The Rams' goal-line play calling so far in 2006 (1 Viewer)

[smcindoe]

Watching the Rams yesterday, I had that nagging deja vu feeling watching them work at the goal line. So I thought I'd look it up...

From NFL.com's play-by-play, here's how the Rams goal-to-go possessions have gone so far this year:

1-8-DEN8 (4:33) M.Bulger pass incomplete short right to I.Bruce.

2-8-DEN8 (4:28) M.Bulger pass short middle to S.Jackson to DEN 7 for 1 yard (C.Bailey). Penalty on SL-A.McCollum, Ineligible Downfield Pass, declined.

3-7-DEN7 (3:55) (Shotgun) M.Bulger pass incomplete short middle to S.McDonald (D.Foxworth).

4-7-DEN7 (3:48) J.Wilkins 26 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-C.Massey, Holder-D.Looker.

1-2-DEN3 (1:19) S.Jackson right guard to DEN 2 for 1 yards (K.Lang, DJ.Williams).

2-2-DEN2 40) M.Bulger pass incomplete short left to D.Looker.

PENALTY on SL-M.Bulger, Intentional Grounding, 14 yards, enforced at DEN 2.

3-16-DEN16 35) M.Bulger pass incomplete short middle to T.Holt.

4-16-DEN16 29) PENALTY on SL-M.Hedgecock, Offensive Holding, 10 yards, enforced at DEN 16 - No Play.

4-26-DEN26 25) J.Wilkins 44 yard field goal is No Good, Hit Right Upright, Center-C.Massey, Holder-D.Looker.

1-9-DEN9 (7:23) S.Jackson right end to DEN 6 for 3 yards (J.Lynch).

2-6-DEN6 (6:39) M.Bulger pass incomplete short middle to T.Holt.

3-6-DEN6 (6:33) (Shotgun) M.Bulger pass incomplete short left to I.Bruce.

4-6-DEN6 (6:28) J.Wilkins 24 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-C.Massey, Holder-D.Looker.

1-2-SF2 (3:00) S.Jackson right guard to SF 3 for -1 yards (I.Sopoaga).

2-3-SF3 (2:21) M.Bulger pass short right to T.Holt for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN.

1-6-ARI6 (12:20) S.Jackson right tackle to ARZ 8 for -2 yards (A.Wilson, C.Okeafor).

2-8-ARI8 (11:39) M.Bulger pass incomplete short middle to T.Holt (M.Ware).

3-8-ARI8 (11:33) (Shotgun) M.Bulger pass incomplete short middle to I.Bruce (A.Wilson).

4-8-ARI8 (11:28) J.Wilkins 26 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-C.Massey, Holder-D.Looker.

1-9-ARI9 (3:25) M.Bulger pass short left to T.Holt for 9 yards, TOUCHDOWN.

1-6-ARI6 (9:43) S.Jackson right end to ARZ 10 for -4 yards (G.Hayes).

2-10-ARI10 (9:01) (Shotgun) M.Bulger pass short middle to S.McDonald to ARZ 3 for 7 yards (G.Hayes).

3-3-ARI3 (8:20) M.Bulger pass incomplete short right to T.Holt (R.Griffith). Penalty on ARZ-R.Griffith, Taunting, offsetting. Penalty on SL-T.Holt, Unnecessary Roughness, offsetting. Penalty on SL-T.Holt, Taunting, offsetting.

4-3-ARI3 (8:10) J.Wilkins 21 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-C.Massey, Holder-D.Looker.

(I left out one additional series at the end of a game that had nothing but Bulger kneel-downs.)

A few observations:

- Out of seven goal-to-go possesions and 18 offensive plays, they've run the ball only five times

- All five of those were to the right

- All five of those were on first down

- The most recent three of those were for a loss

- All ten second-and-goal and third-and-goal plays have been passes

- Their only two TDs have come on passes

So a typical Rams goal-to-go possession has gone like this: run to the right for little or even negative yards, then give up and start throwing.

Now seven series isn't much of a sample size, but given we're three weeks into the season it's not tiny either. And if somebody with my football IQ (only slightly above Art Shell's) can pick up on this pattern, I'm sure NFL teams are too.

Now, does anyone smarter than me want to take over and guess at what this might mean? Do the Rams start to mix it up more? Does that help Bulger? Jackson? Both? Or will we see the same "run it into the stacked side of the line, then chuck it twice" play calling the rest of the way?

