Why all these FB and 2 TE formations?

[stuckincincy]

I watched the game recording today. So many formations with a FB, H-Back, 2 tight ends. When Manual went in I got out the pencil and noted that in 15 snaps they had a FB in for 8 and twice 2 TEs. One of the announcers at some point in the game noted that they were getting a lot of 8-in-the-box D tossed at them.

Tasker noted late in the 2nd that they hadn't made any OL substitutions. I realize that Glenn and Incognito weren't suited up, and they need to protect their QBs ,but they need to find out who is going to step up in the 3rd WR spot.

[Ingtar33]

they had a lead against a team that couldn't move the ball and with a defensive head coach. looked like a 4 minute offense to me.

[stuckincincy]

they had a lead against a team that couldn't move the ball and with a defensive head coach. looked like a 4 minute offense to me.

Perhaps. I think they fully realize that their OL is weak (what else is new?) and they wanted to make sure that their current crop of QBs didn't get flattened in preseason. They ran the FB/TE thing most of the game. Even with that, they had a terrible ground game.

They did not try to figure out things about their WR corps in this game.The slot guy? A crossing pattern by a WR, perhaps? They should have been running 3 wide sets most of the game, instead of sen ding out RBs down field.

And even with the extra help of a FB and the occasional a H-Back and the two-TS sets, they couldn't run for squat. They even stuck in a DL kid once or twice as a run blocker.

I suspect that the rest of the league are drawing up their plans for playing BUF with 8 in the box. Taylor doesn't scare anybody.

It's a train wreck...

Wasted game by the coaching staff IMO...better teams use the preseason to address weaknesses. Which is one reason why they are better.

[Ingtar33]

Perhaps. I think they fully realize that their OL is weak (what else is new?) and they wanted to make sure that their current crop of QBs didn't get flattened in preseason. They ran the FB/TE thing most of the game. Even with that, they had a terrible ground game.

They did not try to figure out things about their WR corps in this game.The slot guy? A crossing pattern by a WR, perhaps? They should have been running 3 wide sets most of the game, instead of sen ding out RBs down field.

And even with the extra help of a FB and the occasional a H-Back and the two-TS sets, they couldn't run for squat. They even stuck in a DL kid once or twice as a run blocker.

I suspect that the rest of the league are drawing up their plans for playing BUF with 8 in the box. Taylor doesn't scare anybody.

It's a train wreck...

Wasted game by the coaching staff IMO...better teams use the preseason to address weaknesses. Which is one reason why they are better.

Taylor doesn't scare anybody? Do you not watch this team? Taylor is the QB as a coach I hate playing against. He can pick up first downs with his feet, his feet really hold off the pass rush by themselves, as the rushers need to make sure they don't over pursue and stay in their lanes, you need to put a spy on him most of the time, playing man defense is like playing roulette. Top it all off he has a great deep ball to burn you when you aren't playing something cautious.

Taylor opens up a lot for the rest of this offense

Is he as dangerous as aaron rogers? no way. nor does he scare me like someone like brady does. However, even if he had no arm his feet alone make life dificult for the defense. combined with a solid arm and he's (to take a saying from baseball) a tough out.

[YardRat]

With Watkins and Salas sitting and Woods getting limited snaps (did he even play against the Giants? I honestly don't remember seeing him...) it gives the younger guys fighting for roster spots basically the entire game (including some time with starters) to show what they can do. Even if the base offense was run out of a mostly run set when the coaches break down the film afterward they can see who was running the right routes, picking up the correct block downfield, reacting to the situation as the play unfolds, etc. I think that's a good thing.

As far as the extensive use of FB and two tight ends, that simply may be Roman's version of 'vanilla' for the preseason.

[Skooby]

It was a protective scheme, no reason for 5 WR during the preseason.

[DraftBoy]

I think it's a few factors:
1. Like Ingtar mentioned, we had a big lead and were just running the clock constantly.
2. I think they want to take a long look at a few depth FB/TE types, specifically Glenn Gronkowski and Blake Annen
3. With Karlos Williams being cut and Gilly hurt, they needed to see what they had in Johnson and Wilder Jr.

I would expect Game 4 to be a very similar style offensively.

[Forward_Lateral]

Why would Roman show anything film worthy in the pre season?

[The King]

I think it's a few factors:
1. Like Ingtar mentioned, we had a big lead and were just running the clock constantly.
2. I think they want to take a long look at a few depth FB/TE types, specifically Glenn Gronkowski and Blake Annen
3. With Karlos Williams being cut and Gilly hurt, they needed to see what they had in Johnson and Wilder Jr.

I would expect Game 4 to be a very similar style offensively.

This. It's not rocket science.

[GreedoII]

I watched the game recording today. So many formations with a FB, H-Back, 2 tight ends. When Manual went in I got out the pencil and noted that in 15 snaps they had a FB in for 8 and twice 2 TEs. One of the announcers at some point in the game noted that they were getting a lot of 8-in-the-box D tossed at them.

