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The 11 Personnel Myth, it has to end.

Joey in VA : 10/22/2018 3:24 pm
So all of the beats loved trotting out how much McAdoo ran 11 personnel and how it was the reason our offense was dreck. Too much reliance on one formation they said. Too predictable they said. McAdoo is dumb, they said (well that was correct).

So far in 2018 the 2nd highest scoring team in the NFL is the LA Rams at 33 points per game. According to yesterday's game, they are in 11 personnel 97% of the time. Yes NINETY SEVEN PERCENT. They were at 80% last year and averaged 29.875 points per game. So the Rams, one of the most consistently high scoring teams of the past season and a half live in the 11 formation. McAdoo's reliance on it is NOT NOT NOT the reason we stunk.

This is a team game, where players, plays and schemes need to fit and dumbly pointing out that you know what 11 personnel is to sound cool in the beat writers room and when you tweet makes you look stupid. They banged on that fact ad nauseum as it's the one revelation that they uncovered that would fix this team. Guess what? It ain't the formation stupid so put that old tired argument to bed.
80% in 2017 - ( New Window )
So you're saying  
Keith : 10/22/2018 3:26 pm : link
it's Eli's fault?
That’s fine if it works  
K-Gun? Pop-Gun : 10/22/2018 3:28 pm : link
But if it isn’t, and you still trot out the same personnel?
I'm not sure I understand your post...  
BillKo : 10/22/2018 3:28 pm : link
....what does the LA Rams have to do with the 2017 Giants?

The Rams can block it up front, have a great scheme, and a coach who - so far - has in incredible knack for play calling. So 11-personnel actually does work for them.

The Giants didn't have any of that in 2017..............
I forget who said it,  
Keith : 10/22/2018 3:30 pm : link
but one of the football shows was saying that Gurley has seen the fewest stacked boxes in the NFL. That's nuts.
This  
Jerry in DC : 10/22/2018 3:30 pm : link
Is a good post.
and to be quiet honest...  
BillKo : 10/22/2018 3:32 pm : link
..so far under Shurmer, IMO, we are still not running enough of correct formations.

IMO, Eli should be under center way more and utilizing play action. How much play action have we used this year? Despite SB not having great success in consistent yardage gains, he is always a threat and defenses have to respect that.

Anyone see Carolina on third and goal yesterday? Newton under center, faked to play action, and hit a TE who was wide open.

Guarantee the Giants would have been - and other teams too - in shotgun.

On NBC, Tony Dungy even wondered aloud "why aren't more teams doing this"...........I wonder the same thing.
RE: I'm not sure I understand your post...  
jcn56 : 10/22/2018 3:34 pm : link
In comment 14139349 BillKo said:
Quote:
....what does the LA Rams have to do with the 2017 Giants?

The Rams can block it up front, have a great scheme, and a coach who - so far - has in incredible knack for play calling. So 11-personnel actually does work for them.

The Giants didn't have any of that in 2017..............


The point is that inherently, you don't have to struggle offensively because you have the same personnel on the field most of the time.

I think some other folks pointed that out back then as well, although not with an example as solid as the Rams.
RE: I forget who said it,  
dep026 : 10/22/2018 3:34 pm : link
In comment 14139352 Keith said:
Quote:
but one of the football shows was saying that Gurley has seen the fewest stacked boxes in the NFL. That's nuts.


I don’t think Barkley does much either. Could be wrong.
Giants don't qualify  
Keith : 10/22/2018 3:35 pm : link
because they NEVER RUN THE BALL!!!
RE: RE: I'm not sure I understand your post...  
BillKo : 10/22/2018 3:37 pm : link
In comment 14139363 jcn56 said:
Quote:
In comment 14139349 BillKo said:


Quote:


....what does the LA Rams have to do with the 2017 Giants?

The Rams can block it up front, have a great scheme, and a coach who - so far - has in incredible knack for play calling. So 11-personnel actually does work for them.

The Giants didn't have any of that in 2017..............



The point is that inherently, you don't have to struggle offensively because you have the same personnel on the field most of the time.

