Should Brady be calling the offensive plays?

[cupofjoe1962]

Week after week I watch Brady looking and waiting for the sidelines to
send in the play. Quite oftern the Pats rush to get the play off before
time runs out and they receive a delay of game penalty.

The plays that do come in are usually quite predictable.

I for one knew that Sammy Morris was going to get the ball on
4th and 1 when he was stopped.

He was lined up at a blocking back/Full back, but he
got the ball and Maroney was the decoy.

Didn't we run that play last week on 4th and 1? (Or was it the week before?).

If I knew, it is no suprise Miami knew.

 

[slash83]

the fb dive to morris was horrible.

 

[RobAllan]

Week after week I watch Brady looking and waiting for the sidelines to
send in the play. Quite oftern the Pats rush to get the play off before
time runs out and they receive a delay of game penalty.

The plays that do come in are usually quite predictable.

I for one knew that Sammy Morris was going to get the ball on
4th and 1 when he was stopped.

He was lined up at a blocking back/Full back, but he
got the ball and Maroney was the decoy.

Didn't we run that play last week on 4th and 1? (Or was it the week before?).

If I knew, it is no suprise Miami knew.

I don't think Brady needs more on his plate. That said, I do think someone else should be calling plays. Our offensive playcalling is an epic failure from my perspective. I actually think the problem with our lack of offensive rhythm comes right back to the way plays are being called.

 

[aurakilla]

the fb dive to morris was horrible.

it only works in madden

 

[slash83]

it only works in madden

lol seriously

 

[mgteich]

I don't think Brady needs more on his plate. Belichick should focus on the offense and call the plays. Dante should be made interim OC and O'Brian demoted to water boy. Belichick can even give Charlie a call for advice.

 

[BillBelichickFan79]

I think Belichick is seriously going to consider placing a call to Mr. Weis. BB has to spend a lot of his time with the defense because they are young and we obviously need to work some kinks out. He thought the offense would be good enough to work itself out, but obviously not. I would BB is spending a lot of time during halftime going over stuff with the defensive guys just like on the sideline when the offense is out there and he has their back to them and is talking to the D.

Therefore, I think more responsibility has been put in O'Brien's hands to make the halftime adjustments on offense. It's evident his inexperience is hurting us. Opposing teams are going in at halftime and adjusting to what we are doing on offense. They come out with a plan and they execute it. After that, we're screwed. We cannot counter their adjustments, and as a result our 2nd half offense this year has been absolutely abysmal. Obviously BB can't do everything and I want him spending a lot of time with the defense b/c we need to get our act together soon. Bringing in Weis would enable him to channel all his energy to the D while not having to worry at all about the offense with a great offensive mind like Weis who has a ton of experience in the NFL and has won Super Bowls.

 

[mgteich]

Belichick can (and should) call Charilie for advice, but Charlie can't come in and run the offense until next year. If a change is to be made, Belichick should spend more time with the OFFENSE. It is the offense that is not playing up to its potential. The defense is playing about as well as the talent and experience allows. I agree that Belichick should spend a lot more time with the young defense in the offseason, while at the same time bringing in a top OC like Charlie Weis.

I think Belichick is seriously going to consider placing a call to Mr. Weis. BB has to spend a lot of his time with the defense because they are young and we obviously need to work some kinks out. He thought the offense would be good enough to work itself out, but obviously not. I would BB is spending a lot of time during halftime going over stuff with the defensive guys just like on the sideline when the offense is out there and he has their back to them and is talking to the D.

Therefore, I think more responsibility has been put in O'Brien's hands to make the halftime adjustments on offense. It's evident his inexperience is hurting us. Opposing teams are going in at halftime and adjusting to what we are doing on offense. They come out with a plan and they execute it. After that, we're screwed. We cannot counter their adjustments, and as a result our 2nd half offense this year has been absolutely abysmal. Obviously BB can't do everything and I want him spending a lot of time with the defense b/c we need to get our act together soon. Bringing in Weis would enable him to channel all his energy to the D while not having to worry at all about the offense with a great offensive mind like Weis who has a ton of experience in the NFL and has won Super Bowls.

