Only as Strong as the Weakest Link

In the NFL the game is subtle subterfuge of concepts in order to succeed. Let’s look a little closer at how one flaw in the system offensively can defeat the entire unit and how everything is tied together. If one piece is missing, the whole structure doesn’t work. Let’s begin.

In September of 2009 I spoke with Ed Reed about the finer points of football. In that interview Ed said something that resonated with me. He said (and I’m paraphrasing) that all teams do the same things offensively, they just wear different color jerseys. The longer I thought about this the longer the question kept coming up, how do some teams make it work and others simply can’t. Here is the answer and it’s simple in design and complex in execution.

First and foremost, the NFL is a talent based league. The more and better talented players you have, the better chances you have for winning. Now there are exceptions and some teams and coaches have learned to win by staying within their system and getting production from design. But what about when the design falters? Fans often sit at home and watch Sunday football saying to themselves, “my team stinks” and that maybe true but more than likely they just stink in one area and that effects the whole unit.

The first team we will dissect is the Buffalo Bills. In 2009 they had able Running Backs, a Good Receiving Corps but a relatively bad offense. In total offense the team finished 30th in a 32 team league, so yes, they were inept. But Why? Well the first tie that binds is the Offensive Line. When the QB has no time to find his receivers and the Running back has no hole to burst through then the recipe for disaster is on the Locker Room wall. No matter how good your QB or WR Corps are, without the proper time to plant your feet, go over your reads and throw a strike unabashed then you are at a severe disadvantage. So the first and major piece to successful football is in the Trenches along the Offensive Line. While the 1st day draft pick of an O-Lineman might not be sexy, it sure is vital to success.

What about teams that have a good O-Line, a good QB and great WR but still struggle to win games. I present to you the 2009 Houston Texans. The Texans Defense was definitely not a boon but also not a burden ranking 13th in the NFL for the season, so they were above average. The Texans also have a very good QB in Matt Schaub, a Great WR in Andre Johnson, a Good Tight End in Owen Daniels so why the mediocrity? The problem was a lack of a Running Game. The Texans finished the season ranked 30th in the league in Rushing and once you become one dimensional then NFL Defense’s can start to roll coverages and game-plan to take away your weapons knowing that the other tools in the shed won’t beat you. It would behoof them to take a Running Back early in the draft and create balance on that side of the ball. The rushing attack is a piece you can’t live without.

Next up are teams that have all the weapons but not one particular aspect of the offense. I present to you the 2009 Denver Broncos. The Broncos have all they need to succeed. A Pro Bowl WR (who is on the way out), great compliment receivers, good Tight Ends, a 1st Round Running Back who proved he is capable. Even a QB who is average at best but was sheltered and that was difference in their season. For whatever reason, Josh McDaniels decided that Kyle Orton was going to be limited in his “down the field throws”. He kept the talented Denver offense mostly within 20 yards of the line of scrimmage, essentially making the entire field the “Red Zone”. After the first 6 games it seemed to be working great but then the problem of Film Study came into play and opposing Defenses realized that Denver was unwilling to deep and stretch the field. I spoke to a couple of NFL Players who faced the Broncos and asked them what the gameplan was in the week leading up to the game, what were the coaches saying. They shared with me that they coaches noticed and unwillingness to go up top and stretch the Defense, so keep everything in front of you and when you see the play develop – go ahead and jump it because they are not going to go over your head. One NFL Defensive Back told me it was shocking because covering Brandon Marshall on a Deep Ball is scary and he was glad they helped him out.

This lack of plays in the playbook now puts a major strain on everyone. The WR’s need to be prepared to have contact when the ball arrives as the DB’s are playing downhill keeping the plays in front of them. The Safties, as shown in this video are keeping their eyes on the QB ready to jump what ever is in front of them. The Running Backs now have to face 8-9 men in the box and running lanes become clogged and soon the offense that has talent to run has been leashed and isn’t as efficient as their potential.

How do you make it all work? Balance! Who was the most balanced offense? The Super Bowl Champion New Orleans Saints. The Saints finished the season in the Top 10 in both Rushing and Passing. In Rushing they were 6th and Passing they were 4th. They had a QB who they allowed to make all the throws, the WR’s to make big plays and a dynamic run game that could pound it inside and outside. When Defenses played the Saints they had to stay honest. They couldn’t cheat up or they would get beat deep. They couldn’t sit back or the talented Tight Ends and Running Backs would eat them up chunks at a time. They had all the Arrows in their Quiver.

The key to success in the NFL is talent based to be sure, you need the players. Even if you have the players you have to use them to their strengths and work to keep defenses honest. Like Ed Reed said, all the teams do the same things so when they face a team that can’t do things the other teams do, you are at a disadvantage. Tying it all together is the job of the Coaches and the Playcallers, but it starts with the Scouts and Personnel men who need to know what the team needs in order to compete.

Teams are a delicate chain and from one link to the next they all need to do their part, one weak link and the whole structure is destined to fail!