I think some other folks pointed that out back then as well, although not with an example as solid as the Rams.


Of course you don't.

Under Parcells the Giants had like three running plays. Other teams knew everything they were doing...but they did it exceptionally well.

The 2017 Giants didn't....and it's the HC's job to adjust, which quite frankly he didn't.
This isn't a good post. This is a shitty post.  
robbieballs2003 : 10/22/2018 3:38 pm : link
The Rams do plenty of things to keep a defense off balance AND they have the talent.

Why do we like to point at ONE thing and think it is the only possible reason for soemthing going wrong?

Running 11 personnel for McAdoo was a huge problem. Was it the only problem? Of course not.

If I am a boxer and my jab sucks but that is all I throw then I'm going to get knocked the fuck out because I suck and I am predictable. If my jab is legit and I can throw it with authority and accuracy from multiple angles then it is a huge weapon for me.

Bringing up one team doing well from 11 personnel does not support anything. Does every team that runs 11 personnel have McVay as a coach? Do they have Gurley at RB? Do they have a solid blocking TE? Do they have othef really good weapons?

Come on. This is beyond stupid.
Safeties  
Thegratefulhead : 10/22/2018 3:39 pm : link
If you are a safety playing against he NY Giants you are always leaning forward. Either to defend the run or tackle a short pass. You LOVE to play that way. They have no fear of being beaten over the top, so they play downhill and stuff our running game, resulting in many second and longs. Sure SB has an excellent YPC but he has too many zero or negative plays. This will not change until we consistently give the safeties a reason to go backwards.
RE: This isn't a good post. This is a shitty post.  
BillKo : 10/22/2018 3:42 pm : link
In comment 14139378 robbieballs2003 said:
Quote:
The Rams do plenty of things to keep a defense off balance AND they have the talent.

Why do we like to point at ONE thing and think it is the only possible reason for soemthing going wrong?

Running 11 personnel for McAdoo was a huge problem. Was it the only problem? Of course not.

If I am a boxer and my jab sucks but that is all I throw then I'm going to get knocked the fuck out because I suck and I am predictable. If my jab is legit and I can throw it with authority and accuracy from multiple angles then it is a huge weapon for me.

Bringing up one team doing well from 11 personnel does not support anything. Does every team that runs 11 personnel have McVay as a coach? Do they have Gurley at RB? Do they have a solid blocking TE? Do they have othef really good weapons?

Come on. This is beyond stupid.


Exactly.

11 was NOT working for the 2017 Giants...so you start to mix your formations. Do things different, create different looks, etc.. Allow TEs to stay in and block. Max protect.

So McAdoo's solution was to stay in 11 until the Giants drafted/signed better players?

That's coaching?



If the point is you can succeed....  
BillKo : 10/22/2018 3:45 pm : link
....in 11 personnel all the time, sure I guess this does prove it.

But was that really the issue?

The issue was, to me, we were in 11 personnel 97% of the time and we looked overmatched.............

To me, it was a head coach being hard headed and it ultimately cost him his job.
I think you highlighted the issue in your OP  
pjcas18 : 10/22/2018 3:48 pm : link
The Rams averaged more than 29 points per game with 11 personnel 80% of the time in 2017, and are averaging over 30 ppg with 11 personnel 97% of the time in 2018.

The Giants didn't break 30 points scored in almost 2 years running 11 personnel the majority of the time. In fact they averaged under 20 points per game running 11 personnel over 95% of the time in 2016.

One team has a reason to stick with or even increase their usage of that personnel group the other team should rethink it.

Like others not suggesting the typical personnel grouping the Giants used was the sole reason for their lack of offensive success, but it probably wasn't helping.
RE: This isn't a good post. This is a shitty post.  
Joey in VA : 10/22/2018 3:55 pm : link
In comment 14139378 robbieballs2003 said:
Quote:
The Rams do plenty of things to keep a defense off balance AND they have the talent.

Why do we like to point at ONE thing and think it is the only possible reason for soemthing going wrong?

Running 11 personnel for McAdoo was a huge problem. Was it the only problem? Of course not.