 

[Satchboogie3]

Wait wait wait wait wait. It appears to me that the pats success in the first half is likely due to great planning. By the 3rd/4th Quarter the other teams adjust or we run out of "new" material. If this is the case, then isn't it quite the opposite of what people are saying? Are we sure that the first half is called significantly by O'Brien while Brady takes more play calling responsibility in the 2nd half when they "attempt" to make adjustments? I'm not saying this is what is happening, I'm simply wonder whether Brady calling the plays is the problem.

 

[Deus Irae]

O'Brien is going through the same type of growing pains that one would expect of a first year man in the position. If Belichick doesn't feel he's progressing, he should make a move at the end of the year. However, I think that most of the complaining about the play calling has been about covering for the disappointing play of the personnel more than it's about the calls themselves.

I've had my issues with the play calling for the past couple of seasons, but that hasn't been something to harp on, because it has been a matter of preference as opposed to something I felt was costing the team games. That seems to have changed this season, but that's a function of having a new man in the position. Even so, the calls wouldn't be as critical if Brady wasn't playing so inconsistently, the o-line was blocking consistently, Moss was still 2 steps faster than his defenders and the WR3 was able to open up the field for Moss and Welker.

Let's be honest about something here. Brady probably isn't going to start calling more running plays, or having Maroney running out of different formations while catching more footballs. He's not going to call for more 5 yard slants to Moss, or to stop throwing that 1 yard pass to Faulk out of the empty backfield formation. Part of the problem this year seems to be that Brady is no longer scanning the field the way he used to, and is locking in on Welker and Moss. Does anyone really think that will change if Brady's calling the plays?

The solution is getting a WR3, improving the O-line play and mixing the run more effectively into the game. Of those 3, only the last one is on the shoulders of the O.C., and it can't be done if the offensive line doesn't start playing up to snuff.

 

[mgteich]

Let's be honest about something else. Neither is O'Brian.

.
Let's be honest about something here. Brady probably isn't going to start calling more running plays, or having Maroney running out of different formations while catching more footballs. He's not going to call for more 5 yard slants to Moss, or to stop throwing that 1 yard pass to Faulk out of the empty backfield formation.

 

[BillBelichickFan79]

Belichick can (and should) call Charilie for advice, but Charlie can't come in and run the offense until next year. If a change is to be made, Belichick should spend more time with the OFFENSE. It is the offense that is not playing up to its potential. The defense is playing about as well as the talent and experience allows. I agree that Belichick should spend a lot more time with the young defense in the offseason, while at the same time bringing in a top OC like Charlie Weis.

Obviously the Pats offense has changed since Weis has been here, so you make a good point that it would be difficult for him to come in and take over the playcalling. I was referring to Weis coming in this year as more of a consultant/assistant on offense who can help in the gameplanning and offer advice. Just having him on the sideline taking in the action and offering some suggestions to O'Brien would be a great help. I have a great deal of respect for Weis' offensive mind and would love to see him brought in as an assistant this year, and take over as the OC next year with O'Brien being sent packing or demoted.

 

[Deus Irae]

Let's be honest about something else. Neither is O'Brian.

My point was that Brady calling the plays isn't the solution. For that matter, Weis calling the plays probably isn't the solution either.

1.) Improved O-line play

2.) WR3 that can threaten deep, but works the 5-20 yard area

3.) Breaking Brady of his acquired bad habits

4.) More varied use of Maroney/Taylor/Morris


Until #1 and #2 and #3 are dealt with, the O.C. isn't going to matter much.

 

[mgteich]

I agree that having Brady or Charlie call the plays for the 2009 wouldn't help much.

1) When the first read is always 25 yards down the filed, line play will usually look bad. We've had much, much worse OL's in years when the offense done much better. I think health would help. I think offensive schemes that understood the skill set of the OL would also help.

2) Aiken is quite capable of playing both deep and in the 5-20 yard area. Steinback also seem able in limited circumstances. Certainly, Watson could fill this role.

