Kyles play calling vs Dallas

[skins2323]

Alot of people on here are faulting Hasslet for calling that all out blitz on 3rd and 21, while I agree that it was a terrible call, the defense was pretty darn good the majority of the game. What I dont understand is why Kyle refuses to use screens and draws?

Rob Ryan brings the house most plays, and it was no different last night. He runs a very aggressive defense, very similar to our own. I found myself SCREAMING at the TV last night for a slip screen to Hightower/Helu, I felt like it was there all night. The one screen I remember us running was a 15 yard pickup on the last drive. Then I started thinking about the first 2 games, every screen I remember us running has been pretty successful. There was one vs the Giants to Hightower that got us a 1st and goal, then the big one to Helu for 33 yards. But I dont remember more then 1 or 2 per game.

Why does'nt Kyle run more screens? When I look around at different offenses, I feel like other teams utilize the screen so much more often then we do. Philly, Bmore, NYG, NE, CHI...these teams all run alot of screens. Hell, Philly runs them all the time. Am I missing something as to why we dont?

Tough game last night, but if beat the Cardinals this week, Ill take 3-1. Huge difference between 2-2 and 3-1 though. BIG GAME!

[Veretax]

if you run it too often teams begin to anticipate when you'll do it, and then they don't work

[darrylgreen#1fan]

Though I wish they came away with the win, I still thought Redskins played a hard fought game against a division rival. These two teams face each other twice a season and they generally split wins. Skins fans know that games between these two, more often than not, are close games. In most cases, like last night, down to the wire. It can go either way. Though there were a couple of costly mistakes (which happens during hard fought games), the Redskins fought until the end. I was very proud of the defense. They kept Dallas out of the endzone and kept our team in the game. I'm not going to second-guess the play-calling by the coaches on either side because, bottom-line, it's up to the players to execute the plays. And if they do it successfully, we say the coaches are great. If they don't execute, then we question the play calling. Can't have it both ways. My opinion is that the Redskins coaches are always going to come up with gameplans that will put this team in the best possible position to win, including last night. It was a good game. I tip my hat to the Cowboys for their win last night, however when they come to Fedex Field in Landover, MD, they are gonna get whupped! No doubt in mind on that score.

[skins4eva]

The playcalling was horrendous last night. Kyle is a big, big part of the problem on offense.

[IS guhn RAIN]

Playcalling was awful last night for sure. My biggest problem was they didnt utilize the playaction enough and didnt keep the defense on their toes. On the grossman interception, i was screaming at the TV when the rb (cant remember if it was hightower or helu) motioned out of the backfield to a wr position. It was a running situation and as soon as they motioned them out of the backfield, the LB's dropped about10 yards into the secondary to cover the pass and what do you know? Interception by a linebacker cheating back and reading grossman's eyes. You have to keep the defense guessing, and especially in a situation where dallas thinks its going to be a run.

If you keep the rb in the backfield there, the LB's wouldnt have been able to cheat back 10 yards pre-snap. Little things like this drove me nuts all night

[RVAbrendan]

I felt as there was no rhythm or identity for the entire offensive tenure. It was frustrating.

[jamestrash]

My biggest play calling gripe is that after the running game moved the ball down the field on the TD drive in the late 3rd, Kyle called three passes on the next drive. I thought we blew an opportunity to wear the D down, instead the three and out wore our D down and transferred Mo. And as we all know, it's not like Kyle's putting the game in Tom Brady's hands when calling all those pass plays.

[MonkFan8]

Kyle seems in over his head to me. I know about the success in Houston, but it's not like they struggled when Kubiak took over. The fact that he had the temerity to call a second short yardage run to Cooley really tells me he's either overthinking things or has no imagination whatsoever. He needs to be better.

[redskins55]

Kyle seems in over his head to me. I know about the success in Houston, but it's not like they struggled when Kubiak took over. The fact that he had the temerity to call a second short yardage run to Cooley really tells me he's either overthinking things or has no imagination whatsoever. He needs to be better.

Exactly!

The running play to Cooley was a nice surprise.. But then we run it again??? C'mon Kyle.. The man has NEVER run the ball in the 8 years he's been in the NFL and we give it to him on 3rd and 1 twice in the same game? lol

The shovel pass to Moss on the first drive at the 30yd line was a horrible call. That play is supposed to be done on the goal line when the defense is aggressive. We're at the 30 freakin yard line on the first drive of the game. The defense is still in observation mode trying to figure us out. They arnt being aggressive on the first drive... Just a horrible call.