If I am a boxer and my jab sucks but that is all I throw then I'm going to get knocked the fuck out because I suck and I am predictable. If my jab is legit and I can throw it with authority and accuracy from multiple angles then it is a huge weapon for me.

Bringing up one team doing well from 11 personnel does not support anything. Does every team that runs 11 personnel have McVay as a coach? Do they have Gurley at RB? Do they have a solid blocking TE? Do they have othef really good weapons?

Come on. This is beyond stupid.
You know as well as I do that the narrative was that we didn't mix it up enough personnel wise. That was simply not a reason we were bad and Rams do bear that out.
While Technically Correct  
WillVAB : 10/22/2018 3:56 pm : link
it’s a disingenuous comparison. The Rams have a good OL and their receivers block really well. Woods may be the best blocking WR in the game. McVay is one of the top offensive minds in the game.

McAdoo’s Giants don’t come anywhere close to stacking up from a scheme or talent perspective.
RE: RE: This isn't a good post. This is a shitty post.  
Joey in VA : 10/22/2018 3:56 pm : link
In comment 14139386 BillKo said:
Quote:
In comment 14139378 robbieballs2003 said:


Quote:


The Rams do plenty of things to keep a defense off balance AND they have the talent.

Why do we like to point at ONE thing and think it is the only possible reason for soemthing going wrong?

Running 11 personnel for McAdoo was a huge problem. Was it the only problem? Of course not.

If I am a boxer and my jab sucks but that is all I throw then I'm going to get knocked the fuck out because I suck and I am predictable. If my jab is legit and I can throw it with authority and accuracy from multiple angles then it is a huge weapon for me.

Bringing up one team doing well from 11 personnel does not support anything. Does every team that runs 11 personnel have McVay as a coach? Do they have Gurley at RB? Do they have a solid blocking TE? Do they have othef really good weapons?

Come on. This is beyond stupid.



Exactly.

11 was NOT working for the 2017 Giants...so you start to mix your formations. Do things different, create different looks, etc.. Allow TEs to stay in and block. Max protect.

So McAdoo's solution was to stay in 11 until the Giants drafted/signed better players?

That's coaching?


It wasn't working because our OL was trash and our QB wasn't playing well. It had zero impact if we "change it up". Change to what, what you DON'T do well? Football is a game of execution and recognition, not trickery.
RE: If the point is you can succeed....  
jcn56 : 10/22/2018 3:59 pm : link
In comment 14139394 BillKo said:
Quote:
....in 11 personnel all the time, sure I guess this does prove it.

But was that really the issue?

The issue was, to me, we were in 11 personnel 97% of the time and we looked overmatched.............

To me, it was a head coach being hard headed and it ultimately cost him his job.


Formations can change with the same personnel grouping. The bottom line is most of the time, you want your best players on the field. If that means a lot of 11 personnel, so be it.

PFF did an article on it over the summer, and during McAdoo's flameout there were several good posts about how often other teams were running with 11 personnel.

IMO - the problems have been execution, injuries and playcalling in that order. Execution is tied to talent, and we've had a fair combo of both good talent that's not performing and we've trotted out our share of bums.
RE: RE: RE: This isn't a good post. This is a shitty post.  
BillKo : 10/22/2018 4:02 pm : link
In comment 14139423 Joey in VA said:
Quote:
In comment 14139386 BillKo said:


Quote:


In comment 14139378 robbieballs2003 said:


Quote:


The Rams do plenty of things to keep a defense off balance AND they have the talent.

Why do we like to point at ONE thing and think it is the only possible reason for soemthing going wrong?

Running 11 personnel for McAdoo was a huge problem. Was it the only problem? Of course not.

If I am a boxer and my jab sucks but that is all I throw then I'm going to get knocked the fuck out because I suck and I am predictable. If my jab is legit and I can throw it with authority and accuracy from multiple angles then it is a huge weapon for me.

Bringing up one team doing well from 11 personnel does not support anything. Does every team that runs 11 personnel have McVay as a coach? Do they have Gurley at RB? Do they have a solid blocking TE? Do they have othef really good weapons?

Come on. This is beyond stupid.



Exactly.

