Why is the offense trying to be so gimmicky? And why is the 2 minute drill so non-urgent?

[Rufus T Firefly]

The incompetence of the hurry up has been a problem for the whole 3 years the Shanahans have been here. It's getting worrisome that they haven't figured out how to fix that.

[Enter Apotheosis]

I've said this about the hurry up offense under the Shanahans in the past and I'll say it again. It is deliberate and it is a few seconds slower than is comfortable for the spectators but it always gets us moving down the field fast enough to have a strong chance at a comeback... until significant mistakes are made. Against the Panthers, a bad decision to throw short over the middle in the red zone cost us a time out and about 40 seconds of clock at the end of the game. Two penalties that nullified touchdowns wasted another 30 seconds of clock.

We should have had nearly 2 minutes to make that last drive and tie the game with the way we marched down the field, not 18 seconds. There is not enough time in the world to stage a comeback when the players on the field can't execute.


Regarding the "gimmicky" nature of this offense... I don't like gimmicks and I have a history of killing people who have dared to suggest that the college-style option should be brought to the NFL. Nonetheless, there are actually a lot of things I like about the way we run this offense. I'm struggling to come up with a way to illustrate what we're doing right from a play design standpoint to all of you guys who are getting bent out of shape over two games where our offense has been less than fantastic. DCsportsfan did a good job of expressing one aspect of it in this thread, though.

[pjfootballer]

All rookies are going to throw interceptions if they throw it enough. My guess is that Luck's interception numbers start going down by something like 50 percent a year going forward. In some ways, I think we are hurting RGIII by tailoring this offense so specifically to what the coaches think he can do. He's not developing into a completel NFL QB, just a ramped up college QB.

And, like everyone else, I think he can easily make the transition to traditional drop back passer. He is not Michale Vick or Vince Young. He has incredible accuracy and touch. He'll make mistakes in reading defenses, but that's why you have rookie seasons. We're 3-6. If he throws 4 interceptions next week, who cares? It might mean that he does not not throw 4 interceptions next year when we are 6-3.

The Colts have Luck in a graduate level NFL program right now.

And this is what I've been thinking and saying myself. It was OK to protect him the first few games, but now if Shanahan is "evaluating" everyone, let's see what Robert can do in a more traditional offense.

---------- Post added November-7th-2012 at 07:51 AM ----------

I really agree with DCSportsfan's post. The "gimmick" offense is just bring used to make Robert comfortable. I have made this point before... if the coaches told RG3 to run the exact offense that we ran with Rex last year then he will be pummeled and as much as we view him as our Superman, his confidence can be crushed.

The coaches are doing a good job bringing him along. We will see more and more traditional offense as the season comes along. I am not sure it's going to look how some are expecting. This offense is built to run and use a lot of moving pockets, misdirection, etc. If anyone is expecting to see an offense like the Patriots, then you will be disappointed.

It's game 10 coming up. How much more coddling does he need? Luck is throwing it. Tannehill is throwing it. Wilson is throwing it. Weeden is throwing it. Time to see what Robert has on that right shoulder.

[Geneva]

We have about 8 key players on IR. For the most part this season is a wash however, we do get to play a number of bench warmers to see what we have for next year. As for Haslett, you said it best HE NEEDS TO GO. I would love to have Wade Phillips as our new DC in DC. There also may be some retired head coaches out there that may want to return to the game as DC's. I would love to ge the Green Bay Packers DC on this teme next year. I would also like us to return to the standard 4-3 defense. The Giants, New England, Pittsburg, all run the 4-3. I still like Kyle Shanahan to call the offense. We still need 1 good big WR (6-6 ),or more to put up against these DB's in the red zone. We also need to bring in a 0ld WR like TO to coach these guys on the field. A vet min one year contract would do it. As for the draft, next years picks should ALL be spent on the line. Fix this problem and you fix 80% of our offensive problems. Then it's up to Dan the money man to work the free agency market in the off season. The Shanahans need to give him a shopping list and let him go to work.

[RandyHolt]

I have long wanted to see hurry up. Try it on the first series of a game at least once a year, show it in preseason. Make teams game plan for it at least.

I think we don't run hurry up much because we are a run heavy offense, and we will gas our only running back.

