Jay Gruden’s Play Calling

[GoSkins]

He doesn’t make changes until it’s too late. I’m also tired of him stating his play calling was poor. If we aren’t in the playoffs this year then we need a new HC.

[aswas71788]

I have been a Gruden supporter but at this point, I agree with you.

[El Mexican]

Terrible in every aspect of the game. I really don't care if it's Gruden's or the players fault,
but today's game vs Indy was a no-show.

Toothless. No energy. Disappointing.

[DEHog]

As I said he will cost us multiple games this year and will be fired at the end of the season.

[riggofan]

Funny, but Gruden seems to agree on this point:

“We had no chemistry at all today, and it’s myself as a play caller,” Gruden said in a rare moment of self-admonishment by an NFL head coach. “I couldn’t get any rhythm calling plays. The inside zone wasn’t working. The outside zone wasn’t working. Our read-options weren’t working very well. We became one-dimensional in our play passes. We got sacked on two [play-action passes] for goodness sake.”

Packers next week. Better fix it fast, Coach.

[Burgundy&GoldForever]

I think I've finally had enough of this team underachieving every season. Capitals, Stanley Cup Champions. Nationals, playoffs most seasons. Wizards, playoffs most seasons. Mystics, reached the finals. Valor, AFL Champions. Redskins, never in contention, never improving, never worth watching after eight games. I don't even care who is at fault anymore. It's a garbage product which rightfully deserves to lose support by the thousands. The empty seats say it all. People would rather spend their time and money on anything else.

[cowboykillerzRGiii]

Trash.

[Bishop Hammer]

I think I've finally had enough of this team underachieving every season. Capitals, Stanley Cup Champions. Nationals, playoffs most seasons. Wizards, playoffs most seasons. Mystics, reached the finals. Valor, AFL Champions. Redskins, never in contention, never improving, never worth watching after eight games. I don't even care who is at fault anymore. It's a garbage product which rightfully deserves to lose support by the thousands. The empty seats say it all. People would rather spend their time and money on anything else.

For the first time ever, I've been looking forward to hockey more than football. Thats how dire the last couple season have been. The combination of letting Big Cuz go and
then Capitals winning The Stanley Cup open many eyes and made them more appealing. At least their a hometown team properly run; likable and competent owner who wants to win and make his fan base happy, on top of a marketable star.

[riggofan]

I'm glad people have that outlet, and I'm really happy for the Caps fans. I know how hardcore the fans are and awesome to see them rewarded with both a quality team and a championship.

I've just personally never been able to get into hockey, can barely follow our baseball and basketball teams.

[Irn-Bru]

It was bad again today. The first half went great, and included some nice aggressive playcalling. That second half, though? Putrid.

Here is every 1st and 10 play we had. Notice any patterns?

Code: Select all

1-10-WAS 25 (15:00) (Shotgun) 11-A.Smith pass short left to 86-J.Reed to WAS 32 for 7 yards (97-K.Clark, 50-B.Martinez).
1-10-WAS 22 (10:43) (Shotgun) 26-A.Peterson left end to WAS 23 for 1 yard (44-A.Morrison; 96-M.Wilkerson).
1-10-WAS 21 (8:18) 26-A.Peterson right tackle to WAS 34 for 13 yards (29-K.Brice; 21-H.Clinton-Dix).
1-10-WAS 40 (6:22) (Shotgun) 26-A.Peterson left end to WAS 42 for 2 yards (50-B.Martinez; 94-D.Lowry).
1-10-GB 28 (5:29) (Shotgun) 25-C.Thompson left end to GB 25 for 3 yards (97-K.Clark).
1-10-GB 17 (3:22) (Shotgun) 26-A.Peterson left guard to GB 15 for 2 yards (97-K.Clark).
1-10-WAS 25 (12:52) 26-A.Peterson right end to WAS 28 for 3 yards (97-K.Clark).
1-10-WAS 43 (11:26) 11-A.Smith pass short left intended for 86-J.Reed INTERCEPTED by 21-H.Clinton-Dix at GB 44. 21-H.Clinton-Dix ran ob at GB 45 for 1 yard.
1-10-WAS 2 (7:40) 26-A.Peterson right tackle to WAS 6 for 4 yards (52-C.Matthews; 23-J.Alexander).
1-10-WAS 40 (6:28) 26-A.Peterson right end pushed ob at GB 19 for 41 yards (21-H.Clinton-Dix; 50-B.Martinez).
1-10-GB 19 (5:49) 26-A.Peterson left guard to GB 16 for 3 yards (97-K.Clark; 53-N.Perry).
1-10-WAS 26 (2:10) (Shotgun) 25-C.Thompson right end to WAS 29 for 3 yards (53-N.Perry). GB-96-M.Wilkerson was injured during the play. He is Out. 96 - has an ankle injury
1-10-GB 21 (1:52) (Shotgun) 11-A.Smith pass short middle to 80-J.Crowder to GB 3 for 18 yards (21-H.Clinton-Dix, 37-J.Jackson).