3) I don't know the solution for #3. It certainly doesn't include having an OC who Brady has to train. Alternating first reads between Moss and Welker is not winning football.

4) I would add Watson and Baker to your list.

My point was that Brady calling the plays isn't the solution. For that matter, Weis calling the plays probably isn't the solution either.

1.) Improved O-line play

2.) WR3 that can threaten deep, but works the 5-20 yard area

3.) Breaking Brady of his acquired bad habits

4.) More varied use of Maroney/Taylor/Morris


Until #1 and #2 and #3 are dealt with, the O.C. isn't going to matter much.

 

[Deus Irae]

I agree that having Brady or Charlie call the plays for the 2009 wouldn't help much.

1) When the first read is always 25 yards down the filed, line play will usually look bad. We've had much, much worse OL's in years when the offense done much better. I think health would help. I think offensive schemes that understood the skill set of the OL would also help.

The line has been worse against the run than the pass, and Brady has been under pressure even under short route, Faulk-first passes. Again, I've got issues with the play calling, and I think play calling has been costly at key points this season. I just think that if the personnel was doing its job, the play calling wouldn't matter.

2) Aiken is quite capable of playing both deep and in the 5-20 yard area. Steinback also seem able in limited circumstances. Certainly, Watson could fill this role.

Aiken is a #5 receiver, as is Steinback. Edelman is a #4. The team doesn't have a #3. Also, Aiken doesn't threaten the field anywhere. He's able to take advantage of the Welker/Moss threats on occasion, but that's the extent of his abilities.

3) I don't know the solution for #3. It certainly doesn't include having an OC who Brady has to train. Alternating first reads between Moss and Welker is not winning football.

It's a matter of QB coaching, not O.C. work. I don't know if O'Brien is failing or if Brady is just in a position where he still mentally feels that he needs the crutches of the bad habits. Having the first reads as clear as they've been this year has been a problem, but it's what happens when WR3 isn't up to the task.

4) I would add Watson and Baker to your list.

Baker could be helpful in goal line situations where jump balls and throwing to spots is what the Patriots are throwing, but he doesn't have the speed to break open the field and beat opposing defenders in read/react situations.

I'd agree with Watson, but I think the problem there has been more about the need to have him helping Vollmer at LT, and the O-line in general. He was being used as a receiver earlier in the year. I don't think it's a coincidence that the only 'big' receiving game he's had since Light went down was the Miami game that Porter stunk out the joint and the Patriots were able to use Vollmer without much help, anymore than I think it's coincidence that his receiving numbers even with Light in at LT have been down since the Jets game exposed problems with the O-line's pass protection.

Brady is just not the same against a heavy rush this year. In past years, the Patriots would see blitzes coming and send everyone out into patterns so that Brady could pick the opponent apart. This season, they don't have the confidence in Brady and the O-line to be able to do that.

 

[DaedalusX]

The issue of first read gets back to a point I've harped on before. They were foolish to cut Gaffney. He was relatively cheap, a dependable route runner, good hands and came through in the clutch. And Tom trusted him.

I don't care what you say, every little piece matters in this Rube Goldberg machine of an offense, and Gaffney was an important one to keeping that WR corps balanced and legitimately threatening.

 

[pats_premi]

Other than play calling, I have not seen Bill O'Brien talking to the offence on the sideline getting them ready for the next series. When the camera zooms on him he is either staring at play call sheets or occasionally talking to Brady, but I've never seen him rally the team. This is a team sport and it is a game of inches and that everyone needs to be reminded of their responsiblity, especially when the offence is struggling ?

 

[StevePatsFan]

O'Brien Sucks, not just because his play calling is stale and predictable, getting the plays in late has improved, but the offense still looks confused and unprepared at big points in the game, he is not getting these guys ready to play on Sunday and should be fired ASAP.

There are any number of high school coaches who can take the talent on this offense and make it dangerous, hell Wies did it with Troy Brown Freddy Colman and Jerome Wiggians...