MasterStrategist

Agree, Josh isnt perfect either. Plenty of blame to go around. But the offense hasn't looked this bad, to me it's mostly coaching. Nobody respecting our "12 personnel" for us to consistently run the ball, and the combo of Knox/Kincaid/Davis isn't enough speed to win 1-1 against the nickle defenses we face. Poor personnel decisions in the offseason are squarely on Beane. He neglected WR2, brought in 2 "meh" Wrs, and drafted a future stud at TE (meanwhile overpaying our current starter). Unless we make a trade (unlikely), we need to adjust our "identity" (scheme/personnel groupings/tempo/etc). Coach likely pushing some of this more conservative offense on Dorsey. But at some point, they need to realize it's time to move on/adjust what we're doing. I agree McD definitely heavily involved in that decision process. Without anyone knowing exactly, I think it's fair to say the entire coaching staff is underperforming with our current talent. Especially on offense.

I posted this in another thread "12 personnel", Dorsey has forced us into a bad/mismatched identity on offense this year. Trying to be a short/efficient passing offense and more run game. Less explosive plays. That type of offense is great when you have a better OL/run game and a 2nd WR that can win 1-1 in short zones. Problem is, we don't have the the OL or WR2 to execute that scheme. So we've become a team that eats up 8 min drives (scores a FG) OR goes 3 and out. We need to be more aggressive on offense from the start. We'd get frustrated that Daboll would come out throwing 10 straight passes, but maybe that's exactly what we need some games.

Yes, this + a purposeful intent to change into a different identity on offense. That identify on offense, isn't a bad thing, but we do not have a WR2 or OL to be consistently good at it. Which is exactly what we've seen...inconsistent. I'd rather see our LY offense, with thr occasional big play/intermediate attack hit on occasion. VS this much more conservative/safe offense also be inconsistent. In theory, I see what Dorsey is trying to do and agree it would work with some different personnel. But we have such a weird identity issue right now/mismatch of players for what they're trying to do: OL (mix of grinders/finesse even at IOL), WR (good to have different skillets) issue is nobody can win 1-1 except Diggs. Part of me wonders how much of this is pinned on Beane vs coaching staff philosophy not aligning

Plenty of blame to go around. But at the top of the totem pole (or close to it), Mr Beane. 1-tech DT: zero capable backups CB/Secondary: aging at safety/zero speed. Elam is either a complete bust OR something else altogether LBs: Milano then what? Credit on TB pick, but they have Dodson and Dorian as backups. At what point do they try finding a mid-tier backup? Maybe Kirskey, but that turned into a strikeout. WR: everyone, or most, were worried about options behind Diggs. Gabe hasn't been consistent/we haven't found a consistent & reliable 2nd option Credit: DEs, IOL, RB We've spent a lot, and somehow have a worst product to show for it. The biggest concerns in a nutshell were WR2, physically on DL, and secondary speed. Followed with IOL and slot WR. Do we have top tier talent? Yes. Injuries not helping, but there's a clear miss on assessing a couple key positional depth and starter ability

Thank you, great post! Agree with all of this, well said and what I was trying to convey. I feel like we've forced this "12 personnel"/short passing and efficient style. When we don't have the offensive line and WR2 to make it work. It's not just 1 thing, and coupled with Kincaid being a rookie. But your point about give Josh 3x to get a first, and we'll get one, is very valid. And was Dabs MO. We also used to have the mindset that we shouldn't need to get into 3rd down, in order to move the chains. It seems like our identity (or lack thereof) now is to get into 3rd and short. But it's backfiring and actually we've been statistically worse in getting into 3rd and long situations. I know others saying it's not as easy as changing formation/personnel groupings. I agree, and what I said in OP, but it's a start. Our offense LY had it's struggles too, but not to this level of agonizing execution. We've got improved IOL, Cook is better/better grinder in Murray, better with Kincaid than what we had LY. Somehow we've become worse, and to me it stems back to wanting to change our identity into something that's not working (personell groupings/route tree)

Exactly. And our running game isn't good enough to take advantage. Then in conjunction, we've taken more speed off the field and basically have Knox/Gabe who aren't scaring anyone 1-1. I just think it's a "domino effect", of keeping Knox/Kincaid/Davis out there together.

Agree, I'm saying we need to get Harty/Shakir/Sherfield on the field with Kincaid more often. Less Kincaid/Knox combo.

