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re: Redzone Offense is terrible
Posted on 10/6/25 at 10:17 am to saints5021
Posted on 10/6/25 at 10:17 am to saints5021
IMO, that is the biggest issue with Rattler. He can move the ball (to some degree), but can't produce TDs at a high rate. IIRC, there was a stat discussed yesterday that the Saints had the longest streak in the NFL (I think 10 games prior to yesterday) of not scoring 20 pts or more.
It doesn't take a football savant to know that when an offense gets into the red zone the space to operate becomes more condensed...which means decisions as to when and where to throw the ball have to be made quicker. Rattler has a good arm. When he's on target he can fit a ball into any window. But he still holds on to the ball quite a bit AND is inconsistent with his accuracy. Even yesterday there were wide open throws on which he was off target (low, behind WRs, etc)
The Saints needed a win yesterday. And I'm very happy for all involved that they got it. But the game reminded me a lot of the LSU v. Florida football game. The Saints created 5 turnovers (to 0) AND got a defensive TD. Yet, the offense didn't generate a lot of points despite having 9 possessions (19 points w/o the defensive TD). Grupe missing two FGs contributed to that. But, as you said, the Saints were 0-3 in the red zone.
It's unlikely the Saints will get 5 TOs and a defensive TD in the same game for the rest of the season. The offense has to score more TDs
It doesn't take a football savant to know that when an offense gets into the red zone the space to operate becomes more condensed...which means decisions as to when and where to throw the ball have to be made quicker. Rattler has a good arm. When he's on target he can fit a ball into any window. But he still holds on to the ball quite a bit AND is inconsistent with his accuracy. Even yesterday there were wide open throws on which he was off target (low, behind WRs, etc)
The Saints needed a win yesterday. And I'm very happy for all involved that they got it. But the game reminded me a lot of the LSU v. Florida football game. The Saints created 5 turnovers (to 0) AND got a defensive TD. Yet, the offense didn't generate a lot of points despite having 9 possessions (19 points w/o the defensive TD). Grupe missing two FGs contributed to that. But, as you said, the Saints were 0-3 in the red zone.
It's unlikely the Saints will get 5 TOs and a defensive TD in the same game for the rest of the season. The offense has to score more TDs
0
Posted on 10/6/25 at 10:23 am to MizunoDude
quote:
Play calling to blame, Not the QB
Disagree.
Yesterday at the end of the half when we were on the 20, the middle of the field was open for a 10/12 yard gain. Rattler made one read then dumped if off for -2 yards. At that point it’s better to throw it out of bounds. When we did get inside the 10, he completely ignored the only receiver we have over 6’ tall. And the one time he did throw to him in the endzone, he threw it 10 yards out of bounds.
Rattler has gotten better at not throwing behind or under-throwing receivers. But his situational awareness and pinpoint accuracy issues are a problem.
Posted on 10/6/25 at 10:46 am to saints5021
Give me your opinion of Justin Herbert because the Chargers rank below us in this department. It is hard to score in the red zone if you can’t run the ball down there. We have to establish the run down there. I watch Indy play and they pound the rock with JT down there and play action off that to receivers that are open.
Also our receivers need to fight to get open. Stefon Diggs put on a master class last night of fighting to get back to the qb. There was a play yesterday when Rattler was scrambling to the right and Juwan Johnson just stood there instead of coming back to the corner which would have been an easy pass for Rattler to make on the sideline.
We are missing a lot of things which are key to a successful red zone offense.
Dominant power run game.
Speed at the running back position to attack the edge.
A guy to just get the ball to and let him make something happen.
We have nobody on the offense that the defense has to key on for we can scheme off his abilities.
Also our receivers need to fight to get open. Stefon Diggs put on a master class last night of fighting to get back to the qb. There was a play yesterday when Rattler was scrambling to the right and Juwan Johnson just stood there instead of coming back to the corner which would have been an easy pass for Rattler to make on the sideline.
We are missing a lot of things which are key to a successful red zone offense.
Dominant power run game.
Speed at the running back position to attack the edge.