 

[mojorizin]

Bad thing about this is Bulger has always been knocked for being terrible at the goal line. One of Martz' priorities going in to last season was to make Bulger better at throwing the ball in close. Guy could throw 350/3 but still not complete it from the 3.

 

[bostonfred]

Maybe the Rams are protecting Pace.

 

[TheWick]

Very interesting indeed. Any Vikings or Dolphins numbers from when Linehan was calling the plays???

 

[Two Deep]

Throwing to the tight end may be refreshing.

 

[smcindoe]

Throwing to the tight end may be refreshing.

The Rams have never really thrown to the TE in the red zone, at least in the Bulger era. Heck, for a while I think they were more likely to handoff to a TE lined up at fullback than throw to him.

 

[J R]

Good post, smcindoe. That's interesting about that all of the runs are to the right. The R/P distribution is pretty easy to explain: they haven't been able to run it and have gotten themselves in a lot of passing downs even for goal-to-go plays.

I thought Linehan was going to throw to the TEs more too. He at least was being given a lot of credit compared to Martz for doing this before we saw that he wasn't doing it.

 

[wannabee]

great posting. thanks for the work to help others.

 

[J R]

Just using nfl.com's play by play, I count the runs to R, L, and M pretty evenly distributed yesterday. But this is interesting:

run L: 7-8

run M: 8-51

run R: 9-3

Why so much trouble outside? I didn't see the game. Are at least some of those instances where Jackson's "dancing" outside when he doesn't see a hole, and so they get recorded as run to right end or left end?

 

[mojorizin]

Good post, smcindoe. That's interesting about that all of the runs are to the right. The R/P distribution is pretty easy to explain: they haven't been able to run it and have gotten themselves in a lot of passing downs even for goal-to-go plays.I thought Linehan was going to throw to the TEs more too. He at least was being given a lot of credit compared to Martz for doing this before we saw that he wasn't doing it.

Would be interesting to look at the breakdown of completed pass plays/targets. I've never heard it mentioned as we always blame the coaching staff for the Rams, but what if Bulger doesnt see/throw to the middle of the field very well? Its not like the coaches discuss "Hey, Marc - dont throw to the TE". We see a lot of his passes on slants, outs and corner routes still being very good, what do we see over the middle, or in the seams where a TE tends to make his money? I was bemoaning, just last week, the dearth of receivers running free in the middle of the field, being hit on the run and picking up mad YAC as they did in the early days of Martz with Warner at the helm. When its Bulger, a lot of those passes over the middle are low sliding catches.What if Bulger sees, and throws much much better outside the hashmarks?That might be completely NUTS, but it just appeared in my bean as we were discussing this.

 

[jbz]

I watched all the Rams games so far and they've never had what I considered a "short" goal situation. It's always been 1st and goal from the 10, the 8, 7, etc. There was a few times they had it from the 2 and they tried to run and got stuffed and then they passed it after that. Not sure if that means anything with this dicussion but it could factor into why they appear to be passing more in the goalline area.

 

[Archie Bunker]

Watching the Rams yesterday, I had that nagging deja vu feeling watching them work at the goal line. So I thought I'd look it up...

From NFL.com's play-by-play, here's how the Rams goal-to-go possessions have gone so far this year:

1-8-DEN8 (4:33) M.Bulger pass incomplete short right to I.Bruce.

2-8-DEN8 (4:28) M.Bulger pass short middle to S.Jackson to DEN 7 for 1 yard (C.Bailey). Penalty on SL-A.McCollum, Ineligible Downfield Pass, declined.

3-7-DEN7 (3:55) (Shotgun) M.Bulger pass incomplete short middle to S.McDonald (D.Foxworth).

4-7-DEN7 (3:48) J.Wilkins 26 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-C.Massey, Holder-D.Looker.

1-2-DEN3 (1:19) S.Jackson right guard to DEN 2 for 1 yards (K.Lang, DJ.Williams).

2-2-DEN2 40) M.Bulger pass incomplete short left to D.Looker.

PENALTY on SL-M.Bulger, Intentional Grounding, 14 yards, enforced at DEN 2.

3-16-DEN16 35) M.Bulger pass incomplete short middle to T.Holt.