--- halftime ---

1-10-WAS 17 (7:53) 26-A.Peterson right tackle to WAS 19 for 2 yards (44-A.Morrison; 94-D.Lowry).
1-10-WAS 43 (2:32) 26-A.Peterson right tackle to WAS 46 for 3 yards (53-N.Perry; 97-K.Clark).
1-10-WAS 35 (12:28) (Shotgun) 26-A.Peterson right guard to WAS 39 for 4 yards (50-B.Martinez).
1-10-GB 39 (1:26) 26-A.Peterson left end to GB 35 for 4 yards (53-N.Perry, 29-K.Brice). PENALTY on WAS-85-V.Davis, Offensive Holding, 10 yards, enforced at GB 39 - No Play.
1-10-WAS 12 (7:26) 26-A.Peterson left end to WAS 10 for -2 yards (53-N.Perry).
1-10-GB 46 (5:23) 26-A.Peterson left end to GB 29 for 17 yards (38-T.Williams, 21-H.Clinton-Dix).
1-10-GB 29 (4:35) 26-A.Peterson right end to GB 27 for 2 yards (44-A.Morrison; 93-R.Gilbert).

When you are 95% predictable, it's not going to work. I'm glad the players were able to execute during the first half, but we seriously need some better planning and seasoning when it comes to calling plays. Especially on first down.

[riggofan]

I agree with the predictability part. But I also find this criticism frustrating. Fans are constantly demanding that the team commit to the run, and saying they want to get back to Redskins/The Hogs style football. But when they do, everyone bitches that there are some three and outs. The team was running AP frequently in the first half on first down and eating the Packers up. Clearly GB adjusted at half time and tried to stop the bleeding.

Those three and outs in the third quarter were frustrating, no doubt about it. But each of those drives took 2 - 3 minutes off the clock. If Gruden had gone out there and started throwing the ball, three incompletions, 30 seconds off the clock, (or God forbid threw an INT) people would be bitching that he got away from the run, got away from what was working in the first half.

Anyway, I think Gruden definitely got a little too conservative for my tastes in the second half, especially playing Aaron Rodgers. Still we had a good lead on GB, and I'm glad he was trying to burn clock and wear them down with the run. That commitment paid off in the 4th quarter when AP tore off a couple big chunks again.

The team won, and the offense was really sharp in the first half. If you're gonna burn coach for losses, give him some credit for a W.

[riggofan]

Skins were 20 pass plays to 35 run plays yesterday btw. 220 yards passing, 166 yards rushing.

[Irn-Bru]

I agree with the predictability part. But I also find this criticism frustrating. Fans are constantly demanding that the team commit to the run, and saying they want to get back to Redskins/The Hogs style football. But when they do, everyone bitches that there are some three and outs.

We can mix it up a bit more without abandoning the run game, I think. High percentage, short passes are also good options on first down. Throw in an occasional draw or screen pass. What frustrated me most was seeing us set up in an obvious run formation and pound AP between the tackles, when the Packers had stacked the line of scrimmage. You're right that they adjusted at half time — their defensive adjustment is exactly why a good run game is a great thing, because once they adjust it's time to kill them with a longer passing game against man coverage. Or maybe more of that play action (even read option) where you sneak a WR or TE just behind the 'backers. We totally lacked any adjustment in response to what Green Bay did.