A guy to just get the ball to and let him make something happen.
We have nobody on the offense that the defense has to key on for we can scheme off his abilities.
Posted on 10/6/25 at 1:16 pm to jmcwhrter
quote:you’re right... I’m sure our pass blocking, contested catching, and play calling abilities have nothing to do with it.
markings of either:
Posted on 10/6/25 at 1:22 pm to saints5021
quote:
Particularly, his throw out of bounds when Johnson had inside position on 3rd down was bad. Good QBs make that throw and give your guy a chance.
What a horrendous throw that was lol
Posted on 10/6/25 at 2:04 pm to Fun Bunch
But all the Rattler supports will say its someone else's fault. Rattler is not good enough even if we put elite talent at every skilled position around him. Without all the turnovers yesterday, I seriously doubt we win that game. And all winning this game means is Rattler will play another week.
Posted on 10/6/25 at 2:24 pm to Fun Bunch
quote:
We don't drive the ball downfield with regularity and can't punch it in
They can drive for FG attempts. Grupe is tied for 2nd in FG attempts. The offense seems to be able to move into scoring position but cannot capitalize for 6.
Posted on 10/6/25 at 2:41 pm to LooseCannon22282
quote:
I don't know if it was as bad as it is right now, but it was still obviously an area of weakness. I
Last year Saints were 11th at 58.1%
The current rate of 41.18% would have ranked last by 2%.
Posted on 10/6/25 at 3:02 pm to saints5021
quote:
After going 0-3 for TDs in the red zone, the Saints are now ranked 29th in the league in Red Zone Scoring Percentage (TD only). We are converting red zone opportunities into TDs only 41.18% of the time. For comparison, Chicago and New England are right in the middle of the pack and are converting 63% of the time.
IMO, it doesn't matter how good Rattler looks week to week when he continues to struggle in the red zone. We can't keep trading TDs for FGs.
It's just to be expected. The windows are smaller for a QB just starting to figure things out.
Having Taysom back should help that.
Posted on 10/6/25 at 3:19 pm to Suntiger
quote:
Rattler has gotten better at not throwing behind or under-throwing receivers.
Really? He still threw behind a bunch of receivers yesterday
Posted on 10/7/25 at 5:10 am to GynoSandberg
quote:
Mickey shored up the RZ offense by giving cooks and Juwan $43 mil combined and trading a 4th for Vele
And cooks looks like he played much less in this game.
Juwan had a horrible game. He is inconsistent.
The cooks contract was horrible tho when u already have a tiny receiver in olave and another speedster in Shaheed. 7.75 mil guaranteed this yr for cooks.
Posted on 10/7/25 at 8:11 am to saints5021
100% Rezone is terrible and its been that way since Winston left.
Car was horrible in the redzone.
Rattler is still growing, but struggles in the Redzone.
The main symptom is the QB.
Taysom is the man for the redzone.
Should have never taken him out of that game against Minnesota in 2020.
Its crazy, they got Vele to attack the Seams and Redzone, but there isnt much seam work on this offense. At some point, you think they would just start throwing jump balls to Vele, Johnson and let them try to do what their paid to do, make catches.
There is only so much scheming you can do. At some point, the players have to make that play.
Car was horrible in the redzone.
Rattler is still growing, but struggles in the Redzone.
The main symptom is the QB.
Taysom is the man for the redzone.
Should have never taken him out of that game against Minnesota in 2020.
Its crazy, they got Vele to attack the Seams and Redzone, but there isnt much seam work on this offense. At some point, you think they would just start throwing jump balls to Vele, Johnson and let them try to do what their paid to do, make catches.
There is only so much scheming you can do. At some point, the players have to make that play.
Posted on 10/7/25 at 8:45 am to Suntiger
quote:
Rattler has gotten better at not throwing behind or under-throwing receivers. But his situational awareness and pinpoint accuracy issues are a problem.
He doesn't trust himself and I imagine its on coaching to say "when we're down there, don't put us in situations to lose the possession"
Risky throw and potentially turn it over trying to go for 7 vs settle for 3.
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