How far does the offense have to go?

[TheSkaven]

Originally Posted by Bluefin

I've read that 14 of Carter's interceptions, that would be two thirds, came when he was on the move outside of the pocket.

I've read that Sean Payton was working with Carter on this problem, but details are lacking on how they plan to correct things.

I'd be curious to know how many TDs he threw that way too, though. Remember the Terry Glenn TD in game 2 against the Redskins? Carter got away from the defensive end, threw off his back foot and hit Glenn for the touchdown.

Remember Witten's first touchdown as a Cowboy? Same thing, and that pass was a thing of beauty.

I've seen quarterbacks make plays when they leave the pocket. They give their receivers more time to get open and sometimes draw the cornerbacks into coming up to make a play.

The problem is that Quincy needs to avoid the bonehead plays like throwing on the run into triple coverage.

[Bluefin]

Originally Posted by TheSkaven

I'd be curious to know how many TDs he threw that way too, though. Remember the Terry Glenn TD in game 2 against the Redskins? Carter got away from the defensive end, threw off his back foot and hit Glenn for the touchdown.

Remember Witten's first touchdown as a Cowboy? Same thing, and that pass was a thing of beauty.

I've seen quarterbacks make plays when they leave the pocket. They give their receivers more time to get open and sometimes draw the cornerbacks into coming up to make a play.

The problem is that Quincy needs to avoid the bonehead plays like throwing on the run into triple coverage.

Wasn't the Terry Glenn touchdown in the first game?

And the Witten touchdown was awesome.

But those were the exceptions, IMO.

I think part of the reason for the lack of successful passing plays when Carter was on the move is that defenses learned he wasn't going to run with the ball.

I felt like opponents ended up treating Carter like any other pocket quarterback they'd face.

Carter was elusive and got out of a lot of sacks, he was still dropped 37 times, but he wasn't a threat to run with the ball when forced from the pocket.

The opposition knew this and stayed in coverage.

That's why I'm in favor of Parcells calling a quarterback draw as early as possible in every game.

Since Carter is so hesitant to run when a pass is called, make the decision for him.

Get him in the groove and see if it helps.

As for when to throw the ball and when not to, I don't know if the team actually tries to simulate such things in practice or only relies of game tape in the classroom to show what not to do.

If I was the coach, I would want to try and condition my quarterback to making quick decisions under duress in practice.

The defense can't hit the quarterback, but I could still use every blitz possible to allow for free runners and see if it helped the decision making process.

I always read about practice being obvious man coverage with everything set up for offensive success.

That's fine to start every practice with, build up confidence and all, but game conditions aren't ideal most of the time.

Blocks are missed, blitzes aren't recognized and routes get busted.

I remember Parcells saying his teams spend more time on blitz pick-up than anyone else and that the offense would eventually love to see opponents blitzing.

That didn't seem to happen last year.

And I'd just love to know more about the coaching methods used to help cutdown impulse throws.

Alas, I don't expect Big Bill to be very forthcoming.

[LaTunaNostra]

Thanks for the stats and the thread in general, BF.

I don't think the O has that far to go to improve measurably. Carter does have to limit those impulse throws, and imo they were less panic last year than ego. He seems to think he can do in the pros what he did in college, and disrespects the ability fo defender to read his movements. I don't know how you coach that chutzpah out of a player but beat it out of him with benching threats.

That mimicking of game time pressure in practices, well which would you prefer, a practice in which defenders could actually plank you, or to have Bill Parcells immediately behind and to the side of you screaming "throw it, throw it you stupid SOB?" I can't imagine more pressure than that.

Just the presence of Keyshawn is going to improve third down success. In addition, Witten's second year will see him more of a threat, exploiting the short and intermediate passing game takes pressure off the run game and opens it up deep. Terry Glenn can do anything Joey Galloway could do, and much more, and Key's presence is key there too. There was a mention elsewhere of how two te sets produce more of an element of surprise for defenses. Can't wait to see Ryan blocking.

We're still pretty much a "no-name" offense, but it can work.

I've got great expectations that the O can make a quantititative and qualitiative leap this year that gives the team the balance to be a serious contender.

[Bluefin]

Originally Posted by LaTunaNostra

Thanks for the stats and the thread in general, BF.

No problemo, someone has to optimistic.

I don't think the O has that far to go to improve measurably. Carter does have to limit those impulse throws, and imo they were less panic last year than ego. He seems to think he can do in the pros what he did in college, and disrespects the ability fo defender to read his movements. I don't know how you coach that chutzpah out of a player but beat it out of him with benching threats.

Carter wants to be a playmaker to begin with, when coupled with a broken offense that required him to be the difference, it led to an increase in bad decisions and throws.