Now noone is perfect and there's going to be some bad play calls in a game. But Mike Shanahan allowed both his coordinators to keep Dallas in the game by calling a very bad game!!

[Jeffro]

I don't believe for one second that Kyle doesn't know how to call a proper NFL gameplan. What I believe is that he's hampered in what he feels like he can gameplan because Rex is the QB. It's very clear to me they are trying to tailor a gameplan to Rex's weaknesses. Do you think he would be calling the same plays with Matt Schaub at QB? Until we find a solution at QB we can expect more of the same limited offense.

[capt1an chaos]

Hopefully we beat the Rams also.

[Warhead36]

I don't know. I thought it was terrible last night too but after sleeping on it, I am reconsidering.

Even with a lead late, we had balance in our playcalling. The problem is, we simply don't have a lot of talent on offense. Our runs were going for 2 yards a pop and our receivers weren't getting open.

If we just run run run and punt, people would blast Kyle for being conservative. He tries to balance the playcalling, but we simply did not execute.

I do think we should have called more screen passes, but other than that I don't think playcalling itself was that bad. It's hard to tell really if it's a good or bad play if the players are simply not executing.

[Skins Wingman]

that trick shovel pass to moss was just retarded. cooley was supposed to block on the edge but he turned around like he was expecting a pass, and left his man unblocked. i dont remember any naked bootlegs, which weve had success with, i guess they were scared of ware blowing them up. not sure why we didnt throw more bombs since their secondary was banged up. and why do our qb's seem to be the only ones in the nfl that never audible?

[Rodskins]

I think the biggest problem was our offense giving the Cowboys so much time in between every play. They were able to keep their defense fresh all night as a result!

[BRAVEONAWARPATH]

I don't believe for one second that Kyle doesn't know how to call a proper NFL gameplan. What I believe is that he's hampered in what he feels like he can gameplan because Rex is the QB. It's very clear to me they are trying to tailor a gameplan to Rex's weaknesses. Do you think he would be calling the same plays with Matt Schaub at QB? Until we find a solution at QB we can expect more of the same limited offense.

This.

[btfoom]

I don't know. I thought it was terrible last night too but after sleeping on it, I am reconsidering.

Even with a lead late, we had balance in our playcalling. The problem is, we simply don't have a lot of talent on offense. Our runs were going for 2 yards a pop and our receivers weren't getting open.

If we just run run run and punt, people would blast Kyle for being conservative. He tries to balance the playcalling, but we simply did not execute.

I do think we should have called more screen passes, but other than that I don't think playcalling itself was that bad. It's hard to tell really if it's a good or bad play if the players are simply not executing.

Except that the Skins had just used a combination of runs and a few timely play action passes to move down and score a TD. Why abandon that on the next drive. Instead, 3 in-completions and Dallas gets the ball right back, no clock used and our tired D right back on the field. If instead, they run at least twice, use some clock, they could have burned at least 2-3 minutes on the two possessions directly following the TD. That rests the D and, if the TD drive were any indication, the Skins would have gotten at least a couple of first downs. Then, on the last drive, with the ball at midfield, he calls a draw where Hightower gets tackled for little gain and the Skins need to burn a TO. It just seems that he doesn't look at the current situation before deciding what to call.

And yes, he is limited due to Grossman's limited ability.

[SAli457180]

At around 4 minutes and change they had the ball and could've bled more time off the clock, instead Hightower and Helu didn't the ball at all and they wind up punting and Dallas starts their go-ahead drive. Kyle needs to be more conventional with the play-calling against a defense that has play makers like Ware. Putting the ball in Grossman's hands was clearly not the way to go.

[jfr3ek]

its beyond me how we didnt take advantage of their weak secondary. smh.

[Stophovr6]

I was pissed that on the drive following the lone touchdown, we threw on first and second down instead of running the ball when it was really effective on the TD drive. Livid. 3 and out. fml.

[TD_washingtonredskins]

Kyle seems in over his head to me. I know about the success in Houston, but it's not like they struggled when Kubiak took over. The fact that he had the temerity to call a second short yardage run to Cooley really tells me he's either overthinking things or has no imagination whatsoever. He needs to be better.

