Running Game Question - Page 2 - New England Patriots Forums

TripleOption · 12-17-2007, 12:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xmarkd400x

I agree. Also, the Patriots tend to favor WR screens over tosses and pitches. I think it is partly because a dropped pass is more desireable than a dropped pitch/lateral.

The Smoke Pass seems to be most NFL team's answer to get on the perimeter NOW.

It is very popular in college as well. I love Quick Pitch but you need good fast linemen that can block in space.

RayClay · 12-17-2007, 12:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TripleOption

Your RB is only as fast as his OL. I see very few true Toss plays in the NFL, mostly windback tosses designed to cut back inside. This is due to the speed of NFL defenses. Some teams run a "quick pitch" with the FSOT and FSOG leading but the Pat may not like it.

Maroney is not a Toss runner imho. He is a Stretch/Inside Zone runner with good cutback ability. They just don't seem to use him that way. In Denver's scheme, he would be deadly.

He is also extremely dangerous in the open field when he catches swing routes. I don't know why he is not utilized more for this, kind of like Kevin Faulk. It may be a trust issue.

I think they're having problems with the new zone blocking scheme. Maybe another training camp. A lot of defenders have come in totally free on maroney's runs.

cavtroop · 12-17-2007, 12:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RayClay

I think they're having problems with the new zone blocking scheme. Maybe another training camp. A lot of defenders have come in totally free on maroney's runs.

This is my thought as well. I was hoping they'd get this working for this year, but I think they didn't focus on it, as they were zone for Maroney and straight up for Morris, maybe?

BritPat · 12-17-2007, 12:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nabwong

Hello Fellow Fans,

I've been in Boston for the past 5 years and I've fallen in love with the Patriots ever since I watched my first game then. I'm still learning about the play calling. I have a question about the running game. Hope you guys can provide some insight.

Yesterday we had a lot of run plays called and I thought they were effective. However, I'm wondering why most of the calls were designed to be an inside run. I notice that Maroney has a lot of speed and power and from my own deduction, I believe an outside run game may suit him better against a one-on-one tackle.

Is it because of the weather that most run plays were called inside? Can you enlighten me on some factors?

Thanks!

Nab lad!

How you doing?

***shmessy*** · 12-17-2007, 12:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RayClay

The field is better than the mud pit they used to play on, but the conditions did favor a power running game.

Besides, Maroney had a big credibility gap because Dillon and Sammy took the inside runs and Maroney seemed to struggle.

This game will pay huge dividends for him and open up the outside stuff. You can't just run outside in the NFL. Most big outside runs are a result of the threat of an inside run, or a bounce out.

I understand your point, but can you remember ONE running play where Maroney went outside this entire season?

THAT'S the point.

***nabwong*** · 12-17-2007, 01:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BritPat

Nab lad!

How you doing?

Yo Scouser, doing good. Would be doing better had we won the united game.

***nabwong*** · 12-17-2007, 01:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shmessy

I understand your point, but can you remember ONE running play where Maroney went outside this entire season?

THAT'S the point.

I remember a few times Maroney went to the outside and he looked deadly. But i don't remember if it was a designed play. I'm really interested to see what he can do on the outside.

Gumby · 12-17-2007, 01:28 PM

1. Maroney was heavily chastised his first year for trying to take EVERY SINGLE run to the outside. some on this board criticized him (and continue to ) as an E-W instead of N-S runner.

So I think he has been heavily coached and was probably personnally trying to keep it inside and actually ignored 2 runs where he probably should have bounced it outside. The rest of his inside runs were good choices (IMO).

2. As someone else mentioned we were down to 3rd and 4th string TEs yesterday.
So it gets hard to take it to the outside when you have your weakest blockers on the whole line out there.

3. It was sort of implied in BB and other's press conference statements that the game plan coming in was to use the jets as a Running Game TUNE-UP. To show the rest of the league that the Pats can run and give the OL some practice at run blocking. so based on that game plan would be to run up the middle - run it down their throats..

Don't know the truth of that last point or if it was just the weather made us be a run team yesterday; but............Wouldn't that be the biggest bietch-slap to Man-genious; for him to find out his team is just a pre-season practice squad for our guys. LOL.

BritPat · 12-17-2007, 01:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nabwong

Yo Scouser, doing good. Would be doing better had we won the united game.

Nice one.

It's Ste by the way

RayClay · 12-17-2007, 01:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shmessy

I understand your point, but can you remember ONE running play where Maroney went outside this entire season?

THAT'S the point.

Not successfully. I wouldn't worry about it. As another poster mentioned, few real outside runs work in the NFL because defenders are fast and know how to string them out.

Better zone blocking and gaining a rep as a tough inside runner (always had Barber, Morris abs Dillon, so he needs to prove that) will provide the opportunities for cutbacks and bounce outs.