Reevaluating Weeden

[gimmesix]

Let me be the first to say I was hoping Dallas would find a better backup than Weeden based on his performances in both preseasons and in the Arizona game last year. He has some issues that I just don't think can be fixed.

However, I went back and watched his performance Sunday against a pretty good defense with the game still within reach and what I saw was a decisive and accurate quarterback. If we can get that guy while Romo is out, then we can win some games.

The reason for Weeden's success appeared to be fairly simple. He did not have to progress through a lot of reads and the line protected him. I think that second part is especially important. Pressure is all QBs' enemy, but Weeden seems to handle it especially poorly. If Dallas gives him time to throw and keeps where he is throwing simple, he has the arm strength and accuracy to get it there.

We just have to hope his head doesn't get in the way of his physical ability.

 

[Doomsday101]

Let me be the first to say I was hoping Dallas would find a better backup than Weeden based on his performances in both preseasons and in the Arizona game last year. He has some issues that I just don't think can be fixed.

However, I went back and watched his performance Sunday against a pretty good defense with the game still within reach and what I saw was a decisive and accurate quarterback. If we can get that guy while Romo is out, then we can win some games.

The reason for Weeden's success appeared to be fairly simple. He did not have to progress through a lot of reads and the line protected him. I think that second part is especially important. Pressure is all QBs' enemy, but Weeden seems to handle it especially poorly. If Dallas gives him time to throw and keeps where he is throwing simple, he has the arm strength and accuracy to get it there.

We just have to hope his head doesn't get in the way of his physical ability.

One thing I saw is he was looking guys off and then checking down when he needed to. On the Williams TD Weeden looked to his left came back and hit Williams in stride.

 

[NEODOG]

He did not have to progress through a lot of reads

Having watched him extensively at OSU, now the the NFL..... He does not progress through reads very quickly. In fact, he will focus on 1 receiver quite often. I believe he has 1 read on the defense, then goes from there.... Same as OSU

If given time, he might try finding the other options... His downfall in Cleveland

 

[JohnnyHopkins]

Having watched him extensively at OSU, now the the NFL..... He does not progress through reads very quickly. In fact, he will focus on 1 receiver quite often. I believe he has 1 read on the defense, then goes from there.... Same as OSU

If given time, he might try finding the other options... His downfall in Cleveland

Yeah, Weeden and improv are a bad fit. He was actually pretty good with the Browns when his primary or secondary receiver was open on a play and he didn't have pressure. That Williams pass on Sunday is a good example of that. That is why I think he will be pretty good against the Falcons and Saints these next few weeks because their defenses are bad so far this season.

 

[gimmesix]

Having watched him extensively at OSU, now the the NFL..... He does not progress through reads very quickly. In fact, he will focus on 1 receiver quite often. I believe he has 1 read on the defense, then goes from there.... Same as OSU

If given time, he might try finding the other options... His downfall in Cleveland

Two things he had going for him in this game was time (although he did get hit after making the throw to Williams) and his decisions about where to go with the ball being fairly easy to make. I don't think I saw him have to scan the field for an open receiver on any of his passes. (He did have the one run, though, where I don't know if he didn't have a receiver open or he just saw the vacated half of the field and took it.) He knew where he was going to go with the ball and got it there.

 

[speedkilz88]

Most of his plays were short predetermined passes. The one to TWILL was a case of a wide open 1st read. I worry about a quality defense like Arizona last year.

 

[gimmesix]

Most of his plays were short predetermined passes. The one to TWILL was a case of a wide open 1st read. I worry about a quality defense like Arizona last year.

I'll agree with that, and almost added to my last post that Linehan needs to try to continue to primarily let him throw those short, predetermined passes, with a few shots down the field. Don't let the defense get into his head.

 

[Aven8]

Having watched him extensively at OSU, now the the NFL..... He does not progress through reads very quickly. In fact, he will focus on 1 receiver quite often. I believe he has 1 read on the defense, then goes from there.... Same as OSU

If given time, he might try finding the other options... His downfall in Cleveland

Yep. Remember Peter Kings story about Romo last week and reading/progressions, etc. You can teach feet, and throwing motion, but if you can't react yadda yadda. Thats Weeds

 

[Ken]

I am interested to see what Weeden can do with this stretch of games. Just looking at his career, he started 20 games between 2012 (rookie year) and 2013 and actually had 4 300 yard games. He had an 85 or higher qb rating in 7 of those games. Then you look at his games with Dallas, 4 out of 5 appearances have been over 100 qb rating. Granted, two of those games were 1 throw, but still. He has shown to be successful here, minus a clunker against the Cards, when given opportunities.

He has had success in this league with far inferior talent on the Browns. I think the Cowboys may know something here and we *may* be ok.

 

[Doomsday101]

I'll agree with that, and almost added to my last post that Linehan needs to try to continue to primarily let him throw those short, predetermined passes, with a few shots down the field. Don't let the defense get into his head.

Weeden talked about how one of the passes he threw was supposed to be a deeper pass but checked down to the short dump off when his primary was not open.