I'm not saying he's perfect...but we can't have it both ways. We have an average QB and average OL and yet we're 15th in total offense with 360ish yards per game. It's not going to knock anyone's socks off, but if I told you we'd be a middle of the pack offense with Grossman and essentially the same OL as last year, wouldn't you say Kyle was doing a pretty good job? If not, then you'd have to concede that our talent (including QB) is succeeding despite the coaching.

[HailYeah]

The playcalling was fine last night. It was especially good in the first half. We just continue to have redzone problems, which is nothing new, but it will be our achillies heel all year.

Our offense got outplayed in the second half by their front 7. The run game was not working. If we had tried to run the ball or go to multiple check downs, and it didn't work, people would be lambasting Kyle for playing not to lose instead of playing to win. Sure, I would have liked to see a screen play break for 45 yards just like everyone else, but the playcalling on the whole was not the problem.

I like the aggresiveness. It is our only chance to win in this league. Whether we have the right guy at QB right now or not, thats how you win in the modern NFL.

These teams were very even. We just came up a little short because our offense (particularly the line) is not quite there yet, especially when going up agains an elite front 7 in the fourth quarter.

[skins4eva]

I was pissed that on the drive following the lone touchdown, we threw on first and second down instead of running the ball when it was really effective on the TD drive. Livid. 3 and out. fml.

Yeah--that was an unforgivable sequence by Kyle. Just piss poor.

[ConcordNCSkinsFan]

I don't believe for one second that Kyle doesn't know how to call a proper NFL gameplan. What I believe is that he's hampered in what he feels like he can gameplan because Rex is the QB. It's very clear to me they are trying to tailor a gameplan to Rex's weaknesses. Do you think he would be calling the same plays with Matt Schaub at QB? Until we find a solution at QB we can expect more of the same limited offense.

Exactamundo! We basically have to be generic to match how limited our QB is! Can't escape pressure, no velocity or accuracy on medium or long range throws, no playmaking ability, too many turnovers. He's just a game manager pure and simple. Defense and ST would have to be dominant for this guy to take a team on a deep playoff run. (2006 Bears)

[steve09ru]

why on earth do we not run playaction in the redzone? We have everything in order, it has been working, the defense is expecting run. Run a PA please.

[grego]

I'm not saying he's perfect...but we can't have it both ways. We have an average QB and average OL and yet we're 15th in total offense with 360ish yards per game. It's not going to knock anyone's socks off, but if I told you we'd be a middle of the pack offense with Grossman and essentially the same OL as last year, wouldn't you say Kyle was doing a pretty good job? If not, then you'd have to concede that our talent (including QB) is succeeding despite the coaching.

i dont think kyle called a good game at all. mainly cuz of what btfoom and others have pointed out already- the run finally starts working, and we abandon it. with a lead, no less.


The playcalling was fine last night. It was especially good in the first half. We just continue to have redzone problems, which is nothing new, but it will be our achillies heel all year.

Our offense got outplayed in the second half by their front 7. The run game was not working. If we had tried to run the ball or go to multiple check downs, and it didn't work, people would be lambasting Kyle for playing not to lose instead of playing to win. Sure, I would have liked to see a screen play break for 45 yards just like everyone else, but the playcalling on the whole was not the problem.

I like the aggresiveness. It is our only chance to win in this league. Whether we have the right guy at QB right now or not, thats how you win in the modern NFL.

These teams were very even. We just came up a little short because our offense (particularly the line) is not quite there yet, especially when going up agains an elite front 7 in the fourth quarter.

i'm not happy with how grossman played, but like it was said, the run game was starting to work. then we call 2 runs and 15 pass plays. clearly, the pass calls didnt work, and conventional wisdom says you run in with a lead and when you start wearing them down. kyle gambled and lost.

it wasnt just that though, it was the playcalling after we got the fumble. total lack of imagination. its like he ran when he should have gotten cute, and got cute when he should have run.

[Warhead36]

Of the 73 total yards in our TD drive, only 23 of them came by running the ball (4 out of 13 plays).

[Skinsfanatic_1]

I just wanna say Adam Carriker is a weak link on the D line. And we need to start Beck already.

[JdoubleU]

Give North Texas some credit. That D is the reason they have been in all their games this year. They took away the Skins best offensive weapon (Fred Davis), & shut down the run.