Tasker noted late in the 2nd that they hadn't made any OL substitutions. I realize that Glenn and Incognito weren't suited up, and they need to protect their QBs ,but they need to find out who is going to step up in the 3rd WR spot.

because it's preseason....really the only answer here

[bdutton]

I read the title and thought this was about Facebook.

[IlluminatusUIUC]

Heavy formations are Greg Roman's thing. I'm not surprised he pulled that out, his is not a 5 wide spread the field offense. Yeah, teams are certainly going to stack the box on us, which is why Watkins, Clay, and whomever wins our #2 spot need to be able to win deep passes.

[stuckincincy]

I think it's a few factors:
1. Like Ingtar mentioned, we had a big lead and were just running the clock constantly.
2. I think they want to take a long look at a few depth FB/TE types, specifically Glenn Gronkowski and Blake Annen
3. With Karlos Williams being cut and Gilly hurt, they needed to see what they had in Johnson and Wilder Jr.

I would expect Game 4 to be a very similar style offensively.

The game was 14 - with 31 seconds left in the 2nd. Then NYG fumbled on their own 19. My point is that throughout the 1st half, and into the second, they kept using FBs and 2 TEs.

Nothing wrong with trying out the FBs, TEs, RBs, but I'm not sure how much you learn about them with power formations. I'd want to see how they do with 3WR sets.

As to WR - they have Watkins - recovered we hope - for good. But one has to think about re-injury. And a hot and cold Woods. Then what? This is a major thing to address IMO.

In this pass-friendly league, I want to use the preseason to find who rises to the top as my (hopefully) reliable #3. What other WRs should I keep on the roster. So I would use a lot of rotation, 3 and 4 WR sets. This will also give me some info about how my OL and OL bench is doing with pass protection, and run blocking.

Just my

[stuckincincy]

Taylor doesn't scare anybody? Do you not watch this team? Taylor is the QB as a coach I hate playing against. He can pick up first downs with his feet, his feet really hold off the pass rush by themselves, as the rushers need to make sure they don't over pursue and stay in their lanes, you need to put a spy on him most of the time, playing man defense is like playing roulette. Top it all off he has a great deep ball to burn you when you aren't playing something cautious.

Taylor opens up a lot for the rest of this offense

Is he as dangerous as aaron rogers? no way. nor does he scare me like someone like brady does. However, even if he had no arm his feet alone make life dificult for the defense. combined with a solid arm and he's (to take a saying from baseball) a tough out.

My saying "Taylor scares nobody" was over the top. I like Taylor, but I have to factor in that he led the team to victory over only 2 teams that ended up with winning regular season records - NYJ and HOU.

Yes he has shifty feet etc., and I appreciate that, but he has to take off more that I care for (see the long-standing BUF OL woes).

He got his new contract which seems to be one that has this or that "out" clauses. Which says to me that the team feels that this coming season will tell if he's the real deal or that the other clubs have figured out how to play against his skills.

[DraftBoy]

The game was 14 - with 31 seconds left in the 2nd. Then NYG fumbled on their own 19. My point is that throughout the 1st half, and into the second, they kept using FBs and 2 TEs.

Nothing wrong with trying out the FBs, TEs, RBs, but I'm not sure how much you learn about them with power formations. I'd want to see how they do with 3WR sets.

As to WR - they have Watkins - recovered we hope - for good. But one has to think about re-injury. And a hot and cold Woods. Then what? This is a major thing to address IMO.

In this pass-friendly league, I want to use the preseason to find who rises to the top as my (hopefully) reliable #3. What other WRs should I keep on the roster. So I would use a lot of rotation, 3 and 4 WR sets. This will also give me some info about how my OL and OL bench is doing with pass protection, and run blocking.

Just my

Then Clay, then McCoy. The #3 WR will be a 5th option in the passing game more than likely.

[stuckincincy]

Then Clay, then McCoy. The #3 WR will be a 5th option in the passing game more than likely.

8 in the box, here we come.

[IlluminatusUIUC]

8 in the box, here we come.

So beat them deep until they back off. So goes the chess match.

[feldspar]

So beat them deep until they back off. So goes the chess match.

Exactly.

The deep threat is important when you have a run-heavy offense. Tyrod Taylor can throw the deep ball very well...we've all seen it.

[stuckincincy]

So beat them deep until they back off. So goes the chess match.

Yes - if you can do it. The 8 - 3 is essentially a 3 down linemen set, with 5 others standing up and confusing the QB as to who is covering who, or who will stay home, who will rush the QB and make him pass too quickly? Will some of the 5 drop back and jump routes? Will the CBs press the WRs at the LOS? How good are one's WRs at beating that immediate press?

JMO, when your opponent starts playing 8 in the box against you have either a run game that irks them, you have decided that said run game is what you choose to feature, or you have a passing attack and pass protection that doesn't particularly strike fear in them.

As you say - chess match.

[coastal]

Rex is building a bully