Offensive play-calling help for Al Saunders

shaneo69 · 11-08-2005, 02:58 PM

The Chiefs offense has been sputtering a bit this year, so I wanted to offer my assistance to Al. I want to list the plays that always work, and the plays that never work, for his reference. Please help me by listing any plays in the above two categories that I've forgotten.

Plays that always work:

1) First, I would run on 1st down on at least the 1st three offensive series. Even if you only get two yards, 2nd and 8 is a lot better than 2nd and 10. Once you've ran on 1st down several times, it opens up the play-action passes on subsequent 1st downs.

2) With Kennison on the left side, the 15 yard out pattern to Eddie. This used to be our bread-and-butter, but I guess Kennison has been moved to the right side this year. Trent can throw this pass in his sleep, but he doesn't throw the deep out to the right side nearly as well.

3) The pitch back to LJ or Priest going to the left side. We used it once on Sunday and it worked great. When they tried a straight hand-off going left, they always got stuffed. The pitch back going left was the play that LJ took to the house on the first drive of the season. Even without Roaf, it still works. I would use this play on any 2nd down situation, as well as 3rd down and 3 yards-or-less.

4) A fake hand-off going towards the right, and then a pass to the wide-open FB. T-Rich scored on this play Sunday. Bill Jones used to score on this play all the time back around 1990. Shanahan runs this play a lot as well. The FB is always open, and it usually gets you about 10 yards.

5) The draw play. But this should be used mainly on 2nd down and 5-8 yards to go. It shouldn't be used on obvious passing or running downs.

6) The screen pass where one RB goes left and the other goes right. Trent fakes to one side and goes to the other. Usually good for some nice yardage.

7) Straight hand-offs to LJ up the middle with Dante running a fake reverse behind Trent. I would use this play on almost all 1st downs. Then actually give the ball to Dante at least twice a game on the reverse.

8) Four yard slant patterns to Chris Horn on 1st or 2nd down. Saunders only calls this on 3rd down in crucial situations, and it always makes me nervous as hell. Do it on 1st or 2nd down for crissakes.

9) A pick play to Gonzo, where he starts inside next to the OT, then runs a pattern towards the sideline while the outside WR runs a crossing pattern to pick off the defender covering TG. This would be used when the defense is playing man coverage, at least in the first 10 yards.

10) If all else fails, and the offense is still sputtering, go no huddle and let Trent call his own plays.

Plays that never work to follow...

Warrior5 · 11-08-2005, 03:06 PM

1. Rush through LG/LT (when Roaf is out)

2. Sweeps.

**keg in kc** · 11-08-2005, 03:08 PM

Then when these plays don't work, who do we complain about, you or him?

htismaqe · 11-08-2005, 03:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by keg in kc

Then when these plays don't work, who do we complain about, you or him?

htismaqe · 11-08-2005, 03:13 PM

Seriously, Saunders would never listen to shane or any of us for that matter.

He's a genious in his own mind.

chagrin · 11-08-2005, 03:14 PM

We need more cowbell!

shaneo69 · 11-08-2005, 03:21 PM

Plays that never work...

1) Empty backfield, Trent under center. For god's sake, if you empty the backfield, at least put Trent in the shotgun and give him a chance.

2) Horizontal passes to the RB, TE, or Dante.* When caught, they gain 1 yard. When thrown to LJ, they get dropped.

* Disclaimer - this play can be used when we are leading by 14 or more points late in the 4th quarter and TG needs to catch a pass to extend his consecutive game pass-catching streak.

3) Any sweep play when LJ is the RB. LJ can't get wide like Priest.

4) The designed roll-out where Trent rolls out to the right, fakes the handoff, then tries to hit either the FB three yards downfield or Gonzalez eight yards downfield. This play almost always seems to be covered and there is always a guy in Trent's face right away.