4-16-DEN16 29) PENALTY on SL-M.Hedgecock, Offensive Holding, 10 yards, enforced at DEN 16 - No Play.

4-26-DEN26 25) J.Wilkins 44 yard field goal is No Good, Hit Right Upright, Center-C.Massey, Holder-D.Looker.

1-9-DEN9 (7:23) S.Jackson right end to DEN 6 for 3 yards (J.Lynch).

2-6-DEN6 (6:39) M.Bulger pass incomplete short middle to T.Holt.

3-6-DEN6 (6:33) (Shotgun) M.Bulger pass incomplete short left to I.Bruce.

4-6-DEN6 (6:28) J.Wilkins 24 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-C.Massey, Holder-D.Looker.

1-2-SF2 (3:00) S.Jackson right guard to SF 3 for -1 yards (I.Sopoaga).

2-3-SF3 (2:21) M.Bulger pass short right to T.Holt for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN.

1-6-ARI6 (12:20) S.Jackson right tackle to ARZ 8 for -2 yards (A.Wilson, C.Okeafor).

2-8-ARI8 (11:39) M.Bulger pass incomplete short middle to T.Holt (M.Ware).

3-8-ARI8 (11:33) (Shotgun) M.Bulger pass incomplete short middle to I.Bruce (A.Wilson).

4-8-ARI8 (11:28) J.Wilkins 26 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-C.Massey, Holder-D.Looker.

1-9-ARI9 (3:25) M.Bulger pass short left to T.Holt for 9 yards, TOUCHDOWN.

1-6-ARI6 (9:43) S.Jackson right end to ARZ 10 for -4 yards (G.Hayes).

2-10-ARI10 (9:01) (Shotgun) M.Bulger pass short middle to S.McDonald to ARZ 3 for 7 yards (G.Hayes).

3-3-ARI3 (8:20) M.Bulger pass incomplete short right to T.Holt (R.Griffith). Penalty on ARZ-R.Griffith, Taunting, offsetting. Penalty on SL-T.Holt, Unnecessary Roughness, offsetting. Penalty on SL-T.Holt, Taunting, offsetting.

4-3-ARI3 (8:10) J.Wilkins 21 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-C.Massey, Holder-D.Looker.

(I left out one additional series at the end of a game that had nothing but Bulger kneel-downs.)

A few observations:

- Out of seven goal-to-go possesions and 18 offensive plays, they've run the ball only five times

- All five of those were to the right

- All five of those were on first down

- The most recent three of those were for a loss

- All ten second-and-goal and third-and-goal plays have been passes

- Their only two TDs have come on passes

So a typical Rams goal-to-go possession has gone like this: run to the right for little or even negative yards, then give up and start throwing.

Now seven series isn't much of a sample size, but given we're three weeks into the season it's not tiny either. And if somebody with my football IQ (only slightly above Art Shell's) can pick up on this pattern, I'm sure NFL teams are too.

Now, does anyone smarter than me want to take over and guess at what this might mean? Do the Rams start to mix it up more? Does that help Bulger? Jackson? Both? Or will we see the same "run it into the stacked side of the line, then chuck it twice" play calling the rest of the way?

I don't think it matters if there is a pattern or not when you've got Torry Holt playing WR. He is the best route runner I've seen in the nfl since Jerry Rice. He had 1 TD yesterday and should have had a 2nd, but the refs blew the call.

 

[Bob_Magaw]

a few points...

1 - as to rams not throwing to TE much in bulger era, as we have to lay the vast majority of that at the feet of martz, it like isn't indicative of what to expect going forward... also, klopf is a rookie, so i expect (hope ) for him to get involved more as season progresses... assuming he does... linehan used TE a lot in MIN & MIA, but to be fair, he had vets to work with in those OC stops (wiggings & mcmichael)...

2 - rams have essentially a rookie in cogs at center, & steussie at LG, & he is probably backup caliber at this point... maybe theyr aren't confident in ability to jam it down defense throat yet...

3 - i've said before that although he is big, i'm not sure jax is even average inside & short yardage runner... he dances too much & isn't as decisive & authoritative runner as he could be... maybe he can improve... also, stephen davis has a sterling, impeccable rep in that capacity... he was signed late, & as he rounds into form & game shape, could be used more in that role as season wears on...

