1. I think from your numbers that the difference Cook made in 2016 were either routes that ran through the middle, and tied down interior defenders in a serious way (last 6 games Cook was very effective) or the mere presence of a physical specimen who was fast, tall and could catch. Given the results, I assume this is what McCarthy means when he says attack the middle of a D. Its not a scheme nor a pass play, its a general all purpose way to describe a player who can line up on the interior and be a threat in the pass game.Originally Posted by vince
He did not, as the numbers and route maps show, do the majority of his damage with throws to the middle of the field.
So I agree McCarthy did not change the offense to feature different routes, or if he did, Rodgers did not throw to those spots. And so for the reason the TE attacking the middle seemed effective is still hard to pin down literally, but we can say two things about it now. The talent at TE is important if its going to work (and they need to be trusted by Rodgers) and by virtue of struggles before Cook, its important to stress the middle of the field in passing because the lesser pass defenders are there. Outside of Cook and Nelson, it wasn't happening during the drought.
I also think we can say that time in the pocket was important, as one of Cooks most common routes was the slant/flat combo, a safe and fast throw which serves about the same purpose as a dive into the line. It will get you 2-5 yards most of the time.
Its clear now for two years that McCarthy has wanted better talent at TE. Whether he is throwing to the middle or attacking interior defenders in the pass game, there is something to this. We will get to the playbook in a second.
I agree with first point, but I think the 'won't throw into tight windows' thing is overrated. Rodgers passes up easy throws to the middle of the field sometimes (not just a recent thing with playbook changes) while waiting for something bigger and tougher to break open.
I definitely agree with this and I think the shorter passing game has served two purposes; as you put it earlier, it a matchup and exploit option determined by opponent or health/ability of roster. It also serves as a check to the pass rush, which is why its been featured this year so much with injuries at Tackle. I am very intrigued by your idea that it also constrains Rodgers, because as this article (and this one) depict, he can still call his Rodger's Offense out there.
I agree that his belief in his guys is a net positive for the team.
But I think its indisputable McCarthy has changed his offense not only in a normal evolution, but after the CBA. He said he reduced volume to speed installation. He has claimed that modifying routes to scheme people open was going to cease. Receivers needed to win one on one.
Personnel group calls have also changed. Think back to the two year rollout of the no-huddle.
But one thing I ignored (as the original focus was about what was a compare contrast with M3 and McAdoo) was talent outside of the QB. 4 or 5 wides doesn't mean the same thing as they did during the Big 5 era (Jennings/Driver/Jones/Nelson/Martin-Finley). Maybe Allison and Adams step up and Cobb is back to his earlier, healthy level, but that hasn't been the case for a while now.
More TEs have been used in the past to diversify the offense and they seem to be committed to that direction now two years in a row.
But talent, as rand pointed out, is probably the biggest factor. And the lack of talent in his depth might have been the constraining factor to his offense as much as opposing defenses adjusting.
However whether due to injuries, retirements or talent drain, McCarthy has in three different years (Drought Year 1, 2 and 2017) changed his formations to get someone open early against man coverage after struggling mightily to do so earlier.
And that to me is also a strength. One McAdoo is struggling to match.
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