Figured it might be fun to kick off a new thread to chat about Hogan's offense as it takes shape during camp.
Yesterday gave us our first real look at the new system. Obviously, it's still pre-season, so take everything with a big grain of salt, but a few things stood out:
The short passing game was everywhere. All the QBs leaned into it, and if that's the direction they're going, it's already a noticeable shift.
There were a couple of old-school screen passes called which is something we didn't see a ton of under Buck.
Most of the runs stayed between the tackles and we didn't really see enough to tell if it's going to be any different there yet.
Again, it's early, so no need to read too much into it. But for what it's worth, the philosophy yesterday was very much: short passes to pull the defense in, then look to go deep. That's a pretty big flip from the last few years, where we often saw deep balls early to soften things up underneath.
I see a group of receivers that will play well on this game plan. That said I would like to see a steady diet of bombs.
So far so good on play calling. Didn't like the bootleg Strev did on short yardage, can't win em all. Sask chirped Strev hard there.
Quote from: Blueforlife on May 25, 2025, 09:50:48 PMI see a group of receivers that will play well on this game plan. That said I would like to see a steady diet of bombs.
So far so good on play calling. Didn't like the bootleg Strev did on short yardage, can't win em all. Sask chirped Strev hard there.
Streveler just read it wrong. He should have stuck with the handoff and we easily pick up the first. Not sure what he was seeing there. Maybe he just wanted to get hit. No kidding.
I am definitely rooting for the new guy.
I expect Zach has input into the offensive planning.
His knowledge, experience, and the great respect he is given by O'Shea.
I noticed the same kind of short passing for Toronto, and maybe ticats as well.
Isn't that what calvillo lived off of?
And way back the "Eskimos" with Wilkinson, it was a lot of short stuff and nobody could stop it. Wilkie did not have a great arm.
I know zach and Buck liked the bomb,, but I like this more, it's just too hard to connect on the long ones. And maybe it's a recognition that Zach's arm isn't what it used to be. And that they want to have quick hitters So he doesn't get pounded.
What do people think about the holes the line was opening for the Cool guy?
He was great, but there was obviously some great blocking too. No idea who was in there but they were obviously doing well, which is really encouraging this early. Maybe the O line will be improved over last season.
I Hope there is a way to keep Cool(ey)
It's So great the season is starting.
Quote from: Sir Blue and Gold on May 25, 2025, 10:32:42 PMStreveler just read it wrong. He should have stuck with the handoff and we easily pick up the first. Not sure what he was seeing there. Maybe he just wanted to get hit. No kidding.
Good point he likely took the option. Agree all but not about the hit.
Markf, the decline on Zach ability to throw a deep ball is overstated imo.
Markf is not overstating at all. As a player gets older their skill and physical attributes decline. That is a given. No one with any sense is suggesting Zach is past his ability to play and perform but it would be foolhardy to suggest his ability to perform at his earlier high level is not affected as he gets older.
Quote from: ModAdmin on May 25, 2025, 11:52:40 PMMarkf is not overstating at all. As a player gets older their skill and physical attributes decline. That is a given. No one with any sense is suggesting Zach is past his ability to play and perform but it would be foolhardy to suggest his ability to perform at his earlier high level is not affected as he gets older.
I believe that many have overstated the decline of Zach's ability to throw a deep ball. What's your opinion on that? Yes players decline as they age physically but to suggest one's skill always declines is not true. Many elite players adjust to their physical decline by adjust and polishing their craft. A good example is Corey Perry on the Oil. Guy has slowed down but still has the magic hands. I thought father time would have caught up to him but he proved me wrong this year.
Zach is less mobile but still can sling it, including the deep ball imo. The skills a great vet has often remain, they usually lack the foot speed as they near retirement.
We shall see how often and successful Zach is with the deep routes this year. I expect that will be a pillar to our success.
Another good example is Harris, his skills I believe increased as he aged but father time slowly took away his physical abilities (speed) and ability to stay healthy.
The best players evolve as they get older. Zach won't escape pressure like he used to and will protect himself much better. His arm strength and ability to chuck em deep are still there imo.
My biggest criticism with Zach is he needs to throw balls away more. He is a little stubborn and need to let some plays go. It's what has made him great but sometimes let's his ego gets in the way of just eating a few more plays rather than hero throws or forcing it into too tight of windows / throwing bad picks.
With a new OC and offense it be interesting to see how Zach evolves this year with new plays and a few new weapons. Early play calling shows potentially more short and medium routes but way to early to know until we hit the regular season with all our weapons polished and loaded.
