So Bobby called plays that worked but it was Bobby's fault the OL couldn't pickup basic stunts? If Caley, Popovich can figure out how to teach the guys the basics of pass pro CJ will have a big year next year. It's going to probably take 2 smart OL in FA/Draft.
It was Booby's fault for not letting CJ set the protections. Booby had young OL trying to do too much rather than block. They were over thinking it. Plus, he was stubborn AF when it came to second half adjustments: as in, he looked like he didn't make any. His attitude seemed to be (to me at least): the plays are fine, but the players are not executing them the way I drew them up. Many times with those free pass rushers, it looked like the OL was told to block an area (a staple of the ZBS) rather than find someone to stick a helmet on. So the OL was doing as they were told, but didn't have the ability to do something basic like block the interior so CJ can make a decision about (1) running the ball (not his fav); (2) finding a quick outlet; or (3) letting the play develop. Those long developing pass routes are great for chunk plays, but you need time to let them develop. Unblocked interior pass rush WITHOUT rolling the QB out is just downright MALPRACTICE. Clearly CJ did much better in Year 1 when Booby had "simplified" his offense. But he still made some of his best plays off-script.
This makes sense when you go back and listen to a couple Olinemen complaining early in the year that they were being told to do things in games that they didn't practice.
The Eagles coaching philosophy is less thinking = talent takeover. Just get a bunch of guys with talent and strong physical traits and get them to do what they do best. Bobby tried to prove to everyone how smart he was. This is why you don't hire PFF nerds to be a coach.
So for the sake of conversation, what makes you think CJ would be better at setting protections or the OL would've been better at executing the protections CJ set? I'm thinking the OL not only needs more talented players they need smarter players/ leaders that have played in big games like Booker/Jackson/Zabel. The Ol did start playing better the last 3-4 games when they went to more of a gap scheme and started rolling out CJ more, but they still gave up a bunch of sacks. Which is why I said they need an upgrade in both talent/smarts when it comes to the OL.
The Texans OL doesn't have near the talent of the Eagles OL One is ranked 1st, the other is ranked 31st. When you're ranked 31st you have to have to call plays with this in mind. You're still going to have a chance to make 4-6 big plays a game and those plays have to be made for a team to have a chance to win the game. A team with the #1 ranked OL can just impose their will on the other team. They've got a much greater margin for error.
1) I believe CJ had some of that responsibility at OSU. 2) CJ (or anybody) might be able to see that a stunt was coming & make adjustments / audible at the line. I don't believe CJ had that "ability" under OC Slowik 3) In year 1, with numerous BACKUP OL, the protection seemed to be better. That was the year when Slowik himself admitted running "basic" / vanilla protections. The OL simply did their job and CJ did the rest. Sometimes the simplest solution is the best solution. 4) You could just see the plays that CJ was able to make when the "play" broke down and he was forced to ad lib.
This is fair although I'm not sure how much of #1 he was doing. Slowik was running the Kubiak version of the WCO which it's true in that it limits the QB's ability to set protections/audible. Caley will be running a version of the McVay/Pats gameplan offense. This offense puts a lot more responsibility on the QB at the LOS. Stafford is very smart and a master of this offense. I dont expect CJ to be as good at this as Stafford is right away but he really needs to put in the time this off-season to do a deep dive into the offense. He needs to be doing this now in fact, because there's a lot to learn. How much CJ can learn will determine the succes of next years offense. This is provided Caserio/Caley/Popovich collaborate and get CJ the weapons he needs to be successful, along with upgrading the OL.
The you'd like this draft in the first three rounds: 25. Armand Membou OT Missouri 58. Donovan Jackson OG Ohio State 89. Tate Ratledge OG Georgia
Was Booker or Zabel there at 1-26? If so give me one of them. Actually I would rather have a well rounded TE that can catch, get down the seam and is a good blocker over 3 OL. The TE position last year was one of the weakest positions on the team. Their inability to block caused the offense to be paralyzed at times last year.
I’ve been curious about this for a while and haven’t found anything about him changing protections or calling audibles. I’ve been looking throughout the 2024 season, maybe even earlier. I’ve seen plenty of plays and articles discussing his ability to read defenses, but nothing specifically about his responsibilities when it comes to changing protections or calling audibles. His execution of it. (At Ohio) That doesn’t mean the information isn’t out there. I just haven’t been able to find it. I also haven’t been able to track down older articles or sound clips I remember reading or watching so it could be my searching sucks. I’ve been searching for the video after a loss where CJ said he’s still a young QB trying to learn. That clip has been stuck in my head for a while, and I’d like to get some context on it.
Great article! https://www.houstonstressans.com/po...mail&cid=b7a8f1a1-239f-497a-9deb-51def7e70842 C.J. Stroud Was the Most Pressured QB in 2024—But Who Was Responsible? - An In-Depth Analytical Breakdown of the Houston Texans' Protection Woes
