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Originally Posted by Amnorix
I'm thinking, however, that you're going to see your team with ALOT of third and longs this year. Long throws are nice and exciting, but your OLIne isn't necessarily good enough to protect Collins long enough for the play to develop.
Offenses these days usually live by generating good drives marching down the field. The Mad Bomber days are over. I'm not sure Al Davis realizes that.
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Turner is a proponent of a strong ground attack first. Downfield throws will happen when the defense devotes more people to run defense at the expense of pass defense. He did this as an offensive coordinator in Dallas, San Diego and Miami, and as head coach in Washington. He is attempting to do the same in Oakland.
I am more concerned with Oakland's ability to run block than pass block. If they run block effectively and Jordan repeatedly gains yardage the defensive pass rush will address RBs coming at them first before they look for Collins' head, and that may be the difference leading to a completed long pass.
The rule changes encourage passing, allowing WRs to run untouched after 5 yards from scrimmage. It seems a greater likelihood that more teams will test defenses long. Bombs away.