[hail_2_da_skins]

Originally Posted by NoCalHail

I think the biggest difference against the Saints was the running game was working which helped setup the pass and play action. Also, for the first time forever, screen passes were producing big yardage.

The offense itself though wasn't different. This is a WCO through and through, which traditionally is not about downfield passing. Go watch clips of the 49ers under Walsh. Montana was a a surgeon with how he delivered the ball to WR's in space so short completions would turn into long gains. It is very similar to the Pats offense. 3 step drops, quick passes, looking for mis-matches. THAT is what a WCO is.

With that said, many coordinators through the years have modified the WCO to add in more deep passing, depending on the personnel. For example, with Jackson and Reed (and hopefully eventually Ross) you are going to have the opportunity to take shots downfield and the hope is that the few times a game you get them, you take advantage because it further opens up space underneath.

My biggest concern earlier in the season watching the offense was what would happen when we played teams that were able to make tackles at the point of the catch. There were a lot of passes where the WR's were stopping to make the catch, or the throw would dictate them needing to stop, turn around, etc etc....it could have been timing issues, still learning the offense, fundamentally sound defense from opponents etc etc etc....

Also in a WCO the run game is used almost as an extension of the passing game, which is why a guy like Matt Jones is so important because he can take screen passes to the house with his speed and acceleration.

Excellent analysis. Jay Gruden called the perfect game. It was a good mixture of run and pass. Finally the formations did not give away the play call. The running plays complemented the passing plays and the running backs were apart of the passing game. Jay must be reading our posts.