How would you redesign the offense with our current players?

[kevin]

(11-20-2023, 02:57 PM)Joelist Wrote: Here are my thoughts:

1) Embrace power blocking schemes on both run and pass. Our OL room is currently oriented towards power schemes, so lean into it. This even extends to offseason player acquisition - go power. And commit to it - no more switching the scheme during the season.

2) Get under center. It helps the linemen get into a rhythm especially if we run more than we have been (my next point actually). It also helps disguise the play a bit.

3) RUN MORE! We should be aiming at a target of roughly even between run and pass. Not only will this increase the effectiveness of the run game over time it will make play action work better and also cause defenses to have to play the run more and not tee off like they do now.

4) Redesign the routes to help the receivers get open. Make the QBs life easier. This takes a lot of forms such as bunches, crossers, slants and more. Plus doing this in conjunction with the earlier points will make it easier to get open.

5) Gameplan to use the tendencies of the opposing defense to your advantage. ALL defenses have tendencies which game film study can reveal. The art here is identifying those tendencies and figuring out how to burn the defense on them.

6) Break your own patterns. Watch your own offense on tape and look for "tells" that give the play away. Then remove them. Once you remove the defense knowing the play it also makes them have to hesitate for that critical second.

Cleveland showed how to beat Steelers with their QB out for season.  You lean more on the running game.  Cleveland used both Ford and Hunt to keep the fresh legs in game.  Mixon and somebody else pounding the rock.   Yes, and to get the most out of RB's, more snaps under center.  There are very few running plays from shotgun.  Not that Bengals can't mix in some shotgun, but get away from all shotgun all game long.  

Other than that, I wouldn't change the system Browning has been playing in.  Too late in season to go to a new playbook.  Against 49ers Bengals went under center more, and won.  Cleveland leaned on RB's more to beat Steelers without Watson, so that should be Bengals plan without Burrow.