Thoughts about today's game

[milkman]

Damion McIntosh and Adrian Jones haven't improved.

Their poor play has been masked by Thigpen's mobility, his quick decisions, and good decision making, combined with more creative play calling.

They still suck.

The Chiefs are just hiding it better.

[cdcox]

Originally Posted by milkman

Damion McIntosh and Adrian Jones haven't improved.

Their poor play has been masked by Thigpen's mobility, his quick decisions, and good decision making, combined with more creative play calling.

They still suck.

The Chiefs are just hiding it better.

This.

If we went back to a QB under center, run RRPP offense, the right side will just as bad as it did at the beginning of the season. Spread makes it easier to pass block.

[Zouk]

Originally Posted by cdcox

Spread makes it easier to pass block.

I'm curious why you think this is true. I thought the story was that the spread can't be used as a base offense in the NFL because the rushers will overwhelm the protection and the DBs can sit on the short stuff behind pressure and force picks off hot throws.

[cdcox]

Originally Posted by Zouk

I'm curious why you think this is true. I thought the story was that the spread can't be used as a base offense in the NFL because the rushers will overwhelm the protection and the DBs can sit on the short stuff behind pressure and force picks off hot throws.

In the spread, the QB is supposed to take the snap, take a 3 steps straight back and unload. The QB is deeper on a 3-step shotgun drop than a 7-step under center drop. The defender has to get 8 yards up field in a very short time period to get to the QB. This necessitates taking a relatively short path. A short path necessitates a more predictable path, thus leaving the OL less territory to protect.

In contrast with the QB under center, the distance between the QB and DE is shorter, which opens up additional pathways. Plus it is more likely that the interior push will provide pressure when the QB is under center, getting the QB to make a move that the DE can see, but the OL can't. In the spread, the OL knows where his QB is. Makes pass blocking a lot easier.

Finally if the DE breaks free from the OL there is more space for the QB to scramble. Fewer sacks happen, and the fans assume the pass blocking must be better.

I am not a proponent of too many short throws, but that is another subject.

[Zouk]

Originally Posted by cdcox

In the spread, the QB is supposed to take the snap, take a 3 steps straight back and unload. The QB is deeper on a 3-step shotgun drop than a 7-step under center drop. The defender has to get 8 yards up field in a very short time period to get to the QB. This necessitates taking a relatively short path. A short path necessitates a more predictable path, thus leaving the OL less territory to protect.

You totally left out the factor of backs and tight ends to help and chip. The spread is widely acknowledged to leave the QB exposed - that's why it includes all those screens and misdirection runs to slow rushers. Sounds like you're pining for the run n shoot, which was basically 5 wide and deep route combinations. Buddy Ryan would choke you.

[cdcox]

Originally Posted by Zouk

You totally left out the factor of backs and tight ends to help and chip. The spread is widely acknowledged to leave the QB exposed - that's why it includes all those screens and misdirection runs to slow rushers. Sounds like you're pining for the run n shoot, which was basically 5 wide and deep route combinations. Buddy Ryan would choke you.

I've never been a fan of the run 'n shoot. Some shot gun is okay, but running 5-wide on a consistent basis isn't going to win you many games.

[suds79]

Originally Posted by milkman

Damion McIntosh and Adrian Jones haven't improved.

Their poor play has been masked by Thigpen's mobility, his quick decisions, and good decision making, combined with more creative play calling.

They still suck.

The Chiefs are just hiding it better.

Yep.

I've seen enough of McIntosh to be able to surely say he isn't a quality starting O-Tackle.

Jones & Rudy (can't handle the big DTs) arn't much better IMO.

[BigRock]

Originally Posted by milkman

Damion McIntosh and Adrian Jones haven't improved.

Their poor play has been masked by Thigpen's mobility, his quick decisions, and good decision making, combined with more creative play calling.

They still suck.

The Chiefs are just hiding it better.

This is true on pass protection. It doesn't explain how the offensive line helped open up a running game that went for, I don't remember, like 150 yards against Tampa last week, though.

But there wasn't much on the ground today, so there's no point dwelling on that issue until they prove it wasn't a fluke.