I believe our success on offence will depend on Zach's ability to stretch the field as he always has which opens up the best run game in the league. If the OL can gel early, I believe that's very possible.
Yes we are past Zach's peak but the drop off isn't that steep (yet) imo. That will come in time but I expect a good year from him, better than last. Hogan will take time to hone his craft.
Clock management late in the game, needs some work.
Quote from: Pigskin on May 26, 2025, 04:25:39 AMClock management late in the game, needs some work.
I thought we did a good job closing it out. Sustained a long drive from, what, 3 min to 1 min? Not leaving SSK much time to get the major. If you're talking "should have run more" then keep in mind we still need to get looks at all these RECs in TC... and hard for the noob QBs to have crisp clock-drain skills.
So where was Jarious? I didn't see him on-field, but I arrived after the warmups, so I didn't get to do my usual binoc-watching.
Anyone who sits on East side, did you scan the booths for him? I would have... but I'm W side. Surely you want your "assistant" OC to be present "helping" the new guy?
I thought the play calls were pretty good. However, you need to be better about quickly calling that Wilson non-long-bomb without having to blow a TO, which basically announces to the world you're doing something "interesting"... I said to my ST bud and my kids "here comes a long bomb!". LOL, then I think he got sacked or fumbled as he waited 5s. Oh well.
Quote from: TecnoGenius on May 26, 2025, 06:43:52 AMSo where was Jarious? I didn't see him on-field, but I arrived after the warmups, so I didn't get to do my usual binoc-watching.
Anyone who sits on East side, did you scan the booths for him? I would have... but I'm W side. Surely you want your "assistant" OC to be present "helping" the new guy?
I thought the play calls were pretty good. However, you need to be better about quickly calling that Wilson non-long-bomb without having to blow a TO, which basically announces to the world you're doing something "interesting"... I said to my ST bud and my kids "here comes a long bomb!". LOL, then I think he got sacked or fumbled as he waited 5s. Oh well.
Where have you been? Jarious hasn't come to Winnipeg yet. He's MIA.
As to Hogan's offence. It gave off major Lapo vibes.
Very quick run. Get the ball out fast. Set up the occasional deep shot later in the game (which we obviously didn't get to see in the preseason). It'll be interesting to see how that meshes with Zach and Schoen. And if it has any effect on Brady's game (who is catching more balls every year).
I don't think that any team is calling anything too exotic in the pre-season. And Hogan is almost certainly going to have some growing pains calling plays early in the regular season. It's fun to put this topic out there, but I don't think that we're going to have a real feel for Hogan's abilities to call plays and tweak the offence until the end of summer.
Quote from: pdirks67 on May 26, 2025, 02:08:14 PMI don't think that any team is calling anything too exotic in the pre-season. And Hogan is almost certainly going to have some growing pains calling plays early in the regular season. It's fun to put this topic out there, but I don't think that we're going to have a real feel for Hogan's abilities to call plays and tweak the offence until the end of summer.
Don't you think that Zach is going to have some, maybe quite a bit of input in the offence?
So, nothing about Jarious Jackson being reported? Is his absence health related? Family related?
Is the team waiting on him deciding something, or does he have a prior commitment that he is fulfilling?
Not saying the team will suffer from his absence, but it would be good to have a dedicated QB coach in camp when you have 4+1 QBs here, and your starter is suspended for a game.
Quote from: theaardvark on May 26, 2025, 05:47:14 PMSo, nothing about Jarious Jackson being reported? Is his absence health related? Family related?
Is the team waiting on him deciding something, or does he have a prior commitment that he is fulfilling?
Not saying the team will suffer from his absence, but it would be good to have a dedicated QB coach in camp when you have 4+1 QBs here, and your starter is suspended for a game.
No word, but indications they are in contact with him so technically not MIA. He went from temp. HC down to QB coach, so maybe he has some kind of serious issues. Tic-Toc, they've got 3 QB's that need serious guidance.
Are we going to start a tradition where we name "Hogan's Heroes" for best offensive players following each game in the GBU threads?
This has been my contribution to the forum today. You're welcome.
Quote from: blue_or_die on May 26, 2025, 06:56:42 PMAre we going to start a tradition where we name a "Hogan's Heroes" for best offensive players following each game in the GBU threads?
This has been my contribution to the forum today. You're welcome.