 

[superonyx]

I believe it all comes down to the running game. The Eagles knew we were trying to run the clock and knew that we would rely heavy on the run with Weeden in the game. This creates good match ups for a guy with a strong arm to exploit. It's the times where the defenses are sitting in coverage and mixing up coverages that Weeden "like most non elite" QBs will struggle.

More than ever this will be a test of our ability to run the ball. If teams can take us out of that we could have some long days ahead.

 

[gimmesix]

Weeden talked about how one of the passes he threw was supposed to be a deeper pass but checked down to the short dump off when his primary was not open.

He's definitely going to have to do that at times because defenses are going to give him different coverage looks that will take away his primary. If he doesn't panic and force it, he can be successful. Mix that coverage with pressure, though, and I think we'll be in trouble.

 

[gimmesix]

I believe it all comes down to the running game. The Eagles knew we were trying to run the clock and knew that we would rely heavy on the run with Weeden in the game. This creates good match ups for a guy with a strong arm to exploit. It's the times where the defenses are sitting in coverage and mixing up coverages that Weeden "like most non elite" QBs will struggle.

More than ever this will be a test of our ability to run the ball. If teams can take us out of that we could have some long days ahead.

I agree that we have to be diligent about running the ball and effective. Hopefully, Leary will be ready to return this week.

 

[xwalker]

Let me be the first to say I was hoping Dallas would find a better backup than Weeden based on his performances in both preseasons and in the Arizona game last year. He has some issues that I just don't think can be fixed.

However, I went back and watched his performance Sunday against a pretty good defense with the game still within reach and what I saw was a decisive and accurate quarterback. If we can get that guy while Romo is out, then we can win some games.

The reason for Weeden's success appeared to be fairly simple. He did not have to progress through a lot of reads and the line protected him. I think that second part is especially important. Pressure is all QBs' enemy, but Weeden seems to handle it especially poorly. If Dallas gives him time to throw and keeps where he is throwing simple, he has the arm strength and accuracy to get it there.

We just have to hope his head doesn't get in the way of his physical ability.

One good thing is that the Cowboys have already made throws to the RBs a big part of the offense so check-downs shouldn't be a problem. All 3 RBs have a great chance to get a 1st down anytime they catch a pass.

 

[jrumann59]

Weeden does have a rocket arm. I do not know if there is QB in the league now that can humm that ball down the field as hard and fast as weeden. I know its not the be all end all of QBing but it is impressive.

 

[CATCH17]

Let me be the first to say I was hoping Dallas would find a better backup than Weeden based on his performances in both preseasons and in the Arizona game last year. He has some issues that I just don't think can be fixed.

However, I went back and watched his performance Sunday against a pretty good defense with the game still within reach and what I saw was a decisive and accurate quarterback. If we can get that guy while Romo is out, then we can win some games.

The reason for Weeden's success appeared to be fairly simple. He did not have to progress through a lot of reads and the line protected him. I think that second part is especially important. Pressure is all QBs' enemy, but Weeden seems to handle it especially poorly. If Dallas gives him time to throw and keeps where he is throwing simple, he has the arm strength and accuracy to get it there.

We just have to hope his head doesn't get in the way of his physical ability.

If teams keep keying on the run and he doesn't have a bunch of progressions he has to go through then he could be ok.


Those quick hitter passes are what I hope to see a lot of.

The guy is a turnover machine though so I hope we just try to get the ball in receivers and backs hands quickly and just scrap most of the down field stuff.





I would also like to see some Dunbar and McFadden in the Wildcat.

 

[Richmond Cowboy]

He's definitely going to have to do that at times because defenses are going to give him different coverage looks that will take away his primary. If he doesn't panic and force it, he can be successful. Mix that coverage with pressure, though, and I think we'll be in trouble.

Look to see a lot of Dunbar.

 

[windjc]

One positive note is Weeden is only 4 years in this league and this is the first year with the same offense. Add to that that Wilson is on record saying Weeden is much improved from last year and there is reason for optimism.

If you look at Weedens Cleveland days he was either feast or famine. If we can get some consistency in a positive direction that is all we need.

 

[CATCH17]

One positive note is Weeden is only 4 years in this league and this is the first year with the same offense. Add to that that Wilson is on record saying Weeden is much improved from last year and there is reason for optimism.

If you look at Weedens Cleveland days he was either feast or famine. If we can get some consistency in a positive direction that is all we need.

Yeah it's pretty crazy he is a 4 year player.

I just worry about him making a couple of reads, nobody being open, freak out, throw it into heavy coverage.

That's kind of what he does.




The gameplan for success is run run run the ball and bring up the safeties and coverage and execute on some 1 on 1 stuff.

The flats and drag routes should be all day for us.

 

[windjc]

Yeah it's pretty crazy he is a 4 year player.

I just worry about him making a couple of reads, nobody being open, freak out, throw it into heavy coverage.

That's kind of what he does.




The gameplan for success is run run run the ball and bring up the safeties and coverage and execute on some 1 on 1 stuff.

The flats and drag routes should be all day for us.

But if you think about what your asking him not to do, it's pretty simple fix. Don't throw in traffic, throw ball away. That's within the realm of conceivability. Lol

Minus the one botched snap and swipe at ball attempt in preseason, Weeden has an almost perfect passer rating so far in limited action this year.