[grego]

Of the 73 total yards in our TD drive, only 23 of them came by running the ball (4 out of 13 plays).

right, but thats always the way it is. passing yards always make up the bulk of your yards. when you start getting those 5 yards bursts, teams have to account for that, which they did. that resulted in the fake and the pass to hightower wide open. then, kyle abandons the run.

look at what he did in houston- the lead the league in passing yards. what good is that? i was happy to have him here so we would have a chance at a good passing game. clearly, we dont have schaub and AJ, but he calls games like we do. he gets cute when he doesnt have the horses to get the job done.

clearly, he's pass happy and clearly that philosophy didnt work. on our one scoring drive, running the ball did work.

[skinsfan1523]

While I didn't agree with all his calls, teams that blitz a lot look for those screens and dump offs, that is what they want you to do.

[panel]

I don't think the play calling was that bad, yeah, maybe a few more screens would have worked, but the main problems was execution. We had too many guys slipping all over the field. You could also see pressure break Grossman's concentration if it started to get close.

[TD_washingtonredskins]

Of the 73 total yards in our TD drive, only 23 of them came by running the ball (4 out of 13 plays).

Thank you...the run was average during that drive, but was working more because we weren't trying to run on first and 10 (from what I remember). We ran on first and 10 three times and gained 1, 2, and 6 yards. The last one was at the 10 yard line and was the only successful first down run I remember all game. Conversely, when we threw on first down, we completed a 12 yard pass to Cooley and a TD pass to Hightower.

[1198skinsfuture]

Of the 73 total yards in our TD drive, only 23 of them came by running the ball (4 out of 13 plays).

5 yds a pop - good enough to keep running the rock and shave a couple minutes off the clock

[artmonkforHOF]

Kyle does not run more screens because Kyle has a game plan that will work, if the stupid players would just do their damn jobs already. That's not how I feel but it is how I imagine Kyle feeling about the subject, and I suspect he would speak in the third person as well. The next time this guys admits a mistake will be the first time.

[grego]

Thank you...the run was average during that drive, but was working more because we weren't trying to run on first and 10 (from what I remember). We ran on first and 10 three times and gained 1, 2, and 6 yards. The last one was at the 10 yard line and was the only successful first down run I remember all game. Conversely, when we threw on first down, we completed a 12 yard pass to Cooley and a TD pass to Hightower.

i'm not arguing we run every first down, i'm arguing that kyle shouldnt have abandoned it after it was starting to work.

to add to that, i also would have liked to see more shots downfield. sometimes you get a PI call, and it would open up the run game more.

[TD_washingtonredskins]

i'm not arguing we run every first down, i'm arguing that kyle shouldnt have abandoned it after it was starting to work.

to add to that, i also would have liked to see more shots downfield. sometimes you get a PI call, and it would open up the run game more.

I understand...and in the end, you have the trump card of "we lost the game" so it's tough for me to argue too much. However, I believe we were cruising on that 4th quarter drive (up 1) until we actually started running the ball. We got to the Dallas 45 or so and then put ourselves in 2nd and long. From there, we got a sack and then had no shot on 3rd and 15+. I think a play-action or screen on that first down from the Dallas 45 might have put us in FG range. We'll never know.

[Redskin Diehard]

The issue isn't whether or not Kyle is a good coach. I actually think he's capable of becoming a respectable offensive coordinator one day. Just not on his father's coaching staff in my opinion. The problem is... Daddy will never side with anyone against Kyle and that's the pink elephant in the room over at redskins park until further notice... The million dollar question in this case is... how does Kyle grow as a coach if nobody is allowed (players, coaches or staff) to challenge his knowledge of the game or his authority over the offense? I think Mike Shanahan has restored respectability to this franchise without a doubt and they appear to be more disciplined than they have been in a very long time. After living through the tomfoolery of the jim zorn era, mike shanahan is definitely a breath of fresh air at this point but he thought with his heart...not his head...when he decided to hire his son.

[amm0409]

I think we need to find space for Helu? Passing to him outside, thoughts? I felt those types of plays were open last night.

[acuratl1984]

My biggest question from lastnight was... What happened with Fred Davis?? (I was watching from work, so I may have missed some plays) But he only had one catch?

[amm0409]

My biggest question from lastnight was... What happened with Fred Davis?? (I was watching from work, so I may have missed some plays) But he only had one catch?

I know, I think they started Cooley and Paulsen?

[charles mannley]

When you have the lead you want to control the clock and rest your defense It seems like every game coming out of halftime he decides to completely abondon the run. It allows the offense to get into a rythm. I am not a fan of hindsight, but I was yelling for them to run the ball and everytime there they are pass, pass, pass, and punt. **** the cowboys