4 - on predictability, totally agree if we can pick up on this stuff (& don't sell yourself short... that was a smart & very observant pick up, but defense they face are pros, have nothing else to do but break film down, & lot of time... so we best be sure they will pick it up... but this stuff has definite fantasy football implications, so kudos for great catch & public service rendered)...

this is second post of this kind i have seen in as many weeks alleging they are tipping things off... a poster at rams homerboard harped on what he called MIM (man in motion) tells... he broke down week 2 game, & said that in nearly every case TE in motion signalled run, & WR in motion almost always meant pass... i didn't get game (not shown in LA & don't get NFL ticket), but if anybody recorded on DVR, i would be very interested if this pattern was corroborated... i'll do so every chance i get, but STL doesn't have a lot of high profile, national games... if so, this is a big problem, but i can't imagine it would continue... a philosophical difference between martz's fiendishly complex, 10 major metro phone book thick offensive playbook, contrasted with linehan he would rather run less plays but run them more efficiently & effectively (lombardi was like this, but he had HoFers on OL & that was pre-salary cap era... much harder to maintaing continuity on OL for decade)... STILL, how hard can it be to mix up motions & play calls? no matter how efficient you are, makes it harder if modern defense knows what is coming...

* on plus side, jackson is racking up good yardage (he is already pacing for pretty good season, & TDs may come if they improve through season?)... i also read in blogger that linehan has decided to accomodate players by learning old terminology (just he needs to) rather than have them (whole offense) learn new system... i didn't see game as i said, but bulger did have first 300 yard outing, & holt seemed to play like what we are accustomed to... lastly, MIA started slow last year, too, but caught fire last half of season...

 

[redman]

When do you think, if ever, they'll start using Stephen Davis in "& goal" situations?

 

[Ilov80s]

This is good for Holt owners as he is being heavily targeted in the redzone. He has 2 redzone TDs and on Sunday should of had another, but the refs made a very poor call.

 

[Archie Bunker]

When do you think, if ever, they'll start using Stephen Davis in "& goal" situations?

I am still very skeptical of Stephen Davis. After his knee injury, he had microfracture surgery. If I remember correctly, that is like a last-ditch effort to rehab a knee, with a very low success rate. Terrell Davis had the same procedure done after he tore his ACL.

 

[redman]

When do you think, if ever, they'll start using Stephen Davis in "& goal" situations?

I am still very skeptical of Stephen Davis. After his knee injury, he had microfracture surgery. If I remember correctly, that is like a last-ditch effort to rehab a knee, with a very low success rate. Terrell Davis had the same procedure done after he tore his ACL.

To me, last year proved he can still run effectively and with power, although he certainly couldn't be counted on to do it as a full time starter. Unless he's got an injury that I'm not aware of I feel confident he could handle the goalline duties, which was what I thought was the reason for his signing.

 

[Bob_Magaw]

patrick jeffers also had micro-fracture surgery... it used to be an athletic death sentence, but it has had a better success rate in recent years... i don't remember everybody, but i think strahan is an example, & there are more if you look it up...

i'm not sure if/when davis will get goal line carries... he signed late, so maybe they are easing him in... an & goal situation could be 1st & 9, so i think it also depends on how often they get in & goal situations at 3, 2, 1... it will probably be contingent on how he looks... if he punches his first few opps in, increases liklihood that continues & even increases... & vice verce... the little i have heard, is that he looked good & impressed rams in practice... based on very limited & early reports, he didn't sound like a guy that was washed up & done...

 

[TheFanatic]

Just using nfl.com's play by play, I count the runs to R, L, and M pretty evenly distributed yesterday. But this is interesting:run L: 7-8run M: 8-51run R: 9-3Why so much trouble outside? I didn't see the game. Are at least some of those instances where Jackson's "dancing" outside when he doesn't see a hole, and so they get recorded as run to right end or left end?

SJax is a north\south runner. He doesn't have the speed to get around the outside and down the field if the opposing team has any kind of speed at LB.

 

[redman]

Just using nfl.com's play by play, I count the runs to R, L, and M pretty evenly distributed yesterday. But this is interesting:run L: 7-8run M: 8-51run R: 9-3Why so much trouble outside? I didn't see the game. Are at least some of those instances where Jackson's "dancing" outside when he doesn't see a hole, and so they get recorded as run to right end or left end?

