Jay Cutler running bootlegs

[Chupacabra]

I think I've read through most of the thousands of Cutler posts in the days following the Seahawks game....but haven't heard any about this.

Did anyone count how many bootlegs Cutler ran?

Versus how many Jake ran against KC? (0)

I remember ppl saying that Shanny stopped calling the bootleg to see if Jake could handle the way Shanny really likes his offense ran. Am I bsing here?

Were the bootlegs simply a response to Seatle's defense? & lack of bootlegs vs. KC a response to their d?

Am I the only one who thinks Shanny has done a poor job of tailoring the offense for his QB?

Maybe I'm way off here.. Maybe it's all situational, depending on the defense we play against. But it seems like Mike's playcalling was not fit for Jake...and then to see Jay running the bootleg (which I'm sure he is more than capable of running) just kind of bewilders me. I was looking forward to more 5 step drop, pocket passing...but with our O-line problems, I guess it makes sense.

'O all knowing orangmane football gods, whats going on here?

[Spider]

LOL i saw griese bootleg , only took Griese an hour to go ten yards

[broncosteven]

I saw a couple boots that were covered & like most plays Sunday night, not well blocked, Cutler got sacked on one fo them if I remember right.

[Spider]

I think I've read through most of the thousands of Cutler posts in the days following the Seahawks game....but haven't heard any about this.

Did anyone count how many bootlegs Cutler ran?

Versus how many Jake ran against KC? (0)

I remember ppl saying that Shanny stopped calling the bootleg to see if Jake could handle the way Shanny really likes his offense ran. Am I bsing here?

Were the bootlegs simply a response to Seatle's defense? & lack of bootlegs vs. KC a response to their d?

Am I the only one who thinks Shanny has done a poor job of tailoring the offense for his QB?

Maybe I'm way off here.. Maybe it's all situational, depending on the defense we play against. But it seems like Mike's playcalling was not fit for Jake...and then to see Jay running the bootleg (which I'm sure he is more than capable of running) just kind of bewilders me. I was looking forward to more 5 step drop, pocket passing...but with our O-line problems, I guess it makes sense.

'O all knowing orangmane football gods, whats going on here?It is Dingers calls that didnt fit Jake , NFL is a copycat league , everyone ( exception of the chefs of course) has followed the blue print left by the Steelers ...........Cutler will adda few wrinkles , but nothing breath taking .......

[BigPlayShay]

Bryce Fisher absolutely destroyed the attempted boot where Jay tossed the INT that got housed.

[Crushaholic]

I've seen people criticize Plummer because he can run the bootleg effectively, but not much else. If the bootleg is a good play against the defensive formation, run it. Whatever moves the chains is a good play to me.

[Play2win]

For Jake- if you can't stretch the ball vertically -> Defenses stack 8 in the box -> running game gets shut down -> Defenses can jump on the Bootleg (pressure the edges)

For JAY- Defenses will stack the line and force him to beat them through the air. They willl also blitz alot. Once Jay starts beating defenses, then I bet both the boot and runs up the middle will open up.

[bloodsunday]

We booted a couple of times, but with little success. Teams are still going to dare us to throw from the pocket until we prove that we can. We need our TEs to step up and help the QB work the middle of the field.

[orange 4 life]

I think I've read through most of the thousands of Cutler posts in the days following the Seahawks game....but haven't heard any about this.

Versus how many Jake ran against KC? (0)

I remember ppl saying that Shanny stopped calling the bootleg to see if Jake could handle the way Shanny really likes his offense ran. Am I bsing here?

Were the bootlegs simply a response to Seatle's defense? & lack of bootlegs
Did anyone count how many bootlegs Cutler ran?
vs. KC a response to their d?

Am I the only one who thinks Shanny has done a poor job of tailoring the offense for his QB?

Maybe I'm way off here.. Maybe it's all situational, depending on the defense we play against. But it seems like Mike's playcalling was not fit for Jake...and then to see Jay running the bootleg (which I'm sure he is more than capable of running) just kind of bewilders me. I was looking forward to more 5 step drop, pocket passing...but with our O-line problems, I guess it makes sense.

