{"id":17973,"date":"2013-02-05T13:41:49","date_gmt":"2013-02-05T17:41:49","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.jetnation.com\/?p=17973"},"modified":"2013-02-07T10:22:56","modified_gmt":"2013-02-07T14:22:56","slug":"jets-west-what-to-expect-from-the-jets-new-offense","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/miletestsite.com\/jets\/2013\/02\/05\/jets-west-what-to-expect-from-the-jets-new-offense\/","title":{"rendered":"“Jets West”: What to Expect from the Jets New Offense"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Jets have had a “ground and pound” philosophy for the past four years.\u00a0 Aside from success in the 2009-10 playoffs, the Jets haven’t been able to establish a solid run offense the past two seasons.\u00a0 Now the organization is turning to new offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg’s<\/a> “West Coast Offense.”\u00a0 He’s coming to the Jets after 7 years as the Philadelphia Eagles offensive coordinator (10 years in Philadelphia total).<\/p>\n

There’s been much written explaining what the philosophy of the offense is and how it works but one can easily get lost in the technical aspects of Mornhinweg’s system.\u00a0 This article will tell all you need to know about the offense in simple terms and how the Jets will use the system in 2013.<\/p>\n

The West Coast Offense originated with former San Francisco 49’ers Head Coach Bill Walsh<\/a>.\u00a0 Most don’t know that the offense didn’t originate when he was in San Francisco, but the philosophy started when he was the offensive coordinator in Cincinnati.\u00a0 He took his offense to San Francisco where he ran it with Hall of Fame quarterbacks Joe Montana <\/a>and Steve Young<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The basic philosophy is to supplement running the ball with short quick passes putting the offense in 2nd or 3rd and short situations.\u00a0 The goal is to take what the defense gives you and be patient with the short passes, which will set up potential big plays a few times per game.\u00a0 This offense attempts to exploit linebackers in pass coverage as they’re usually weaker in that aspect of the game.\u00a0 The constant threat of passing will keep a defense honest, and force them to cover more and blitz less.\u00a0 Through pre-snap motion and a wide variety of formations, it attempts to flood (overload) the defenses zones by sending receivers into areas where the defense doesn’t have enough players to defend every route.<\/p>\n

The offensive philosophy\u00a0for each\u00a0position is:<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

Quarterback<\/strong>–<\/span> The quarterback must be a playmaker.\u00a0 You cannot have a “game manager” as the quarterback of the West Coast Offense.\u00a0 The QB must be able to read the defense both pre-snap and after snap and make quick decisions.\u00a0 He also must be able to go through his progression of receivers quickly and make quick accurate decisions.\u00a0 A lot of routes are timing routes so the QB must be on the same page with the wide receivers at all times.\u00a0 The key for the QB of this type of offense is to take what the defense gives you and be patient.\u00a0 Many guys try to force throws that aren’t there or force a deep ball instead of taking the short passes (i.e. Michael Vick).\u00a0 Additionally, the QB must be mobile and be able to extend the play.\u00a0 This offense doesn’t use a tradition pocket passing game, but rather rolls the QB out of the pocket to make precise hard thrown passes within 10-15 yards of the line of scrimmage.<\/p>\n

Running Back<\/strong><\/span>–\u00a0Running Backs in this offense must be great route runners and pass catchers.\u00a0 They are often used to exploit mismatches on linebackers, so they must have great hands and be agile in space.\u00a0 When asked to run the ball, they must have excellent vision and be able to anticipate and find a hole amidst a zone blocking scheme by the offensive line.\u00a0 Shifty, strong running backs suit the offense well.<\/p>\n

Tight End<\/strong><\/span>– Tight Ends have to be excellent blockers, as well as, good possession receivers.\u00a0 They need to be able to get open in the middle of the field and catch passes in tight windows.\u00a0 Most importantly, the QB must be able to trust his TE and feel comfortable throwing to him.\u00a0 Brent Celek <\/a>of the Philadelphia Eagles has made a career of being that trustworthy, 3rd down receiver in this type of offense.\u00a0 A large, athletic TE with great hands and route running ability is a must.<\/p>\n

Offensive Line<\/strong><\/span>– The West Coast philosophies implement zone blocking schemes for the offensive line.\u00a0 On run plays, the line works as one solid unit to block in a zone to create holes.\u00a0 They are sometimes used to pull and lead the way, but most times they will zone block.\u00a0 Linemen in this offense must be quick and agile.\u00a0 Their pass blocking will be quick, explosive blocks because of the short routes being run.\u00a0 This means that the linemen must all be on the same page at all times, led by their center yelling out directions.<\/p>\n

