The Bills Offense, Gilbride and Bledsoe.

[Ingtar33]

<img src="http://www.billszone.com/coppermine/albums/userpics/10001/dallas039.jpg" align="left" border="2">Last year, while our defense struggled, I brought you an article about all the myriad of issues that confronted it, how it was supposed to function, and what was wrong. Well, surprise, this year, I'm giving you a look at the Bills' offense. As we all know its been terrible since around Thanksgiving last year. Some of those problems last season were largely due to weather, however, a few issues that surfaced then still plague this team. For the course of this review, I'll go over some basics of the "Gilbride" offensive system, its strengths and weaknesses, what teams are doing to us, and then go back over Bledsoe and his strengths and weaknesses as a player, and what could be done now, this year, to fix the problems confronting us.
<P>
First, some basic football passing routes:<p>
<b>Cross: </b>Route across the middle of the field, usually the receiver is running parallel with the line of scrimmage. A good rout to use against tight man, or deeper zones<br>
<b>Slant: </b>Angle route over the middle. Very good against man… likely get your WR killed against a zone.<br>
<b>Hitch: </b>Straight curl route, where the WR runs straight and stops, turning in. Very good against zone coverage.<br>
<b>Out: </b>Sideline pattern, where the WR takes a break to the sideline, this is better against man than zone, as the pass has a long way to travel, and the DBs will have a good chance to break on the pass.<br>
<b>Straight: </b>Route straight downfield.<br>
<b>Flat:</b> Flair pass to the HB or slot receiver in the "flat"<br>
<b>Seam: </b>Pass designed to beat the zone, its basically a straight deep route, altered in pattern to split between the deep DBs.<br>
<b>Fly: </b>Straight route down the sideline<br>
<b>Post: </b>Deep slant route. A good route against both zones and man, mainly will work based upon the location of the safeties.<br>
<b>Hook and Go: </b>The receiver runs the basic hitch, or hook route, designed to get the CB to bite on it, and then turns up field for a deep pass. This is best against man, or an aggressive zone coverage.


<h3>The System</h3>
Gilbride's offensive system has its roots in back to the 1970's with what was then called the "double slot offense". It's innovator was a High School football coach in Ohio, Glenn "Tiger" Ellison. The Run 'n Shoot was a pass first, pass second and pass third offensive system, where the teams using it wouldn't carry a fullback or even tight end on their roster, and the basic formation was 4 WRs, and 1 RB. The playbook itself contained just one planned running play to the running back, the draw, and the running back was there for no real reason than to give a 6th blocker to the QB, and threaten the pass rush with draws and screens. ........MORE........ (http://www.billszone.com/YourSite/global/templates/view.php?action=YourSite_content&month=11&state=news&nid=7680)

[Dozerdog]

Fantastic insight! :up:



I've been posting for some time now that I would love to see him under a competent coach.


If you were GM , Ingtar, who would make a great OC for him?

[Ingtar33]

hmm... Well, I love what Mike Heimerdinger, OC of the Titans has done. He's a football coach who knows how to move the ball, control the clock and make the most of his talent.

Les Steckel on the Bills staff is a grind it out type of guy, and was the OC of the Titans on their Superbowl run, definitely qualified for the job.

I love the job Norm Chow is doing in USC, to make Carson Palmer look a hero was no small feat... now that he's doing it again makes it clear he's got some serious talent as an OC.

[Stewie]

Great, great read Ingtar

Maybe Mike Mularkey can come in here and simplify things after Gilbride screwed up. He did it in Pittsburgh.

[shelby]

Thanks Ingtar:up:

[justasportsfan]

Great article Ingtar. Some people will disagree w/ that. No way no how will Drew even do anything w/ a decent OC. They already say he's a bust. :idunno:

[Tatonka]

great work ing...

wish you were around more bud.. your insight calms the natives.

[BidsJr]

Bills O suffered at the end of last year even with Price, Riems, and Centers. I think you are absolutly correct about the O Intger. Gilbride might I say might have the highest IQ of the coaching staff but sometimes IQ brings arrogance. If the players can't execute the system than either the System or the Coach has to be changed!

[LtBillsFan66]

Great stuff. :up:

[RedEyE]

Ingtar, that is by far the best article that I have ever read on this board. Your knowledge and explanation of the game truly helps eliminate the theories and accentuate the facts.