'O all knowing orangmane football gods, whats going on here?

the simplest way to look at the boot is this:

if a team takes away the boot (which kc did NOT do last week, so it shouldve been added as an adjustment), then the running lanes open up.
if a team collapses inside to stop our inside ground attack, then the boot opens up.

you really cant stop them both effectively and consistently, which is why a qb who can throw on the run is SO valuable in this system.

the problem this year is simple IMO.

we're just not making adjustments.
we're assuming in the gameplanning stages which teams will attempt to collapse the inside and which will attempt to contain, and then we're setting up the gameplan accordingly.
what we're NOT doing is adjusting on the fly.

kc was all over the inside running attack, and if you watch the film, youll see a defensive end CONSISTENTLY out of position to stop the boot, but we never adjusted and ran those plays.
why? i couldnt tell ya.

i can tell you this though.
while shanahan has always IMO been one of the best at gameplanning, he's also always been one of the worst at making in game adjustments.

even back to the superbowl years, we rarely made major in game adjustments, and the ability of davis and even moreso of elway disguised it.
elways ability to make things happen (and that offense running so smooth) kinda negated the need for big adjustments (like what SD did to us).

sure, plummer can make plays also, which is why we were alot better with him than griese, but he's no elway.

ive long said that shanahan needs to examine this and find appropriate help to assist him in making those adjustments.
so often he just arrogantly sticks to his gameplan, and sometimes it costs us.

dont get me wrong here.
shanny is a great coach, and i will forever appreciate what he's done for this franchise.
he's the main reason we've had consistent winning seasons even post elway.
that said, his lack of adjustments (along with a lack of talent on the d-line) are also IMO a big part of what prvents us from taking our offense, and team, to the next level.

ps- i also think he made a decision coming into this season that his gameplans wouldnt include nearly as many boots as before. maybe HE thought teams would take it away, but the fact is, alot of teams DIDNT take it away this season, and we failed to take advantage as much as we shouldve.

[epa86b@netzero]

http://www.orangemane.com/BB/showthread.php?t=50313&page=2

I mentioned the bootleg call in Post #38.

I thought the bootleg was a bad call for the rookie. It was worst that he was not schooled to take the sack when the defense played it perfectly.

I agree that the playcalling did not play to Jays strengths.

[elsid13]

http://www.orangemane.com/BB/showthread.php?t=50313&page=2

I mentioned the bootleg call in Post #38.

I thought the bootleg was a bad call for the rookie. It was worst that he was not schooled to take the sack when the defense played it perfectly.

I agree that the playcalling did not play to Jays strengths.

Acutally I think it was one of the better calls for a rookie, it limits his reads to one side of the fields, and if no one is open he either throws it away or runs for it like he did in the 1 QTR. Fisher made a play, that happens, Cutler just need to learn to either throw it away or take the sack.

[OrangeShadow]

Jay hadnt done anything yet to make people respect the bootleg. they were still blitzing so the boots didnt work. I wish people would realize the kids a rookie and it will take some time

[ScottXray]

For the boot to be effective the defense has to not be crashing the line, and at least somewhat respect the pass. The run game was working well most of the game... and Denver called:

Empty backfield sets on third down two or three times.
No Shotguns
No or few play actions.
No Screens

Shanahan called an awful game.

We now have a QB that can be a pure drop back QB, that can also run.

But he's a rook. Needs to learn to recognise defenses and is gonna get blitzed or faked a blitz a lot!

Use the shotgun to buy time and vision for the rook. Keep a TE or back in if the line is so crappy, and use the draw play and screen pass. Keep the passes short and easy to start off games and get him in a rythym before throwing deep.

Hell, we have a ways to go!

[Play2win]

I think playing out of the shotgun with Quick slants across the middle would be the key. Especially to JAVON or MARSHAL, they could break one tackle and go a long ways, à la Rice or Taylor...

