Sorry to start another thread, but I decided to start this to write something more comprehensive. And I didn't want to talk about X and Os or BOB's tactics.
There are some fundamental things happening that are leaving me bewildered.
For instance, we're not playing with enough urgency, preparedness or, heck, violence, up front. I saw Tyreek Hill take out Uche last night with a block and it was one of the most pathetic things. I was hopeful that Uche was coming around and wondered if he'd get his big contract. Well, he needs to turn things around ASAP. Then there's Rham. There's something wrong with him right now, and it's not the OL. He is not decisive. When he needs 1 yard, he dances in the backfield. Something's up. Strange wasn't ready to play either, and I get he's just back, but if you're not ready, Mafi would maybe do a better job. I was watching Onwenu--he held his own and was a man mauler out there; he looked really good. Strange not so much.
Maybe they can all come back and do a Judon (I thought Judon was bad against the run last week, but he had a great game yesterday in all facets).
It looks like several players are not coming prepared to play. And they get exploited because they are not ready.
I'm bolding this because it is the biggest problem I have seen so far: we are telegraphing our plays.
Defenses are teeing off on our OL because they get a running start and they know exactly when we're going to snap it. This was a home game for heaven's sake. Our OL has no chance to stop jailbreaks when the QB is calling for the ball predictably each and every time. I would blitz too in such a situation. No changes in cadence. No variation. This is a home game!!! And when we audible, we try a sweep on 4th and 1 when we need just ONE YARD!!!! He is not seeing the game, not taking command, not playing the head games a QB needs to play with a defense to put his offense and the OL in optimal positions. And it doesn't help him either.
He's jittery, he's skittish, he's throwing off his back foot. He's taking bad sacks. No wonder he's so inaccurate. His long throws are lollipops that bounce off the moon. There is zero confidence he can get anything done back there.
I gave Mac the benefit of the doubt until now, but you can't have a guy cowering back there and not controlling the game. He is the biggest problem. People will talk about the lack of offensive weapons, but the fact is, the QB controls the game, especially at home, and he doesn't maximize his talents or the meager talents of his WRs.
Bill O'Brien has to see this, but it's Mac's 3rd year and I'm not sure what can be done at this point.
I don't have the patience with him to see if he develops into a Geno Smith maybe 5 years down the line. I don't think he will ever even be a Geno Smith.
The O-line will get better, the continuity will improve, Mac will get more comfortable behind it, but when it's crunch time and the defense sends the house in crucial situations, when the heat turns up, especially against good teams, Mac will not answer the call. The good play we'll see from him in the coming weeks will be a mirage.
Oh, and one last thing: Make someone else play FS. We need Dugger up near the line of scrimmage causing havoc.
