This team's slow starts have been well-documented. But to me a score early is worth MORE than a score in the 2nd or 3rd quarter. (1) It gives you confidence throughout the game. (2) When playing a team with little to play for, it takes their energy level down to be trailing by 2 TD's or more. (3) It takes the crowd out of it (check out the rabid Philly fans LEAVING the Linc against NE 2 weeks ago in the 3rd Quarter !!). (4) You can just start to run out the clock early in the 4th quarter, taking time off, rather than in a close game having to worry about the other team 'getting lucky' and getting ahead or within striking distance. We need to be more aggressive early in the games. We've done it at Buffalo in 2010 in that laugher and a few others (at Oakland 2009, etc). Let's hope we can do it today against a Redskin team that is mediocre and has little to play for.
Does anybody have the actual statistic of how many first quarter offensive TD's we have scored in the last 20 games (playoffs included)? I know we had a kick return here or there, but what about an actual TD provided by the offense? I think it's only 1 or 2. That's unreal. How is it we never seem ready to go on offense to start the game.
I know they're absymal....Sanchez is a notorious slow starter. He really is off in the 1st period, almost like a pitcher who needs the 1st and 2nd innings to get into a groove. I honestly don't have a solution. Except maybe Mark would stop missing recievers by 5-7 feet in the 1st quarter.
Score Early? Have you been watching this team? It's not Sanchez, it's the early dumb playcalling. Let's see if Schotty spreads them out early to take away the pass rush, or if he goes to sending 1 and 2 guys out from the I. If we go 3/4 wide early, it forces Sanchez to play, and negates the Pass Rush against our suspect OL. My bet is plenty of I formation early.
The solution is a short passing game on 1st down, instead of 3rd and long. The pattern. I formation. Middle Run. 1 yard. I formation. Try to pick apart 4 on 2 coverage. 3 Wide, complete for 7 on 3rd and 9. Punt.