Great, great read. :up:

[justasportsfan]

It would be interesting what wys has to say about your article. You both may be right on w/ Gilbride but different views on Drew. :scratch:

[Earthquake Enyart]

Originally posted by justasportsfan
It would be interesting what wys has to say about your article.

No it wouldn't. :mad:

[Mr. Miyagi]

:hail:Ingtar

[NC-BILLS44]

Originally posted by Ingtar33

I love the job Norm Chow is doing in USC, to make Carson Palmer look a hero was no small feat... now that he's doing it again makes it clear he's got some serious talent as an OC.

I think the Bills should get Chow and reunite him with Philip Rivers, next years first round pick.

[clumping platelets]

The only true loss is Peerless. However, even with Price, the second half last season wasn't that great. Mark Campbell has done a good job replacing Riemersma. In fact, I do not remember seeing Campbell drop many passes like his predecessor did. I'm not as concerned with the loss of Centers either, I believe that Morris can be the type of player he was.

I believe that replacing Gilbride is the answer AND bulk up the interior of the OL :up:

[Mr. Miyagi]

Originally posted by Ingtar33
I love the job Norm Chow is doing in USC, to make Carson Palmer look a hero was no small feat... now that he's doing it again makes it clear he's got some serious talent as an OC.
I'm proud of my Asian brotha. :up:

http://graphics.fansonly.com/photos/schools/usc/sports/m-footbl/03-04roster/Chow.jpg

[caveboy]

Great read Ingtar! I also think Price and Centers leaving IMO had a bigger impact on us sustaining drives than 1BD will admit. Centers out of the backfield was more versatile than anyone has been this year in terms of blocking, receiving, etc, and allowed Drew the successful short passing game we are missing.

It's obviously Drew needs a whole host of options around him otherwise he can become one-dimensional as we've seen. He's also still ignoring Henry in the flats way too much in favor of the deep routes.

[G. Host]

Originally posted by caveboy
Centers out of the backfield was more versatile than anyone has been this year in terms of blocking, receiving, etc, and allowed Drew the successful short passing game we are missing.

Centers blocking? :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

[E-Klips]

Yeah G, I don't think any of us will ever mistake Centers for Gash. He was a great receiving FB, but not much else. Still, I do miss him here for 3rd downs and I think the Bills treated him badly that last season.

[Ingtar33]

you're seeing what happens when the game passes an OC by... he simply cannot, or will not make the adjustments necessary to make it work.

[TigerJ]

I appreciate the fact that you don't assume fans are clueless, and therefore not deserving of detailed explanations of what goes on in football. Most commentators either don't know themselves or consider it a waste of time to explain the intricacies of an offensive system to fans. You are one reason that posters here are smarter than the average fan. Someone just needs to take the time to educate us like you do.

[The Seahag]

Great summation Ingtar. In full agreement with nearly everything you said. Just wanted to add we've got some good play out of our TE's this year; Campbell is one of the reasons that bunch formation has looked so good when Gilbride calls it up once every harvest moon>-(

Centers blocking?
Mkae fun of Centers all you want but the guy is not a bad blocker, in fact he may be Sammy's equal on the blitz pick-up. He had the best block in the backfield last year (along w/ Drew turfing the Jets DT in Week1:) when he absolutely destroyed EBarton to give Bledsoe time to hit Peerless for a big gain vs the Raiders.

[Ingtar33]

Bah... the big thing with football guys is this... we're all ex-jocks. Have all the wet towel whip marks to prove it. Its sort of an frat of sorts, with its own language, and most guys just take some things as second nature.

Anyone who has played HS football will know what im talking about.

Well surprise, football really doesn't get much more complex from HS to Pro ball, all that happens is the basics are no-longer discussed. Trick is, football is a VERY simple game in a lot of ways, one that, if you understand the concepts can make a whole hell of a lot more sense when you watch what’s going on.

The frat doesn't like to talk about the basics, and NEVER likes to go into details, throw in the fact that announcers are in a very precarious position... they cannot afford to call out a player for being bad because their career is dependent on their ability to get interviews... as a result players aren't "terrible", they are "having a bad game". Same with coaches... coaches are never "bad", they are "having rough years", or "victims of circumstance."

