TTL: A Sketch of the Turner/Martz Offense (Anonymous)- PART 1Back to the "E-ZINE" Front Page
The "Timing Offense" as run by Norv Turner operates under several basic assumptions.
(1) Run precision patterns. The QB should be able to complete passes with his eyes closed because the WR's should be running exact patterns EVERYTIME--no deviation. A receiver should run a particular pattern (say, a sideline) the exact same distance each time, the cut should occur at the same place, and it should take exactly the same amount of time to run it each time.
(2) Put maximum people into the pass pattern. Rather than hold back a TE and RBs to pass block, the offense will often put all 5 eligible receivers past the line of scrimmage. Obviously, this means you only have 5 people pass blocking. This also means your FB must be a superb pass catcher and your TB should be good as well. If your TEs are role players, then you need a fast, big TE who can get downfield quickly with great hands and a third down back who can make plays. Consequently, when this offense is done well, it is counterproductive to double team the wide receivers because you' ll get killed by the other targets. However, Norv Turner will compensate tremendously for his young QBs (and other players who are still growing). He'll line up 2 TEs to help out a young OLT like Joe Patton or he'll keep RBs in to pass block, knowing that his young QBs will rarely get to the 4th or 5th progression on pass plays. Consequently, the offensive scheme will sometimes look like "Dallas-lite" because he won't ask his QBs to do what they can't do yet. He'll run simple plays or even have patterns run that are short of a first down so the receiver has to make additional yardage after the catch for the first down rather than ask his young QB to "make a play" by possibly throwing into coverage.
(3) Execute quickly. The longer the QB holds on to the ball, the more trouble he's likely to get into. This offense penalizes indecision or slow reads by the QB. When it is executed quickly, the QB is usually taking the snap, making final reads, evaluating and deciding among progressions, setting up, and releasing within 3.3 seconds if not sooner. One of the ways this offense completes longer pass patterns is, rather than having the QB wait in the pocket (with only 5 blockers), use pump fakes to freeze the safeties or CB and then release the ball sooner and higher and let the receiver run past coverage and under the ball. To put it another way, unless a defender falls down or there is a blown coverage, most deep patterns involve the QB throwing the ball before the deep receiver is open (or in some cases before they've even reached the last zone defender).
(4) Execute precisely. Just as WRs are expected to run precise routes that don't deviate, the mechanics (taking the snap, dropping back, setting up, reading the correct order of progressions) of the QB are key factors in the success of this offense (which is why young QBs often stumble with this offense initially). This also means that the QB must be extremely consistent with their mechanics (much like the receivers with their patterns). With this offense, the QB is expected to take a 3-step, 5-step, or 7-step drop. The drops must be consistent (a drop that is too deep--even if it is 7 steps--means the ROT may set up too short and make it easier for a speed rusher to turn the corner and get to the QB). A drop that is too short may allow a bull-rushing DT to collapse the pocket on the QB. Sometimes, there are passing lanes built into the pass pocket--poor mechanics means that the QB is out of the lane or sets up after the passing lane has closed. Also, passing routes are designed so that each receiver gets "open" at a different time. Thus, in theory there could be 5 receivers who are all open on the same play but none of them open simultaneously. Thus, reading the receivers in the correct order is vital.