Having trouble thinking of others right now. I'm sure I'll come up with some more though.

shaneo69 · 11-08-2005, 03:25 PM

Another short yardage play they run that almost always seems to work, is from the I-formation when they fake the handoff to T-Rich going between the C-LG hole and then give to the RB going through the C-RG hole.

htismaqe · 11-08-2005, 03:27 PM

Where would you put the fake reverse/PA pass that they run? It works SOMETIMES, but I fuggin hate it...it takes like 45 seconds to setup.

shaneo69 · 11-08-2005, 03:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by htismaqe

Where would you put the fake reverse/PA pass that they run? It works SOMETIMES, but I fuggin hate it...it takes like 45 seconds to setup.

I agree, I hate that play as well, and would definitely scrap it.

sedated · 11-08-2005, 03:32 PM

Stop this sweep crap with LJ in the game.

sedated · 11-08-2005, 03:39 PM

With how concerned other Defenses are with the sweep run, we should pull out the 'ol HB Pass.

Even if it gets thrown away, one every game would make their defense think about it, and the sweep could be more effective.

htismaqe · 11-08-2005, 03:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sedated

With how concerned other Defenses are with the sweep run, we should pull out the 'ol HB Pass.

Even if it gets thrown away, one every game would make their defense think about it, and the sweep could be more effective.

Not a bad idea.

Mr. Laz · 11-08-2005, 04:12 PM

i think we need some new running plays.

seem like we use like 3 .. maybe 4

1. toss sweep (left/right)
2. draw
3. dive (only shortage or when LJ is in)

defenses are jumping all over our sweeps ... we need to add some variety. (counters,traps etc)

MichaelH · 11-08-2005, 04:34 PM

1. fleaflicker
2. statue of liberty play

11-08-2005, 02:58 PM
shaneo69 Smug Weasel Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Bleachers at Busch Casino cash: $6385	Offensive play-calling help for Al Saunders The Chiefs offense has been sputtering a bit this year, so I wanted to offer my assistance to Al. I want to list the plays that always work, and the plays that never work, for his reference. Please help me by listing any plays in the above two categories that I've forgotten. Plays that always work: 1) First, I would run on 1st down on at least the 1st three offensive series. Even if you only get two yards, 2nd and 8 is a lot better than 2nd and 10. Once you've ran on 1st down several times, it opens up the play-action passes on subsequent 1st downs. 2) With Kennison on the left side, the 15 yard out pattern to Eddie. This used to be our bread-and-butter, but I guess Kennison has been moved to the right side this year. Trent can throw this pass in his sleep, but he doesn't throw the deep out to the right side nearly as well. 3) The pitch back to LJ or Priest going to the left side. We used it once on Sunday and it worked great. When they tried a straight hand-off going left, they always got stuffed. The pitch back going left was the play that LJ took to the house on the first drive of the season. Even without Roaf, it still works. I would use this play on any 2nd down situation, as well as 3rd down and 3 yards-or-less. 4) A fake hand-off going towards the right, and then a pass to the wide-open FB. T-Rich scored on this play Sunday. Bill Jones used to score on this play all the time back around 1990. Shanahan runs this play a lot as well. The FB is always open, and it usually gets you about 10 yards. 5) The draw play. But this should be used mainly on 2nd down and 5-8 yards to go. It shouldn't be used on obvious passing or running downs. 6) The screen pass where one RB goes left and the other goes right. Trent fakes to one side and goes to the other. Usually good for some nice yardage. 7) Straight hand-offs to LJ up the middle with Dante running a fake reverse behind Trent. I would use this play on almost all 1st downs. Then actually give the ball to Dante at least twice a game on the reverse. 8) Four yard slant patterns to Chris Horn on 1st or 2nd down. Saunders only calls this on 3rd down in crucial situations, and it always makes me nervous as hell. Do it on 1st or 2nd down for crissakes. 9) A pick play to Gonzo, where he starts inside next to the OT, then runs a pattern towards the sideline while the outside WR runs a crossing pattern to pick off the defender covering TG. This would be used when the defense is playing man coverage, at least in the first 10 yards. 10) If all else fails, and the offense is still sputtering, go no huddle and let Trent call his own plays. Plays that never work to follow...
Posts: 4,909

