Indeed. But they can also be deceived by it. It's an old coaches dilemma--do you risk tipping the play to put in specialists? Or do you run the best plays with the best personnel for the best results whether the defense has a clue or not. Most coaches find a balance point depending on the nature of their team.
I assume screens and crossing routes are not strengths of BHs, as opposed to the coaches not wanting to call them. With Mett and AJ, we ran a lot of crossing routes. In fact, that may have been our go-to passing route. Also, with AJ, we started throwing screens more. So, why the about face? I suspect it's BH. The coaches see him everyday in practice and know what his strengths and weaknesses are, so I assume this is the issue. BH has a "howitzer arm" as someone so eloquently put it in another post, so I think that is why you are seeing so many long throws - it's what BH is comfortable, and presumably good, at doing. Also, I wonder if some of the calls are different, then BH just throws long? Dunno. Just some devils advocate type thoughts to explain why so many bombs and so few screens/crossing patterns. Last night, crossing routes would have worked beautifully, if BH could get em there. I still think the passing game gets worked out by the time we are playing the big boys.
His first completion last night was on a play action bootleg on the run to his right hitting Dupree on a crossing route in perfect stride. I think Harris' issue is he is trying too hard to force the long ball and establish himself as a passing threat.
He also hit Dural on a nice out route later in the same drive. We saw him hit several throws in that 10-15 yard range last week. Whatever is going on in our passing game, be it the play calling or Harris forcing the deep ball, the problem is not that he can't make the midrange throws.
I'm trying to think when is the last time we passed the ball with 8 tight ends in the game. Hmmmm.....
Might as well; that might keep Harris from airing it out. I like it. Force him into short passes. Not like their D will play it any different.
I think you're spot on here. To me he seems to be trying too hard to show everyone he can be a deep threat, and that is affecting his overall performance. All he's got to do is stop being so impatient and trying so hard, and just manage the game. Those opportunities will come to him at the right time.
