Is Byner the Problem?

Earnest Byner is one of my favorite players of all time. But he is new to coaching (I think) and I'm wondering-do you guys think he might be in over his head? How much responsibility does he have to bear for the team's running woes?

I'm not seeing the holes. I think Clinton needs to be patient, and I think our O line needs to start zone blocking.

depends how much you blame the Oline or game planning...

Earnest Byner is one of my favorite players of all time. But he is new to coaching (I think) and I'm wondering-do you guys think he might be in over his head? How much responsibility does he have to bear for the team's running woes?
REAL interesting question. I have wondered that several times myself, but I really lean toward blocking failures and even more toward the way his talents are being utilized. As I said in another thread, I think they need to get him running wide - pitchouts, screens, passes in the flat, designed runs around end. I believe we'll know more of the answer in the next 2-3 games.

i think its the way he is being used he needs to get on the outside to be affective

This is indeed Byner's first coaching job. His role with the Ravens was Director of Player Development, wherein he "oversaw the player programs, administered continuing education, internship and financial planning programs for the team." In other words, he had no coaching duties.

But I don't think the problems with the running game are attributable to Byner or his lack of coaching experience. Byner is there to essentially emphasize the fundamentals and technique required to play the position in Gibbs's offense. The problems Portis is having are primarily a function of a horizontal passing game that doesn't force the defense to back away from the line of scrimmage, and a lack of chemistry and execution on the part of the blockers.

Of course, Portis has put the ball on the ground 3 times now, and it is the runningback coach's responsibility to ensure that his players know how to secure the ball in traffic. I'd also like to see Portis do a better job of selling counters and play-action fakes. But he's doing a great job in pass protection, so kudos to Byner for that.

The running game will improve, but Bugel still has a lot of work to do to get this line where it needs to be in terms of taking an aggressive attitude with their run-blocking assignments. Gibbs needs to take a more aggressive approach to the passing game in order to pull the linebackers and safeties away from the line of scrimmage, and take the pressure off the running game. Receivers need to catch the ball and hold onto it. Brunell needs to put the ball in the receivers' hands, and stop throwing the ball away when there are open receivers downfield.

There's plenty of blame to go around-- Byner needn't bear it all.

Amen

do you guys think that Portis should be patient and wait for teh holes to develop in Gibbs style of play claling, or do you think that Gibbs should start designing plays that work for portis instead. Portis is hello fast and makes big runs when holes are opened immediatly and he blazes throught them. My opinion is that Gibbs should try some different formations and run less single back.

do you guys think that Portis should be patient and wait for teh holes to develop in Gibbs style of play claling, or do you think that Gibbs should start designing plays that work for portis instead. Portis is hello fast and makes big runs when holes are opened immediatly and he blazes throught them. My opinion is that Gibbs should try some different formations and run less single back.


I think it has to be a mix of plays. I mean, if we block it right, Gibbs plays would work if I was running the ball. However, Portis is so explosive, that we have to run some plays that help him out too. If we are on the 1 yard line tommarow, can we just toss it to Clinton since hes so fast? I think its things like that, where I feel we need to adapt to Clinton's style. I think it needs to have a blaance, but I would like to see a couple interesting plays put in.

can somebody tell me WTF rock is'nt playing?