The reason for Edwards success
Trent Edwards has bursted on the scene with outstanding performances in the first two games of the season for the Buffalo Bills. The reason for his success is simply the type of offense he is running.
This past week I have picked up the book Sunday Morning Quarterback by Phil Simms, with Vic Carucci. I may be half way through it, however it came clear to me why Edwards has been outstanding.
The type of offense that the Bills are running is the West Coast offense. A offense that is centralized on the quarterback.
The offensive style is a quarterbacks dream. The philosophy of the offense is what Simms credits for him making the Pro Bowl in his final season in the National Football League.
The offense calls for the quarterback to be gracefull. In other words it relies on sound quarterback technique, with the quarterback finding the open man to more the ball several yards to move the chains.
For example, the offense calls for the quarterback to throw the ball softer, with touch, and to the open man to move the chains.
According to Simms, when a quarterback throws the ball with all his might there is a greater chance of the wide receiver dropping the ball, because it is coming at him so hard. Throwing it softer gives the receiver a better chance to catch it, and the ball to be more accurately thrown to a spot so he can make a better play to gain yards after the catch.
Also, the offense relies on speedy skill players to break tackles, and run the ball after the catch to gain more yards. Something that the Bills have a lot at the wide receiver, and running back position.
The philosophy of throwing it to whoever is open no matter if it is two or twenty is actually common sense. What it does is allow the quarterback to get into a rythm, which according to Simms is essential for a quarterback to be good in a particular game.
Edwards has always been a great accurate decision maker. Back in high school Edwards had years where he completed 75 percent of his passes.
Simply, the Bills have put a offense together that fits all the attributes of every starter, including the offensive line who is better at pass blocking.