We need to be able to sub out the RB to rest him. Ironically, the more successful Morris is, longer runs etc, the sooner he needs a breather. Hurry up exacerbates our lack of RB depth, we have no one to replace him. We can try to run Royster more, but it seems like Mike is more willing to run RG3 or Banks. If Royster (12 carries) can't run the ball, he needs to be upgraded immediately. With 12 carries, do teams even bother to account for him?

Cue the list of Skins RB that have dominated in preseason yet drop off the radar. There have to be free agent RBs out there that can help run the bumpkin, I am certain.

Maybe even Sultan.

[MusicCitySkin]

We don't have any playmakers at receiver. You can't trust any of them to make big plays downfield.

[pjfootballer]

We have about 8 key players on IR. For the most part this season is a wash however, we do get to play a number of bench warmers to see what we have for next year. As for Haslett, you said it best HE NEEDS TO GO. I would love to have Wade Phillips as our new DC in DC. There also may be some retired head coaches out there that may want to return to the game as DC's. I would love to ge the Green Bay Packers DC on this teme next year. I would also like us to return to the standard 4-3 defense. The Giants, New England, Pittsburg, all run the 4-3. I still like Kyle Shanahan to call the offense. We still need 1 good big WR (6-6 ),or more to put up against these DB's in the red zone. We also need to bring in a 0ld WR like TO to coach these guys on the field. A vet min one year contract would do it. As for the draft, next years picks should ALL be spent on the line. Fix this problem and you fix 80% of our offensive problems. Then it's up to Dan the money man to work the free agency market in the off season. The Shanahans need to give him a shopping list and let him go to work.

So much wrong here:

1) Yes Haslett needs to go. But you just can't go raiding other coaches if they are under contract. I don't think we're going to get Wade Phillips or Dom Capers away from the Texans or Packers. I don't want a retired coach.

2) We would have to "again" do a complete overhaul of the defense. We've been signing and drafting players to fit the 3-4 the last three years. It isn't just easy to flip a switch and I think KDawg had a thread last week stating how hard it would be to flip it back.

3) The 4-3 we ran was a bend but don't break defense. Didn't create any turnovers or sacks. Get our injured back next year, add some more 3-4 guys and get rid of Haslett and I think you'll see a better defense. Plus, Shanahan is not switching from the 3-4, so get used to it.

4) New England runs a hybrid 4-3, 3-4. Pittsburgh does not run a 4-3. They run a 3-4, and we are trying to model our defense after their type of 3-4 that is different from say, Dallass or Green Bay's 3-4.

5) Anthony Mix proved that being tall doesn't equate to TDs. Our goaline offense has been putrid. I can't remember the last time I saw us pass the ball inside the 5. It's not because the receivers aren't tall, it's that with the current crop we have, they can't get open. Execution, not being tall is the problem.

6) So we have 8 picks and this is how you would pick? OL, DL, OL. DL, OL. DL. OL. DL. Wow, that makes about as much sense as keeping Danny Smith as the special teams coach. Did we not just draft 3 OL (Leriebus, Gettis, Compton) in the last draft to develop? Have we not drafted 2 DL (Jenkins, Neild) in the other draft along with bringing in Hurt, Black, Baker, Worthington, Carikker, Bowen, Cofield, Chester, Lichtensteiger, along with drafting Trent? Methinks you did not do your homework on how many linemen we have brought in the last 3 years. I'll give you a hint. It's been alot. Yes football starts in the trenches, but you don't cut off your nose to spite your face.

7) Draft BPA this year for depth. Be smart in free agency again and get rid of some dead cap weight along with a couple of coaches.

8) And the WORST part of your post? Dan Snyder? Let the money man go out and get free agents? Please, let's just let the scouts, Bruce and Mike get the players and let Dan sign his name on the check. That's all I want him to do unless you want him to bring back Vinny. Do you really want it to be that bad again?

[cphil006]

The incompetence of the hurry up has been a problem for the whole 3 years the Shanahans have been here. It's getting worrisome that they haven't figured out how to fix that.

Our two-minute offense is the same as our first quarter offense... Kyle hasn't figured it out yet. He's too young, too inexperienced, and too uncreative.

[herb mul-key]

Our two-minute offense is the same as our first quarter offense... Kyle hasn't figured it out yet. He's too young, too inexperienced, and too uncreative.

I agree....I am largely UNIMPRESSED w/ Kyle over the past few years..I mean I played and worked for great leaders, I get it...Have you heard him speak? or Mike for that matter........

we seem to still have a leadership/identity crisis on this team....

