It's a passing league

[Whatever]

(09-12-2021, 01:06 AM)Murdock2420 Wrote: Honestly, while 30 to 35 is a more balanced and better number, the problem isn't just attempts.

I saw briefly another poster going on about QBs that did it and survived, but what that fails to mention is none of those guys stood back there in an empty set with no RB and 5 wide over and over tossing the rock. 

Standing there empty set for 40 passing attempts each week is just dumb. It may work in college, but in the NFL CBs can cover better and if the DL knows the run isn't an option and can tee off, they will get home. 

40 attempts might not be an issue if there was play action involved and a RB in there to pick up the blitz or at least slow the line down on their rush.

My statement about the 40 attempts getting Burrow injuried again is a direct coorelation to the fact that most of those attempts will come with no RB or the RB being split out wide. I know Burrow is supposed to be more comfortable in that set up, but that will not work in the NFL. 

Bernard was in the backfield blocking on the play Burrow got hurt.

The Bengals had 5 WR's on the field on only 16 plays last year, so I'm not sure where you're coming up with a large chunk of plays coming with no RB on the field.  Being primarily an 11 personnel team, typically the RB and/or TE will at least chip before releasing.  

Play action is only as effective as your ability to run the ball.  It's a tool, but in an AFCN division where it's notoriously hard to run the ball, it's often going to be ineffective.  Leaving more guys in to block has its own issues.  It keeps more guys in the box and allows teams to disguise the blitz better.  It also invites DC's to blitz more.  Spreading the field makes it a lot harder to blitz and leave uncovered targets and also makes it a lot harder to disguise blitzes.  There are pluses and minuses to both when it comes to protecting the QB.