Speeding up the huddle

[Idgit]

In DC.com's interview with Roy Williams on the upcoming SF game, he's asked about the effect of breaking the huddle 7-8 seconds earlier between plays and speeding up the offense to keep defenses on their heels. I hadn't heard anything about this in the offseason, and I'm embarrassed to say I didn't notice it really in either of the preseason games. Has anybody heard anything specifically about this? Is the idea that Tony can get his reads quickly and put the defense at a disadvantage with less time to tell where the play's going to go, given that we've got a lot of weapons and not a lot of go-to skills players?

I'm surprised that, if the change is significant, this is the first that I've heard of it. Well, I'm nearly not *surprised* since there was all that news about TO leaving and Tony's leadership and the height of the Jumbotron we had to make sure was adequately covered by the Dallas media, but I still would have thought I'd have heard something about this adjustment before now. Anybody have any info that I've missed, or maybe some insight from observing training camp?

 

[dallasfaniac]

I thought I had noticed the offense get to the line quicker than normal but didn't know they put an emphasis on it.

My reaction is a bit mixed. On the positive side, it will allow the offense to motion more giving Romo a better look at the defense. It also allows the offense to be less predicatable on the snap count rather than snapping it with 1 second on the clock every time.

On the negative side, the longer the offensive line stays in their stance, the more likely they are to false start.

 

[Everlastingxxx]

Has anybody heard anything specifically about this?

Yes. Romo has mentioned it many times in his interviews about working on the tempo. In the past he would let the play clock go all the way down to 1 or 2 seconds. Now he is getting them to the line quicker, probably about 6-8 seconds to spare.

A few things i have noticed about Romo and his improvements that many havent talked about:
1. Quicker Offensive Tempo
2. Better play fakes. He is hiding the ball by putting his body closer to the person he is faking too. And smoother with his feet.
3. He is sliding in the pocket, not scrambling. Throwing checkdowns at the first signs of pressure.
4. He has worked on his accuracy and arm strength. You can see it.
5. And of course, putting two hands on the ball and holding it closer to his body when he moves.

 

[gmoney112]

That was one thing the Bears did effectively against the Giants. The Giants strength is their pass rush obviously and Cutler did a great job of managing the play clock to keep them off balance. A good way to get Romo killed this season against the NFCE is to snap it on 1 like it's been for the past two seasons.

On that note, I think Romo will have a great season. It'll be a true coming of age story for Tony Romeo.

 

[LeonDixson]

I'm glad they're doing this. It bugged the heck out of me last year that the play clock would always be down to 1 or 2 seconds when the ball was snapped. It gives the defense a chance to really tee off because they basically know when the ball has to be snapped.

 

[Idgit]

Yes. Romo has mentioned it many times in his interviews about working on the tempo. In the past he would let the play clock go all the way down to 1 or 2 seconds. Now he is getting them to the line quicker, probably about 6-8 seconds to spare.

A few things i have noticed about Romo and his improvements that many havent talked about:
1. Quicker Offensive Tempo
2. Better play fakes. He is hiding the ball by putting his body closer to the person he is faking too. And smoother with his feet.
3. He is sliding in the pocket, not scrambling. Throwing checkdowns at the first signs of pressure.
4. He has worked on his accuracy and arm strength. You can see it.
5. And of course, putting two hands on the ball and holding it closer to his body when he moves.

I do remember Romo talking early in TC about tempo, but I had thought that referred to the general tempo of practice and not necessarily to the time the spend before breaking the huddle. I agree with your other observations other than the accuracy and arm strength, where I don't think he's any more of a machine than he's always been. I think people just forgot how good the guy is.

I'm glad they're doing this. It bugged the heck out of me last year that the play clock would always be down to 1 or 2 seconds when the ball was snapped. It gives the defense a chance to really tee off because they basically know when the ball has to be snapped.

The downside, though, is that running the clock down forces the defense to tip its hand if they're disguising anything, and it gives Romo more time to analyze and exploit their set.

I hope the up-tempo is a case where they think Romo's sharp enough to read and exploit the defense quickly if they're not able to gameplan around TO and/or Witten alone. It's an interesting twist, either way.

 

[LeonDixson]

The downside, though, is that running the clock down forces the defense to tip its hand if they're disguising anything, and it gives Romo more time to analyze and exploit their set.

I hope the up-tempo is a case where they think Romo's sharp enough to read and exploit the defense quickly if they're not able to gameplan around TO and/or Witten alone. It's an interesting twist, either way.

Very good point.

 

[cowboyed]

Whether up tempo or down tempo the pacing will be modulated throughout the game.

 

[warrior43]

On the negative side, the longer the offensive line stays in their stance, the more likely they are to false start.

In high school we ran a no huddle offense and i know its just high school its not even close to the same but the line were told not to get in the three point stance until the QB was ready to put his hands under the center, We just had to squat down with our elbows on our knees so then the lineman can move around a little then get in a three point stance when ready.

 

[Idgit]

Whether up tempo or down tempo the pacing will be modulated throughout the game.

That was clear from context in the interview b/c they were talking about the impact on the OL of running more plays with less rest between plays. But that line of questioning, even, implies they intend to use the up tempo enough for it to be a factor.

 

[Dodger]

Interesting. I guess I hadn't paid that much attention to Romo's comments about the tempo, but breaking the huddle earlier makes sense. If they're really going to move guys around the formation pre-snap in an effort to create mismatches, they're going to need more time to do that.

 

[TNCowboy]

Breaking the huddle late and snapping the ball at the expiration of the time clock has been a pet peeve of mine, since Garrett took over the offense. They often looked rushed and out of sync.

This is a good thing, IMO.

 

[alancdc]

Maybe this is not exactly on point, but it was interesting the other night listening to Aikman talk about the importance of a team scoring at the end of the half with less than 2 minutes. He specifically said that Dallas does a great job of this, and as close as games are in the NFL "stealing" points whether a FG or TD before the half can be a big deal. I know you can't or wouldn't go hurry up all the time, but it does seem Romo is very comfortable with it.