Another film breakdown from X factor this time from a perspective of looking at the play calling. More good stuff. https://jetsxfactor.com/2022/10/27/ny-jets-mike-lafleur-zach-wilson-play-calling/
I get it is a "What have you done for me lately?" league, but I would honestly move on from the Broncos game while discussing Zach. He wasn't great. The team played conservative. Won with defense. That's it. The next 3 games will be a big evaluation for him. Patriots, Bills, then at the Patriots after the Bye. If the Jets are going to win those games, Zach will be a big part of it.
He could, but there's going to come a time when the ground and pound isn't working and he's going to need to carry them on his arm...that may be as soon as this week...and I want to see him be able to do that when necessary.
I can understand frustration, but I don’t know how Zach has done enough to convince you to support him over the Jets.
This is a pretty fair and accurate overview of Zach's play so far, giving context to much of the struggles he had, although he didn't mention the loss of 3 key players on "O" against Denver which certainly had a big impact. Because he was in a mode of defending Zach from the over the top criticism, he didn't get into the areas where Zach needs to improve, but again, with the other factors involved and not being privy to what Zach and MLF were seeing, it's hard for anyone to assess those things accurately. In any case, Zach does need to improve, but so does the OL and the play calling to put him in situations where he can better succeed. That comparison of how he does without pressure, and with pressure is telling. But here's another argument for defining "pressure" better. Not all "pressure" is the same. Some are much greater - almost a sack - than others, where the rusher might've been able to get a hand on him after he released the throw. Against GB and Denver I'd say most of the pressures were of the "almost a sack" variety. They need to figure out some way of cutting way back on that to give him a better chance to operate.
Well I'm not arguing for "3 yards and a cloud of dust". I'm arguing for the ability to win whatever the conditions are, including weather, opposing team, home/away, injuries, etc. I'm not 100% sold that Saleh and MLF are on that page, or if they're actually trying to go completely G&P. If the latter, then I won't be happy, but if they win a SB doing that I'll forgive them. I suspect though, as I've posted before, that they wanted to get Zach to be able to play within a system and to not have to carry the team while he's early in his career. Keep in mind, in the case of Mahomes and Allen, they both had very good pieces, including good OL, supporting them in their first years, and much better receivers than Zach has had - it's only these past 4 games where Zach has had above average receivers to throw to, and they're all getting used to each other, which is another reason to rely on the running more than the passing right now. Finally, while I loved the aerial circus days of Namath, to win the SB they actually went to more of a style like the Jets are using now. I'm anxious to see the shackles removed from Zach, but as long as I'm seeing steady progress for now I'm happy.
He did show improvement. Last year form clean pocket has was bottom 3 QB. Now he is top 6 in NFL. And also, his sample size in includes 3/4 road games, two of which are against #1 and #2 passing defenses, and the fact he missed 7 weeks, including nearly entire preseason, prior to playing first game. That is a VERY important stat. That means he is already showing capabilities to be a great player. What that means is if you protect him, you have the top 10 QB already. He is the worst QB under pressures, because in the last two games against top two defenses, these pressures didn't give much opportunities to make plays, because they were quite overwhelming. I expect these numbers to improve facing defenses that are worse and the level pressures will not be as bad as they have been. He actually made plays with his legs under pressure, but but hasn't really been able to find a target against great defenses he faced. But it would be great if JD made some magic happen on the trade market to solidify the line. I am hearing Fant may be out for a while. Rookie Mitchell, while performed admirably for a 4th round developmental pick, who was forced to start, is still well below average starting tackle. He is rated #70 out of 77 total by PFF, which may be a little too low, but either way he is not great, plus still hurt. Duane Brown is rated 64th out of 77. I think if Jets go 6:2, JD might just swing a trade at the deadline, because the chance to break play-off drought could be too much to pass up, even if the price for a Tackle as we all know is extremely steep. Not counting on it, but would be great and that could actually unpack the passing game, given Zach's strength in clean pocket. Oline has been a revolving door this year.
