Why can't our WR's get separation?

It seems like every game our receivers are covered like blankets and the teams we play against have open receivers galore?

Drives me crazy.

Are they terrible route runners?

Too Slow?

Can't cut?

Anybody else notice this or is just me being pessimistic?

 

I think Ike Hillard needs a good evaluation at the end of this year. The receivers have all taken a step back.

 

We need a burner like Wallace. This would help Claypool and DJ.

 

I commented last night that it seems like every throw is a 50/50 throw. They are all contested catches. I think it may be a combination of the receivers not getting separation and Ben not hitting them coming out of their breaks when the separation first occurs. The timing is way off for some reason and our guys never seem to be open.

 

So. You're going with too slow then? Correct?

 

It's a combination of factors.

Ben is struggling with deep passes so defenses are congesting the middle of the field and breaking on shorter routes. Defenses only need to worry about the hook, curl and flat zones against us.

Claypool and Washington are not suited for this offense and are not getting separation. Ray Ray and Diontae are suited for this offense and are getting separation but their catches are check downs and the separation isn't impressive or is designed by the defense which is tackling the catch/protecting the sticks.

"Can't cut" to answer the question directly.

 

Yeah.... Claypool seldom gets separation, looks like he's running in sand on deep routes. There's always a DB blanketing him. If he would keep running and not stall out on his deep routes, things would be better.

 

I think its coaching,.. but its been this way for a few years so who knows,.. Funny we couldn't run all year until the OL coach left, then next game Harris runs for 188 yrds

 

I think it has a lot to do with the OL and their inability to give big Ben time to let plays develop.

 

When the pass is thrown within 2 seconds of the snap, how much separation can you expect?

 

They aren’t very good

Defenses are able to press

Coaches can’t figure out how to scheme against it

DJ caught a crossing pattern and they couldn’t use the natural pick to get separated

 

which worries me much more are the drops and fumbles all over this WR Corps. this problem has existed for years now and they don't get it fixed.

 

a) the receiving corps is average
b) nobody has to play off and respect the deep ball. Ben completed one pass over 10 yds last night. One. And it went a grand total of 12 yds
c) The middle of the field is a wasteland. We don't throw there very often either
d) The line doesn't give a lot of time and even when they do, Ben gets rid of it fast. Standing in there and adsorbing a hit is not something he likes to do. Hard for a receiver to make a double move in that situation.

So basically defenders don't have to worry much about deep routes, in routes, or double moves. Makes it a lot easier to cover.

 

It's hard to get separation on a 2 yard route.

 

Very hard to run good routes and create separation in a 5-8 yard box.

Defenses know they have to defend a 5-8 yard box against the Steelers, because they offense is no threat to defeat them in the deep or middle part of the field.

They know its limited so they can defend a 5-8 yard box and play man on receivers.

Plus we got these guys doing 2-3 yard routes 60% of the time. How you going to create separation there?

Johnson has the ability he has the tools, he is worthy on a 2nd contract and I think he can be had, reasonable, not like he's going off a Kupp or Jefferson or Hill numbers.

Claypool is dumbfounding, he has regressed badly year 2. Guy was a TD machine last year this year he only has a couple.

Plus no one respects our run game either. a good run game can help the passing. Of course last night aside it was our best run game of the season, but still didn't lead to a good passing game.

 

Last night was crazy with how all of a sudden Najee can get a 100 yards easily. Saw a lot less dancing last night and more bull rushing. I think we have a bunch of mediocre coaches.

 

JuJu is going to be missed if he leaves.

Claypool's route running is terrible, probably why Ben begged JuJu to comeback for another year.

I wonder if all these short passes on 3rd down, is a result of JuJu going down and not giving Ben his go to guy on 3rd down. Although I think Muth will develop into the go to guy on 3rd down, if he can quit helping out on blocking.

 

I was at the game last night. I was thinking the same thing. We are missing speed at the WR position.

DJ and McCloud have speed, but are just too small. If you are that size you need to be tough enough to not let defenders push you around.

Claypool is tall, but not a burner. Ju Ju isn't much of a burner either.

We need some guys in the 6' - 6' 2" range with speed. Big enough to not get swallowed up around defenders, but not so tall that they don't have great change of direction.



I guess the other issue is Ben doesn't have time to stand in there to let a long play develop.

 

claypool needs coaches up properly. i think he has the tools and has shown us what he's capable of... teams have tape on him now and have adjusted how they play him, so he needs to adjust and evolve his game as well.

 

FIFY

 

I think they'll keep Diontae and one of Juju / Claypool, my preference would be Juju at this point, albeit Claypool has a higher ceiling in the right system if he can ever put it together

Freiermuth looks like a TE1 for the foreseeable

I don’t think they can justify any more high picks on WR’s until they build up both lines and bolster the secondary which is going to take some time

 

Just play the music at practice and see what happens!

 

If You watch tape.(I mean break it down) I know everyone watches.
1. Not a lot of time 2 let plays develop.
2. If a player is not use 2 having the time....when He does have the time 1 out of 29 snaps....He doesn't believe He has the time.
3. When Ben does actually scrambles 2 buy time some of the Wrs don't know what 2 Do,and I've seen some just stop,and just watch.(swear it)
4. Not a lot of separation except from 2 guys. DJ,and Muth.(Imagine that Muth getting more separation than the other Wrs.( yes I know He is covered differently at times,and with other D players)
5. Also for the people that want a lot of play action....Ben is either hit, almost sacked, or sacked....most of the time We do actually run it.
6. Ben ...while still better than half the Qbs is still a shell of His former self.
7. Claypool can't stay on His feet no matter how the ball is placed.....in front of Him, behind Him, above Him, or past Him.
That same pass 2 Cleveland TE has been thrown 2 Claypool a bunch. He has fallen down ....most of the times. Cleveland TE jumps up ,and just catches it.

 

No, i think you're being realistic. My unprofessional opinion is that our offense is so predictable that defenders know what is going on nearly as much as our own players. Also, getting separation with a QB throwing within 2 seconds doesn't give a WR a lot of flexibility to get to open space when the ball in coming at a point already determined. And yes, I think our WR's are not getting open when they have the chance. Every pass to CC had the DB glued on to him so I think there has to be something wrong like you suspect. JMO>