[CTcard]

... The problem isn't a simplified playbook it's that there are a bunch of looks that were successful in the past that have not been seen this season.

Even if play action holds up a rusher for a fraction of a second that gives the fairly immobile QB that much more time to follow through.

That's not what play action does, certainly not any longer than it delays the QB by performing the play action.
The point of play action is to freeze the safeties, allowing receivers to get open behind them.

[CTcard]

... The problem isn't a simplified playbook it's that there are a bunch of looks that were successful in the past that have not been seen this season.

Even if play action holds up a rusher for a fraction of a second that gives the fairly immobile QB that much more time to follow through.

That's not what play action does, certainly not any longer than it delays the QB by performing the play action.
The point of play action is to freeze the safeties, allowing receivers to get open behind them.