[cabronco]

I agree 100% that the game plan Shanny had was awful for Cutler's debut. And dont understand the Lack of adjustments this team has been making on both sides of the ball. I thought for sure we'd call plays to ease Cutler into the game w/ short passes and screens. Seeing him in an empty back field as much as he was, was crazy. Well I hope they learn alot on the game film on what NOT to do. Give the guy some help instead of putting him on an Island.

[Billy Clyde Puckett]

I think playing out of the shotgun with Quick slants across the middle would be the key. Especially to JAVON or MARSHAL, they could break one tackle and go a long ways, à la Rice or Taylor...

Rod has made a creer out of running those slants, but they have not had him do them this year.

[Bob's your Information Minister]

Jake ran several bootlegs against KC.

[Popps]

the simplest way to look at the boot is this:

if a team takes away the boot (which kc did NOT do last week, so it shouldve been added as an adjustment), then the running lanes open up.
if a team collapses inside to stop our inside ground attack, then the boot opens up.

you really cant stop them both effectively and consistently, which is why a qb who can throw on the run is SO valuable in this system.

the problem this year is simple IMO.

we're just not making adjustments.
we're assuming in the gameplanning stages which teams will attempt to collapse the inside and which will attempt to contain, and then we're setting up the gameplan accordingly.
what we're NOT doing is adjusting on the fly.

kc was all over the inside running attack, and if you watch the film, youll see a defensive end CONSISTENTLY out of position to stop the boot, but we never adjusted and ran those plays.
why? i couldnt tell ya.

i can tell you this though.
while shanahan has always IMO been one of the best at gameplanning, he's also always been one of the worst at making in game adjustments.

even back to the superbowl years, we rarely made major in game adjustments, and the ability of davis and even moreso of elway disguised it.
elways ability to make things happen (and that offense running so smooth) kinda negated the need for big adjustments (like what SD did to us).

sure, plummer can make plays also, which is why we were alot better with him than griese, but he's no elway.

ive long said that shanahan needs to examine this and find appropriate help to assist him in making those adjustments.
so often he just arrogantly sticks to his gameplan, and sometimes it costs us.

dont get me wrong here.
shanny is a great coach, and i will forever appreciate what he's done for this franchise.
he's the main reason we've had consistent winning seasons even post elway.
that said, his lack of adjustments (along with a lack of talent on the d-line) are also IMO a big part of what prvents us from taking our offense, and team, to the next level.

ps- i also think he made a decision coming into this season that his gameplans wouldnt include nearly as many boots as before. maybe HE thought teams would take it away, but the fact is, alot of teams DIDNT take it away this season, and we failed to take advantage as much as we shouldve.

Great post, Jake.... and props for keeping it classy after Cutler's rough go. You could have done the "I told you so" thing, but chose to move on.
I know you appreciated what Jake did for the franchise and like I said before, I expect to see you supporting Cutler just as enthusiastically... providing he earns it.

[missingnumber7]

I think that shanny was extremely basic in his play calling this week. Look for little seams that will open this week. And hopefully lots more protection schemes. Merriman will make our oline look like oaklands if we play like we did last week.

[watermock]

Bryce Fisher absolutely destroyed the attempted boot where Jay tossed the INT that got housed.

I was just going to bring that up. Teams have learned to contain the backside against us. Jay turned around to find a rottweiler staring in his face and almost got free but got caught right at the end.

Want to guess who he reminded me of shaking dogs off his legs? Look...the kid is used to trying under duress from Vandy. Remember SOB, he would of turtled on both those pressures. (the sack where Jay almost escaped)...that was so close to being a game changing play.

This kid is going to be able to throw with defenders draped on him...that was obvious. The lame duck made Shanahan pull in the reigns a little too tight IMO.

[epa86b@netzero]

Acutally I think it was one of the better calls for a rookie, it limits his reads to one side of the fields, and if no one is open he either throws it away or runs for it like he did in the 1 QTR. Fisher made a play, that happens, Cutler just need to learn to either throw it away or take the sack.

It is only a good call if the rookie is schooled on his options during the gameplan prep meeting. His internal passing clock needs to know that it has been 3-4 seconds and my goose is cooked. That is a mental thing which the coaches needed to engrain in him.

