Short Yardage Passes

[darryl]

Why was Gradkowski throwing so many short yardage passes during the game and on 3rd and long? [banghead]

[BucsGuru]

The same reason we always throw short yardage passes; it's the main ingredient of our offense. 

[Ft. Myers Buc Fan]

I think that Gruden has made such a big deal about not turning the ball over that Bruce is scared to throw it downfield and checks down on the large majority of pass plays which is bordering on ridiculous

[SamoaJoeBucFan]

Just check downs.  He really had nowhere else to go with the ball on alot of those throws.

[naplesbuc]

Bruce is heeding the old doctor's advice - first do no harm.  He's managing the game well (6 Td's to 1 INT).

This of course comes at a cost of a lot of 3 and outs.

[BucsAddict]

Bruce is heeding the old doctor's advice - first do no harm. He's managing the game well (6 Td's to 1 INT).

This of course comes at a cost of a lot of 3 and outs.

40? and counting

[caradoc]

When there's nothing there on third and long you either:
a) Force it into coverage and get a high risk of INT
b) Throw it away
c) Pick up something even if it's not the first down.

He's picking (c), and wisely.  Not that he probably hasn't left some plays out there, but he's making the right decision more often than not.

[XXXVII Champs]

Heck, I'd settle for some Int's, at least we'd be trying to get down the field.  These short  and swing passes haven't been doing it, so let 'er go.  Afterall, it's not like we'd risking a game.

[naplesbuc]

Given how bad our defense is I agree that it really is time to open up the offense and see what Gradkowski can really do.  Trying to protect the ball for our defense to give up 9 minute 4th quarter drives is pretty dumb.

[rayfsc07]

When there's nothing there on third and long you either:
a) Force it into coverage and get a high risk of INT
b) Throw it away
c) Pick up something even if it's not the first down.

He's picking (c), and wisely. Not that he probably hasn't left some plays out there, but he's making the right decision more often than not.

Some of those times maybe you should throw a ball deep, and either A. let your WR make a play, B. Draw a PI call, or C. Throw an INT, which if you throw a 40 yard pass its just as good as a punt......

[XXXVII Champs]

When there's nothing there on third and long you either:
a) Force it into coverage and get a high risk of INT
b) Throw it away
c) Pick up something even if it's not the first down.

He's picking (c), and wisely. Not that he probably hasn't left some plays out there, but he's making the right decision more often than not.

Some of those times maybe you should throw a ball deep, and either A. let your WR make a play, B. Draw a PI call, or C. Throw an INT, which if you throw a 40 yard pass its just as good as a punt......

Bingo!

[Timbuc2]

Just check downs. He really had nowhere else to go with the ball on alot of those throws.

That's crap, the announcers even laughed at it and knew that people were open. Dude, he checked down many times before he got out of his three step drop...and the majority of these times he had good blocking. The bad play was in the 4th quarter and we were down 31-14. It was fourth and three and we went for it, which I was all for. Clayton looked like he was going to drag the middle of the field, then he reverse pivoted and was wide open. Grads over threw him, rookie or not you have to make that play. I really like that play but you know what?...I will bet my life that you will never see it again the remaining season!

[allforbucs]

The same reason we always throw short yardage passes; it's the main ingredient of our offense.

I hate it - we hardly ever convert on 3rd and long - I hate those 3-5 yard dumps when we need 15

[alldaway]

The same reason we always throw short yardage passes; it's the main ingredient of our offense. 

The offense has not changed since Gruden has been here so I am not sure why everyone is suprised.

[mjs020294]

Bruce is heeding the old doctor's advice - first do no harm.  He's managing the game well (6 Td's to 1 INT).

This of course comes at a cost of a lot of 3 and outs.

Average 2nd down = 9.2 yards

Average 3rd down 10.5 yards


That is a tuff spot for any QB to be in every series.