Campbell, the shotgun spread, and McDaniels

[Amateur Sketch]

Isn’t the shotgun spread formation the perfect type of system for Campbell?

Considering the type of offense he likes to run, and what he allegedly thinks of Jason Campbell, I’m sure Josh McDaniels would disagree with me. Or maybe he just doesn’t like his overall ability, and this style would still be best suited for Jason.

We know that Campbell enjoys playing out of the shotgun, and that Zorn decided against his beliefs to go to it even more last year. And I know it’s a long shot that Zorn completely changes his offense - namely I suppose because he likes having the play action element. But ask yourself how often play action really works in today’s NFL? The top offenses often operate out of shotgun on first down. NFL defenses are so fast, and our line so porous in pass pro, that play action is often just a waste.

This formation would also negate the main flaw in Jason’s game, IMO, his slow dropback and lack of a quick release. QBs can see the field better and decisions become easier. I know it isn’t this simple, but if Zorn is smart, I think we will catch up to modern times and start operating out of shotgun on first down and second down much more often. It has to be Jason’s greatest chance to become what everyone wants him to be this year.

Will Zorn choose WCO principles or modern football? A system, or player’s strengths? I’m not confident he’ll do what I think is right, but I wanted everyone’s thoughts.

[dreamboater]

Zorn seems a bit arrogant and stubborn. However, he is coaching to save his career. My guess is he will do whatever it takes to coach again next year. If Shotgun means JC succeeds and we are winning than I am sure thats what he will do.

[jfr3ek]

Zorn needs to stick to what he knows and modify it to players strength's. Something that he's been trying to plug in. I'm sure we'll see a more explosive offense this year. Let's hope Campbell proves his worth in the most important year of his career.

[modazfuk]

Didn't you know?

Thats not a real NFL offense:D

[SIXX99]

We are a run first, pass second team. Therefore, shotgun formations do not work as well for us because we are so run heavy and we don't have possesion recievers that thrive in a shotgun style offence.

[dreamboater]

Zorn needs to stick to what he knows and modify it to players strength's. Something that he's been trying to plug in. I'm sure we'll see a more explosive offense this year. Let's hope Campbell proves his worth in the most important year of his career.

I dont know how he can do that with an appointed staff and players he had no say in.

[instinct21]

Jason Campbell: Rewire or Retire.

[dreamboater]

Jason Campbell: Rewire or Retire.

LOL...maybe so.

[Bang]

Isn’t the shotgun spread formation the perfect type of system for Campbell?

Considering the type of offense he likes to run....

I agree with much of what you said, but this bit stuck out, because I don't know we have any idea what kinde of offense JC likes to run. He's been in a new one seemingly every year since high school.

It would seem to make sense that giving him more time to get a better look at the field would definitely work to his advantage. He's tall and can see over the line without having to find a lane. He has a big arm and from what I've seen can make all the throws.

As far as receivers go,, man oh man do we need Thomas and/or Kelly to step up. If they can, the spread offense would be a dandy to see us run.

~Bang

[nebster21]

It is a better system for Campbell because it would take the Defensive line longer to get to him so he can think about only throwing it to Moss, Cooley, or Portis. When he realizes we have more people than just hose three he might become a good QB.

[Mooka]

I don't think Campbell has ever run a shotgun spread offense.

It would also negate certain strengths, his play-action and his hand-offs. He gets the ball out far and quickly due to his size on stretch runs for example.

We do need to implement more no huddles though. Our offense has no urgency, even when the clock is against us. This was a problem under Gibbs and started to continue under Zorn. I don't know if its Campbell or what, but he looked good in the few no-huddles he's run.