Why can't we just emulate Steve Young or Joe Montana or Brett Favre...a very mobile pocket passer...

God, watching the Saints offense...wow...I hate our offense right now.....

Lord help us and RG3....

[Skinzfever2010]

Its straight up coaching. Kevin and Tom were discussing this on 980 two weeks ago. I don't understand why we look lifeless in these situations. Hopefully its an adjustment made after the bye.

[gortiz]

We don't have any playmakers at receiver. You can't trust any of them to make big plays downfield.

Skins are 7th in the NFL in receiving plays over 20 yards ... that's more than the Patriots, Packers, Bears and Falcons.

[redskins4ever28]

First of all, theres a few things I have to say. Our WRs are total garbage. Im still waiting for Hank to be good, but hes not. Garcon is a wimp (thats right, I said it, I dont think hes as hurt as he says he is, if at all). Davis is injured and gone for at least the rest of the season possibly into next. Aldrick Robinson is undisciplined and not running good routes, Morgan is decent over the middle but has his own problems with drops. Moss is reliable, but hes quite old, and not as fast or quick with cuts anymore. Paulsen is the most reliable option RG3 has, thats got to be the saddest thing ever.

Secondly, heres why I believe Rg3 is more legit then Luck, and more legit then most think, he is CONSISTENTLY completing passes to 8-9 different receivers, A GAME. Thats something unheard of now days unless your names Brees, Brady, Rodgers etc;

If we could give him some WRs taht can make separation, hed be even better. Stop running the gimmick crap, let Alfred run it up the gut and bust them in the mouth and then let Robert throw darts all over. In a traditional offense this team would be just as good, if not better. So why pretend that this is Baylor?

[herb mul-key]

Its straight up coaching. Kevin and Tom were discussing this on 980 two weeks ago. I don't understand why we look lifeless in these situations. Hopefully its an adjustment made after the bye.

I concur....the fact the Panthers we're WAY more fired up than we were and for all to plainly see...WANTED it MORE...IS fricking coaching!...and it pisses me off!......

[redskins4ever28]

I concur....the fact the Panthers we're WAY more fired up than we were and for all to plainly see...WANTED it MORE...IS fricking coaching!...and it pisses me off!......

When Shanahan was hired I was so very happy. I thought we got a guy here who was always competitive in Denver. I still stand by the fact that with the right QB you can win any game. The problem is that in all honesty, we dont know if we have the right qb because were running a bogus gimmick offense. Let Robert drop back like a real QB, lets see if he can pass. If he can, then we are golden for years to come. If he cant, then guess what fellas? Were screwed again for more years. The colts are competitive for one reason, they have Luck and they let him thyrow 50 times a game. Well 2 reasons, they have the easiest schedule in the NFL. But still, let Robert throw, stop holding him back, stop with the gimmick crap. Stop with the 10 yard in routes, the options, the screens, etc; Lets let him loose. Lets see if he really is our QB. I want him to be, I love the guy, but tell me you guys arent thinking that he may possibly bust just because hes running some gimmick O? I am. Im worried, Im worried can he not grasp the NFL offense? Why is this stupid offense still in play?

[pjfootballer]

Secondly, heres why I believe Rg3 is more legit then Luck, and more legit then most think, he is CONSISTENTLY completing passes to 8-9 different receivers, A GAME. Thats something unheard of now days unless your names Brees, Brady, Rodgers etc;

^^ Wait a minute, first you build him up and say he's better than Luck, then.....

The problem is that in all honesty, we dont know if we have the right qb because were running a bogus gimmick offense. Let Robert drop back like a real QB, lets see if he can pass. If he can, then we are golden for years to come. If he cant, then guess what fellas? Were screwed again for more years. The colts are competitive for one reason, they have Luck and they let him thyrow 50 times a game. Well 2 reasons, they have the easiest schedule in the NFL. But still, let Robert throw, stop holding him back, stop with the gimmick crap. Stop with the 10 yard in routes, the options, the screens, etc; Lets let him loose. Lets see if he really is our QB. I want him to be, I love the guy, but tell me you guys arent thinking that he may possibly bust just because hes running some gimmick O? I am. Im worried, Im worried can he not grasp the NFL offense? Why is this stupid offense still in play?

You come back with this little gem. You're kind of flip-flopping. So, is he the greatest or does he suck?