Those three and outs in the third quarter were frustrating, no doubt about it. But each of those drives took 2 - 3 minutes off the clock. If Gruden had gone out there and started throwing the ball, three incompletions, 30 seconds off the clock, (or God forbid threw an INT) people would be bitching that he got away from the run, got away from what was working in the first half.

What we did was certainly preferable to 3-and-outs full of incomplete passes. But it was still basically the second-worst thing we could have done on offense.

The team won, and the offense was really sharp in the first half. If you're gonna burn coach for losses, give him some credit for a W.

No doubt we were great in the first half. We looked like a contender. I'm glad for the win, too, and Jay Gruden gets credit for his part in that.

[Irn-Bru]

Skins were 20 pass plays to 35 run plays yesterday btw. 220 yards passing, 166 yards rushing.

In the NFL today, a 50/50 ratio is pretty much "committing to the run." When you are up by 20 points at halftime, certainly you'll end up running more by default. But I think not mixing it up with some additional passes in the second half really hurt us. Thankfully the defense stepped up in a big way.

[riggofan]

What we did was certainly preferable to 3-and-outs full of incomplete passes. But it was still basically the second-worst thing we could have done on offense.

Maybe so. Like I said, I definitely felt like we got conservative a little too early yesterday. We were playing Aaron Rodgers, not Sam Bradford. But its also a little unrealistic to expect this team to go out and dominate the Packers for all four quarters. Man, that third quarter sure was a stinker though. Couldn't move the ball, lots of offensive penalties. ugh.

The team won, and the offense was really sharp in the first half. If you're gonna burn coach for losses, give him some credit for a W.

No doubt we were great in the first half. We looked like a contender. I'm glad for the win, too, and Jay Gruden gets credit for his part in that.

Right on, man. Winning is so much better than losing.

Anybody else really enjoying watching AP right now too? #26 is fun as hell to watch. I hope he tears it up all year.

[El Mexican]

Yep, fantastic game. Could AP be the man that gives the team some identity?

[GoSkins]

Even though we won, does anyone have thoughts on our play calling in the 2nd half for our last 2 games? How many TDs has our offense scored in the 2nd half all season?

[cowboykillerzRGiii]

One junk one vs the Colts?
Jay lacks killer instinct and goes soft... End of first half airs it out and has some luck... 2nd half 2 runs and a pa pass on third and long. Its a broken record. Run to establish the pass... Dont run on EVERY FIRST DOWN EVER.

The run game was solid- it should've opened up pa pass and bootlegs but instead we played predictable and played not to lose the lead instead of increase it. Its a terrible habit he has had all year (career).

[riggofan]

Even though we won, does anyone have thoughts on our play calling in the 2nd half for our last 2 games? How many TDs has our offense scored in the 2nd half all season?

Dallas has the #4 defense in the league, so the low score wasn't totally surprising.

But I do agree with what you're saying and think Gruden dodged a HUGE bullet by winning this game. The play calling on that last "drive" was horrible, and we probably deserved to lose the game because of it. I've seen folks on here complain about Gruden's run calling being predictable, and I've never seen a more predictable series. Seriously, up by three points with 1:30 left and all you need to do is get ONE first down to put the game away. Instead we run three lame plays everyone knew was coming, use up 12 seconds off the clock and give Dallas the ball back in decent field position.

When Dallas scored that last touchdown, I literally told my father-in-law, watch this: we're going to run the ball three times and give Dallas the ball back with 1:15. lol.

I'm glad it worked out, and to be fair to Gruden he was missing two starting WRs and Chris Thompson. Incomplete passes or drops could have left Dallas with more timeouts. But still I hated the conservative calls on that last drive, and we weren't very good in the red zone either.

[DEHog]

Even though we won, does anyone have thoughts on our play calling in the 2nd half for our last 2 games? How many TDs has our offense scored in the 2nd half all season?

