New York Giants: Spreading The Ball Around
One of the core principles of the west coast offense that New York Giants offensive coordinator, Ben McAdoo runs is attacking the entire field. Before the west coast approach was developed, the passing game was simply to get big chunks of yards and therefore the passing game attacked the field vertically.
By spacing out receivers all over the width of the field and using short, intermediate and deep passes, the Giants offense forces the defense to cover the width of the field as well as the length of the field. Everything is about spacing and timing and the result is getting playmaking receivers in the open field with the football.
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You can tell the difference between McAdoo’s offense and former offensive coordinator, Kevin Gilbride’s offense rather easily. Gilbride had Manning drop back 5 and 7 steps almost every pass and relentlessly attacked the vertical portions of the field. And it worked when the Giants had the pass protection for it because Manning has great arm talent.
But with McAdoo’s offense you get all of the aggressiveness with much more of a plan. In McAdoo’s offense Manning gets rid of the football so quick the defense is at a severe disadvantage. On each pass Manning has 4-6 options to go to in the passing game. His receivers are spaced out all across the field.
Its as simple as taking a pre-snap read, dropping back three steps and going through your progression, and like clockwork firing a pass to a open receiver. Back in the days of Bill Walsh’s San Francisco 49ers, Joe Montana was almost robotic. His incredibly consistent footwork, and his rhythmic release were what made him so special.
Dec 21, 2014; St. Louis, MO, USA; New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning (10) throws against the St. Louis Rams during the first half at the Edward Jones Dome. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports
Manning is now seeing how that brand of the west coast offense can behoove a quarterback’s career. But the real winners are the Giants’ receivers. The routes are tied in with the quarterbacks feet. So there are routes that get used on three step drop-backs, 5 step drop-backs and 7-step drop backs. That’s why the Giants put so much emphasis on route running, there targets have to be where they’re supposed to be, when they are supposed to be.
When you have the weapons that the Giants have attacking the entire field puts so much pressure on the defense. In man coverage Beckham Jr. and Manning are going to beat you with a slant or a crossing route, you can count on it. In zone coverage, Manning will hit a receiver in the window of opportunity. The Giants have an answer for everything.
When the defensive backs start jumping on the short routes or playing overly aggressive, that’s when McAdoo let’s Manning and his weapons burn them deep. Sometimes the Giants will start out throwing it deep, which will give the wide receivers more room to operate. When the defense adjusts, the Giants adjust and continue to take what the defense gives them.
It really isn’t rocket science. By getting all of your receivers involved and attacking the entire field, you put a lot of pressure on the defense.