Or "ultimate warriors" lol
Quote from: blue_or_die on May 26, 2025, 06:56:42 PMAre we going to start a tradition where we name a "Hogan's Heroes" for best offensive players following each game in the GBU threads?
This has been my contribution to the forum today. You're welcome.
Might be a bit dated a reference, but then again, I know nooothing.
Quote from: blue_or_die on May 26, 2025, 06:56:42 PMAre we going to start a tradition where we name a "Hogan's Heroes" for best offensive players following each game in the GBU threads?
This has been my contribution to the forum today. You're welcome.
We are now.
Quote from: theaardvark on May 26, 2025, 10:44:22 PMMight be a bit dated a reference, but then again, I know nooothing.
I didn't get the reference, thought it was a wrestling thing lol
Quote from: Blueforlife on May 26, 2025, 11:03:41 PMI didn't get the reference, thought it was a wrestling thing lol
Bundy's Late Nite Review on 13 MTN... if you're too young, you missed out!
(And I'm sure there are some here who watch the show when it was originally released!)
Quote from: theaardvark on May 26, 2025, 10:44:22 PMMight be a bit dated a reference, but then again, I know nooothing.
I hope when the refs are looking at our players for penalties that they seeee nooooothing, know noooooothing.
Quote from: markf on May 26, 2025, 02:51:40 PMDon't you think that Zach is going to have some, maybe quite a bit of input in the offence?
Normally it would be limited, like tweaks, hints to what they like, etc. But Hogan explicitly said he was going to be more of a consensus builder and bottom-up input-taker.
So Zach could have more input than ever now... should he want to! He may prefer to leave the OC job to the OC, I could see that about him.
Quote from: Jesse on May 26, 2025, 10:53:53 AMWhere have you been? Jarious hasn't come to Winnipeg yet. He's MIA.
Don't have to jump down my throat! I know he wasn't here in TC. But I thought FOR SURE the "OC #1b" would get here for the PS. I mean, isn't that what every other person in his position would be doing?
Otherwise what kind of use will he be making up the book? It's not like we can draw up a complete book in the 1-2 weeks after PS2! This had to have been already in progress... with zero Jarious input.
Is Jarious the "Darian Durant of coaches" for this season? I hope
he didn't get a signing bonus! I was more than happy to give him a chance even though I've never "been a fan" (to be kind), but if he's not helping us, he's hurting us. Tick tock.
Quote from: TecnoGenius on May 27, 2025, 05:24:24 AMDon't have to jump down my throat! I know he wasn't here in TC. But I thought FOR SURE the "OC #1b" would get here for the PS. I mean, isn't that what every other person in his position would be doing?
Otherwise what kind of use will he be making up the book? It's not like we can draw up a complete book in the 1-2 weeks after PS2! This had to have been already in progress... with zero Jarious input.
Is Jarious the "Darian Durant of coaches" for this season? I hope he didn't get a signing bonus! I was more than happy to give him a chance even though I've never "been a fan" (to be kind), but if he's not helping us, he's hurting us. Tick tock.
Perhaps if healthy Jackson has been working remotely with Hogan on the playbook, no reason he needs to be present for that part of his duties. Media has to press for an update on his status to get any more information out of MOS, no matter the reason the excuse is close to expiring.
Everything is going to be a collaboration with this group, but building a play book isn't in the QB coaches list of duties.
Zach definitely has lots of input, but that's kind of a matter of adding plays into the play call. Hogan, I'm sure, already knows what Zach likes.And one of the reasons Hogan was hired in the first place was to keep the status quo and not rebuild things from scratch.
Face it Jarious and Hogan won't win seven games.
Quote from: TecnoGenius on May 27, 2025, 05:16:03 AMBundy's Late Nite Review on 13 MTN... if you're too young, you missed out!
(And I'm sure there are some here who watch the show when it was originally released!)
Guilty, no PVR, no VCR, you had to be there live for it.
You young uns don't know the pain...
Quote from: DM83 on May 28, 2025, 12:39:24 AMFace it Jarious and Hogan won't win seven games.
Yowzers. Holy negativity Batman! I like what I saw in the PS1, and that's just PS!
They did a RB draw play to great success, maybe my favorite play ever, when done at the right time, and one WPG rarely did under Buck.
Let's wait and see. If it royally sucks, couldn't we emergency sign some guy from USA college ball or something? Or get Lapo on the horn... I bet Hogan's salary is puny, and the coaches-cap implications won't be much of an issue.
Am glad we won
We seemed to improve
However the riders seemed to play like no one playing in the game came to practice.
