Originally posted by Blitz:
Originally posted by SnakePlissken:
The biggest reason as to why our long-ball sucks is due to the fact that our receiving core, specially Josh Morgan, was told to bulk up during the strenuous off-season, for being restricted to blocking and play-action situations.
The fastest slot/clutch receiver on our roster is being forced to the back of the depth chart (Jason Hill). This team's gameplan was built to its overall strengths, and around a QB that can't throw a zipped ball more than 30 yards without the worry of an interception.
The pre-season was the biggest tell-tale sign, when Shaun Hill was crutching off of his RBs, and Nate Davis was gutting it down-field to Jason Hill and PS fullbacks/tight ends.
This part I bolded. Dead on.
When somebody arises up who can supplant Hill and zip that ball in on the hardest routes for a QB to throw (routes Hill can't throw worth a s**t... how many medium and deep out routes have we seen that are incomplete due to the throw? Too many.), the game plan will probably change to play to that strength as well. Until then, we are stuck with what we have offensively, which ain't very much, simply due to the horses we have.
Change the game plan with the current personnel we have, and defenses will just skin the same cat a different way because we will still have the same inherent weakness in our personnel.The coaches can only do so much with the horses they have whether it's game plan A or game plan B.
This especially goes for slants -- I think Hill may have been trying to compensate for that issue and whip the ball out on Sunday way too soon and to an unaware wide-out.
I want to see quick slants, but I want a QB that can zip it where it needs to go. Smith and Davis are much better in this area. I recall a TD pass to Battle by Smith in 06 where the commentators specifically touched on how Smith put the ball exactly where it needed to be where only the WR can get it.
Davis had the same issue Smith has had, as they both have very strong arms, but I believe our QB Coach, Mike Johnson, has worked with them on taking some off and putting touch on their passes. I'm sure both have gotten better since the pre-season and I wouldn't feel uncomfortable if Smith had to enter a game. It'd actually be kind of exciting.. Might finally see some big plays.
I can't tell you how many times I've seen Hill tuck the ball and not throw it to someone wide open because he knew if he did the pass would take so long to get there it
might be batted down or intercepted..
[ Edited by OnTheClock on Oct 13, 2009 at 16:37:12 ]