I think Josh is getting rid of it too quick against Cover 2 at times. Going for 2-3 yards. There's time to find a better balance in the intermediate areas, even a 7 step drop release point is doable against the wide rush/goal is to hit more intermediate passing zones.

I think 1 major adjustment to the offense is to stop using 12 personnel so much. We need to get back to our 11, and give Kincaid majority (60/40 snaps) over Knox. Second adjustment is going back, not all the time but alot more often, to our 7 step/deep crossing route development plays. We've become a "small ball" offense, almost overcompensating for what we saw LY at times (too aggressive/too many long developing plays). Yes, there will be times and we still need to mix in the quick passing. Right now, we need to get bigger plays and let Josh be who he is. But we've turned into an offense that needs to sustain 10+ play drives. Often times getting behind the sticks, or 3rd & long situations, because we're throwing too many very short passes/bad playcalling rhythm/poor execution. These 2 adjustments alone won't do it. We need better execution/playcalling/decision making by Josh. But, it's the start of getting back to ehat this offense can and should be. Do you agree/other thoughts on what can be adjusted with scheme?

Agree on above. But this happens to teams every year, happened to us LY as well. We just haven't seen this offense get into prolonged ruts like this before. A quarter maybe, perhaps a half. But multiple games in a row, that's inexcusable. And we shouldn't be relying on the defense as much as we needed to. They bailed us out of Giants game, kept us close in Jax game, but ran out of gas today. Even with everyone healthy, we aren't going anywhere when we play offense like past few weeks.

No designed runs, other than Qb sneaks, is fine by me. It's the scrambling drill type plays, where he's "hesitating" IMO-to either run or pass. My biggest issue is our offense has turned into a dink/dunk scheme. Or trying too hard to attack with the run game. We need to let Josh get his deep drops/allow the downfield routes to develop. Just because a defense plays cover 2 against us, doesn't me we have to get rid of it under 3 seconds. It's actually more beneficial to stretch the zone, but we've been more concerned with quick passing game/staying on schedule. Yet we've been in more 3rd and long situations this season.

More realistically, I'd like to see Harty/Shakir/Sherf used more. If teams continue playing cover 2 OR press on Gabe...it basically neutralizes Davis completely. Like many said, Beane made his choices on building the WR room and certainly looks unwise right now (at WR2). Our lack of using slot options is also frustrating, either Dorsey/execution. Possible we make a big trade, but unlikely IMO. With holes at CB, WLB, 1 tech DT, and safety play declining. This team is built, defensively, to be playing ahead/passing defense. Maybe a better WR2 helps in alot of ways, but I'm not sure it's that or playcalling/Josh decisions, or all above

Was thinking the same. He probably had the RB, coming out of backfield, and was late to his drop. Coach looked frustrated, like he was anticipating that and someone messed up their assignment. Both safeties were giving help to the corners, seems like Bernard screwed up

Exactly. We left him 1-1 and gave our safety help to Dane/Benford at the end today. He's still a great nickle, but our corner play has been average at best.

Our defense is SLOW and not physical. Especially when missing Milano, Tre, Jones and Ed. Micah still has a little juice left. But this secondary is running on fumes in general; Taron is our best player as of now and still isn't reliable to win 1-1 consistently. Not to mention, our offense lost its "mojo". We are trying to become a ball control/balanced attack; this just isn't going to work when we need 10+ play drives.

This is embarrassing. Hopefully some true reflection after this

Need to stay aggressive on offense, ok running a little...but we need Josh/passing game. Continue to say, we need Harty and Kincaid more involved. These are guys who can give us YAC/more big plays.

McDermott and Dorsey, and all team leaders better get this team focused immediately to start the 2nd half. Alot of game to play, but we need a TD drive to get back into this. Then our defense to start imposing some more aggression/shedding blocks up front.

Pathetic what this offense has turned into

Our 2nd down playcalling/execution is killing thr offense. Too many 3rd and longs

Can we ever boot/roll Josh out of pocket, misdirection runs, screens? Everything is "beat your man" right now. Could mix it up and need some big plays

Kincaid or Shakir on a deep crosser... it's there against the cover 2 looks

Our dline getting pushed around...need to step up the aggression

Cover 2, dump it short Josh. Jeez, trying to split that and underthew it

Get the offense playing with more urgency today!!! Need someone other than Stefon to step up in the passing game. LFG!