hawknation2015":u5z40biq said:
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We need a better play caller in the red zone. Both the best rushing QB and RB in the NFL were not utilized when they had the chance on the one-yard line. Whoever is taking that responsibility now, whether its Carroll or Bevell, needs to admit someone else is capable of making better decisions in the red zone with the players they have at their disposal.
Our Red Zone TD stats are way less than they should be (IMO only, based on extensive, unscientific analysis of weapons we have). Really, though, it's not even "Red Zone", we're talking "1 to go", and we had 2-3 cracks at it.
The one constant here is Bevell and his Red Zone playcalling.
I was thinking about starting a thread about this play for "Tell The Truth Monday", on what (hypothetical, best guess) would go down in a tell-the-truth session involving Bevell, Carroll, Wilson, Lockette, Kearse. I had chosen not to start a thread because I figured it would just generate a slew of posts like the ones here, "give it a rest", etc. and/or the mods would nuke it.
TELL-THE-TRUTH MONDAY FOR "THE PICK" (and plays/situations leading up to it)
1) Bevell's truthful confession:
My situational awareness sucked on that play:
- I was asking Jerome Kearse, giving up 30 lbs to Browner, to push ultra-physical Browner off the line. Simply dumb.
- Apparently I have become so predictable in my play-calling that NE knew exactly what was coming based on the formation.
- I set up a problematic situation for Russell, because his height IS a disadvantage in that situation, and the replays show that the onrushing Butler was "hidden" behind other players where Russell couldn't see him, where a 6'4" QB would have.
- I failed to use a primary weapon, Russell's mobility and decisionmaking, by not giving Russell the opportunity to make a decision, not allowing him to use his feet. By calling a non-decision quick-slant, I failed to use our team's best offensive weapon in a situation that screamed out for it.
- I ran plays that resulted in two consecutive 3-and-outs leading up to the Patriots winning TD. Instead of sustaining drives, running clock, maybe scoring more, I called a game that allowed NE back into the game.
2) Russell's truthful confession:
- I was in such a hurry to get the TD and get to celebrating another win, I was so sure it would be a TD, that I blocked out everything else
- I never even saw Butler, even though I threw it straight to him
- I need to have better awareness of where DBs are hiding behind players I can't see over
- I needed to put the ball lower, and more on Lockette's body, instead of out in front, and with more zip
- I was so concerned about not screwing up what looked so wide open that I threw a cautious lolli-pop ball that allowed the pick to occur
3) Kearse's truthful confession:
- YOU try pushing Browner off the line creating a pick on Butler. Go ahead, YOU freakin' try it. I gave it everything I had and I was not able to get it done in that situation against that man.
- I should've caught the 3rd down ball when we were up 10. I had it in my hands and didn't finish the play.
4) Lockette's truthful confession
- I knew the ball was coming to me and was more concerned about not messing it up than going and getting the ball.
- I was worried about getting blown up by the LB (Hightower) and not getting in, so I was trying to hand-catch it out front and then duck inside and under for the score.
- I never even saw Butler til he hit me, and I need to improve my awareness of where DB's are likely to be on different routes, instead of focusing only on avoiding the onrushing LB.
5) Carroll's truthful confession
- Darell, I have taken the arrows for you and done my best not to throw you under the bus, because that's not how we roll here.
- This puts me in an awful position because I'd rather just outline the parameters and then trust my guys to operate within them and get it done. This was way too cute; it really was the dumbest play-call in Super Bowl history, and didn't take advantage of our strengths.
- I can't be focusing on every play call, and there's no way I want to have to overrule or micromanage my OC on every critical call. I need the OC to be better prepared, less predictable--NE knew exactly what was coming--we have to give opponents more to look at on tape, in terms of situations and formations, to prevent this.
- This has to improve. I want you to use this next week to figure out a plan on how you'll improve our Red Zone and especially our "Goal-to-go" performance next year, to be less predictable, and better utilize team strengths. And don't assume better weapons; assume the same weapons we had for SB49.
I left out the whole part about burning timeouts unnecessarily, but it's fertile ground for Tell-the-Truth, if anyone is up to laying out how that conversation would go down in tell-the-truth mode.
So, what do others think would come out of the participants' mouths on Tell-The-Truth Monday? Any other participants in "The Pick" that should be in this conversation? (Intentionally leaving out Paul Allen) Maybe Cable? What would Cable have to say?