(10-30-2023 09:59 AM)cidbearit Wrote:  I've yet to go back and watch the game, so I am just going off what I saw at the game. A couple of weeks ago I made the observation that I thought Austin was having trouble with making his reads. I sensed the same with Ike.

The challenge is the coaches seem to want to run empty passing schemes for much of the game, which does two things to your offense. First, you don't have an RB in the backfield, so by design your only option is to pass or for the QB to tuck and run. Next, in theory, empty schemes allow you to stack receivers and force the defense to show their coverage. Ideally, this allows the QB to make a coverage read pre-snap and identify where the coverage gaps will likely be. The QB can then focus on those anticipated gaps and quickly feed receivers who are likely to be open.

For empty passing schemes to be successful, a few key things need to happen. Your QB needs to make an accurate pre-snap read to determine where the coverage gaps will likely be; the QB needs to make a quick post-snap read of his "chosen" area of the field to identify which receiver route to feed; the receivers need to run their routes accurately; the QB needs to finalize his read and pass the ball QUICKLY to his intended target; and the receiver needs to catch the ball.

To my eyes, the empty set has failed this team as our QBs seem to struggle with their reads, both pre-snap and post-snap. I've seen the ball thrown into tight coverage too many times; the QBs often take too long to pass the ball thus allowing the defense to collapse the pocket (remember, the backfield is empty on these schemes, so there is no extra guy in the backfield to pick up a blitz or support a block); delayed pass allows more time for d-backs to cover what was initially an open receiver; the QB then has little choice but to tuck and run or just throw the ball away.

Finally, relying on the empty set as your primary scheme can backfire when the passing game isn't working as the moment you put backs in the backfield, the defense knows odds are you're going to run the ball.

Bottom line...I think the coaches are relying on offensive schemes our QB's are challenged with. For whatever reason our QB's seem to struggle with accurate reads on passing downs. Make passing your primary focus, and they are bound to struggle.

Thanks Cid. Taylor Powell excelled at reading defenses which explains why he is now a CFL starting QB. Of course Taylor had an excellent stable of WRs to work with last year and probably a better offensive line.