Playaction

LoL. It's like that play where Haskins went one way for the hand off and I believe the fullback, and RB went the other in the Eagles game. I was like ...Hmm ...You can tell we don't do this a bunch. LoL

 

i noticed the ILBs didn't commit until the "play fake" was carried out... perhaps deception and nothing more. very odd though I'll admit. 2 plays are a small example, could be a mix up in communication?

 

100% . They didn't . They still fell for it.

 

As Alex stated in the tweet, baby steps. Either way, a marked improvement over the original for certain.

 

I'm just happy Ben was actually under center instead of the shotgun.

 

Looks like Harris is running wherever he thinks the free blitzer is

 

I have seen Canada use play action when he was at Pitt (Hail to Pitt)
The running game has to be a factor for this to succeed. Canada has a good offense
whether they have the players to execute OL/QB is a different story.

 

I remember Broncos-Era Peyton Manning doing it constantly from the shotgun. They came out and said even though everyone knew they were a pass-heavy team that film study showed that the LBs would respect it anyway. I always thought it was a good compromise to get the benefits of PA without the QB turning his back. I wish we would run more Pistol. Ben gets to survey the defense from a deeper drop and the power running game does not have to compromise like it does in standard shotgun.

 

The one vs. the Eagles appears to be an early start by the WR on the jet motion. Najee is going to pick up the guy who fakes the blitz, as he should.

 

This might be nothing, but on Mason's handoff, Najee looks like he is anticipating the ball, arms ready. When it doesn't come, he stutter-steps and looks very indecisive. On Ben's handoff, he doesn't bring arms to ready in anticipation of the ball, and heads into the line. It looks like he is even moving through the line to make himself available for a pass. But the video stops at that moment.

For what it's worth, my impression is that Mason's play was botched and Ben's was by design.

 

The only way to run successful play action is to have a successful running game.

If a team doesn't respect your running attack, the hole play action theory is irrelevant.

 

I think you nailed it

 

Seems like the execution has improved...

 

True. I believe their is going to be growing pains at first. But with Harris he can make things happen that we haven't seen in some years.

But I will tell you this, they can't just march to the tune of Shotgun Ben for a bulk of the snaps. Defenses figured this out and will again.

The line is built to road grade and I believe once they gel with the 5 best things will be fine.