statistics

On the subject of playcalling, here are a couple of things I’ve noticed about Gibbs this year...

I saw more slant passes thrown against Denver than I think there were in all of Gibbs’ career. But you never see screen passes – something you would think best fits Portis’ abilities. And while we used to see them all too frequently on third and long, short passes to Cooley and the tight ends on first down up the middle for 5 to 10 yards would be effective from time to time.

By my count, there’s only been one attempt at a trick play this year: A flea-flicker against Seattle last week that failed to connect. What happened to the fake end-arounds and reverses that were once a staple of Gibbs’ offense? I understand that you can’t be gimmicky, but once and awhile you’ve got to mix it up a bit and do things that defenses just don’t expect. Even under Spurrier you saw a little bit of imagination – remember the wideout screens to Rod Gardner where he threw it to wide open running backs on the other side of the field?

To his credit though, Gibbs does appear more receptive to actually attempting a long pass when it’s required to convert on third and long. Maybe he’s more confident in Brunell’s arm this year. There was a time when all you saw was a spread formation, with the running back lined up directly behind the tackle (ordinarily a pass formation) only to see a counter-draw that never fooled anybody.

Does anyone else get the sense that Gibbs may not yet be into a groove as a play caller? Don’t get me wrong, he’s not stinking it up by any means, sometimes I just feel there’s something missing. Or is playcalling overrated, as many NFL experts tend to say?

I thought it was Jack Burns calling the plays anyway

I thought it was Jack Burns calling the plays anyway

Unless something has changed, it is Jack. I think the play calling is more a product of the coach's confidence in the personnel or their familiarity to execute his playbook. I think we all see the playbook opening a little more each week ( as they're confidence grows). I think Gibb's and Jack would love to, and will, in time throw out a lot more complicated stuff. We are just starting to click as an Offense, it should be very entertaining!

I really, REALLY like that pitch to Portis against the grain. They ran it twice and both times got nice chunks of yardage.

I'm actually pretty happy with the play calling overall. We did have a qb pass over 300, a rb get over 100, and a wr also get over 100. And let's not forget that a TE added another 80 receiving. I think as the offense develops more of a groove, we'll see more points on the board and more creativity in the playcalling. But from a yardage standpoint, we were excellent, especially against a very tough defense. And let's not forget that we didn't give up any sacks.

I would eventually like to see Nemo or Betts in short yardage situations, but I'm impressed with the likes of Royal, Sellers, and Cooley. Why complain about our offensive production inside the ten when we get TDs? My only concern is that we've had trouble elsewhere with petty mistakes (blocked FGs, penalties, etc.).

I'm actually pretty happy with the play calling overall. We did have a qb pass over 300, a rb get over 100, and a wr also get over 100. And let's not forget that a TE added another 80 receiving. I think as the offense develops more of a groove, we'll see more points on the board and more creativity in the playcalling. But from a yardage standpoint, we were excellent, especially against a very tough defense. And let's not forget that we didn't give up any sacks.

I would eventually like to see Nemo or Betts in short yardage situations, but I'm impressed with the likes of Royal, Sellers, and Cooley. Why complain about our offensive production inside the ten when we get TDs? My only concern is that we've had trouble elsewhere with petty mistakes (blocked FGs, penalties, etc.).

Yep, yardage wise, it was a good day against the Broncos. Only problem is, we need more points to go with all that yardage.

You're right though, inside the 10, who cares how we get in as long as they get six?

On the subject of playcalling, here are a couple of things I’ve noticed about Gibbs this year...

I saw more slant passes thrown against Denver than I think there were in all of Gibbs’ career. But you never see screen passes – something you would think best fits Portis’ abilities. And while we used to see them all too frequently on third and long, short passes to Cooley and the tight ends on first down up the middle for 5 to 10 yards would be effective from time to time.

By my count, there’s only been one attempt at a trick play this year: A flea-flicker against Seattle last week that failed to connect. What happened to the fake end-arounds and reverses that were once a staple of Gibbs’ offense? I understand that you can’t be gimmicky, but once and awhile you’ve got to mix it up a bit and do things that defenses just don’t expect. Even under Spurrier you saw a little bit of imagination – remember the wideout screens to Rod Gardner where he threw it to wide open running backs on the other side of the field?

To his credit though, Gibbs does appear more receptive to actually attempting a long pass when it’s required to convert on third and long. Maybe he’s more confident in Brunell’s arm this year. There was a time when all you saw was a spread formation, with the running back lined up directly behind the tackle (ordinarily a pass formation) only to see a counter-draw that never fooled anybody.

Does anyone else get the sense that Gibbs may not yet be into a groove as a play caller? Don’t get me wrong, he’s not stinking it up by any means, sometimes I just feel there’s something missing. Or is playcalling overrated, as many NFL experts tend to say?


Actually yesterday the fake WR screen and then the turn and throw down the seam was open, but thrown a little late...that should have been six points and was very much a Gibbs 1/2 time adjustment.

They are just getting their shiznit together in this offense, look for them to crank some points out pretty soon! Hopefully this week!