11 was NOT working for the 2017 Giants...so you start to mix your formations. Do things different, create different looks, etc.. Allow TEs to stay in and block. Max protect.

So McAdoo's solution was to stay in 11 until the Giants drafted/signed better players?

That's coaching?




It wasn't working because our OL was trash and our QB wasn't playing well. It had zero impact if we "change it up". Change to what, what you DON'T do well? Football is a game of execution and recognition, not trickery.


Actually deception is a huge part of the NFL.
Here's the PFF article  
jcn56 : 10/22/2018 4:05 pm : link
obviously, we ran much more frequently than the NFL norm - but on average the NFL ran it at an almost 60% clip, and other teams ran it in the 70's.
https://www.profootballfocus.com/news/pro-the-rise-of-11-personnel-in-the-nfl - ( New Window )
The myth..  
FatMan in Charlotte : 10/22/2018 4:09 pm : link
about the 11 personnel grouping is that it is the same FORMATION.

That's what I thought this thread was about.

Put it this way on the 11 personnel grouping - McAdoo used it over 90% of the time which is a statistical high usage of any formation since that data has been tracked.

And he didn't deviate from the personnel grouping despite the lack of success.
If you have a solid OL  
SeanLandeta : 10/22/2018 4:37 pm : link
you can run any formation any amount of time and find success. The issue is if you have no OL and you don't offset that with any creativity. So, yes, it was part of the issue....
Joey  
Matt M. : 10/22/2018 5:03 pm : link
The difference is the Rams have a better OL and running game than we had. We simply could not afford to be in 11 so often.

But, I don't even have a problem with the personnel package as much as the formations used combined with the playcalling. Our offense was predictable to the point that there were plays the last couple of years you could hear the defense calling the play out.
RE: That’s fine if it works  
Marvin Across The sea : 10/22/2018 5:09 pm : link
In comment 14139348 K-Gun? Pop-Gun said:
Quote:
But if it isn’t, and you still trot out the same personnel?

winner.

We may see more 11-personnel in the second half once Shurmur  
Ivan15 : 10/22/2018 5:28 pm : link
figures out that it is better to let your running game be "give it to Barkley and let him do whatever he wants" otherwise known as "run to daylight".

Everyone drive block and let Barkley find a hole.
RE: We may see more 11-personnel in the second half once Shurmur  
Matt M. : 10/22/2018 5:41 pm : link
In comment 14139573 Ivan15 said:
Quote:
figures out that it is better to let your running game be "give it to Barkley and let him do whatever he wants" otherwise known as "run to daylight".

Everyone drive block and let Barkley find a hole.
I fail to see how 3 WR is the best way to implement that strategy.
I'm not one bit confused  
Joey in VA : 10/22/2018 5:52 pm : link
About why comparing the Rams to this team isn't all that valid and I am 100% clear on the X and Os aspect of different formations and groupings. I will try to re-state my point, and it's that personnel groupings and their usage has zero bearing on success or failure as a stand alone feature. It was absolutely drilled into us by the beat writers that he used it "too much". No, he didn't, he had to because it was our best set. He didn't vary play calling enough, he didn't change the tempo and he didn't slide protection enough or keep enough guys in to chip to help his horrible OL. The 11 myth is a failure to actually understand how this game works and think you just cured Polio because you can come up with a percentage and decide it's why we failed.

I am under no illusion as to why we failed but the simplistic and flawed answer that we used one personnel grouping too often is quite simply utter crap.
RE: I'm not one bit confused  
Matt M. : 10/22/2018 6:33 pm : link
In comment 14139614 Joey in VA said:
Quote:
About why comparing the Rams to this team isn't all that valid and I am 100% clear on the X and Os aspect of different formations and groupings. I will try to re-state my point, and it's that personnel groupings and their usage has zero bearing on success or failure as a stand alone feature. It was absolutely drilled into us by the beat writers that he used it "too much". No, he didn't, he had to because it was our best set. He didn't vary play calling enough, he didn't change the tempo and he didn't slide protection enough or keep enough guys in to chip to help his horrible OL. The 11 myth is a failure to actually understand how this game works and think you just cured Polio because you can come up with a percentage and decide it's why we failed.

