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It’s not like . . .
they were running an offensive system that doesn’t work.
So why would you want to go to something else?
The Jets ran the Shanahan system the last two years under Mike LaFleur.
After hiring LaFleur in 2021, Robert Saleh called the Shanahan scheme he was bringing to Florham Park – “the best scheme in the world.”
So why would you want to move away from that.
Why not bring in somebody else who runs the same thing, and perhaps can run it better?
It’s a very QB-friendly system when executed well.
“Kyle (Shanahan) will give the QB a lot of easy throws,” said one long-time NFL executive. “One thing about Kyle’s offense, there are a lot of easy throws for the QB.”
Just look at the easy throws Shanahan has provided rookie 7th-round QB Brock Purdy this year.
So if you think it’s the “best system in the world” why hire somebody now who doesn’t run it?
A big problem for the Jets with this system was Zach Wilson’s accuracy issues. As the executive said, there are a lot of easy throws in this system for the QB. However, if you have accuracy issues, simple throws can become difficult.
Another big problem the Jets had in this system, during rough offensive stretches, was not being able to run the ball.
The Shanahan system is a run-first philosophy. Everything plays off the run. When Jimmy G was their quarterback, the most throws they had in any of his playoff games was 19.
They want to run the ball to help create a lot of easy throws that stem from all the eye candy presented in the running game, all the misdirection. And obviously they run a lot of bootlegs that play off the running game.
So if you can’t run, the offense doesn’t function nearly as well.
And this can lead to a lot of pass protection issues
Why?
Because the system calls for smaller, quicker lineman who can block on the move in a zone blocking philosophy. So if you force these linemen to play in a conventional dropback passing game, they can have can be overpowered, because they aren’t the biggest guys. They are better at blocking on the move, than blocking for a QB dropping back and throwing 30-40-50 times sans a running game.
The Jets had issues running the ball down the stretch, and this kind of messed up their passing attack.
If they can get back to running the ball well, this system can work on a high level.
So this makes Greg Olson an interesting candidate. He is currently the senior offensive assistant with the Los Angeles Rams, who play the Shanahan system under Sean McVay. Olson has been an offensive coordinator with six different NFL teams.
Once again, if it’s “the best system in the world” why move away from it?
After all, once of the reasons it didn’t work that well was because they started a QB, in 22 games the last two years, who they are now admitting probably should have sat for a while, and was perhaps rushed into action.
January 18, 2023
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