3rd down play calling...

Discussion in 'Tennessee Titans and NFL Talk' started by Titans2004, Sep 30, 2014.

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  1. Titans2004

    Titans2004 Pro Bowler

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    Through 4 games we have had 47 3rd down plays. We have had 44 pass plays and 3 running plays. That sure seems out of balance, but on 3rd downs you are more likely to pass because of long yardage. Well we have had the ball 3rd and 6yds or less 21 times and have only run it 2 times. That just seems ridiculous to me. Now some could argue that running on 3rd and 6 is not very smart because the odds of converting are low. Ok. Let's look at it further. We have had it 3rd and 4 yds or less 16 times and have only run it 2 times. To me 3rd and 4yds should be a 60/40 split between pass and run. We are no where near that.

    When the strength of your team is your OL then you have got to depend on them to get you those tough yards. It also puts a ton of pressure on the QB to have to convert those 3rd down passes. You need to at least try and keep the defense honest on 3rd and medium to short distance by mixing the play calls up. If the defense knows that you are going to pass it then it certainly makes it harder to convert.
     
  2. Mberglo

    Mberglo Starter

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    Running on 3rd and 3 or longer is very rare. When it's 3rd and 2, you might get a run. Anything longer than that, you should be looking for a quick slant.
     
  3. CalgaryTitansFan

    CalgaryTitansFan Pro Bowler

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    While I agree with you, those numbers are still very skewed.
     
  4. Gut

    Gut Pro Bowler

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    A couple of things. First, you need to also look at those 3rd downs in context of point in the game and score. 3rd and 4 when you're down by 20 points in the 4th quarter is different than 3rd and 4 in the first quarter when the game is tied. Also, Whiz tends to use short passing plays as an extension of the run game (though I have seen a lot LESS success with this here than at his previous couple of stops).

    3rd and 4 really depends on the type of team/scheme you have. A strong running team with a great D (Seattle) are more likely to run on 3rd and 4. Pass happy teams will throw more on 3rd and 4+. 3rd and 3 is a balanced down but then it depends on relative strengths and matchups.
     
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  5. Finnebosch

    Finnebosch I am vengeance.

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    That's because a short passing game is only successful when your quarterback can hit a receiver in stride so they can get some yards after the catch.
     
  6. Gut

    Gut Pro Bowler

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    The plays I was referring to haven't even been called the last couple of games. And if CW is much more accurate, why don't you use him to make those throws? Heck, I can make the throws I'm talking about. All of our QB's can throw flare passes, screens, bubble screens, wr screens, etc. They are the easiest throws you can make.

    I was watching KC dismantle the Pats and saw them split Charles out wide and had him run a short slant pass for a TD. These are things Whiz has done with his RB's in the past, but we haven't really attacked defenses with this mismatch. And with our WR's struggling, I'm wondering why we are not utilizing this more. And with our lack of success on 3rd downs, I'm wondering why we aren't using this more.
     
  7. DaCost

    DaCost Starter

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    I really don't care about this.. Whiz should be working on calling better 3rd down plays on Defense blitzing and leaving Blidi one on one vs top WRs like Green,Wayne and Dez is a stupid idea..
     
  8. TitansWillWin2

    TitansWillWin2 Pro Bowler

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    Don't worry guys Whiz is trying to hide his good plays for the rest of the season against the bad teams that we actually have a chance of beating lmao.
     
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