1) More commitment to running the ball. Yes, we may struggle for stretches, but we need to see 20-25 touches by our backs, and I'd like to see Johnson get 2/3s of those. I think we continue our base stretch play, but also be intentional with the cutback off of it and run some inside traps like we saw at times last year. Hopefully our Oline can handle it. Even when we get in our trips bunch sets (usually with 2 TEs) toss the ball a couple times and see what happens. We must show a commitment to the run and hopefully have some success to open up this offense.
2) More diversity in our routes, especially in flooding the zones if we see cover 2, which I expect we will. We will have to have protection though b/c we need at least 4 guys on routes. In our 2 back shotgun sets we have twins to one side and a single WR to the other. On the twins side we've got to get some combos to put the saftey and corner in a bind. Put Nelson in the slot and Murphy wide. Run Nelson right down the hashes to hold the safety, run Murphy on a skinny post-corner, swing the back out to the flats, and run the backside WR on a deep post. You put the playside safety in a bind their if the routes are spaced right having to cover 2 guys in his zone and this is a way to get the ball down the field. The back swinging out should hold the corner, though he'll probably get picked up by a LB. Still, if the corner goes deep to stay with the post-corner route, Johnson/Patton should be able to get the backer on the edge. There are plenty of other ways to use 3 recievers to attack cover 2, but I pointed out this one b/c it should give you a chance to get vertical a bit, if you can give the QB some time and still allows you to keep 6 guys in to protect.
3) More screens. We've attempted some slip screens to Jordy, and at least one to Murphy, but we've got to try to get Patton and Johnson in space as well. Out of the 2 back gun formation, we could easly run a double screen for example. Plus some more slip screens to Nelson. I'd like to see a screen to a back when we have 3 TEs in the game as well.
Otherwise, keep doing what we are doing. The short passing game and stretch zone will continue to be our staples, especially with our current personnel, but these could be a few additions to put a bit more pressure on defenses.