I kept waiting for their QB to make a play what's his name? Maier.
Sask was horrible.
Still we only won by seven. We didn't prove anything.
Does this mean we have to wait until June 12 to see Zac
Strev.....what an enigma! Career hi light .....grey cup parade shirtless in Buffalo Skin coat. Strev run the f'in ball.
Quote from: DM83 on May 31, 2025, 07:11:34 PMAm glad we won
We seemed to improve
However the riders seemed to play like no one playing in the game came to practice.
I kept waiting for their QB to make a play what's his name? Maier.
Sask was horrible.
Still we only won by seven. We didn't prove anything.
Does this mean we have to wait until June 12 to see Zac
Strev.....what an enigma! Career hi light .....grey cup parade shirtless in Buffalo Skin coat.
Strev run the f'in ball.
Oh boy DM is in mid season form! :D
What happens when we play for reals?
The only thing I question is. 4th. quarter in the red zone shuttle bus is eating there D alive. 1st. down Hogan calls a pass and Wilson gets sacked. Cooley was just about unstoppable, give him the ball.
Quote from: DM83 on May 28, 2025, 12:39:24 AMFace it Jarious and Hogan won't win seven games.
I'll take a wager on that. I say 12 wins+.
Quote from: DM83 on May 31, 2025, 07:11:34 PMAm glad we won
We seemed to improve
However the riders seemed to play like no one playing in the game came to practice.
I kept waiting for their QB to make a play what's his name? Maier.
Sask was horrible.
Still we only won by seven. We didn't prove anything.
Does this mean we have to wait until June 12 to see Zac
Strev.....what an enigma! Career hi light .....grey cup parade shirtless in Buffalo Skin coat. Strev run the f'in ball.
Sask played bad
We played well.
Many young QBs proved a lot
OL, DB, LB, Receivers all tight battles with a lot of bright spots with new faces and deep with vets
Good duel at punting
RB lit it up, again
Strev played good and threw up a duck, that happens
Disagree with most and your tone, score means zero in ps
Wow, we won't win 7 games??!! For real??!!
I have missed all preseason games, but doubt we are that bad. We still have our core players, how bad can everyone else be??
Quote from: dd on May 31, 2025, 11:41:26 PMWow, we won't win 7 games??!! For real??!!
I have missed all preseason games, but doubt we are that bad. We still have our core players, how bad can everyone else be??
Preseason games were well played, many new faces look good, old core looks fine. His post was a little off imo. Coaches look fine.
Quote from: markf on May 25, 2025, 10:43:20 PMIsn't that what calvillo lived off of?
Yes I believe that's true. What I remember Calvillo doing really well was dropping a dime into the gap between the D-back and the Safety as the receiver ran into that gap. It's a touch-pass and AC did it really well. Almost unstoppable and if you have an A.C. Green/Milt Stegall-type receiver you can make huge YACs off it.
Quote from: markf on May 25, 2025, 10:43:20 PMAnd way back the "Eskimos" with Wilkinson, it was a lot of short stuff and nobody could stop it. Wilkie did not have a great arm.
Wow! Great memory. Tommy Scott days wasn't it?
Quote from: markf on May 25, 2025, 10:43:20 PMI know zach and Buck liked the bomb,, but I like this more, it's just too hard to connect on the long ones. And maybe it's a recognition that Zach's arm isn't what it used to be. And that they want to have quick hitters So he doesn't get pounded.
I couldn't agree more.
Quote from: markf on May 25, 2025, 10:43:20 PMWhat do people think about the holes the line was opening for the Cool guy?
Love what I'm seeing from Cooley! I still have some pass protection concerns.
Quote from: blue_or_die on May 26, 2025, 06:56:42 PMAre we going to start a tradition where we name "Hogan's Heroes" for best offensive players following each game in the GBU threads?
This has been my contribution to the forum today. You're welcome.
Love it!
Quote from: J5V on June 01, 2025, 08:56:18 PMWow! Great memory. Tommy Scott
Tommy Scott... yes, Brian Kelly, and just checked.... George McGowan. Five Grey cup wins.
Unbeatable in their day.
Wilkie would dump a five yard pass to Scott running across the middle....over and over.
Nobody could stop it. Which drove me nuts.
Football was a lot simpler in those days.
Bombers were great against a team the Riders, who clearly had a different agenda. Play and evaluate their poor guys. Great all our guys who needed to impress got a chance.
Look forward to start of season.