Quote:
Originally Posted by HPF Bob
\I've often wondered whether Jacksonville's offense just isn't very sophisticated and perhaps Gray was overwhelmed by the playbook when he got here and just couldn't adjust to it. J-Ville's playbook has often struck me as being rather basic and they just expect the talent to make it work. It might explain why they have so many players who don't live up to their potential (see their #1 receivers) while others come from nowhere and play great.
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That's an interesting theory. J-ville has always seemed to me a pretty basic offene in the sense that they wanted to run the ball, run it some more, and then run it again. I don't know that I have ever really paid attention to the sophistication of their passing game. I've always attributed it to just bad picks at the WR spot. Let's face it Matt Jones wasn't the safest pick in the book. It does make sense that they have a fairly basic passing attack. A helathy Fred Taylor and Jones-Drew can definitely open up the passing game.
Much like anything else I'm sure it was a combination of things. I still think that high on the list was the idea of trading Rosey not working out, next was probably an unhappy Grey. He went into this offseason thinking that he would have the chance to possibly compete for a starting gig. When that didn't happen, and he couldn't even lock down a relatively lucrative backup spot, I have to think the decision for Houston was made because he assumed he would be the de facto back up once Rosey was traded.....and playing behind a guy who had problems staying on the field last year. Guys like Boyd and Brink are cheaper, but in the grand scheme of things Gray wasn't expensive...I'm sure that played a part, but if I was to take a guess I would say that was down towards the bottom of the list.
You do have me thinking about what type of offense is j-ville really running....there must be a reason someone who was as succesfull as Gray was filling in last year didn't generate more interest. Robb Johnson and our own Matt Schaub come to mind as QB's who were able to turn a few standout games into huge deals/contracts....maybe you are on to something Bob.