Remember, John Madden didn't become a good commentator by discussing x's and o's football. He got there by talking about beer guts and sweaty asses. John is a superbowl winning football coach, he clearly knows the game, yet he refuses to get into anything substantive during the games.

Commentators, Announcers, Writers, and TV reporters career's depend on being able to interview players. Start an in-depth breakdown of players failings, or coaching problems or mental mistakes, and you'll quickly find yourself shunned and your career will be over.

The result?

You get Madden on MNF talking about centers who's asses sweat too much, causing fumbles because the QB's hand gets too damp.

One of the reasons i like Paul Maguire is because he's just dumb enough to call people out. Of course he’s a dumbass too, so you get your tradeoffs I guess.

[Mr. Cynical]

One of the BEST articles on this subject I have ever read. Great job ingtar. :)

This was very easy to understand and was also very objective. I really don't want to read another rant on how much KB and Drew suck. Not that I don't rant alot...but then again I don't write articles either. ;)

Anyway, I agree with your analysis and can only hope TD surfs by here and reads it. Maybe then he'll show the Rumplestilskin of Football the door.

P.S. I had to laugh about the "double pat" comment. I TOTALLY notice this and have mentioned it to friends many times. Want another sure sign he will toss an INT? Three short hops up and down...if he does this little dance, time to get the defense ready.

[mybills]

:hail: Ingtar

<b>"Our offense will not work as long as Gilbride is our OC."</b>

I vote for you to get his job! :D

[LarryBoy]

Great read!!!!!!! Thanks for the info!

[Shiny Chicken]

That was an amazing article.... I completely agree....

[Cntrygal]

:10:+++++++++++++++++++++++

Great Job Ingtar!


Originally posted by Ingtar33
Bah... the big thing with football guys is this... we're all ex-jocks. Have all the wet towel whip marks to prove it. Its sort of an frat of sorts, with its own language, and most guys just take some things as second nature.

Anyone who has played HS football will know what im talking about.

Well surprise, football really doesn't get much more complex from HS to Pro ball, all that happens is the basics are no-longer discussed. Trick is, football is a VERY simple game in a lot of ways, one that, if you understand the concepts can make a whole hell of a lot more sense when you watch what’s going on.

The frat doesn't like to talk about the basics, and NEVER likes to go into details, throw in the fact that announcers are in a very precarious position... they cannot afford to call out a player for being bad because their career is dependent on their ability to get interviews... as a result players aren't "terrible", they are "having a bad game". Same with coaches... coaches are never "bad", they are "having rough years", or "victims of circumstance."

Remember, John Madden didn't become a good commentator by discussing x's and o's football. He got there by talking about beer guts and sweaty asses. John is a superbowl winning football coach, he clearly knows the game, yet he refuses to get into anything substantive during the games.

Commentators, Announcers, Writers, and TV reporters career's depend on being able to interview players. Start an in-depth breakdown of players failings, or coaching problems or mental mistakes, and you'll quickly find yourself shunned and your career will be over.

The result?

You get Madden on MNF talking about centers who's asses sweat too much, causing fumbles because the QB's hand gets too damp.

One of the reasons i like Paul Maguire is because he's just dumb enough to call people out. Of course he’s a dumbass too, so you get your tradeoffs I guess.

If someone isn't playing/coaching the way they should be - or up to their potential, it's pathetic that the commentators can't say what is obvious to everyone. It makes the commentators look like buffoons.

[Mr. Cynical]

Good to re-read...

[Typ0]

It's early for Malarkey so I'm not going to crucify him yet...but this article does an excellent job to hightlight how our coaching staff has been trying to fit DB into a system instead of fitting a system to DB. I hold Donahoe responsible he's the top level manager who has allowed this to happen. It's been clear to a lot of us that our coaches have had some vision of what is the best system for the NFL these days with a great deal of neglect that because of the cap you can no longer go out and get the exact players you need to maximize the effectiveness of that system. Coaching today is much more dynamic than it used to be and if you can't make the adjustments you don't belong coaching.

Drew has been having trouble...it has probably taken away from him a great opportunity at the end of his career. He's not the right person for this team...but that's because he's not being put in a position to succeed.