[bubba9497]

This formation would also negate the main flaw in Jason’s game, IMO, his slow dropback and lack of a quick release

slow dropback? sorry that isn't true, and while his release isn't Elway or Marino, neither is 90% of NFL QB's... and his release is more than fast enough for the NFL.

a slow release = Leftwich

[TSO]

slow dropback? sorry that isn't true, and while his release isn't Elway or Marino, neither is 90% of NFL QB's... and his release is more than fast enough for the NFL.

a slow release = Leftwich

I gotta say bubba... I've always wondered where this whole "slow release" thing comes from. Sure, the first games he played when he first started in '06 proved that he needed to work on his mechanics, but ever since that '07 offseason his release has been pretty much in line with most of the NFL starting QBs. I felt last season it got even better.

I don't understand what it is though... is everyone running a large sample size of his throws in slow motion and counting the time it takes? Are fans out there with speed guns on gameday?

It looks like it's something that has been grossly exaggerated, but due to it being oft-repeated it's become an accepted truth, and wrongly so.

[THE HAMMER'IN HOG]

I know it isn’t this simple, but if Zorn is smart, I think we will catch up to modern times and start operating out of shotgun

If JC was smart he would have learned how to run an offense by now.

The excuses never cease, now JC's inability to learn, or run an offense is down to Zorn having to reinvent the game to suit JC?

Just run the Patriot offense and everything works, how about the intelligence level you need to have at QB to run that offense, the ability to look for more than 1 receiver, the ability to audible into the right play for the defense your facing, the ability to change protection schemes at the line, or the ability to make an accurate throw? Na, just put JC in the shotgun and he's off to Hawaii.

There is a reason McDaniel's didn't want anything to do with JC, [or anyone else for that matter] perhaps just like the Patriots organization he also has the ability to identify talent, it amazes me the lengths people will go through to attempt to legitimize this guy.

Perhaps you can call McDaniel's and let him know how great JC will be for his system, while your at it call Belichick as well they apparently need a quality backup, I wonder what they would be willing to give up? My guess is NOTHING!

[KDawg]

Isn’t the shotgun spread formation the perfect type of system for Campbell?

So... We completely give up on our running game, then? I realize you can run from the gun, but if you play from the gun on a routine basis you'll have much less balance in the run and pass. It's not like we're going to come out running the option with Campbell and Portis.

But ask yourself how often play action really works in today’s NFL?

Often. Playaction isn't created to completely fool a defense. It's used as a misdirection. If a defense even for a second believes that it's run, they need to collapse on the back or have a slight hesitation. Even if they do this for a split second, that's a split second more time for the offense to operate. The problem is, in the NFL the coaches pick up every little detail of a player. If there's even so much as a twitch that indicates what play is coming, or Campbell's foot is lined up differently, or a lineman gives away the play with his eyes, someone will pick up on it. That's when playaction doesn't work in the least. If everyone keeps all of these intricate details the same for every play, they won't be able to key those things.

The top offenses often operate out of shotgun on first down. NFL defenses are so fast, and our line so porous in pass pro, that play action is often just a waste.

Completely, utterly, 100% disagree.

This formation would also negate the main flaw in Jason’s game, IMO, his slow dropback and lack of a quick release.

Slow dropback? He seems to get good separation on the first step, hits a good crossover step and immediately gets his foot back down on his plant step. That's not the problem. The problem lies in how he diagnoses a play and a coverage. He seems to be confused about his reads more than anything.

Will Zorn choose WCO principles or modern football? A system, or player’s strengths?

The WCO offense that Zorn uses is a modern football system. It incorporates the zone running scheme as well as different combinations of routes. It may have been developed long ago, but it's continually updated. No one runs a true Walsh style WCO anymore.

I’m not confident he’ll do what I think is right, but I wanted everyone’s thoughts.

This sentence reflects poorly, just for the record.

[Thinking Skins]

Could McDaniels have not wanted Campbell because he didn't want Campbell learning ANOTHER offense?

[Amateur Sketch]

Am I the only one who thinks JC has a slow release, and to a slightly lesser extent, a slow dropback? I didn't think that part would be disputed much, but apparently not.

[KDawg]

Could McDaniels have not wanted Campbell because he didn't want Campbell learning ANOTHER offense?

Doubtful.

