Jason "Red Zone" Campbell

[SmootSmack]

So I saw a pretty interesting stat about Jason Campbell. He leads all NFC QBs (2nd in the NFL to Tom Brady) in QB Rating inside the opponent's 20-yard line

iWon

Kinda cool, but I don't really know what to make of it. Is it a fluke stat? Does it mean we should be passing more in the red zone?

What sayest thou?

[GTripp0012]

It's not a fluke. It doesn't mean a whole lot in terms per game effiency, but it's definately a critical part of winning and losing games.

It's a pretty different game down there with a short field, and it means we should probably be throwing it until we get inside the three, at which case it's time to punch it in.

The reason red zone passing efficency is usually not critical is because it tends to be much smarter to run the ball there. Right now though, we are struggling to do that. So this is pretty important.

[12thMan]

Don't think it's a fluke at all. For one, I think Campbell has a distinct advantage in passing situations at the goal line because of his height. I really think it helps him places his ball well. (see Cooley's TDs this year) I might also add, you're less likely to see zone coverages down close and more man to man. Again, Campbell is one of the best at placing balls where they should be.

Secondly, his poise and pass first attitude serves him well. He allows things to unfold by being patient. I think this more than any other aspect will become a staple of his passing game.

Should we be passing more in the Red Zone - you betcha. For some reason, our rush offense seems to be ineffective down close. But as far as Jason, this is a trend. Even going back to his first start against Tampa Bay last year. It was Tampa Bay wasn't it?

[Schneed10]

I think it means that whatever we're doing in the red zone, we should keep doing it, because it's working.

I don't think it's a fluke. We tend to make very good use of Cooley down around the end zone. And against Green Bay, Campbell showed that he's willing to take off and run for the goalline if given the opportunity.

Our WRs have trouble getting open in the end zone, but Campbell does a good job of buying time with his feet and rolling out, allowing Cooley, Sellers, et al a bit more time to find a soft spot in the coverage.

I heart JC.

[Schneed10]

About the red zone, there's an important distinction to make. If we're at the 1 yard line, I want to see us throwing it more than we run it, because we haven't shown that when we need to pick up one yard against a goalline D, that we can blow dudes off the ball and run it in.

But if it's 1st and 10 at the 15 yard line, I still want to see us running the ball like we have been. We need to continue to give JC the 2nd and manageables in order for him to maintain the efficient passing numbers. We can't just pass pass pass, or he'll find the going a lot tougher on 3rd and 10.

[MTK]

He's pretty clutch especially right down near the goal line.

[Southpaw]

I've noticed that, but didn't think to look up any stats. Campbell is borderline unstoppable in the red zone. When given the opportunity to throw, especially around the 10 yard line, it's like he refuses to do anything other than throw a touchdown. He's even done it on 4th downs. It's fun to watch him go for the jugular and make ridiculous throws in tight spaces, or only where the receiver can get to it.

[firstdown]

Its because we cannot get any plays for over 5 to 7 yards so all od our TDs come from the red zone. LOL

[RobH4413]

I think a lot of it has to do with his size and vision.

I'm surprised WillH hasn't jumped all over this one yet. He's been saying since day one that Campbell is a perfect red zone machine.

If you watch Campbell, he gets in the zone down near the goal line. He'll run outside the pocket, look around and just squeeze it right in to his full back or tight end.

[WillH]

Originally Posted by RobH4413

I think a lot of it has to do with his size and vision.

I'm surprised WillH hasn't jumped all over this one yet. He's been saying since day one that Campbell is a perfect red zone machine.

If you watch Campbell, he gets in the zone down near the goal line. He'll run outside the pocket, look around and just squeeze it right in to his full back or tight end.

Thanks for the shout out.

Yeah I have been saying this. I remember during the off season when the JC highlight videos came out I noticed this. He is awesome at it, I've never seen a qb play like him at the goal line. He can hit receivers from the pocket if they get open on their initial move, but any qb can do that. Its when he rolls out towards the sideline that he is untouchable. He buys time...buys time...and then BAM a receiver makes a new cut, and he hits them where only they can catch it. It is uncanny! I wouldn't be surprised if 80% of his TD's and 2pt Conversions thus far have come on plays just like that. His TD run this past week shows he has the ability to run it in too, if the option is there. That will only make him more effective in that scenario.

Should we pass more on the goal line?

Hell Yeah! If you mean pass more then we do, but I wouldn't say we should pass more then we run. I will say that on the infamous 3rd and 4th down runs by Betts that were stuffed in NY I was upset they didn't pass the ball. JC has shown time and time again that he can punch it in there. Why not give him the chance?

[GMScud]

Originally Posted by firstdown

Its because we cannot get any plays for over 5 to 7 yards so all od our TDs come from the red zone. LOL

That's a good point- we haven't shown any long play ability as far as getting into the endzone. But I do think it speaks to JC's poise and development as a passer. It also shows the coaching staff's confidence in him to call passing plays in the red zone. We'll see how it progresses, but I like this stat a lot. Really if you think about it, Cambpell is #1 in the league for redzone effeciency, b/c Tom Brady is playing in the IBTTNFL (I'm better than the NFL).

[jdlea]

I have definitely noticed that he is money in the red zone. I love when he's throwing to Cooley because it's always six. It almost seems like he's not only going to put it on the numbers, he'll either throw it through you or you're gonna make the play. Other than the one low ball to Sellers, I can't think of a bad pass he's thrown inside the 20 and that wasn't even that bad, just a little low.

Just another reason I like to watch the development of Jason Campbell.

[SmootSmack]

I should clarify that by "fluke stat" I just meant that I don't know how many times he's been in a passing situation in the red zone, so I'm not sure if that skews the number significantly compared to other QBs.

[Dlyne8r]

A lot has been said about JC's struggles with his short passing game, but if this stat is correct (I trust it is), then what gives? If he is so $$ in the red zone, how come this doesn't transfer to the short passing game further up field?

[GTripp0012]

Originally Posted by Dlyne8r

A lot has been said about JC's struggles with his short passing game, but if this stat is correct (I trust it is), then what gives? If he is so $$ in the red zone, how come this doesn't transfer to the short passing game further up field?

A lot of his red zone TD's come from 15 yards out. The expectation for a TD from that distance is much, much, much lower than the expectation for a first down on third and two. Campbell's been converting each at roughly the same rate.

Point is, Campbell doesn't make that end zone throw unless he has it, but on that short pass, the ball is coming out in the first three seconds no matter what. The latter is not good offense, the former is.

Solution: Run the football on 3rd and 2! Saunders needs to rethink (the re- is debateable) his 3rd down strategy and if he doesn't, Campbell needs to do it for him.