SJax is a north\south runner. He doesn't have the speed to get around the outside and down the field if the opposing team has any kind of speed at LB.

I wouldn't consider myself an authority on SJax (not an avid follower of his team and I've never had him on any of my rosters) but I'm not sure I agree with you. He runs awfully upright and doesn't seem nearly as good at dropping his shoulder and churning for another yard after contact at the line as many other guys I can think of. He reminds me a lot of Eric Dickerson in his love of off-tackle and one-cut runs given his running style, but he obviously lacks Dickerson's top end speed. While he certainly can't run a "student body right" style of sweep, I think that he's seems better running to the outside, off-tackle like I said, than he does between the tackles.

 

[mojorizin]

Just using nfl.com's play by play, I count the runs to R, L, and M pretty evenly distributed yesterday. But this is interesting:run L: 7-8run M: 8-51run R: 9-3Why so much trouble outside? I didn't see the game. Are at least some of those instances where Jackson's "dancing" outside when he doesn't see a hole, and so they get recorded as run to right end or left end?

SJax is a north\south runner. He doesn't have the speed to get around the outside and down the field if the opposing team has any kind of speed at LB.

I wouldn't consider myself an authority on SJax (not an avid follower of his team and I've never had him on any of my rosters) but I'm not sure I agree with you. He runs awfully upright and doesn't seem nearly as good at dropping his shoulder and churning for another yard after contact at the line as many other guys I can think of. He reminds me a lot of Eric Dickerson in his love of off-tackle and one-cut runs given his running style, but he obviously lacks Dickerson's top end speed. While he certainly can't run a "student body right" style of sweep, I think that he's seems better running to the outside, off-tackle like I said, than he does between the tackles.

Unfortunately, he does seem to run "smaller" than he is.

 

[smcindoe]

I watched all the Rams games so far and they've never had what I considered a "short" goal situation. It's always been 1st and goal from the 10, the 8, 7, etc. There was a few times they had it from the 2 and they tried to run and got stuffed and then they passed it after that. Not sure if that means anything with this dicussion but it could factor into why they appear to be passing more in the goalline area.

They've been first-and-goal from the 2 twice. Both times they went into their predictable run/fail/pass pattern (had to settle for a FG once, hit Holt on a short pattern for a TD once).You're right that most of the above were from further out. But on the other hand, a team like the Chargers isn't afraid to run on second-and-goal from, say, the five. Now SJax isn't LT, but if you're supposed to be a run first team then you can't just give up as soon as it doesn't work once.As fas as Bulger owners go, if other teams are picking up on this (and it seems like they could be) then I'd expect the Rams to have some decent success with some first-and-goal play action in the coming weeks.

 

[nxmehta]

This is an excellent post. As an SJax AND Bulger owner, I was wondering WTF was going on in the red zone. This is pretty disappointing. Maybe we should forward this to the Rams coaching staff

I still believe that they can't get shut out of the red zone like this for too long. They have too many weapons. They'll get better.

 

[mojorizin]

This is an excellent post. As an SJax AND Bulger owner, I was wondering WTF was going on in the red zone. This is pretty disappointing. Maybe we should forward this to the Rams coaching staff I still believe that they can't get shut out of the red zone like this for too long. They have too many weapons. They'll get better.

I think I mentioned in the other thread, but rumour from sideline yesterday was that Linehan was so disappointed about Bulger's poor play in the 1st quarter and said to hell with it and dug through the playbook for Matrz type timing routes that Bulger had been good at. Perhaps the coach's system and style of playcalling doesnt mesh with Bulgers ability at this point. Suddenly Bulger starts throwing accurately and gobbling up yardage. Whatever, as long as he goes back to hanging up 275+ and a TD or 2 every game.

 

[redman]

This is an excellent post. As an SJax AND Bulger owner, I was wondering WTF was going on in the red zone. This is pretty disappointing. Maybe we should forward this to the Rams coaching staff

I still believe that they can't get shut out of the red zone like this for too long. They have too many weapons. They'll get better.

