Red Zone Offense

http://sports.yahoo.com/fantasy/nfl/news?slug=mb-ffbdata-101211

was just reviewing some fantasy football numbers, and noticed something interesting: Smitty is 1 of 8 players out of a possible 99 on that list with zero red zone targets.

Dont quite know what all to make of it, but we have been struggling with red zone offense. The TE's are certainly getting most of the looks down there now, but we got to find a way to get Smitty involved as well. Anyone notice anything special about the way teams are playing us in the red zone, and also what we're generally trying to do to score down there?

 

Yeah, it seemed like Steve never gets looked at down there. With his speed and small size, it's not really a surprise, although it still seems like he could be useful on crossing patterns or a z-out or something.

 

That's fucking insane, and needs to be addressed.

 

...or even a quick slant, though something we hardly ever seem to do much....

I don't remember Smith ever being a great red zone target...seems most all of his TDs (though I could be wrong, but thinking..) come from big plays, out of the red zone. Same for Deangelo.

 

It's officially referred to as the CamZone now.

 

A z-out, I could definitely see. A crossing pattern would be tough while he was in traffic.

 

You can make a case for all kinds of routes, and I'm not sure what that's about, really...a fade, an out, a slant, cross, dig, WR screen...

I mean, it's not really the routes that Smith is running that's wrong. It's about the match up, and getting him singled up. Personally, I hate hte out in the redzone, unless you can throw it low and to the outside...it's asking for trouble. An inside cross is fine, unless they're playing zone and you're close to the goalline, and then you're begging for a pick, running through all that traffic.

I mean...it's just about the match-ups, and designing the whole play to get the look you want for your primary, so it's simple really: design plays for Steve Smith out there, and get him the ball in the red zone. Keep it simple.

Or keep passing to the TEs, because that's seemed to work just fine.

Also wonder why we've not been passing to the flats more with the backs, and continued running variations of the screen. That's worked very well for us this year.

 

Well it goes back to what Keyshawn said about Steve playing outside despite his size. In the redzone, they should probably use him more like the Patriots use Welker.

 

Yep.

Also, Smith may be small in stature, but this guy can out physical anyone for the ball. And he can leap for a fade the same way a guy like Plax can.

Gotta get him looks in there, no doubt. Just got to.