I am under no illusion as to why we failed but the simplistic and flawed answer that we used one personnel grouping too often is quite simply utter crap.
Yes and no. Yes, it is a myth that 11 personnel is the reason we sucked. As you mention,there are a bunch of other factors in combination. However, insistence on staying almost entirely with that formation, among other thingz, wasn't working. That's not limited to just thepersonnel. But, McAdoo was very predictable in his playcalling based on patterns and formations.
11 personel was not our best set  
Mighty : 10/22/2018 6:40 pm : link
and the results prove it. Our OL needed help blocking and staying in 11 personel kept Ellison our best blocker off the field. So yes staying with 11 personel when it clearly wasnt working and kept us from giving our tackles help by either using 2 TE or a fb etc was a big part of the issue.

But playcalling was the main problem. BM clearly was not comfortable with his entire playbook. Even when the WRs went down he stuck with the same plays and just put the TEs out wide as WRs so technically it wasnt 11 personel anymore but it was the same damn plays just with TEs as WRs. it was ridiculous.
Its 3wrs, 1 TE , 1 RB, correct?  
idiotsavant : 10/22/2018 6:45 pm : link
Possibly Evan Engrams weakness as an in line pass protector plays in.

Whereas it doesn't dictate formation , just refers to -whom- is out there, it seems like in-line, right side is typically the TE spot when having that group.

More to the point, 'do we' typically run the same -formation- stats pls, when having that grouping.
My guess is lots more EE  
idiotsavant : 10/22/2018 7:01 pm : link
Out wide when he gets back, more barks out wide.

You have to try to create enough or a threat from the wideouts to move D away from center. Far away.

Additionally,running more, barks and EE would be ++ run blockers when blocking cornerbacks.
RE: and to be quiet honest...  
Gatorade Dunk : 10/22/2018 8:18 pm : link
In comment 14139358 BillKo said:
Quote:
..so far under Shurmer, IMO, we are still not running enough of correct formations.

IMO, Eli should be under center way more and utilizing play action. How much play action have we used this year? Despite SB not having great success in consistent yardage gains, he is always a threat and defenses have to respect that.

Anyone see Carolina on third and goal yesterday? Newton under center, faked to play action, and hit a TE who was wide open.

Guarantee the Giants would have been - and other teams too - in shotgun.

On NBC, Tony Dungy even wondered aloud "why aren't more teams doing this"...........I wonder the same thing.

Formations and personnel groupings are not the same thing and shouldn't be used interchangeably.
Another stupid post.  
LauderdaleMatty : 10/22/2018 8:43 pm : link
Giants OL sucked. As in worst inthe NFL. Rams OL very good. Whitworth alone is still better than anyone on the Giants still ant his age

Gurley at RB Vs the shit the Giants has the last two years. Byba postet who should know better. The stupid on this site gets worse every day
RE: Another stupid post.  
Joey in VA : 10/22/2018 8:55 pm : link
In comment 14139974 LauderdaleMatty said:
Quote:
Giants OL sucked. As in worst inthe NFL. Rams OL very good. Whitworth alone is still better than anyone on the Giants still ant his age

Gurley at RB Vs the shit the Giants has the last two years. Byba postet who should know better. The stupid on this site gets worse every day
Dude really? What is so stupid about my point? Please address the specific argument you have and counter my point, which is that being in a personnel grouping in a lot isn't just flat out detrimental. Is the reading comprehension here that bad? It's like swimming with fat kids in here.
RE: Joey  
Joey in VA : 10/22/2018 8:55 pm : link
In comment 14139543 Matt M. said:
Quote:
The difference is the Rams have a better OL and running game than we had. We simply could not afford to be in 11 so often.

But, I don't even have a problem with the personnel package as much as the formations used combined with the playcalling. Our offense was predictable to the point that there were plays the last couple of years you could hear the defense calling the play out.
JFC Matt, I know that. Why don't you tell me that water is wet next?
RE: RE: and to be quiet honest...  
Joey in VA : 10/22/2018 8:56 pm : link
In comment 14139801 Gatorade Dunk said:
Quote:
In comment 14139358 BillKo said:


Quote:


..so far under Shurmer, IMO, we are still not running enough of correct formations.

