Bobblehead":2m8uterc said:
Just curious, seemed like we played a lot of up temp this pre season.
I for one, hope not and hope we only use it as a last resort. I like our SB offense of pounding the ground, punishing opposing defenses, wearing out that defense, keeping our defense fresh and most important, running out the clock and keeping those Brady, and Rodger led offenses off the field.
I don't think so.
What I think we're seeing is just a quicker tempo. If you notice, we're lining up our huddle just a handful of yards off the ball. We're getting the calls in quicker. And getting lined up quicker. I'd say it's more of an intentional speeding up of the initial play calling process. This gives Wilson more time to get to the line, and get a pre snap read.
It also gives us a better ability to catch defenses in between calls. Wilson showed an ability to get to the line, and then just kind of hold off on the call. Realistically, it's the kind of thing that mature QBs can execute. Demonstrates a really high level mastery of the plays and affords the ability to speed up the process of reading defenses.
And that jives with what we're seeing now. We get up there, and Russell is getting that ball out fast. He knows exactly where he's going with the ball. And not on just short patterns either. He's attacking the 8-15 yard box with regularity. So he's getting chunk plays without needing to have great protection.
In addition, it slows down the defensive rush when you have a 9-15 second window to snap the ball as opposed to when the snap clock is between 4 and zero. I'd liken it to a pitcher who effectively changes speeds up. I believe it's a complete mistake in thinking a rushing game means bleeding the clock down to near zero. Tempo (and change in tempo) is useful for both passing and running. If you can see the defense is gassed, or confused, ripping off a run in that case is still catching them at their weakest.
Being able to snap the ball early if there is an advantage is just smart. The best QBs in the game all do that (Brady, Rodgers, Rothlisberger). Being lined up early doesn't preclude one from letting the clock bleed. But it just gives you more opportunities to create advantages for every play if you're lined up quickly.
I'd also note, that it gives Seattle a better opportunity to correct an illegal formation without burning a timeout. There are just so many advantages a team can enjoy by being crisp on the play call and getting out of the huddle. Rhythm, Change of pace, Correcting mistakes. Reading the defense (including change in personnel). Calling audibles to match. Reduction in delay penalties. Reduction in wasted timeouts. So many advantages.