He is suppose to be a drop back passer; thus, work to his strengths. Why bootleg at that point of the game? It was silly. If I recall correctly, that was not the first bootleg of the game or drive for him.

[Stormontheplains]

One thing that everyone forgets is that we can move the pocket without the bootleg, when elway was qb, reeves would roll him out all the time, which i think this offense can and should do.

[broncosteven]

I think playing out of the shotgun with Quick slants across the middle would be the key. Especially to JAVON or MARSHAL, they could break one tackle and go a long ways, à la Rice or Taylor...

After Marshall broke those tackles on the last Offesive play in the 4th Q I bet we see more slants come his way.

[Billy Clyde Puckett]

After Marshall broke those tackles on the last Offesive play in the 4th Q I bet we see more slants come his way.

The Seattle DBs looked like the Keystone cops on that play

[elsid13]

It is only a good call if the rookie is schooled on his options during the gameplan prep meeting. His internal passing clock needs to know that it has been 3-4 seconds and my goose is cooked. That is a mental thing which the coaches needed to engrain in him.

He is suppose to be a drop back passer; thus, work to his strengths. Why bootleg at that point of the game? It was silly. If I recall correctly, that was not the first bootleg of the game or drive for him.

Cutler isn't a classic drop back passer, he is a mobile QB that ran the option in college the first two years, and has the mobility to get to the edges. In fact one draft mag describe him with Jeff Garcia mobility and Farve arm. He not a slick as Plummer but is able to get out of the pocket. The biggest difference from him and Plummer is that he has the ability to play in the pocket because of his size and release. Shanahan wouldn't have picked him he wasn't mobile, he wants to run offense similar to what he did with Young and Elway, ie all his play book.

They bootleg because Tatum was running really well, and the coaching were hoping that the Seattle would crash down the line and leave Walker or the TE open for a big play.

[kappys]

Jay hadnt done anything yet to make people respect the bootleg. they were still blitzing so the boots didnt work. I wish people would realize the kids a rookie and it will take some time

Its Tatum that has to run well inside to make people respect the boot. He did that against Seattle, so the boot should have been open. Of course with 8 in the box, that is still a tough proposition and Bryce Fisher made a few big plays.

[Garcia Bronco]

Cutler is not so good at throwing on the run at this time.

[Broncoman13]

I think I've read through most of the thousands of Cutler posts in the days following the Seahawks game....but haven't heard any about this.

Did anyone count how many bootlegs Cutler ran?

Versus how many Jake ran against KC? (0)

I remember ppl saying that Shanny stopped calling the bootleg to see if Jake could handle the way Shanny really likes his offense ran. Am I bsing here?

Were the bootlegs simply a response to Seatle's defense? & lack of bootlegs vs. KC a response to their d?

Am I the only one who thinks Shanny has done a poor job of tailoring the offense for his QB?

Maybe I'm way off here.. Maybe it's all situational, depending on the defense we play against. But it seems like Mike's playcalling was not fit for Jake...and then to see Jay running the bootleg (which I'm sure he is more than capable of running) just kind of bewilders me. I was looking forward to more 5 step drop, pocket passing...but with our O-line problems, I guess it makes sense.

'O all knowing orangmane football gods, whats going on here?


Run game dictates the bootlegs. Run game works, bootlegs are effective. You have to watch what the OLB's are doing. Defenses are sticking a containment end or backer on almost every play this year. That has really hurt our bootlegging opportunities. What frustrates me is that we're essentialy taking away a DE or OLB and still not having great success with the run. In years past, if a defense tried to do that we would PUNISH them by running the ball at will. That usually snapped them out of the containment BS and opened up the bootlegs. This year, we're good at running the ball, but we're not punishing enough to force D's into giving up the bootleg to stop the run.

[elsid13]

I just think that DC around were willing/daring us to beat them passing then anything else.

[RunSilentRunDeep]

Cutler is not so good at throwing on the run at this time.

That's a key point. The bad toss that was way behind Scheffler is a prime example. Cutler doesn't keep the ball in a throwing position up by his shoulder when he runs. He keeps it low with his arms pumping so when it's time to throw, his natural motion is off.