The Screen Pass...a Dying Breed?

[TL24x7]

Rick Johnson has a nice piece on the screen pass in the NFL that was just posted. Interesting reading and I'm sure it has been a much discussed topic on message boards in the past.

http://www.profootball24x7.com/colum...4&view=archive

[RavenScallywag]

I'm convinced...if it's not a straight up pass or run, we can't run the play...though that WAS before McNair. I'd like to see us learn some trick plays and use some strategy like that...

[GreenWave52]

When executed properly the screen pass is the prettiest play in all of football. I loved watching the Chiefs play because of Saunders penchant for running them.

[StingerNLG]

The screen pass is so effective, and yet only the best teams really use it. part of the issue with us running it has always been the speed of our offensive line. Because we are a run-first team, the OL has always just been about beef. No athleticism. But hopefully that philosophy will begin to change as the older members of the OL begin to retire out.

If a guard can't even chug his way across the field to setup for the screen, how can you run it?

[postalworker]

Exactly. Hopefully, Chris Chester and future draft picks will change that, and maybe we'll see some screen plays.

Maybe even some wide receiver screens? We seem to try those every now and then, and they rarely net much yardage. I could see Mark Clayton doing smoe serious damage on some screens, though. He's going to be special.

Did I mention that I like Mark Clayton? I don't know if I've made that clear over the past year...

[jonboy79]

It looked to me like Boller ran a screen or two if I remember correctly with the 2nd younger line.

[StingerNLG]

Are you sure you aren't thinking of SWING passes and not screens? Screens usually happen with everyone behind the LOS.

[Ravens0587]

I didn't see a screen by boller, the only thing I saw from him was hitting the running back (over and over and well you get the point) and no one else during his two minute drill.

[Raveninwoodlawn]

part of the issue with us running it has always been the speed of our offensive line. Because we are a run-first team, the OL has always just been about beef. No athleticism.

Basically.

I've always beena big fan of the screen...especially when you are facing a team that likes to blitz a lot.

We have just had too many fat guys who can't block in space to run it effectively...not only do the lineman have to be agile enough to get out and block somebody, but they have to be nimble enough to sell it...sell the block and then release without all the linebackers and DB's knowing what is going on as soon as the ball is snapped.

I hope too, that we will be having a more athletic line as opposed to the basic girth...that line of JO, Mule, Flynn, Bennie, and Zues may have been the fattest, slowest line in NFL history.

[ExiledRaven]

I agree with what has already been said.

It was absolutely killing me that when Indy kept pinning back their ears and blitz blitz blitz that we didn't throw a screen pass into Freeney's space.

Then I look at the line, and what everyone's said here is true. We didn't get a line with athleticism. We got a long with big bodies that hit people in the mouth. Hitting people in the mouth works great when Jamal is rolling.

Problem is that even with those big guys beating down the linemen, no one was getting to the second level and getting a linebacker or the safety that moved up to the line. If we can't do that how can we do a screen.

Perhaps we'll be better once the younger guys develop and also with people like Mulitalo having a chip on their shoulder about being abused last year and going out to make a difference (I'm sure everyone else say that block Edwin threw on Jamal's 13 yard run against the G-men)

[Ravens0587]

How about that beutiful screen pass to Musa

[skimmy]

It was great to see a screen and it actually work... I especially loved the last pancake block that Musa hurdled:



Eagles fans I work with said they think the poor Eagle on the receiving end was Michael Lewis.

[FadeToBlack]

The screen pass is just plain dead with our OL. They aren't quick enough. I saw San Francisco execute screens very well vs. Chicago. It's alive and well, if your linemen aren't lead-footed.

[B-more Ravor]

Originally Posted by skimmy

It was great to see a screen and it actually work... I especially loved the last pancake block that Musa hurdled:

Brought to you, by none other than - MIKE FLYNN!!!

[Merlin]

We will certainly be vulnerable to the screen if we're not careful with our blitzes.

[Ravens0587]

Brought to you, by none other than - MIKE FLYNN!!!

The article on the website said it was Terry

[skimmy]

The article on the website said it was Terry

I read that as well, but after watching the replay on NFL network and replaying the screen a few hundred times (lol) with my tivo it was in fact Flynn.. crazy.

[Hrafn]

Gives me great hope that we will be able to use it this season. It was after all our 1st stringers against a stingy Eagles. OL and McNair sold it well and the downfield blocking was nice to see. Not everyday you get to see Flynn pancake a defender.

[Ravskins]

I agree with pretty much that has been said about the athletic line needed and wo don't have it yet. The screen pass is a thing of beauty when done properly. The KC game from a couple of years ago, the whole freaking line pulled to start the screen. It was executed so well.

The one play that I liked was the shuffle pass play the Philly pulled. It was a quick developing play that worked well against our aggressive D. I hope the coaches saw that so we can do that with Musa when we play against some aggressive D's and also for our D's sake.

[ChixDigLongBall]

The best running screen teams today, IMO: Patriots, Steelers, Chiefs, And Packers.

Watching the Packers run a screen in their heyday with Favre was beautiful to watch