I do like most of the clips and breakdowns she used here and the conclusions she reached for each. The one where I dispute, where she said Zach looked flustered on a supposed screen to Berrios on the left, I don't see how that play would've gained anything more than what they wound up with the sack. Mims hardly even touched the defender who would've been all over Berrios right away. I also disagree with her conclusion lessening the impact of the OL play and putting more of it on Wilson. Yes, Zach needs to fix some things here, but what's not being accounted for is the effect that a swiss cheese OL has even when they do actually block. I said this in another post...if the OL allows immediate pressure and/or sacks on 2 plays, but then blocks on the 3rd play, it doesn't mean the QB isn't affected by those earlier pressures, especially a young QB. The problems with the OL are much bigger than Zach's issues. I do agree that MLF's play calling isn't terrible, and given the defense they've faced has actually been good considering. That said, I think he could be calling some plays that use Zach's strengths more - RPOs, roll outs to his right, keeping some more protection in or at least some chip blocks to help the OL give some more pass pro. And it's impossible for any of us to know what they're talking about when they go over film and what they're working on in practice, but MLF and the QB coach need to accelerate Zach's education somehow. He's not dumb and is a film junkie so this shouldn't be hard to do, but there are things Zach is missing: reads he needs to make, footwork he needs to clean up, and they need to help him do this.
Shame he never has a clean pocket then Where is the stat that says he can't hit a receiver in stride? I do admire your faith though Fingers crossed
You nailed the main issues: poor OL play and lack of playing time - missing all of P.S. and the 3 first games of the year. And highlighted what should give lots of hope to all Jets fans: with a clean pocket Zach is a top 6 QB. The majority of posters were saying they'd be happy seeing "steady improvement" from Zach this year. IDK how you can judge what's he's done so far as anything but, at least.
I haven't had time to watch this clip, but will later tonight. I couldn't agree with you more vis-a-vis the effect of the poor OL play on a young QB in general, and Zach in particular. In addition to struggling with having to be too careful, I don't think he is comfortable and really trusts his OL or his WRs. Have you watched the Kurt Warner video analysis of Zach and MLF's play design and execution? If not, I highly recommend it. In the beginning, he clearly points out mistakes that Zach made, and things he needs to work on. Towards the end of the video, he points out faulty play design and/or poor execution by the WRs, such as Moore not clearing out his defender on that interception Zach threw vs Pittsburgh, and a couple of examples where there are WRs in the same area, or WRs not following through on their routes or weird play design. While I don't think MLF's play calling is bad all the time, I do think that it's horribly predictable at times, and at times it is downright bad. One example of this is there has only been one game where very early in the game MLF had an easy throw or two for Zach so he and the offense could get in a rhythm and build confidence. The rest of the time he either is running the ball or having Zach try a tough pass on his first pass attempt. I think he's trying to be too smart, too cute at times and is worrying about fooling the defense rather than just helping Zach succeed. I also totally agree that he could be calling more RPOs, roll outs to his right, etc. Warner does point out however that some of MLF's play fail because he's using a WR and/or TE to chip before running their route, and then they don't make it to their area in time and the timing of the play is disrupted and the play fails. With all the injuries to the OL, however, I can understand why MLF is having them chip before going out. Warner addresses that by suggesting that the route those TEs and WRs take be shorter and in the direction they're blocking rather than in a different direction and way out towards the sideline. I agree regarding Zach's footwork, reads, and processing speed.
I sure hope that you're right about their trying not to have to make Zach carry the team, rather than making him into a game manager, and hope that it won't affect his mindset/confidence. Yes, you're right that in that '69 SB win over the Colts, the Jets ran the ball a lot more and didn't throw all that much. There are games where one has to do that, but not every game. As long as this is just a short-term thing, and there are no lasting negative effects, I'll be fine with it.