That's why I can come off as harping on the running game and more defensive turnovers.

Getting those things will make it much easier for Carter to learn to play within himself and cut down on the bad plays.

That mimicking of game time pressure in practices, well which would you prefer, a practice in which defenders could actually plank you, or to have Bill Parcells immediately behind and to the side of you screaming "throw it, throw it you stupid SOB?" I can't imagine more pressure than that.

Because the defense can't hit the quarterback in practice, I don't know if simulating pressure would help or not.

I'd certainly try.

The defenders could be instructed to simply tag Carter or to grab a flag hanging on each side of his waist.

My idea would be to acclimate Carter to having a free defender coming at him and to carry out his assignment.

I know Carter can be an effective quarterback with a running game and a safe pocket.

That's why I'd like to see more work put in to simulate poor game settings.

Again, I don't know how well game conditions can be copied in practice using fewer players and often playing halfspeed.

Maybe it's because I'm left handed, but I can't help but wonder if there isn't a more creative way to address coaching impulse decisions in practice.

Just the presence of Keyshawn is going to improve third down success. In addition, Witten's second year will see him more of a threat, exploiting the short and intermediate passing game takes pressure off the run game and opens it up deep. Terry Glenn can do anything Joey Galloway could do, and much more, and Key's presence is key there too. There was a mention elsewhere of how two te sets produce more of an element of surprise for defenses. Can't wait to see Ryan blocking.

With Johnson and Witten, the offense should be much better at sustaining drives this year by converting third downs.

And there's no way in hell Witty only scores one touchdown this year.

That number's gotta jump.

Glenn should be more effective with a true threat across from him and there remains a chance of AB getting back in the mix.

Even with all my optimism, I'll continue to hold my breath in regards to Bryant.

Michael Irvin told him what to do, but it remains to be seen if there's too much Derek Ross in Bryant.

We're still pretty much a "no-name" offense, but it can work.

I've got great expectations that the O can make a quantititative and qualitiative leap this year that gives the team the balance to be a serious contender.

Spags' latest piece was on the lack of names on the offensive side of the ball.

So what?

If things start coming together, the offense will be fine, IMO.

Name recognition will come in time, but the group must first play solid football as a unit.

[LaTunaNostra]

Originally Posted by Bluefin

No problemo, someone has to optimistic.

Praise the Lord! You mean 8-8 isn't written in the stars?

Carter wants to be a playmaker to begin with, when coupled with a broken offense that required him to be the difference, it led to an increase in bad decisions and throws.

That's why I can come off as harping on the running game and more defensive turnovers.

Getting those things will make it much easier for Carter to learn to play within himself and cut down on the bad plays.

Well, Quincy has to get over himself. That is the one big advantage Vinnie T DOES have over him, Vin will take what he's given now. Took him 13 or so years to learn it, but he did.

Because the defense can't hit the quarterback in practice, I don't know if simulating pressure would help or not.

I'd certainly try.

The defenders could be instructed to simply tag Carter or to grab a flag hanging on each side of his waist.

My idea would be to acclimate Carter to having a free defender coming at him and to carry out his assignment.

I know Carter can be an effective quarterback with a running game and a safe pocket.

That's why I'd like to see more work put in to simulate poor game settings.

My idea is put him in with the third offensive string and send Roy straight at him. That will simulate poor game conditions purty well.

Again, I don't know how well game conditions can be copied in practice using fewer players and often playing halfspeed.

Maybe it's because I'm left handed, but I can't help but wonder if there isn't a more creative way to address coaching impulse decisions in practice.

It's called self discipline. You shouldn't have to coach it much. You should just tell the QB you don't want to see it, and even under the heat of game time pressure, a little bell goes off saying "if I try to be the man when I don't have a good chance of making the play, and I throw a pick, Tuna will kill me". What's so hard about eating the ball? It is sheer hubris to want to be the playmaker. I have zero patience with that as it is ego driven.

With Johnson and Witten, the offense should be much better at sustaining drives this year by converting third downs.

And there's no way in hell Witty only scores one touchdown this year.

That number's gotta jump.

Glenn should be more effective with a true threat across from him and there remains a chance of AB getting back in the mix.

Even with all my optimism, I'll continue to hold my breath in regards to Bryant.

Michael Irvin told him what to do, but it remains to be seen if there's too much Derek Ross in Bryant.

Despite what Spags thinks, AB is not beating out Terry Glenn, not this year anyway.

Spags' latest piece was on the lack of names on the offensive side of the ball.

So what?

If things start coming together, the offense will be fine, IMO.

Name recognition will come in time, but the group must first play solid football as a unit.

If they're so unknown, why are they not available, Mickey?

He's another one like Gosselin all starry-eyed, fantasy-football geeked out about 'names'.