Wide Receivers<\/strong><\/span>– Wide Receivers must be able to get open in small spaces.\u00a0 They must be precise route runners with the ability to run after the catch.\u00a0 DeSean Jackson has become a threat in the NFL because of this.\u00a0 In general, the receivers must properly time every route and be on the same page as the quarterback on all throws.\u00a0 They also don’t necessarily need great straight-line speed but rather be able to change direction quickly and move in tight spaces.\u00a0 They have to develop a relationship with the QB where the QB will always know where they will be on each play.\u00a0 Communication is a necessity.<\/p>\n

That’s\u00a0a quick, short and simple wrap up of each position in the West Coast Offense, but most people are wondering, how will this fit the Jets roster?\u00a0 Well, there are going to have to be changes in order to be successful in this offense.\u00a0 The QB position will need an upgrade as Mark Sanchez <\/a>has struggled with reading defenses and making quick decisions in his career.\u00a0 He also is tempted by the deep throw which results in interceptions and in this offense the QB must be patient and disciplined.\u00a0 He also isn’t as mobile as scouts thought he could be which may hinder his ability to run this offense.<\/p>\n

Current free agent running back Shonn Greene<\/a> has struggled in the passing game throughout his career.\u00a0 He isn’t a shifty back which makes it difficult for him to get space from defenders.\u00a0 We haven’t seen enough from Bilal Powell<\/a> or Joe McKnight<\/a> to say that they would fit this role, but maybe one of them has the capabilities to do so.\u00a0 If the Jets feel that they do not, they may look to draft a RB in the 2nd or 3rd round, as this draft has many talented, well-rounded\u00a0backs available.<\/p>\n

The Jets need a big athletic tight end with reliable hands. \u00a0Hayden Smith<\/a> would have to improve drastically in his blocking in order to make the team and have a role this upcoming season.\u00a0 Dustin Keller’s<\/a> hybrid TE build doesn’t suit this offense and he’s an unrestricted free agent whom the Jets may not pursue resigning.\u00a0 They need to draft a big tight end with speed who can get into and out of routes smoothly and catch passes in tight windows.\u00a0 The prototypical West Coast tight end is not on the Jets roster currently.<\/p>\n

The\u00a0offensive line has a true leader at center in Nick Mangold who will control and call all the line’s blocking schemes.\u00a0 Tackles D’Brickashaw Ferguson and (restricted free agent) Austin Howard<\/a> could get the job done on the outside if they can manage to stand their ground and protect for quick three step and five step drops.\u00a0 Offensive guard is a cause for concern.\u00a0 The Jets need two athletic guards who can protect and be able to zone block on guys like New England Patriots nose tackle Vince Wilfork.\u00a0 The draft may be a place they turn to fill this position.<\/p>\n

Wide receivers Santonio Holmes<\/a> and Jeremy Kerley<\/a> can flourish in this offensive scheme.\u00a0 They have the ability to separate and run after the catch to make big plays. Second year wide-out Stephen Hill<\/a> will likely run the deeper routes, while other receivers flood the defensive zone, making him the big play guy once or twice a game.\u00a0 Hill’s route running needs improvement over the middle but if he can do this, he will be a major asset to this passing game.<\/p>\n

In summation, the Jets do not have the perfect personnel for the West Coast Offense, but they have pieces that could provide a major impact.\u00a0 They have guys who can play huge roles and make a name for themselves in positions that are heavily relied on in Mornhinweg’s offense.\u00a0 The biggest additions the Jets need to make are a mobile, smart, fast reacting QB with a strong arm, a big blocking and reliable catching tight end, and offensive line speed and quickness, especially at the guard position.<\/p>\n

The Jets offense is far from complete and through the draft and veteran minimum free agents, the team will try to put together the best arsenal to help Mornhinweg succeed.\u00a0 He has had 10-top-10 offenses<\/a> through the course of his coaching career.\u00a0 This year the Jets will have to build a solid core which suits the offense best, and while it will take some time, this offense can be successful with the proper pieces in place.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The Jets have had a “ground and pound” philosophy for the past four years.\u00a0 Aside from success in the 2009-10 playoffs, the Jets haven’t been able to establish a solid run offense the past two seasons.\u00a0 Now the organization is turning to new offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg’s “West Coast Offense.”\u00a0 He’s coming to the Jets […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":20,"featured_media":17984,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":false,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[6,1337],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-17973","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-featured-editorials","8":"category-home-slider"},"acf":[],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/miletestsite.com\/jets\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/02\/marty-mornhinweg1.jpg","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/peLffi-4FT","jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/miletestsite.com\/jets\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/17973","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/miletestsite.com\/jets\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/miletestsite.com\/jets\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/miletestsite.com\/jets\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/20"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/miletestsite.com\/jets\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=17973"}],"version-history":[{"count":17,"href":"https:\/\/miletestsite.com\/jets\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/17973\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":18033,"href":"https:\/\/miletestsite.com\/jets\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/17973\/revisions\/18033"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/miletestsite.com\/jets\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/17984"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/miletestsite.com\/jets\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=17973"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/miletestsite.com\/jets\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=17973"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/miletestsite.com\/jets\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=17973"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}