I watched every game he played at BYU that's on the internet. THAT is what convinced me. I've never had more confidence in the talent and ability of a young player coming into the NFL than Zach. While I strive to be positive about the Jets, I have a lot of built up frustration with them for all their bad hires over the years, horrible drafts, horrible play, players they've ruined, and I'm at my last straw with them. If they screw Zach up or don't turn into a perennial playoff team, I'm ready to bolt. IMO if they can't figure out a way to win with a young QB of Zach's ability, then they are cursed and never will. Life is too short. I'm not going to be like some posters here who clearly are no longer fans of the team, and instead actually hate the team and everything they do. They just can't let go of their fandom. I had one foot out the door when JD was hired. As much as I believe in him, I don't think it's likely that another QB with Zach's talent will fall into their laps anytime soon.
I think you are confusing the two different plays. The sack where she said Zach got flustered was the 3rd and 16 and the Berrios screen to the left was the 2nd and 6 at the 50. The Berrios screen she alleges should have gone to Hall in the right flat. On that play 2 Broncos blitz leaving Hall wide open, Zach looks at him and then switches back to Berrios. On the sack she alleges that Zach got flustered after avoiding the free rushers and instead of running north and south he panics and runs left taking the sack. Her contention that Zach could have stepped up keeping his eyes downfield and throwing to Wilson would be a pretty difficult play here. It would be the type of play we would like him se him to make occasionally but not something one could expect. I mostly agree with her about him becoming flustered taking his eyes off the field and running east and west but I don't think this is a terrible play. He is running for his life on this play after taking a sack on the previous play. In regards to the screen play he should have thrown it to Hall. He was looking directly at Hall and saw the blitzers. No idea why he switched over to Berrios. Take the easy yards here and that is a play Hall could have taken a long ways.
Yes, I did watch the Warner video analysis (of GB) and commented that the Jets should sign him as a consultant to work with LaFleur and Zach. I think his insights are accurate. While I agree with X-Factor analysis that LaFLeur's play calling isn't bad, I do think it could be better given the players that are available and the level of experience they have playing together and in the NFL as well. To play devil's advocate a bit, what if it's true that Zach really isn't that good, or more probably that he just hasn't been able to adjust to the speed of the NFL yet? Then LaFleur should be trying to simplify things and make things less complicated for him, which is a point I believe Warner made in the Rich Eisen video interview. OTOH, if Zach is actually as good as they thought, and has picked things up as well as they expected, his struggles must be due to other factors. If that's the case, the team needs to figure out how to fix those other factors, whether it's different play calls, changing where players play (moving Moore to the slot and GW outside), Douglas finding some help for the OL, etc. For right now, given the personnel they have, and given that they're winning very tough games, I don't expect to see any big changes. I will say I think they have most of the pieces, aside from the OL, in place so it's a matter of figuring out how to best to use them.
Yes, you're right, I did mix the two. On the screen to Berrios at the 50, he should've definitely gone to Hall, but that struck me as he did what the original play call was supposed to do: look at Hall then come back to Berrios. But in this case Hall was left completely open and Berrios was covered. If this was the case, he should've gone off schedule and thrown to Hall, so while it might not have been a mistake technically speaking, it was a missed opportunity for sure, and therefore a mistake. On the sack at the 16, I don't think he was flustered, I think it was a case of the play being busted up right away and he couldn't throw it to Berrios and the only other option was to try and do something with his legs. In this case I think it was better for him to try and turn upfield rather than do his usual scrambling deeper hoping to find another target.
Again, as everything my conjecture, that may be where a problem arises... going off-schedule. I think the CS became overly concerned about Zach's going off-schedule, & making mistakes last season. And we saw the change, after he returned from the injury last season... & since. He's really cut down on his critical mistakes, but at the same time, in certain situations he's passed up opportunities, like the play mentioned. So, in his overthinking, he's hesitating, & going back to the 'schedule.' (That's what I meant in another post, when I mentioned Zach being castrated, which seemed to upset a few. A bad choice of words.) There's gotta be a middle road, & the CS needs to help him find it.
