
Originally Posted by
Oldfan
Hey, Mike, how about a two-quarterback scheme? ...Don't laugh. Hear me out on this.
Let's start with the obvious. Donovan has a serious flaw in his game. He can't keep his mechanics together which makes his short game inconsistent. So, I figure, like Andy Reid, you're going to adapt to the man's strengths and create a big play offense. Last season, the Eagles were number one in 40+ plays and number two in 20+ plays. But you probably knew that.
Andy's big problem was in the Red Zone. His team was number 20 in Red Zone efficiency in 2009 and number 25 in 2008. I figured it out. The two-year average was a suckish 48%. Now, think about this, Mike. That's an average. Against playoff caliber defenses that number would be much lower!
Pea-brain Eagles fans say that Donovan chokes. They say he can't finish drives that win the big games. Choking isn't the problem. He can't finish drives in the big games because he has trouble finishing drives in all games. Things just get worse for him against high-grade defenses.
The way I figure it , Donovan's short game inconsistency jumps up to bite him hardest in the compressed area of the Red Zone.
Greg Blache's great love, the passive, "bend but don't break" defensive strategy, is ineffective against most teams, but it was exactly the right strategy when playing against a Donovan McNabb led attack -- give him the short stuff, prevent big play touchdowns, and bet that his team will have to settle for three when he can't put up seven in the Red Zone.
So, let's look at your options for solving this Red Zone problem.
Donovan McNabb knows his short game problem is with his mechanics. He has been trying to correct it for 11 seasons. It's not likely you are going to help him solve it before he drives his Bentley off into the Ashburn sunset.
Your running game isn't the solution. Let's be candid, Mike. Even at its Broncos best, your ZBS wasn't all that grand in the Red Zone where size and power rule.
Can you come up with new pass routes in the Red Zone to deceive defenses? If you can, great. But, I'm guessing that's not a realistic solution in the NFL.
So, here's my suggestion.
When your offense gets to the Red Zone, you pull Donovan out of the game along with your big play runt receivers. You send in your Red Zone QB specialist. He's the guy who has the best short game among your QBs. He's the guy who runs the Red Zone offense constantly in practices.
As for drawbacks, there are some who would worry about what might happen to poor Donovan's confidence if you pull him out in Red Zone opportunities. Others would whine that the two-QB thing would undermine McNabb's leadership. I don't know about you, Mike, but you can talk to me about football strategy, or the Xs and Os, and I'll listen intently all day long. But, I turn a deaf ear when people start with their Football psychobabble.
I'll be straight with you, man. You wouldn't have been my pick to coach the Redskins. I'm not impressed with your resume. Just one playoff win in the last ten Denver seasons doesn't inspire confidence. But, now that you're here, I figure I'll do what I can to help you succeed. Besides, I think we Football geniuses should stick together. Don't you?
So, give my suggestion some thought. Okay?