I came across a post on reddit talking about the differences in Hackett and Lafluer's offenses, and how it may already be benefiting Zach Wilson. I know we have some posters here with playing or coaching backgrounds, so I wanted to get your thoughts: Well yes, he’s no longer in a system that asks him to do post snap drop options and ball grips. He never had those issues at BYU and playing with more traditional mechanics in hacketts system we’ll see less of those weirdly thrown check down throws. It’s gonna be about accuracy now. MLFs system does a great job getting wrs open by relying on so many an variables. ZW might miss less easy throws but he’ll be forced to make accurate passes into tighter windows. I have faith RE: Hackett's scheme: I don’t know that I would call it less complicated but I would call it more traditional than what MLF was trying to do, and asks the QB to make reads in a different way: In MLFs system, the receivers have variable routes they can run in a single play that they will decide on based on what the DB does immediately after the snap, usually by reading the DB or linebackers first step. This is also true for the QB: based on what the D does immediately post snap, the QB might be taking a 3, 5 or a 7 step drop. If everything lines up, there should almost always be an open receiver to hit. The QB should be “reading” gaps in the defense and throwing there, and a WR should be there bc the WR should spot that gap and adjust their route to go there. As opposed to the more traditional “reading” his own receivers and who is most desirable to throw to. this is the Shanahan system. “Qb friendly” but it’s really its own thing. And MLF was a rookie OC trying to implement it. I thought it was an odd choice to pair a rookie OC installing a really tough to learn system, with a rookie QB who went to BYU (as opposed to a power 10 school with nearly nfl level offense complexity). mike white was a practice squad player for the cowboys who had a similar system that he knew from his time there - it’s why he seemed more natural in the system despite being less talented. I don’t know too much about Hacketts system yet, but I know it doesn’t include those 3-5-7 option drops that always seemed to throw Zack off. There’s so much tape of his feet and upper body just doing different things playing for MLF. You just don’t see that in his BYU tape or his preseason tape from this year. Please feel free to delete if this doesn't belong, I just thought the analysis was worth a look. Specifically his point about variable depth drops that Zach had to decide on post snap, and how that is not a part of the offense he'll be running now. (post is here: https://www.reddit.com/r/nyjets/com...ow_but_zach_wilson_is_taking_massive/k0l3v84/)
Very interesting read, and I’ll grab onto any straw that drifts within reach after our ship just sank so spectacularly. But that stuff about MLF’s offense. Is it really that complex? It sounds like a nightmare for a QB to learn.
Yes, not only was LaFleur's offense more complex due it's goal of maximum flexibility for the QBs and receivers, but it was insane for him to expect a rookie, regardless of what school/conference he came from, to grasp it. At best, they should've signed a decent vet and let Zach sit and learn for a year, and have a chance at reworking his game - which was still a dumb idea...why did they draft him anyway? Good riddance to another "genius" OC.
MLF's version also had a ton of motion, and the QB was supposed to decide where to go with the ball based on how the D reacted to the motion. IMO that made it a lot more complex. I never heard about the QB having to adjust his drop based on what the D did at the snap and also having to change grips on the ball. That just sounds totally stupid, makes it unnecessarily complex, and is asking for problems with fumbles or inaccuracy. If that is true about all the options the WRs and QB had on any given play, then there's little wonder that Zach struggled so much with it, was indecisive, held the ball too lon, then took sacks or was late getting throws out. That is a totally stupid offense to expect a rookie QB to be able to run, especially one who didn't run a similarly complex scheme like that in college. That White was more familiar with the scheme since he played in a similar scheme with Dallas puts the lie to those who were claiming that White is a better QB than Zach. He was just a veteran who already had experience in the NFL and with the scheme, while Zach was struggling to learn and adapt to it. Then on top of that MLF was trying to attack weaknesses in opponents' defenses. MLF was truly clueless, and it was a totally stupid hire by Saleh. Saleh deserves to be fired for that truly stupid decision. It's a good thing that the players like him, the D is playing at a very high level, and the team doesn't quit. That saved his job; otherwise, he should have been fired already. Either JD is equally dumb, or it is a matter of his wanting to give Saleh free reign with his CS and not overrule him. I think he thought that Knapp would be a difference maker, and that Zach would be able to handle it all as a rookie, but he has already admitted that he made a mistake and should have had a veteran QB to start while Zach sat and learned. Hopefully, both learned from their egregious mistakes, and will make no more of that level. JD hasn't fixed the OL. He's done an awesome job with trades, the draft, the cap, UDFA signings, and made some great FA signings, but has failed with the OL, especially for this season with Rodgers. He better get it right for next season. If not, then I'll probably agree with most of the rest here that he needs to go.
White WAS better than Zach last year. Let's call a spade a spade. But Wilson was God awful so that's not actually a shinning achievement.
Yes, he was better last season, but he should have been since he had familiarity with the scheme, and Zach's confidence was shot and he was still struggling with the scheme.
I don't want to get into a pissing contest with you. I'm just saying he was slightly better and the one good game he had was a ton better than Wilson has ever had. And let's not pretend White was some seasoned vet. That's far from the case.
Nice job. Thanks! I have my own system: Throw to Garrett Wilson. If he falls down while running his route, look for the Tight End. Also, run the ball often.
I'm not looking to get into a pissing contest, either. Why even go there? I agreed that he was better, and his good game was definitely better than Wilson has had. As far as being a "seasoned vet," I was going off of what the poster on Reddit had said about his learning a similar system with Dallas. I just looked him up on nfl.com, and it only shows the 2 years with the Jets. I then looked at Wikipedia, and he was drafted by the Cowpokes in 2018, and spent the season as their #3 QB, then was waived following TC in 2019 and was signed to the Jets PS. He then signed a futures contract with the Jets and bounced between the roster and the PS in 2020. He was on the Jets roster in 2021 and 2022. Mike White is 28 years old, Zach is just 24. So Mike White was 4 years older than Zach and had already spent 3 seasons in the NFL before Zach was even drafted. That makes a big difference imo. If you don't agree, fine, we can agree to disagree.
Running the ball is OK. The Eagles proved it’ll work to win games and you can score a lot of games if it works last night. The Jets need to figure out a game flow that makes Wilson feel comfortable and also stop bouncing him around between schemes. We did a ton of this with LaFleur. Under center for an obvious run with the tightend on the field for first down and then 4 wide on second down. Get him into a rhythm early. Fuck call an instant bomb play action and tell him to throw to GW 50 yards down the field on the first play or series. Shit like that loosens a quarterback up.
exactl!!! Like we aren’t asking for him to be a savior just play average and this overall team talent would take him far. He has yet to show he can consistently do that sadly. I can’t wait to see what he does on Sunday. Hopefully he can at least keep us in the game and not have a Daniel Jones game