Dallas has the #4 defense in the league, so the low score wasn't totally surprising.

But I do agree with what you're saying and think Gruden dodged a HUGE bullet by winning this game. The play calling on that last "drive" was horrible, and we probably deserved to lose the game because of it. I've seen folks on here complain about Gruden's run calling being predictable, and I've never seen a more predictable series. Seriously, up by three points with 1:30 left and all you need to do is get ONE first down to put the game away. Instead we run three lame plays everyone knew was coming, use up 12 seconds off the clock and give Dallas the ball back in decent field position.

When Dallas scored that last touchdown, I literally told my father-in-law, watch this: we're going to run the ball three times and give Dallas the ball back with 1:15. lol.

I'm glad it worked out, and to be fair to Gruden he was missing two starting WRs and Chris Thompson. Incomplete passes or drops could have left Dallas with more timeouts. But still I hated the conservative calls on that last drive, and we weren't very good in the red zone either.

Agreed, even Romo was calling for a pass! Alex didn't help Gruden either, couple of bad throws and going out of bounds on 3rd down...that's just not like him at all??

[oj]

Agreed the play calling was lame when it should have been aggressive, al least they should have run the to the left where AP had consistantly ripped some big numbers, Alex Smith couldn't throw the ball for some reason, he kept missing receivers and running out of bounds stopping the clock is a rookie mistake, one that a seasoned professional that is running the offense should never have made.
I've been critical of Manusky, but I think we'll keep him in charge for another week or two. The D was fantastic, I kinda hated to see the field goal attempt fail because watching the defense work was a thing of beauty. I think they could've stopped any team in the NFL yesterday, they were fantastic.
Hail Skins!

[riggofan]

Agreed, even Romo was calling for a pass! Alex didn't help Gruden either, couple of bad throws and going out of bounds on 3rd down...that's just not like him at all??

Yeah I need to look at that play again. I'd like to believe he was trying to get to the marker and just ran out of space. He kinda got knocked out of bounds at the end of the play, didn't he?

I'll be honest that was a six beer game for me last night, so the fourth quarter is a little hazy.

[riggofan]

I've been critical of Manusky, but I think we'll keep him in charge for another week or two. The D was fantastic, I kinda hated to see the field goal attempt fail because watching the defense work was a thing of beauty. I think they could've stopped any team in the NFL yesterday, they were fantastic.
Hail Skins!

A few more weeks??? ha! Rough crowd!

You're right though that front seven was awesome yesterday. I can't believe how they shut down Zeke like that. And you gotta give a lot of credit to Swearinger too. That guy was a beast all day.

Wasn't it great to see the D playing like that vs. Dallas? I always feel like when we play them our teams look scared, rather than pumped up to go out and destroy the Cowboys.

[DEHog]

Agreed, even Romo was calling for a pass! Alex didn't help Gruden either, couple of bad throws and going out of bounds on 3rd down...that's just not like him at all??

Yeah I need to look at that play again. I'd like to believe he was trying to get to the marker and just ran out of space. He kinda got knocked out of bounds at the end of the play, didn't he?

I'll be honest that was a six beer game for me last night, so the fourth quarter is a little hazy.

Yeah Alex said as much, but he could clearly see that multiple players had the angle on him. Add to that, I want to believe the last thing Gruden said to him before the mic cut off was...stay in bounds!

[oj]

I've been critical of Manusky, but I think we'll keep him in charge for another week or two. The D was fantastic, I kinda hated to see the field goal attempt fail because watching the defense work was a thing of beauty. I think they could've stopped any team in the NFL yesterday, they were fantastic.
Hail Skins!

A few more weeks??? ha! Rough crowd!

You're right though that front seven was awesome yesterday. I can't believe how they shut down Zeke like that. And you gotta give a lot of credit to Swearinger too. That guy was a beast all day.

Wasn't it great to see the D playing like that vs. Dallas? I always feel like when we play them our teams look scared, rather than pumped up to go out and destroy the Cowboys.

Yup. JD was a beast, lucky for me he was wearing pink shoes or socks so I could pick him out to see where he was on the field, I kept my eye on him all day.