(11-06-2021, 11:38 AM)Whacked Wrote: 3 very talented receivers and a T.E. …..

Are all adequately covered 70% of the time?

No team is that deep talent-wise on D to blanket all 4.

Especially when they have to respect Mixon being a running and catching threat too!

Drives me nuts. /End rant

(11-06-2021, 11:46 AM)SHRacerX Wrote: I think it is in the route design.  Some of them take a while to uncover.  Offensive line has been inconsistent and doesn't always provide Joe enough time.  

What compounds that problem is the stupid run in to a pile when they are all set up to stuff the run and then you have to succeed on two or sometimes one (when they have a dumb play twice) play before punting. 

I think that running to open up the pass might work for a play-action team like the Browns who have a great run-blocking line, but for the Bengals they need to play to their strengths and attack through the air.  Then, when teams adjust and drop everyone back, gash them with Mixon and more short plays to the RB.  

(11-06-2021, 11:53 AM)KillerGoose Wrote: Interestingly enough, there isn't any evidence that running opens up the passing game. There is an analyst named Ben Baldwin, who is fantastic for advanced NFL data, who did research into this. His conclusion was that running game success has no correlation to play-action passing success, or passing success in general. Play-action seems to work because the mere threat of a run exists if the RB is on the field, the defenses have to play their gaps regardless. 

Play-action passing is really, really good, though. The Bengals would still benefit from using PA more but I agree, let Burrow rip it. He has been playing fantastic and the team has the weapons on the outside to do very well. To your last point, I would love getting Mixon involved with more screens and actually routes out of the backfield. He is a very talented receiver and a lot of a running backs value comes from their ability to catch. He and Evans, really, would be great options out of the backfield. 

(11-06-2021, 11:54 AM)leonardfan40 Wrote: Joe is completing almost 68% of his passes this year. Not sure where you’re getting these numbers but I guess some people just love being miserable. Good luck with that.

(11-06-2021, 11:56 AM)SHRacerX Wrote: Absolutely.  The Rams and Pats used to call their short passes to the RBs as "an extension of the running game".  Whatever.  The point is, you can't blow through 8 defenders when you have five or six blockers.  Get the RBs in space (see Jets, NY, against Bengals) and let them make plays instead of trying to turn everyone in to Derrick Henry.  

(11-06-2021, 11:38 AM)Whacked Wrote: 3 very talented receivers and a T.E. …..

Are all adequately covered 70% of the time?

No team is that deep talent-wise on D to blanket all 4.

Especially when they have to respect Mixon being a running and catching threat too!

Drives me nuts. /End rant

(11-06-2021, 12:04 PM)fredtoast Wrote: Last year everyone was squealing about how stupid Zac was for making Burrow throw too much and how we had to run the ball more to protect him.  Now this year everyone is squealing about how Zac is stupid for not having Burrow throw all the time.

I have learned fans every where are always like this.  No matter what the team does if they play does not work then it was a bad call.  Some times in the same thread some fans will be saying we run too much and other fans say we pass too much.

Unless every play is a 100% success soem fan is going to complain about the call and insist his play call would have worked better.

(11-06-2021, 12:03 PM)KillerGoose Wrote: Yep, I agree. I won't be surprised to see more types of these plays as the years come. You will be able to get more value and longevity out of your RBs by using them as receivers. Short, high-percentage plays that keep the clock churning (major benefit of the running game) but overall more efficient than the running game. Running becomes more situational and balancing than anything else.

The problem with the Derrick Henry's is the short shelf life and the amount of attempts it takes to get him doing what he is doing. He has an insane amount of yardage and TDs for this point in the season, but he also had 220 carries. By and large, he wasn't very efficient AND he broke down. 

On the flip side, look at Austin Ekeler (one of my favorite RBs). He is a very notable receiving RB for the Chargers. This season, he has 117 touches for 723 yards (6.17 yards per touch) and eight touchdowns. He's having a better season than Henry, imo, he just doesn't have the volume that Henry has. 

(11-06-2021, 11:54 AM)leonardfan40 Wrote: Joe is completing almost 68% of his passes this year. Not sure where you’re getting these numbers but I guess some people just love being miserable. Good luck with that.

(11-06-2021, 12:08 PM)Whacked Wrote: Sorry all - I should’ve clarified that 70% was just a random negative Nancy observation - not a statistical fact.

(11-06-2021, 12:16 PM)Whacked Wrote: How is recognizing talent and expecting to see more productivity labeled as “miserable”? WTH. Lol

Also - this is not about Joe’s completion %.

The inquiry is based on something entirely different; specifically, trying to learn why the potentially high-powered O, is not putting up 35+ per game.

We are stacked at QB, RB, 3 WR’s and T.E.

(11-06-2021, 12:16 PM)Whacked Wrote: How is recognizing talent and expecting to see more productivity labeled as “miserable”? WTH. Lol

(11-06-2021, 12:04 PM)fredtoast Wrote: Last year everyone was squealing about how stupid Zac was for making Burrow throw too much and how we had to run the ball more to protect him.  Now this year everyone is squealing about how Zac is stupid for not having Burrow throw all the time.

I have learned fans every where are always like this.  No matter what the team does if they play does not work then it was a bad call.  Some times in the same thread some fans will be saying we run too much and other fans say we pass too much.

Unless every play is a 100% success soem fan is going to complain about the call and insist his play call would have worked better.

(11-06-2021, 12:20 PM)fredtoast Wrote: When you are miserable about our great passing game instead of our running game (23rd in yds/gm, 25th in yds/att) it seems like you are complaining just to be complaining.