Why play calling is so vastly overrated

[Bobhaze]

You see it all the time from fans during an NFL game after a failed play. “What a bad call.” Usually it’s a “bad call” when a play doesn’t work, or a turnover happens, etc. A “good call” always seems to happen when the play works, lol.

But when you really break it down, play calling IMO is very overrated. Sure having a ”good call” made helps but most fans don’t realize that the play called by the OC or HC is not always the play that is run or that the reason the play failed wasn’t the call, but actually the lack of execution by the players.

Here’s what I mean:

• NFL QBs (especially experienced ones) have a ton of freedom at the line of scrimmage to change the called play and check into something else. That happens at least 30-40% of the time according to what I’ve read over the years. So when the play caller calls a run and the QB checks into a pass that doesn’t work, is it a “bad call” by the play caller or not?
• Execution is so critical on every play. If one player blows an assignment on a key block or does not run a correct route resulting in a turnover or a sack, was it a “bad call” or was it poor execution? Too often as fans, we fail to understand that if the play had been executed properly, it would have been a “great call.”

So is having a “great play called” only as good as having each player executing their assignment properly? Isn’t it also the QB reading the defense accurately and being able to check into the right play and protection just as important? Or do we put 100% on the guy calling plays?

 

[Coogiguy03]

To me it's clearly just luck!!!

 

[BleedSilverandBlue]

You see it all the time from fans during an NFL game after a failed play. “What a bad call.” Usually it’s a “bad call” when a play doesn’t work, or a turnover happens, etc. A “good call” always seems to happen when the play works, lol.

But when you really break it down, play calling IMO is very overrated. Sure having a ”good call” made helps but most fans don’t realize that the play called by the OC or HC is not always the play that is run or that the reason the play failed wasn’t the call, but actually the lack of execution by the players.

Here’s what I mean:

• NFL QBs (especially experienced ones) have a ton of freedom at the line of scrimmage to change the called play and check into something else. That happens at least 30-40% of the time according to what I’ve read over the years. So when the play caller calls a run and the QB checks into a pass that doesn’t work, is it a “bad call” by the play caller or not?
• Execution is so critical on every play. If one player blows an assignment on a key block or does not run a correct route resulting in a turnover or a sack, was it a “bad call” or was it poor execution? Too often as fans, we fail to understand that if the play had been executed properly, it would have been a “great call.”

So is having a “great play called” only as good as having each player executing their assignment properly? Isn’t it also the QB reading the defense accurately and being able to check into the right play and protection just as important? Or do we put 100% on the guy calling plays?

It’s certainly overrated, but still matters.

We’ve seen creative play calling and scheme can get the most out of QBs like Darnold, Goff, Tua, and Purdy by creating a ton of wide open looks, enabling them to produce more than their ability would typically allow them to.

The players on the field are still the most important, but a great scheme and play calling can get you that extra 30% out of an offense.

Ripping any single play as a good or bad call is stupid, because sometimes you just get stopped, but looking at the broader body of work over a season, you can clearly see the impact.

 

[stilltheguru]

There's nothing wrong with Mccarthy passing plays. It's the run scheme that sucks.

 

[KJJ]

It all comes down to execution.

 

[thunderpimp91]

Agree 100%. If you have good players and a quality week of practice installing your game plan you can basically write plays down and pull them out of a hat and be fine. Calling plays is the most important thing to fans, but honestly its pretty far down the list of things you need an OC to do well.

A great example and Ill use this because it was brought up many times on this year on the national broadcasts so people know I'm not just making things up is the Cowboys failures on the jet sweep. So many times they kept the play on despite the edge player on defense taking outside leverage in a 2 point stance. Its too easy for that player to maintain contain and keep that play from getting to the outside. It could be a coaching issue, when it happens multiple times it at least partially is, but its not really a play call issue. This is a situation where your QB needed to kill the play unless they had a stick or keep or whatever its being called these days ordering the QB to not change plays which is typically pretty rare with a veteran QB.

 

[Bobhaze]

It’s certainly overrated, but still matters.

We’ve seen creative play calling and scheme can get the most out of QBs like Darnold, Goff, Tua, and Purdy by creating a ton of wide open looks.