11-08-2005, 03:06 PM	#2
Warrior5 Stram was Cav Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Lansing, America Casino cash: $45667	Plays that never work... 1. Rush through LG/LT (when Roaf is out) 2. Sweeps. __________________ The best pass defense is attacking the passer.
Posts: 4,423

11-08-2005, 03:08 PM	#3
keg in kc oxymoron Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: OP/KC/Whatever Casino cash: $326063	Then when these plays don't work, who do we complain about, you or him?
Posts: 46,254

11-08-2005, 03:13 PM	#5
htismaqe In the misty morning... Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: on the edge of time... Casino cash: $1044370	Seriously, Saunders would never listen to shane or any of us for that matter. He's a genious in his own mind. __________________ Don't live for pleasure, make life your treasure... \m/ Ronnie James Dio, 1942-2010 \m/
Posts: 52,058

11-08-2005, 03:14 PM	#6
chagrin Giggitty! Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Orlando, Florida Casino cash: $8128	We need more cowbell! __________________ I'll try to be nice to you, if you stop being such an idiot
Posts: 13,332

11-08-2005, 03:21 PM	#7
shaneo69 Smug Weasel Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Bleachers at Busch Casino cash: $6385	Plays that never work... 1) Empty backfield, Trent under center. For god's sake, if you empty the backfield, at least put Trent in the shotgun and give him a chance. 2) Horizontal passes to the RB, TE, or Dante.* When caught, they gain 1 yard. When thrown to LJ, they get dropped. * Disclaimer - this play can be used when we are leading by 14 or more points late in the 4th quarter and TG needs to catch a pass to extend his consecutive game pass-catching streak. 3) Any sweep play when LJ is the RB. LJ can't get wide like Priest. 4) The designed roll-out where Trent rolls out to the right, fakes the handoff, then tries to hit either the FB three yards downfield or Gonzalez eight yards downfield. This play almost always seems to be covered and there is always a guy in Trent's face right away. Having trouble thinking of others right now. I'm sure I'll come up with some more though. __________________ "I like Chiefs president Carl Peterson. I respect his business savvy. I envy his management skills and his penchant never to be driven by the whims of popularity. I admire his willingness to take responsibility for decisions that don’t work out the way he would have wanted." - Rufus, from KCChiefs.com ----------------------------------------------------------------------
Posts: 4,909

11-08-2005, 03:25 PM	#8
shaneo69 Smug Weasel Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Bleachers at Busch Casino cash: $6385	Another short yardage play they run that almost always seems to work, is from the I-formation when they fake the handoff to T-Rich going between the C-LG hole and then give to the RB going through the C-RG hole. __________________ "I like Chiefs president Carl Peterson. I respect his business savvy. I envy his management skills and his penchant never to be driven by the whims of popularity. I admire his willingness to take responsibility for decisions that don’t work out the way he would have wanted." - Rufus, from KCChiefs.com ----------------------------------------------------------------------
Posts: 4,909

11-08-2005, 03:27 PM	#9
htismaqe In the misty morning... Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: on the edge of time... Casino cash: $1044370	Where would you put the fake reverse/PA pass that they run? It works SOMETIMES, but I fuggin hate it...it takes like 45 seconds to setup. __________________ Don't live for pleasure, make life your treasure... \m/ Ronnie James Dio, 1942-2010 \m/
Posts: 52,058

11-08-2005, 04:12 PM	#14
Mr. Laz Don't Tease Me Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: KS Casino cash: $393377	i think we need some new running plays. seem like we use like 3 .. maybe 4 1. toss sweep (left/right) 2. draw 3. dive (only shortage or when LJ is in) defenses are jumping all over our sweeps ... we need to add some variety. (counters,traps etc)
Posts: 73,979

11-08-2005, 04:34 PM	#15
MichaelH Go Chiefs! Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: North Carolina Casino cash: $93997	1. fleaflicker 2. statue of liberty play
Posts: 3,115

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