The Kevin Gilbride Offensive System and WHY IT CAN LOOK SO BAD
Peyton Manning runs a similar offense, but his is much more in his control.
There are numerous issues with the way the New York Giants run this offense.
#1 The protection is based off of line slides determined by the player who is considered the Mike or Middle Linebacker.
#2 The Quarterback, Receivers, Lineman and Backs must ALL READ THE SAME THING.
#3 The execution on a lot of the routes are predicated on timing.
Now for the practical ways this can fail... and how are offense is setup.
Breakdown #1
Gilbride calls one pass and 2 runs to the sideline...
The defense shows a nickel look... 2 linebackers and an extra defensive back,
Either the weak or strong linebacker is then identified as the mike linebacker.
When the pocket forms, if there is a stunt, or a blitz or anything of that nature. The running back must then pickup a defensive tackle or end. Automatic mismatch. If the corner or weakside backer blitzes on a delay. The running back a lot of times will have to run from the right side of the backfield to the left or vice versa to pick up a blitz.
If one interior lineman loses the battle up front, or if the running back is too deep or Eli is up to close because the ends are going up field. It is impossible to protect him.
THIS IS WHY ELI IS FORCING THROWS AND RUNNING FOR HIS LIFE
Breakdown #2
For those of you who know what to look for why a play broke down I will give you a perfect example. The giants like to run a play that they used in the first super bowl against the pats that tyree scored a TD on. It is a playaction fake then a slant to the X (strong side) receiver.
Lets go through the progression and then you will understand the problems with not everyone being on the same page. Eli takes the snap. The receiver attempts inside position on the corner. The Strong Side safety slides into robber/ ( seam area from 5-10 yards ) to jump the slant. In this instance the receiver has 2 options. If the free safety slides to deep 1 he stops and the slant is thrown on the back shoulder. If the free safety is playing over 1 deep weak. He is supposed to cut it up field leaning towards the sideline to give a window to throw the ball.
In this instance the receiver pushed through the slant, and Eli eats a sack for a 9 yard loss.
Later in the game, there is an all out blitz, Randle does a stop route and Eli throws it to the end zone. The DB waits for the pass like a punt and its intercepted. In a press conference Eli said he wasn't on the same page with Randle, but let's face it. It was the red zone, 1 on 1 no safety help. You take the shot.
This leads to another interception.
Breakdown #3
Same as usual, 2 runs and 1 pass is called in.
The defense shows base 4-3 (4 Defensive lineman and 3 linebackers) with a shift to the strong side. The middle linebacker is identified as the Mike linebacker. There is a whip blitz. Where 1 linebacker follows another into a gap. Everything works perfectly. Eli slides left, the Tackle picks up the strong side backer, and the following middle linebacker is sealed by the running back. Eli then has to step and throw based on the receivers proximity to the defender and when his shoulders dip. Unfortunately with this specific type of blitz it is only a matter of moments before someone lets up their block and you cannot hold the ball long enough to throw the 12 yard dig which is what is open dictated by the deep coverage and vacated area of the other 2 linebackers. It is thrown soft and high early for the receiver to have a chance to get the ball...
If any of these scenarios happen the play is ruined.
#1 The receiver cuts early, it goes high, probably intercepted.
#2 The receiver cuts on time, but the ball glances off of his hands, probably intercepted.
#3 The receiver cuts late, sees the ball floating, attempts to catch it high, gets obliterated, hopefully hangs on, probably intercepted.
For those of you who don't know, the entire giants offense is based off of this: PERFECTION
The receiver needs to make the correct read.
The receiver needs to beat his man.
The offensive line needs to protect perfectly.
The backs need to slide into the correct gaps based on defensive alignment.
The QB needs to make the correct read, throw the ball on time and accurately.
If any one of these 5 things don't happen. There will be issues.
This is NOT an easy offense to play in. It is perhaps the 2nd most complicated offense employed in the league in recent memory. The only one that is more complicated is the Mike Martz offense. WRs have to learn a 100 route tree, where most receivers are in the 20-30 range. These routes often lead to problems and the Quarterback getting killed.
See Mark Bulger \ Kurt Warner \ Jay Cutler \ Anyone else who played in his offensive system.
Sorry to drag this on but early in the season with this many new offensive lineman, running backs, WRs, TEs.... expect more miscommunication. More INTs and more close games to the wire.
This post was edited by xnozx. on Sep 17 2013 02:21pm