It 's not just Nick damnit!
It's pace to a degree but we aren't getting free on the edges with Grant and Louis as last season.
We aren't blocking well at the meshpoint to spring Nick as with last season. Only needs a step and a half.
Sure we see some poor reads but there have been defenders in place as soon as he pulls it away.
When Nick does get loose I assure you only a handful of other QBs can do what he does in heavy traffic.
There is little if any threat of a pass when a defense sees him move down the line at the point of attack...
And that's when defenses are waiting now instead of biting on the motion or pulling guard in the opposite direction.
It does hurt not having Robinson because he bulldozed defenders.
Prosch is missed too but there are NO holes big enough to drive a truck through as with last season.
Over a third of the time Prosch wouldn't even be near contact from a defender.
Don't you recall those two lane highways that were opened for Mason and others? Enormous run lanes!
Why is that?
We aren't plowing defenders up front to create those holes. It's not CAP.
Offensive Line Coach J.B. Grimes is not working with the same hungry bunch this season.
That's the only difference I see beyond the missed blocks on the perimeter.
The result is sloppy play, poor execution and that definitely affects pace.
*Don't care for platooning QBs but wouldn't mind seeing JJ come in to spell or run some scripted plays while NM gets a breather. I do think the dynamic of the offense changes with JJ though I wouldn't expect to see him for long periods unless it became necessary.
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