He didn't want Campbell because he didn't like what he saw on film. It wasn't a decision to benefit Campbell. McDaniels wants to benefit himself and his own team. Making sure Campbell is okay is one of the farthest things from his mind.

[Amateur Sketch]

If JC was smart he would have learned how to run an offense by now.

The excuses never cease' date=' now JC's inability to learn, or run an offense is down to Zorn having to reinvent the game to suit JC?

Just run the Patriot offense and everything works, how about the intelligence level you need to have at QB to run that offense, the ability to look for more than 1 receiver, the ability to audible into the right play for the defense your facing, the ability to change protection schemes at the line, or the ability to make an accurate throw? Na, just put JC in the shotgun and he's off to Hawaii.

There is a reason McDaniel's didn't want anything to do with JC, [or anyone else for that matter'] perhaps just like the Patriots organization he also has the ability to identify talent, it amazes me the lengths people will go through to attempt to legitimize this guy.

Perhaps you can call McDaniel's and let him know how great JC will be for his system, while your at it call Belichick as well they apparently need a quality backup, I wonder what they would be willing to give up? My guess is NOTHING!

Whoa whoa. This isn't an excuse thread. But for all intents and purposes it appears that JC will the qb of the Redskins this year. I'm just wondering if folks think Zorn would go to this approach given JC's apparent success out of the gun and the success many teams have had running it.

[Thinking Skins]

Doubtful.

He didn't want Campbell because he didn't like what he saw on film. It wasn't a decision to benefit Campbell. McDaniels wants to benefit himself and his own team. Making sure Campbell is okay is one of the farthest things from his mind.

Yeah, but learning another playbook would have hindered Campbell and thus hindered McDaniels.

Now the thing could also be that he thinks Orton is a better QB. I mean Orton put up respectable stats with no WR help in Chicago. Maybe Orton is more fundamentally sound.

But maybe McDaniels figured it'd be easier to deal with Orton learning a new system than with Campbell learning a new system.

[ADF]

McDaniels doesn't really like Campbell or Cutler in his offense. He obviously prefers Cassel to either of them. It will be interesting to see how all three turn out. Will JC up his game? Will Cutler prove to be the franchise QB some think he is? Will Cassel turn out to be a one year wonder? We'll find out what kind of QB guru McDaniels really is.

[bubba9497]

McDaniels has a thing for neck beards, instead of a 70's porn mustache

[Thinking Skins]

Or could Campbell's contract have played into this? Could it have been that he didn't want to trade for a QB who's about to be a free agent?

How much longer is Orton signed for?

[Laxpunk2006]

I gotta say bubba... I've always wondered where this whole "slow release" thing comes from. Sure, the first games he played when he first started in '06 proved that he needed to work on his mechanics, but ever since that '07 offseason his release has been pretty much in line with most of the NFL starting QBs. I felt last season it got even better.

I don't understand what it is though... is everyone running a large sample size of his throws in slow motion and counting the time it takes? Are fans out there with speed guns on gameday?

It looks like it's something that has been grossly exaggerated, but due to it being oft-repeated it's become an accepted truth, and wrongly so.

While Campbell certainly doesn't have the quickest release he's come a long way and is more than adequete in his speed. He is at least average.

It's very similar to "Kelly has degenerative knee condition." There's no proof to say he does (or doesn't) but its been repeated so many times that it's taken as fact here.

90% of the posters here couldn't tell you who had a quicker release if we watched clips of 15 QB's together, they simply repeat what they hear.

[SirClintonPortis]

McDaniels doesn't really like Campbell or Cutler in his offense. He obviously prefers Cassel to either of them. It will be interesting to see how all three turn out. Will JC up his game? Will Cutler prove to be the franchise QB some think he is? Will Cassel turn out to be a one year wonder? We'll find out what kind of QB guru McDaniels really is.

Shanahan used plenty of shotgun with Cutler and Cutler is on the record of saying in an interview after the first Chargers game last year that he prefers the shotgun, so I doubt it's related to Cutler not being a fit for playing out of shotgun.