Giants training camp: 10 observations about Ben McAdoo's offense

[Mr. P]

 

EAST RUTHERFORD -- There was a lot of commotion last week before a practice play at Giants training camp unfolded. The defense was trying to get its personnel straight; the offense was doing the same, while simultaneously trying to get the play-call understood by all.

"Let's go!" an unfamiliar voice barked.

The command came with a Western Pennsylvania twang, and belonged to new offensive coordinator Ben McAdoo. He is the biggest difference around Giants training camp this year. His new offense, what NBC analyst Chris Collinsworth called the "Packers" offense on Tuesday, is what's expected to rejuvenate quarterback Eli Manning.

To this point, McAdoo's West Coast scheme has been the star of Giants training camp. It has had just about everyone that stopped by (from Collinsworth to MMQB's Peter King to ESPN's Antonio Pierce) transfixed.

If they watched closely enough, here's what they might have seen:

1. A Well Designed Scheme -- Short, quick routes. Easy quick-hitters. This offense is designed to take advantage of playmakers. It's designed to make life easier for the wide receivers, quarterback and offensive line. The receivers don't have as many option routes. The quarterback releases the ball quicker and takes less hits. The offense line doesn't hold their blocks as long. McAdoo's scheme makes perfect sense, especially in today's NFL where the rules are designed to favor offensive playmakers.

2. It's Fast, Fast, Fast -- The Giants are rushing out of the huddle, if they huddle at all. "Let's go! Let's go!" is a common refrain at practice. Gone are the days of the play clock being down to one on just about every Manning snap. It may not be Chip Kelly fast, but McAdoo has sped up the Giants offense considerably.

3. Good for Eli -- The new offense and voice in his ear has brought Manning out of his comfort zone. He's being asked to get rid of the ball quicker, change his footwork and learn an entirely new language. After 10 years in the same offense and a horrid 2013 season, a new offense might be just what the doctor ordered. Just ask San Diego's Philip Rivers, who had one of the best years of his career in 2013 after similar changes.

4. Ideal for the WRs -- McAdoo's offense seems perfect for the wide receivers on the roster. Victor Cruz, Odell Beckham (when finally healthy) and Jerrel Jernigan are run-after-the-catch receivers. They're made for an offense that puts the ball in their hands quickly. And Rueben Randle with his ability to go up and make catches is a perfect compliment. The offense should work well for this group.

5. Best for Cruz -- Cruz in particular should thrive in this new system. He already looks dominant catching balls from Manning at practice. He caught 80-plus passes in 2011 and 2012. He was on pace for 83 receptions before an injury cut last season short. It's not hard to envision 100 catches for Cruz in McAdoo's scheme, where Cruz's ability to get in and out of cuts sharply will serve him well.

6. Get Ready for Screens -- The Giants have been working on at least one screen pass per day at practice. And they go beyond the traditional running back screen that have become the norm around these parts. In particular, the Giants are running a lot more screens to their wide receivers.

7. It's Mismatched with the Offensive Line Talent -- While the wide receiver talent may be ideal for McAdoo's offensive system, the offensive line is not. They're built right now to be a power running attack with J.D. Walton at center and Brandon Mosley and Geoff Schwartz at guard. A West Coast offense that often asks for interior linemen to pull on screens would be better served having a more athletic offensive line. The Giants' starting offensive line right now is not that.

8. 70 Percent Not Far Off -- New quarterbacks coach Danny Langsdorf told the world that the goal is to get Manning completing 70 percent of his passes this season. It sounds ridiculous given Manning's schizophrenic accuracy throughout his career. But it may not be far off. With the degree of difficulty on the passes Manning is going to be asked to complete, mid-to-upper 60s is a realistic number, even for a passer with a career average of below 60 percent.

9. RBs Are Running Routes -- The Giants running backs are going to be used as pass catchers much more frequently than in the past few years. That is why it's so important to have a healthy David Wilson. In addition to screen passes, McAdoo is asking his running backs to run all types of routes. At times, they're almost being used as wide receivers. Running back Rashad Jennings caught a pass on a crossing route the other day. Peyton Hillis snagged a ball after running a hitch. The entire route tree is in play for the running backs in this offense.

10. TEs Are Everywhere -- The Giants' tight end corps may not be the most versatile bunch ever assembled, but they're being used all over the field regardless. They're in-line, out wide, in the slot, in the backfield as an H-back, in the backfield as a traditional fullback or elsewhere. You never know where you're going to see one of the Giants tight ends in McAdoo's offense.

 

http://www.nj.com/giants/index.ssf/2014/07/giants_training_camp_ten_observations_about_ben_mcadoos_offense.html

[BlueInCanada]

"The receivers don't have as many option routes"

 

Music to my ears.

[Mr. P]

"The receivers don't have as many option routes"

 

Music to my ears.

 

 

I'll admit it was time for a change, but those wr option routes were a huge reason for our success and our 2 superbowl runs.

[BlueInCanada]

 

 

I'll admit it was time for a change, but those wr option routes were a huge reason for our success and our 2 superbowl runs.

 

Oh I'll agree but it only really worked because we had WRs who were smart enough and had enough time in the system to learn it.

 

Seems like the last two seasons Eli and the WRs have been reading off of separate playbooks.

[JMFP]

 

Oh I'll agree but it only really worked because we had WRs who were smart enough and had enough time in the system to learn it.

 

Seems like the last two seasons Eli and the WRs have been reading off of separate playbooks.

 

Agreed......when everything went right, Gilbride's system moved the chains, against every defense in the NFL.

 

Gilbride's system would look awesome if it were Peyton Manning throwing to Marvin Harrison, or Montana to Rice.....but unless you've got a very cerebral QB/WR tandem, shit's going to go wrong.

 

And teams caught on to it.....they were able to show certain looks, and then jump on any miscommunication.

[Sephiroth]

 

 

I'll admit it was time for a change, but those wr option routes were a huge reason for our success and our 2 superbowl runs.

It's also a big reason we've missed the playoffs 4 of the last 5 seasons. Good with the bad, as it were.

[Mr. P]

It's also a big reason we've missed the playoffs 4 of the last 5 seasons. Good with the bad, as it were.

 

 

True, but when I look back, in my minds eye the shadow from the 2 super bowl trophies will pretty much block out the missed playoffs.

[TaylorBanksCarsonVanPelt]

 

Agreed......when everything went right, Gilbride's system moved the chains, against every defense in the NFL.

 

Gilbride's system would look awesome if it were Peyton Manning throwing to Marvin Harrison, or Montana to Rice.....but unless you've got a very cerebral QB/WR tandem, shit's going to go wrong.

 

And teams caught on to it.....they were able to show certain looks, and then jump on any miscommunication.

You're last sentence hits the nail on the head...

[Tempest]

Not too concerned about the point made about the offensive line and its ability to pull on screens. Good to see that they are back to practicing the screen pass and getting the ball out to guys like Wilson, Cruz, and Jernigan will help. Just because Gilbride is gone doesn't mean we're moving away from the power running game. You cannot have a Tom Coughlin football team without a power running game.