I think I mentioned in the other thread, but rumour from sideline yesterday was that Linehan was so disappointed about Bulger's poor play in the 1st quarter and said to hell with it and dug through the playbook for Matrz type timing routes that Bulger had been good at. Perhaps the coach's system and style of playcalling doesnt mesh with Bulgers ability at this point. Suddenly Bulger starts throwing accurately and gobbling up yardage. Whatever, as long as he goes back to hanging up 275+ and a TD or 2 every game.

[Linehan]Perhaps there's legal precedent! Land, land, land . . . see "Snatch". Hmmm, Haley vs. United States. Haley 6, United States nothing. You see! It can be done!

[/Linehan]

 

[Brewzers]

This is an excellent post. As an SJax AND Bulger owner, I was wondering WTF was going on in the red zone. This is pretty disappointing. Maybe we should forward this to the Rams coaching staff I still believe that they can't get shut out of the red zone like this for too long. They have too many weapons. They'll get better.

I think I mentioned in the other thread, but rumour from sideline yesterday was that Linehan was so disappointed about Bulger's poor play in the 1st quarter and said to hell with it and dug through the playbook for Matrz type timing routes that Bulger had been good at. Perhaps the coach's system and style of playcalling doesnt mesh with Bulgers ability at this point. Suddenly Bulger starts throwing accurately and gobbling up yardage. Whatever, as long as he goes back to hanging up 275+ and a TD or 2 every game.

I read on ESPN news, there was terminology confusion (new system) between Bulger & WRs causing timing disruption. They riverted back to old language this weekend and things obviously went better. Coincidence??? I hope not!

 

[redman]

This is an excellent post. As an SJax AND Bulger owner, I was wondering WTF was going on in the red zone. This is pretty disappointing. Maybe we should forward this to the Rams coaching staff I still believe that they can't get shut out of the red zone like this for too long. They have too many weapons. They'll get better.

I think I mentioned in the other thread, but rumour from sideline yesterday was that Linehan was so disappointed about Bulger's poor play in the 1st quarter and said to hell with it and dug through the playbook for Matrz type timing routes that Bulger had been good at. Perhaps the coach's system and style of playcalling doesnt mesh with Bulgers ability at this point. Suddenly Bulger starts throwing accurately and gobbling up yardage. Whatever, as long as he goes back to hanging up 275+ and a TD or 2 every game.

I read on ESPN news, there was terminology confusion (new system) between Bulger & WRs causing timing disruption. They riverted back to old language this weekend and things obviously went better. Coincidence??? I hope not!

After an entire offseason (with two extra minicamps), preseason, and into the third week of the regular season I'm astounded if that's actually true.

 

[Brewzers]

This is an excellent post. As an SJax AND Bulger owner, I was wondering WTF was going on in the red zone. This is pretty disappointing. Maybe we should forward this to the Rams coaching staff I still believe that they can't get shut out of the red zone like this for too long. They have too many weapons. They'll get better.

I think I mentioned in the other thread, but rumour from sideline yesterday was that Linehan was so disappointed about Bulger's poor play in the 1st quarter and said to hell with it and dug through the playbook for Matrz type timing routes that Bulger had been good at. Perhaps the coach's system and style of playcalling doesnt mesh with Bulgers ability at this point. Suddenly Bulger starts throwing accurately and gobbling up yardage. Whatever, as long as he goes back to hanging up 275+ and a TD or 2 every game.

I read on ESPN news, there was terminology confusion (new system) between Bulger & WRs causing timing disruption. They riverted back to old language this weekend and things obviously went better. Coincidence??? I hope not!

After an entire offseason (with two extra minicamps), preseason, and into the third week of the regular season I'm astounded if that's actually true.

Sporting News, not ESPN, but here it is.RISING: Reverting to the team's old language helped the passing game last week. Coach Scott Linehan's play-calling system had caused confusion and miscommunication between QB Marc Bulger and his wideouts. Just a split-second of thinking through the play call and the route had disrupted their rhythm. The changes resulted in a crisper attack and Bulger's first 300-yard game of 2006.

 

[Two Deep]

As far as passing plays inside the 10 I think their problem is as I said before #1 they don't utilize TE, Holt is a decent red zone target but I think Bruce is limited in this area he is not a big guy and can get bumped off his routes in tight quarters.

 

[creeps1313]

Seems to me like its time to try something different.....like RUN the ball!

