I don’t know if it’s a playcalling or if it’s AR just trying to make downfield throws, but he is not throwing anything to the backs.
For sure, this should be a part to take off some pressure, so......
Is it Napier?
Is it AR's confidence?
Is he playing hurt?
Is it fear keeping him from playing loose?
You're right that he has to get the RB's more involved in the passing game. Damn bubble screens with XH aren't even a threat. It is almost as if Napier is going to have to take the decision making away from him and specify the play and the outcome. Defenses are squatting with a spy on every play. So what do you do with that and a strong running game, you run right at it. Make the spy commit to AR, pitch it and burn them with ETN, Johnson. After getting torched, they will go to the pitch man, AR burns them. Play action with the TE's but no check options. I hear Napier explaining why AR made a mistake.....take that away until he understands it. As well as AR played last year, it just seemed as if he was winging it. Not sure what is up with him. But he has to get it fixed in his head. The play calling, being dinged up, pressure, bad reads, checking the Defense.....that is all thinking and process, in his head. And it will effect how plays are called. I would hope that Napier, if Miller is back this week will be a bit more aggressive. And also lean on what we do well, the running game. And I believe a good bit is the fact he could be dinged up. He, with the talent we saw last year and against Utah, should be able to be able to go one on one with a spy and win some of those battles. You can look at the 2pt conversion where he totally outplayed Diabetus. He is not the same player.
Just my .02 cents, but he as you suggest should lean on our strength.