Blocking Equals Wins
December 3rd, 2016
How blocking for Jameis has sparked turnaround.
Last year, the Bucs got on a roll to 6-6 when they shat the bed and Lovie Smith got the boot.
This year, there are similarities to the late-season run. But the common denominator is Dirk Koetter.
Last year, Koetter molded the offense into a ground-and-pound attack, and with Doug Martin having a Pro Bowl year, the team took off. This year, Koetter sort of has decided to do the same, meaning a lot of max-protection for America’s Quarterback, Pro Bowler Jameis Winston.
Andy Benoit, a fantastic X’s and O’s guru for theMMQB.com, details how Koetter has molded the offense to not just get the most out of Jameis but to win.
Offensive architects can be reluctant to use chip-blockers for one simple reason: It prevents you from getting all five eligible receivers out into routes quickly. But that’s less of a problem in Koetter’s scheme, which is balanced by a smashmouth style ground game and, more importantly, is predicated on deep-intermediate pass patterns off five- and seven-step dropbacks. Those passes take extra time to unfold, which means underneath receivers can get into their routes later. And so you can afford to use those underneath receivers as chip-blockers. In fact, often, it actually helps your play’s timing and geometry.
The obvious benefit to chip-blocking is your pass protection improves. But just as important, your quarterback knows the protection will improve, and so he plays calmer in the pocket. That’s what we saw from Jameis Winston at Kansas City. Winston started that game with, from a fundamental quarterbacking standpoint, the best three-drive sequence of his young career. Remarkably, he may have topped it with the two drives he had to begin the upset win over Seattle. (Both ended in Mike Evans touchdowns.) What has stood out is Winston’s timing and anticipation—traits that are made possible by his comfort in the pocket.
Benoit had an interesting take later in the article: Yes, Jameis can be inconsistent. Benoit believes, unfairly, so many folks focus on the bad rather than the Jameis’ good. As Benoit wrote, “This is the double-edged sword you get with Winston. But fortunately the good edge of that sword is larger and sharper than the bad.”
This, Joe believes, is going to be your quarterback for the next decade. Yes, Jameis (like many top-shelf quarterbacks before him) will make an agonizing pass that makes you pull your hair out. But he will also make three or four plays in that same game where you almost hit the ceiling the plays are so thrilling.
Tolerate the bad because you know the good will be, well, so good.
December 3rd, 2016 at 5:10 am
What, you mean Jameis isn’t perfect? C’mon, he’s in his second year. How much freakin’ time does a guy need? Tom Brady has never thrown a pick or fumbled or done anything wrong. Why can’t the Bucs draft a guy like Brady? HA! Jameis is developing just fine, and any QB is going to throw that “WTF” pass now and then. Take the whole body of work since last year, and Jameis is making better decisions, his role in leading the team is increased, and oh, the Bucs are looking better and better due in large part to his play.
December 3rd, 2016 at 6:52 am
Andy Benoit’s article (‘How the Bucs Got Going’) was outstanding. His take on Koetter using chip-blocking to better protect Jameis was interesting, even more so because the Saints & Panthers do so much of the same thing. Didn’t sound like he was overly high on the Bucs OLine though, especially our 2 tackles.
But it’s what Benoit said about the Bucs defense that really opened my eyes. Didn’t sound like he was really high on the talent in our secondary, but praised their improving spacing and communication mostly for their improvement these last several games. Loved this part of his analysis … “one of the main points of zone coverage is that it emphasizes collective group work, hiding defenders’ individual flaws. The Bucs as a group have lately been outstanding.” Those fans who are still down on the job that Mike Smith & company have done need to read that article.
December 3rd, 2016 at 7:25 am
just like Favre… no?
December 3rd, 2016 at 7:55 am
@defense
just said this on another thread ,but the addition of the veteran,Verrner may have improved communication and play of the corners.
December 3rd, 2016 at 8:04 am
Good article Joe,
Benoit’s entire article is definitely worth a read.
December 3rd, 2016 at 9:32 am
Great article. I will now use this to explain why I love this QB so much. Couldn’t find the words to describe him but this is perfect. I’ll add that Jameis also looks to extend plays and allows them to develope. He never takes his eyes from going downfield. He wants to win every down. It’s amazing how disciplined he looks in the pocket or when he’s scrambling.
December 3rd, 2016 at 9:44 am
I’ve been waiting my whole life for the Bucs to get a QB and and offense that will throw deep more than once every 3 games. Winston leads the NFL in average length of passes in the air. Throw the bomb, baby!
December 3rd, 2016 at 9:59 am
your last two paragraphs are so spot on Joe!!. I feel that this is what was missing early in the season. Jameis was trying to play without mistakes. Jameis can’t try to play perfect, mistake free football if he wishes to play HIS best. He has to be able to make a few mistakes and allow himself those mistakes. As his experience grows, the mistakes should be fewer and less impactful, but he HAS to make occasional mistakes to be great. Its just who he is and I’m good with it.
December 3rd, 2016 at 10:01 am
87 told you all this 2 months ago.
It was like reading it out of my own head.
December 3rd, 2016 at 8:16 pm
@Harry in Costa Rica
just like Favre… no?
yeah I beginning to see this picture.
I haven’t been always kind to Winston but i think this
is what were going to get. it sounds good.