 

[mojorizin]

This is an excellent post. As an SJax AND Bulger owner, I was wondering WTF was going on in the red zone. This is pretty disappointing. Maybe we should forward this to the Rams coaching staff I still believe that they can't get shut out of the red zone like this for too long. They have too many weapons. They'll get better.

I think I mentioned in the other thread, but rumour from sideline yesterday was that Linehan was so disappointed about Bulger's poor play in the 1st quarter and said to hell with it and dug through the playbook for Matrz type timing routes that Bulger had been good at. Perhaps the coach's system and style of playcalling doesnt mesh with Bulgers ability at this point. Suddenly Bulger starts throwing accurately and gobbling up yardage. Whatever, as long as he goes back to hanging up 275+ and a TD or 2 every game.

I read on ESPN news, there was terminology confusion (new system) between Bulger & WRs causing timing disruption. They riverted back to old language this weekend and things obviously went better. Coincidence??? I hope not!

After an entire offseason (with two extra minicamps), preseason, and into the third week of the regular season I'm astounded if that's actually true.

Sporting News, not ESPN, but here it is.RISING: Reverting to the team's old language helped the passing game last week. Coach Scott Linehan's play-calling system had caused confusion and miscommunication between QB Marc Bulger and his wideouts. Just a split-second of thinking through the play call and the route had disrupted their rhythm. The changes resulted in a crisper attack and Bulger's first 300-yard game of 2006.

There you have it.I cant believe terminology is hacking my boy up that badly, but if you wanna call it Blue Eagle Oyster Bar Left instead of Yellow Submarine Left Jitterbug Sillyburt......and it WORKS, I'm all in.

 

[pdlglm]

If Linehan has any sense (and he has yet to demonstrate that he does), then he may well realize that this team isn't built to do what he wants to do. The question becomes whether he will modify what he does to accomodate the players he has, or risk the season to make sure he has a 100yd rusher each week.

By the end of the zona game, I felt like I could call the plays in the redzone (and I'm not a Rams fan, just a Bulger owner who has watched each of the last 3 games).

 

[smcindoe]

As far as passing plays inside the 10 I think their problem is as I said before #1 they don't utilize TE, Holt is a decent red zone target but I think Bruce is limited in this area he is not a big guy and can get bumped off his routes in tight quarters.

Good point. Not only do they not have a TE that they seem to trust in the passing game, but they also don't have any tall WRs who can catch a jump ball.As a SJax owner I'd love to see them try some draw plays or shovel passes. But in past years they also had a lot of success spreading out the receivers and then letting Bulger run up the middle. I could be remembering this wrong but I think at one point he was something like first or second among QBs in rushing TDs over a three year period.

 

[azngangster]

As a Bulger and Jackson owner, I have been a little dissapointed in the lack of tds but the yardage for Jackson has been great and also the committment to the run and the balance between the run and pass. The red zone play calling has been awful though. If what Sporting News is saying is true, then Bulger could be a steal. 309 yds, 6 passes for over 20 yds, 2 passes for over 40 yds on 21 out of 31 passing. I think the tds will come.

 

[pats3in4]

I made a comment last week in some thread that Bulger is getting lots of red zone opportunities based on what little I've seen of him. It looks like the stats do back that up and I'm not talking out of my butt. There's a first time for everything, I guess.

 

[smcindoe]

I think the tds will come.

Actually, I think there's reason for optimism. If the problem is predictable and unimaginative play-calling, they can fix that. It might even make some short-term success easier to come by just by veering from the pattern a bit.Now, if it's a talent issue (SJax can't be a goal-line back, Bulger panics, etc) then that's a bigger problem.

 

[J R]

Actually, I think there's reason for optimism. If the problem is predictable and unimaginative play-calling, they can fix that. It might even make some short-term success easier to come by just by veering from the pattern a bit.

A reason for pessimism: i think 2 of those GL opportunities were just handed them by the defense in the Denver game. So what you might have is just a team that has trouble moving the ball - at least right now.

 

[smcindoe]

A reason for pessimism: i think 2 of those GL opportunities were just handed them by the defense in the Denver game. So what you might have is just a team that has trouble moving the ball - at least right now.

Could be. It actually wouldn't surprise me to see them get more aggressive outside the red zone. No point playing five-yards-at-a-time if you can't score in the red zone. Maybe time to try some deep stuff to Holt/Bruce from thirty yards out? I don't think I've seem much of that from them this year.