never been impressed by the Patriots rushing offense. They've had good games here and there, but I think their strength -- this year, and others -- has been their passing attack. Excellent QBs can't be stopped consistently. I don't think that will ever change in the NFL.

I agree going to an all passing game is nuts. We ought to run the ball every four or five plays just to keep our opponents honest. Our running game should consist of surprise stuff with Portis, Betts, and Sellers and scrambles by Campbell.

Also, ARE should pass more often. The guy is seriously good as a passer.

It's going to be years and a few rule changes before a team manages to go anywhere without being able to put up 30 or so points a game.

So be it.

ARE is looking pretty good when we decide to take passing seriously, Cooley is one of the best, and if Moss is back we have a fine group of WR's and a good backup, plus adequate to excellent receivers coming out of the backfield. We also have better pass blocking than run blocking.

If Gibbs hasn't seen the light by now, it's time for him to go. I hope he's seen it. If he has, we'll have a shot at the playoffs.

Brunell better watch his back.

The name of the game is ball control, it doesn't matter how you do it, so long as you do it, and it results in points. To try and force the issue is just plain stupid, if you can't run then don't continue to bang your head against a wall, throwing will eventually open up that running game if you are effective, 2nd and 2 will allow for a lot of running plays they then don't have to be for a lot of yards to move the chains. Our problem has been we for the most part can't get 1 to 2 yards when teams are waiting for it. IMO Gibbs is way behind in developing Campbell, he should be much further ahead at this stage of his career. The big question is after the past 2 weeks of letting Campbell open up will Gibbs revert back when he feels the pressure, or will he continue to attack in the air which should allow Campbell to learn at a much faster pace? I beleive he has to allow Campbell to attack down field with reckless abandon, he really needs those type of in game repetitions to really get his timing down, and understanding of what, and how defenses are scheming, you just can't simulate game speed and conditions in practice.

Ok, forward into the future. Let's look at the lions offense, Awesome WR's, pretty good RB's, OL, etc. and a "genius" OC (Martz) that you would probably like as the next coach (NOT!!!) All they do is pass the ball even though they have a pretty good offense. What happened to them against a tough D? If you don't balance your game you become predictable and if you go against a half decent DC, they will shut you down.

Here is the problem with Det. John Kitna.

The name of the game is ball control, it doesn't matter how you do it, so long as you do it, and it results in points. To try and force the issue is just plain stupid, if you can't run then don't continue to bang your head against a wall, throwing will eventually open up that running game if you are effective, 2nd and 2 will allow for a lot of running plays they then don't have to be for a lot of yards to move the chains. Our problem has been we for the most part can't get 1 to 2 yards when teams are waiting for it. IMO Gibbs is way behind in developing Campbell, he should be much further ahead at this stage of his career. The big question is after the past 2 weeks of letting Campbell open up will Gibbs revert back when he feels the pressure, or will he continue to attack in the air which should allow Campbell to learn at a much faster pace? I beleive he has to allow Campbell to attack down field with reckless abandon, he really needs those type of in game repetitions to really get his timing down, and understanding of what, and how defenses are scheming, you just can't simulate game speed and conditions in practice.

JC is in his first full season starting and is looking pretty good, how much further along do you want him to be??

The name of the game is ball control, it doesn't matter how you do it, so long as you do it, and it results in points. To try and force the issue is just plain stupid, if you can't run then don't continue to bang your head against a wall, throwing will eventually open up that running game if you are effective, 2nd and 2 will allow for a lot of running plays they then don't have to be for a lot of yards to move the chains. Our problem has been we for the most part can't get 1 to 2 yards when teams are waiting for it. IMO Gibbs is way behind in developing Campbell, he should be much further ahead at this stage of his career. The big question is after the past 2 weeks of letting Campbell open up will Gibbs revert back when he feels the pressure, or will he continue to attack in the air which should allow Campbell to learn at a much faster pace? I beleive he has to allow Campbell to attack down field with reckless abandon, he really needs those type of in game repetitions to really get his timing down, and understanding of what, and how defenses are scheming, you just can't simulate game speed and conditions in practice.

How do you figure Gibbs is "way behind" in developing Campbell? If Campbell is behind, then where does that leave guys like Alex Smith, Eli Manning, and oh yeah, Vince Young?

It's a passing league now. The rules beg you to pass it. All of the real good teams pass it to score. We need to adopt to this mindset. Sanders understands this, Gibbs and Bugel do not.

you have your pulse on what's going on...now whether our philosophy and Gibbs will allow that to happen. Pound people when you get the chance but we need to still pass and not 2-5 yard dunk passes all the time.

Yeah, but I think the point to be made is that the league has changed. It was once a rushing league, and now it's a passing league. I too want a consistent contender. What do the teams you mentioned have in common? HOF quarterbacks.

Personally, I have never been impressed by the Patriots rushing offense. They've had good games here and there, but I think their strength -- this year, and others -- has been their passing attack. Excellent QBs can't be stopped consistently. I don't think that will ever change in the NFL.

Well true, they all had HOF QBs, but the point is, they also had HOF or HOF worthy running backs too. Well, the jury is still out on the Patriot's but for the rest of the teams mentioned, there were guys like E. Smith, Roger Craig, John Riggins, Earnest Byner, etc... The pass first philosophy has always been in the league along with the run first philosophy. I believe it really comes down to what your team can do best. However, regardless, (and some of what Offiss said was true,) you still have to control the ball on offense. So, that means a combination of short and intermediate passes, and a strong running game. If a team is stronger with the running game, you go with that, if they're a stronger passing team, you go with that. But regardless, you have to control the ball and the clock. It keeps your defense well rested and strong, and it tears down your opponent's defense.

The name of the game is ball control, it doesn't matter how you do it, so long as you do it, and it results in points. To try and force the issue is just plain stupid, if you can't run then don't continue to bang your head against a wall, throwing will eventually open up that running game if you are effective, 2nd and 2 will allow for a lot of running plays they then don't have to be for a lot of yards to move the chains. Our problem has been we for the most part can't get 1 to 2 yards when teams are waiting for it. IMO Gibbs is way behind in developing Campbell, he should be much further ahead at this stage of his career. The big question is after the past 2 weeks of letting Campbell open up will Gibbs revert back when he feels the pressure, or will he continue to attack in the air which should allow Campbell to learn at a much faster pace? I beleive he has to allow Campbell to attack down field with reckless abandon, he really needs those type of in game repetitions to really get his timing down, and understanding of what, and how defenses are scheming, you just can't simulate game speed and conditions in practice.

I'm not really sure how you can say Gibbs is way behind in developing Campbell. There really isn't any evidence of this. In regards to letting Campbell continue to attack or "reverting back when he feels pressure", I believe we will game plan according to what strengths and weaknesses our opponent's defense has. We will attack when we need to and grind it out when the defense is tired.