All-22 Offense Only Reaction: Slowik is a bad play caller

I watched the first 2 games of the Lions, and the All-22 of the Texans vs Jets to have some sort of comparison.

These are observations and at times assumptions based on where CJ is looking, where the receiver is running, and so forth.

1) Where CJ missed: a) Passed on a wide open Metchie crossing ~5 yards in front of him and opted for a lower quality deep ball b) Passes on a dump off for a few yards waiting for a deep route to open up. Never happens. c) Overthrows an open Tank. d) Missed Metchie in the end zone. That said, if he threw it to where Metchie was running, it was also right where the defender was breaking. CJ was throwing the safer ball between 2 defenders and it would have taken Metchie to be on the same page.

2) Play-Calling has been what it has been all season. Deep concepts, little variety, no adjustment, lots of head scratching. I have multiple screenshots of the average passing play and they almost all have very similar outcomes. a) Very deep routes that take way too damn long to develop with half the time no dump off. b) sometimes the dump offs would require a throw across his body or they’re right into coverage. You’d think a dump off would be an easy route to design. Something is off here. c) There is very occasionally a crossing/intermediate route, but if the man gets free, it’s usually at the end. Only ONCE did Tank run across, and he ripped off a good chunk of yards. d) Slowik absolutely refuses to use the middle of the field and it’s maddening.

3) There were 2 or 3 play action passes, but only one worked with a miracle. On one of them, Hutchinson took way too long to cross the field so the only option was Tank super deep, which CJ somehow completed. On another one, Tank must have ran too deep, because CJ was looking for him at a spot, but Tank hadn’t turned around yet, so CJ took off running.

So some thoughts when comparing…

• the Lions utilize a lot of short, quick routes to pop their players open and allow their guy to gain the yards, even if it’s a 3-4 yard catch. I get the feeling of, “Let my playmaker get the ball and see what they can do” vs having the WR get open in time and CJ making having the time to get it to him. Goff has a great OLine but it isn’t like he doesn’t get pressured. They give him plays that allow him to get in rhythm and not get hit. Goff also throws riskier balls. CJ is more conservative and will opt to not throw into tight windows.

• The Lions also run the ball a lot. They sometimes run it 3 straight downs, and at times going 3 and out. I think Slowik, if he wants to run the ball so damn bad, can maybe commit to this sort of game plan. Something to actually reduce the predictability and amount of pressure thrown at Stroud. This and all the short passes make me think it’s to set up the deep ball.

• The Texans are poor at setting up the deep ball. The plays look like they are to run deep and hope a man gets open…and this is all game…

• The play calling is never adjusted to allow Stroud to get in any sort of rhythm, or give Stroud a chance at an easy completion.

• The play design doesn’t get anyone open. Just runs everyone into zone coverage deep.

• CJ does not hold the ball too long. It’s play design that keeps the ball in his hands. I also don’t think the play calling is helping his development, confidence, or chance for success. It’s almost required that CJ make constant spectacular plays in poor situations for this offense to move, if Mixon isn’t breaking off 10 yard runs.

That’s all. Rant over.