IMO, Eli should be under center way more and utilizing play action. How much play action have we used this year? Despite SB not having great success in consistent yardage gains, he is always a threat and defenses have to respect that.

Anyone see Carolina on third and goal yesterday? Newton under center, faked to play action, and hit a TE who was wide open.

Guarantee the Giants would have been - and other teams too - in shotgun.

On NBC, Tony Dungy even wondered aloud "why aren't more teams doing this"...........I wonder the same thing.


Formations and personnel groupings are not the same thing and shouldn't be used interchangeably.
OMG someone with a brain.
RE: That’s fine if it works  
djm : 10/22/2018 9:09 pm : link
In comment 14139348 K-Gun? Pop-Gun said:
Quote:
But if it isn’t, and you still trot out the same personnel?


This.
RE: RE: Joey  
LauderdaleMatty : 10/22/2018 9:12 pm : link
In comment 14140079 Joey in VA said:
Quote:
In comment 14139543 Matt M. said:


Quote:


The difference is the Rams have a better OL and running game than we had. We simply could not afford to be in 11 so often.

But, I don't even have a problem with the personnel package as much as the formations used combined with the playcalling. Our offense was predictable to the point that there were plays the last couple of years you could hear the defense calling the play out.

JFC Matt, I know that. Why don't you tell me that water is wet next?


Because the instence Of shoe horning 11 formation with the personal he had was a problem. Come on Joey. Also Would you honestly compare McVays offense and play calling to McAdoo?

It was an issue. Period. Why not run the option w Eli too while you’re at it and then use a team who runs some read option and it works and say Its not an issue.
RE: RE: RE: Joey  
Gatorade Dunk : 10/23/2018 12:48 pm : link
In comment 14140323 LauderdaleMatty said:
Quote:
In comment 14140079 Joey in VA said:


Quote:


In comment 14139543 Matt M. said:


Quote:


The difference is the Rams have a better OL and running game than we had. We simply could not afford to be in 11 so often.

But, I don't even have a problem with the personnel package as much as the formations used combined with the playcalling. Our offense was predictable to the point that there were plays the last couple of years you could hear the defense calling the play out.

JFC Matt, I know that. Why don't you tell me that water is wet next?



Because the instence Of shoe horning 11 formation with the personal he had was a problem. Come on Joey. Also Would you honestly compare McVays offense and play calling to McAdoo?

It was an issue. Period. Why not run the option w Eli too while you’re at it and then use a team who runs some read option and it works and say Its not an issue.

You still think 11 is a formation, huh? But by all means, keep calling other people stupid.
RE: Its 3wrs, 1 TE , 1 RB, correct?  
PaulBlakeTSU : 10/23/2018 1:12 pm : link
In comment 14139668 idiotsavant said:
Quote:
Possibly Evan Engrams weakness as an in line pass protector plays in.

Whereas it doesn't dictate formation , just refers to -whom- is out there, it seems like in-line, right side is typically the TE spot when having that group.

More to the point, 'do we' typically run the same -formation- stats pls, when having that grouping.


The number refers to the number of RBs and TEs in a given play, in that order. The number of WRs is then inferred from that.

"11" means 1 RB, 1 TE, and thus 3 WRs
"12" means 1 RB, 2TE, and thus 2 WRs
"21" means 2 RBs, 1 TE, and thus 2 WRs
Joey  
Pascal4554 : 10/23/2018 2:13 pm : link
Asked you some questions on another thread, but don't think you will see them. So I'm just going to ask them here. Don't mean to hijack the thread. I don't have enough knowledge about football to comment on your assertion on 11 personnel, but it passes the smell test. McAdoo seemed in way over his head for a number of reasons and for me the biggest indicator was how he handled the media.

Here are my questions for you:

1) You think Gettlemen can turn this around in the next couple of years?

2) What were your initial thoughts on the Shurmur hire? And has your opinion on him changed based on this season so far?


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