The players on the field are still the most important, but a great scheme and play calling can get you that extra 30% out of an offense.

Ripping any single play as a good or bad call is stupid, because sometimes you just get stopped, but looking at the broader body of work over a season, you can clearly see the impact.

Don’t disagree. But if you’re Kyle Shanahan or Ben Johnson, it’s easier to be a great play caller with Deebo Samuel, Christian McAfree, Jahmir Gibbs, Amon-Ra St. Brown, Sam LaPorta, etc with those guys and the guys executing the plays. Even an average QB looks great when you have a good scheme, weapons, and great execution.

Put it another way…if you have Cedee Lamb (who is the only “elite” skill position guy we have), Rico Dowdle, Brandin Cooks, Jake Ferguson, a very young OL, AND a scheme designed for the 90s and early 2000s, the “calls” are not likely to be great.

 

[Bobhaze]

Agree 100%. If you have good players and a quality week of practice installing your game plan you can basically write plays down and pull them out of a hat and be fine. Calling plays is the most important thing to fans, but honestly its pretty far down the list of things you need an OC to do well.

A great example and Ill use this because it was brought up many times on this year on the national broadcasts so people know I'm not just making things up is the Cowboys failures on the jet sweep. So many times they kept the play on despite the edge player on defense taking outside leverage in a 2 point stance. Its too easy for that player to maintain contain and keep that play from getting to the outside. It could be a coaching issue, when it happens multiple times it at least partially is, but its not really a play call issue. This is a situation where your QB needed to kill the play unless they had a stick or keep or whatever its being called these days ordering the QB to not change plays which is typically pretty rare with a veteran QB.

Great example of a QB needing to understand the situation and make the right check out to another play.

 

[Risen Star]

Oh come on. That dude up in Detroit is an offensive innovator.

And all he has to work with is Goff and Gibbs and Montgomery and St. Brown and Williams and Laporta and one of the best OL in football.

Now THAT is coaching.

 

[75boyz]

You see it all the time from fans during an NFL game after a failed play. “What a bad call.” Usually it’s a “bad call” when a play doesn’t work, or a turnover happens, etc. A “good call” always seems to happen when the play works, lol.

But when you really break it down, play calling IMO is very overrated. Sure having a ”good call” made helps but most fans don’t realize that the play called by the OC or HC is not always the play that is run or that the reason the play failed wasn’t the call, but actually the lack of execution by the players.

Here’s what I mean:

• NFL QBs (especially experienced ones) have a ton of freedom at the line of scrimmage to change the called play and check into something else. That happens at least 30-40% of the time according to what I’ve read over the years. So when the play caller calls a run and the QB checks into a pass that doesn’t work, is it a “bad call” by the play caller or not?
• Execution is so critical on every play. If one player blows an assignment on a key block or does not run a correct route resulting in a turnover or a sack, was it a “bad call” or was it poor execution? Too often as fans, we fail to understand that if the play had been executed properly, it would have been a “great call.”

So is having a “great play called” only as good as having each player executing their assignment properly? Isn’t it also the QB reading the defense accurately and being able to check into the right play and protection just as important? Or do we put 100% on the guy calling plays?

From a more generally pessimistic perspective is the fact that if the Cowboys were to turn to their 5th playcaller in 10 years and yet have kept the same QB executing all of those said plays...
Can we not draw some conclusion as to why the offense continues to fail?

I mean the same GM has been doing team roster construction for 29 years...

The same HC has been doing the head coaching for 5 years...

That's 3 common denominators of job holders over extended periods of time all resulting in failure.

Just saying.

 

[DeaconMoss]

10-15 yard comeback routes are the only pass Dak can make. Guess you better call alot of those.

 

[JayFord]

What you’re saying is the Jason Garrett philosophy

Imo playcalling is EXTREMELY important, if the defense can predict what’s being run and where it’s going to then you’re not fully using the talent you have

 

[Bobhaze]

What you’re saying is the Jason Garrett philosophy

Imo playcalling is EXTREMELY important, if the defense can predict what’s being run and where it’s going to then you’re not fully using the talent you have

Sure, it’s important. But it’s over-rated. Any play called is only as good as the players execute it. A great pass play called is only a “great call” if the OL blocks well, the receivers run the route correctly and the QB makes a good throw.

