Originally posted by dtg_9er:
Originally posted by NCommand:
I'd be cool with "experimenting" now. Think ahead (not that HaRoman can b/c they are gone and need to save face for their next job).
I'm still in the camp that believes CK "can" read defenses though. In fact, our entire passing offense is basically built off reading defenses, not only pre snap (why we snap the ball at 1 second to get the defense to tell) but post snap (where we attack so many quadrants...IF the defense does X, CK does Y). So I don't buy that point at all. And honestly, how many INT's has CK had b/c he couldn't read a defense? They have been b/c of inaccuracy, a poor decision, miscommunication on routes, tipped balls, etc. When was the last time CK was intercepted d/t an inability to read a defense and the defense disguising a coverage? Chicago where the CB peeled off his route and dropped back to pick CK off? But I love your point about installing a primary short game and focus on that in practice all week. If they did that, I have a strong feeling fans would be like "Whoa! Where was THAT offense all year..." With just a simple focus from intermediate/deep to short game primary, I believe CK would have very few issues here. Focus. Practice. And all are very simple QB-friendly passes to make. No problem...it's the intermediate/deeper passes that are hard to teach! You either have the arm strength, ability, accuracy, timing, etc. or you don't.
I totally agree with the rest. No doubt who the next HC/OC will be, we'll be drafting a QB...probably a 2nd or 3rd round developing QB but hand picked by them FOR the type of offense we'll run.
CK can read defenses for the most part but there is a blind spot as to the short game. If he doesn't see the obvious dump off then that can be fixed. If he is just stubborn and refuses to take the dump off--that might actually be harder to fix. Changing a mindset is not always easy.
If he reads this site and saw the constant bashing of our past QB for throwing dump offs then perhaps he has a good reason! I'm sure he watched NFLN and saw guys like Dukes calling Smith names for his short passing. Some of his team mates might be pushing him to throw down field to the WRs as well...as receivers always do.
CK doesn't throw many interceptions because he throws hard and usually with visuals of the open receiver. He can pass early but I counted one game the number of touch or timed throws versus rockets to open guys and it was really startling how often he's late because he has to see the open guy before he trusts himself to release. This has been getting worse I think, along with his confidence going down the drain. Early in the year he was beginning to throw the ball before the break, now it doesn't happen as often. Will be watching the game again for this. Maybe I'm just noticing those late throws more right now.
All valid points and I agree...like you said, you've seen a regression later in the year where earlier in the year, those issues weren't apparent. This is probably evidence of an inconsisent OL and zero confidence in the pocket and his starting to develop tunnel vision, not trusting his reads, etc. Alex used to do the same thing and his looked worse b/c his target would be 5 yards away from him wide open and he'd STILL hesitate. Getting perpetually beat up really can affect you in so many ways, huh!? The good news is he's a year older at reading defenses and we have evidence he CAN do what is needed. Field vision, pocket awareness, reshifting his focus from intermediate/deep to the short game, touch, setting his feet better (for accuracy), etc. are all areas he can continue to grow in.
And once that line is shored up, the play calling is more QB-friendly, he's forced to practice-to-perfection vs. installing a new offense each week, etc. things will start to slow down for him, become more automatic, confidence will start to rise again, he'll have bette peripheral vision, etc. The thing is with Alex, we never knew he could throw deep or for a 400-yard game here until he left. With CK, all the evidence is already there that he CAN do all of the positives and even play consistently. The right scheme and coaching here? I think we'll see a whole new, inspired and confident CK and a much more consistent offense.
I remember posting something like this early last week as a joke... AWESOME
