stilwtrgrizz said:
This has been slightly edited from a previous post I made,to which I received no answer. Thought I would try it again here. Not having played or coached the game, just observed it for 60+ years, I have a serious question that has been bugging me recently. How hard is it for an opposing team to prepare for an offense that has a quarterback who is virtually NO THREAT as a runner, and whose running game, a VERY HIGH percentage of the time, is SO predictable. This as opposed to a team with a truly mobile quarterback, who is ALWAYS a threat to run, and a running game with multiple plays, formations, and options. Maybe even a few "Trick" plays" to keep the opposing defense at least a little bit in suspense. It seems to this observer that our offense is SO DAMN PREDICTABLE, that even my wife knows whats coming well over half the time. It appears that not only is our running game very predictable, but if one player is having an off day throwing the ball, we are dead in the water. Not being critical here, just would like to know the answer, if there is one. Thanks GO GRIZ
Okay, I will try to respond, but admit that I don't know for sure. I think Stitt's offense is very hard to prepare for. It spreads the field. It uses motion on most plays and shifts some players around. The big receivers are both good receivers and good blockers. It uses short passes as the equivalent of running plays. The backs, especially Nguyen, have good hands and can run after catches. The offense tends to adjust to what the defense is not covering and is giving the offense. This depends on preparation and decisions/recognition by BG. Yes, BG isn't a runner, but he can and does run on occasion. Yes, a nice running/mobile qb would be nice and would help. However, the decision-making by the QB, and the getting of the passes and handoffs to the right person are much much more important to the offense.
I don't think Stitt's offense is predictable at all. I don't see how anyone who isn't a current or recently former offensive player, or an opposing team coach who has studied all the recent tape--who can see the formation, the motion, and personnel, would have much of a clue as to what is coming. Sure, if it's 3d and long, a pass is likely. But where is it going? Left, right, short, long, bubble, swing, slant, skinny post, out? Aren't runs often predictable, in the sense of where the runner will run (not necessarily whether it's a run or not)? With a one-back offense, the runner can only go in so many places: right, left, further right, further left.