Go back and look at the Ravens game as an example, those short throws were there. Agreed about the OL struggling to holdout long enough to consistently hit the over routs. But there are other options like the short crosser/ angle routes as well as guys in the flats that were open.
The week 16 game? Again, I have no doubt he’s tried to get this more and more as the season has gone on as any idiot who’s played Madden could see this line couldn’t block consistently, nor could he devise schemes that the defense wasn’t anticipating at the line (runs have been predictable, passes have been predictable…. And then he just shoots himself in the foot with dumb screens/gadget plays that need better blocking overall to work). The point is this has been forced out of necessity due to the crumminess of the O-line. Stroud’s development has been stunted because of a lack of adjustments to the adjustments. He has tremendous instincts, accuracy, and the ability to make something happen out of nothing…. But even Joe Montana and Marino would end up getting skittish and thrown off with this line play.
Like I said in another thread, those short throws have been there most of the season. After the lucky throw CJ started to take the short stuff and the offense started to look better. I would say that CJ's instincts haven't been nearly as good this year when compared to last year. (Running out of bounds needlessly instead of throwing the ball away, thereby taking a sack.) He also has been having inconsistent footwork and a case of happy feet, this is what's causing CJ to not be as accurate as he was last yr. Good news is it appears that he's turned a corner in regards to some of these issues.
Having a putrid line will do that to all QB’s… let alone somebody only in their 2nd year. Slowick still thinks this line is capable of all things and yet they can’t execute a screen let alone protect to let medium to deep routes come to fruition. The fact that Stroud has been as good as he has been is even more a testament to how special he is. The line sucks, Slowick’s adjustments to adjustments suck, and Slowick still lacks a feel for how to call a game (which is expected since this is also literally the 2nd year he’s doing this and most of this league is riddled with failed coaches who couldn’t adjust to the adjustments).
I see things differently, there have been plays there to be made by taking the short stuff, he finally did that last game. Slowik has been far from perfect, Example: the pass call down on the GL that resulted in a sack which lead to a FG, when Mixon was running the ball well. The OL since the change has been protecting CJ fairly well IMHO.
The line was still bad yesterday. Two basic stunts befuddled them. Howard still looks like a work in progress at LG. Tunsil got Bosa’d more than once. Fisher young and still plenty of question marks on his ability to be the tackle of the future. At this point, anything the offense does in in spite of it not due to it. If the line is bad because Slowick (or the line coaches, or both) can’t get them to improve, it’s still on him. If Slowick thinks the line is capable of more, hence his proclivity to screens and still trying to get the deep routes cooking, it’s on him. But the universal assessment around the league is that he’s struggled to make adjustments all season and the Texans can be read pre-snap more often than not (and that is what scares a QB more than anything). Also the short game won’t be there as soon as next week when Spags counters to it. Will be interesting to see what both teams do given that they just saw each other but the Texans obviously have a different WR ceiling without Dell. If they run what they ran yesterday, it will be stopped. If they try to do what they did 3 weeks ago, without Dell, it will also likely be stopped. If they can’t block base defense protection, Stroud will be running and having to improvise. If they do execute run protection, that may be their best chance. I also thought his game-plan/play-calling against KC was true amateur hour… some of the worst decisions all year (another screen?!?), and could have warranted a firing on site (and definitely still has him on the chopping block for after this season… save a SB win).
iWe will have to disagree on this. The OL is playing much better and there are open receivers. Look at the Lions/Ravens etc... games as guides for what's wrong with the offense. Slowik has been far from perfect and needs to use the pass to set up the run more. But there are talent issues on the offense and Stroud/Slowik share responsibility for the offenses issues IMHO. It's not just one or the other, it's both. You're going to be really disappointed when the keep Slowik and replace the OL coach. BTW, I would replace Slowik too if Ryans can get a veteran OC to come in and call plays. What I find hilarious is all of the griping that goes on in the fan base and they've made it as far as they did last year despite these issues. I'm hopeful because of what I've seen of the offense and Stroud's play over the last 2 weeks and I dont care who gets the credit.
I haven’t been vocal or complaining about him. I gave him the whole season plus one playoff game. The line was still bad on Saturday but the gameplan mostly got rid of everything complicated that would further cause stroud to get hit (plus added some running elements for him). I do believe he’s coaching for his job this week. This is a familiar opponent, there is going to be some scheming and adjusting he is entrusted to install based on their previous matchup and based on how he feels they’ll adjust to their gameplan Saturday. no matter how you dissect it, the offense has been a major disappointment this year and schemes plus line play have been at the top of the list far more so than Stroud regressing more towards expected numbers (as he was exceeding performance last year on some throws and there was a bit of good fortune/luck element based on advanced stats). Also, it is nice you see some improvement the last 2 weeks (titans week, really?), but most quality coordinators are making some of these necessary adjustments before 16 weeks (which gives more time ago adjust to the adjustments)… and we’re still on the same page acknowledging his continued issues at situational play-calling, whether it be in the red zone or wherever else you’d like to see a halfback pass, or another failed WR screen, or another predictable read at the line play.
After the Fumbleruski, other than the kneel downs and the final drive, Slowik rarely bunched formations under center. And when he did to close it out, Dalton was on the sidelines. It was Irv Smith and Stover. They also ran more out of the shotgun than they have all year combined.
I agree with most of this, it's sad that it took Green going down and Scruggs getting hurt to get the best 5 OL on the field. They still wouldn't have the best 5 on the field if Mason hadn't gotten hurt and that's troubling IMHO. Looks like you're a stats guy and I respect this, but I'm an eyes guy and I'll tell you that my eyes are telling me that Stroud hasn't played anywhere near the level he played at last year. The scheme hasn't changed, so a good bit of this falls on CJ IMHO, although Slowik hasn't done CJ any favors. Good news is CJ looks better in the last 2 games than he has all year and that's with crappy OL play IYO. I worry about 4 things on Saturday. 1. The Refs 2. The Chiefs DL being more talented and dominating the Texans OL. 3. Mahomes 4. The Chiefs having the better coaching staff.
This is why TE should be high on the list of needs this offseason. They gotta find a TE that can both block and catch.
It will be his choice, he's already gotten his bag and because Jerrah declined the Bears request to let McCarthy interview for their job tells me that most likely McCarthy will end up back with the Cowboys.
I’ve watched long enough to know how damaging a bad line can be for a QB’s development, no matter how talented the QB may be. Also, in the history of this league you’ve rarely seen a rookie QB paired up with a rookie OC and have automatic success. It’s a hard enough game as it is, but combine the lack of experience for both, along with a shotty line, and it’s honestly amazing they’ve had as much success as they’ve had (but also not surprising to see some bad losses to the jets, titans, and general regression of the offense as the season has gone on). maybe a rookie OC/rookie QB worked out once upon a time at some point. Would love to know if anybody has some obvious examples. in the mean time, I’ll continue to give Stroud every benefit of the doubt for what he’s been able to do so far despite these hurdles.
Jerry couldn't handle the media talking about Washington or the rest of the playoff games this Monday so he had to bring the attention back on the cowboys.