 

[thunderpimp91]

Don’t disagree. But if you’re Kyle Shanahan or Ben Johnson, it’s easier to be a great play caller with Deebo Samuel, Christian McAfree, Jahmir Gibbs, Amon-Ra St. Brown, Sam LaPorta, etc with those guys and the guys executing the plays. Even an average QB looks great when you have a good scheme, weapons, and great execution.

Put it another way…if you have Cedee Lamb (who is the only “elite” skill position guy we have), Rico Dowdle, Brandin Cooks, Jake Ferguson, a very young OL, AND a scheme designed for the 90s and early 2000s, the “calls” are not likely to be great.

I'm not sure how this is even a debatable topic. We've seen Tua, Purdy struggle at times this year when missing key pieces around them. We saw Goff make a super bowl and be traded after a down season losing Gurly and Cooks only to struggle on a crappy Lions team and now look like he should be in MVP consideration after they loaded up on talent. Baker Mayfield cant find a team, but looks like a pro bowler when he has Mike Evans to throw the ball to.

Scheme/play calling absolutely plays a part, but boy is it easy when you're loaded with talent.

 

[tm1119]

The overall scheme and play structure is more important than the actual play call in the moment. Setting up your players to succeed is what good coaches do. What the coaches in Dallas do is have a generic scheme that relies heavily on perfect execution by the players…both Garrett and now McCarthy are the same way. And sure, you’d love for the players to execute perfectly all the time, but that’s just not reality.

 

[75boyz]

This whole debate was discussed ad nauseum when McFraud fired Moore. Who was more at fault, the playcaller or the one executing ALL the plays.

Well McFraud then supposedly kept 70 percent of Kellen's play book and added his very few wrinkles to the tune of a QB leading the league in TD passes and league runner up MVP.
This is with the same majority of the holdover Moore offense to maintain continuity and be Dak friendly.
But now forward one more year and that same playcaller and same QB executing those same plays are said to be predictable and antiquated.
So with that evidence, is it the plays being called or the one executing those plays?

I think the head coach/playcaller and QB both suck at their jobs myself.

But that's just me.

 

[wecasa]

Offenses used to be good at their jobs and it didn't matter the playcall. I remember the glory days when teams knew 22 was getting the ball and still couldn't stop him. Irvin was gonna run a slant and you couldn't stop him. But that team was loaded and coached well. They were good at imposing their will on the defense. I'm not sure today's offense has a will to impose.

 

[75boyz]

The overall scheme and play structure is more important than the actual play call in the moment. Setting up your players to succeed is what good coaches do. What the coaches in Dallas do is have a generic scheme that relies heavily on perfect execution by the players…both Garrett and now McCarthy are the same way. And sure, you’d love for the players to execute perfectly all the time, but that’s just not reality.

Exactly.
Who can forget the Garrett"Just beat your man principle."
Looks good with a stacked offensive roster of playmakers.
Not so much when coaching 'em up is required.

 

[garyo1954]

Agreed. The only difference in a brilliant call and a knucklehead dud is if it works.

Not sure the percentage but you get a run and a pass called. And you have a kill switch to change between the two.

If you call the pass and the run, get to line and see the run is the better play, you use the kill switch to change plays. You could use the word "kill" or something like "OMAHA."

Either side will get lucky on some plays. Defense will get blocked into the runner, or the runner will do a backward hurdle over the tackler. You can't draw those things up and no matter how many times you run it in practice it looks a tad different in game.

You can't practice one hand grabs while getting getting both feet down and falling flat on your back on the sideline. I guess you could but the WRs wouldn't appreciate you and most would be too banged up to play Sunday.

So you do what you do with the information you have and the flow of the game and let the players do their thing.

 

[Cowfan75Lives]

From a more generally pessimistic perspective is the fact that if the Cowboys were to turn to their 5th playcaller in 10 years and yet have kept the same QB executing all of those said plays...
Can we not draw some conclusion as to why the offense continues to fail?

I mean the same GM has been doing team roster construction for 29 years...

The same HC has been doing the head coaching for 5 years...

That's 3 common denominators of job holders over extended periods of time all resulting in failure.

Just saying.

Yeaaaaaah, here we gooooo!!