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!

cstjohn17

I am not sure, they don't seem to use any power sweeps with the new blocking scheme. They also tend to use a 3 WR set which forces teams to spread out leaving the middle vulnerable.

I guess I am a perfectionist but I expected more from the running game yesterday. The Jets are terrible against the run and with all their movement were quite subsceptible. I also think Brady audibled out of several running plays which may have lead to the false starts. The O Line seemed like they were ready to jump off the line and pound someone and when the play was changed they were just too fired up to stop.

The one specific instance when I thought the play calling was suspect was in the end of the 3rd \ start of the 4th quarter. There were starting to get some Lomo Mojo going and then on 2nd & 4 , 3rd and 4 they passed the ball. Perfect chance to run it and take control of the game.

Someone said business like, a win is a win. I expect more running against Miami and the Giants.

New England - 1:51
1st-10, NE20 1:51 L. Maroney rushed to the left for 9 yard gain
2nd-1, NE29 1:09 L. Maroney rushed up the middle for 3 yard gain
1st-10, NE32 0:35 L. Maroney rushed to the left for 2 yard gain

4th Quarter
New England continued
2nd-8, NE34 15:00 NYJ committed 5 yard penalty
1st-10, NE39 14:53 L. Maroney rushed to the left for 6 yard gain
2nd-4, NE45 14:13 T. Brady incomplete pass down the middle
3rd-4, NE45 14:08 T. Brady incomplete pass to the right

xmarkd400x

Depending on the surface, the weather can have a large impact on the play calling. If the game was played in a stadium with grass (Pats play on field-turf) and the footing was worse, less outside runs would be called because of the increase in risk. A running back can slip making the cut upfield.

As far as the Patriots are concerned, the reason they didn't call any outside runs is probably because they didn't think outside runs give them the best chance to get yards. I know it sounds cliche and overused, but if Josh McDaniels had outside runs in the gameplan, thought they would work, and didn't call them, I would expect him to be fired quickly.

If I had to guess at an answer, it would be that the Patriots felt like they could attack the middle of the Jets defense. Their D-Line is ranked below average this year (far below as I remember), and running straight at a weak D-Line is the best way to attack it.

RayClay

That's what Maroney said. Check Boston.com for postgame comments, probably in Reiss's blog.

Hard to cut on that surface. Nice downhill running by Laurence yesterday.

Also, you can't just run outside. If you can't establish the inside threat, you're dead as an NFL running back. Even if you're a little squirt.

Maroney is pretty big and strong, so his ability to run inside will allow him to break some on the outside.

NFL defenses are too quick, smart and disciplined not to string you out and hammer you if they know you're always taking the outside option.

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shmessy

You may be a relatively new fan, but you make an excellent point.

I can't understand why they don't allow Maroney to run outside, towards the sidelines. He would be deadly on sweeps and pitchouts. I don't believe his strength is the inside running game.

This has mystified me all year.

__________________
"They (Patriots) may be the greatest team ever" - Chris Mortenson, January 18, 2005 on espn.com

xmarkd400x

Interesting. On WEEI this morning Brady said that the field turf is decent. Perhaps it is still hard to cut on, but better than normal grass?

Edit:

Laurence Maroney:
I didn't think the field was as much of a factor as this LoMo quote implies.

nabwong

Thanks for the posts so far. Yeah, my question is basically more of a whole season question where we rarely see outside runs. I guess we are also losing depth at tight end and that could be a factor. We also seem to use Welker more in the screen than Maroney. I think it's time to let loose the Monster inside Maroney. I have this feeling deep down that he can become a Jackson or Barber.

Maybe yesterday was an exception cause of the weather but as someone has said, our turf helps the running game more than grass.

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.

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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.

__________________
"Never attribute to malice that which is adequately explained by stupidity."

--Robert J. Hanlon

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.