Run the Ball!

[sebman2112]

The title says it all, and NE's seemingly run the ball less each of the past 3-4 years, with Brady at the helm. It's understandable when you're fielding a below average group of RB's, but the Patriots actually have multiple RB's on their roster who are capable of carrying the load, and posting good numbers during the process. This is an important point to get out of the way, since I want to make it clear that NE can run the ball, when they choose, it's just that for whatever reason, they're choosing to live and die by the pass.

Why do I believe NE's rushing attack can be effective? Some examples:

Game one: Maroney starts the game out with 4 carries for 27 yards, and an average of 6.75 yards per carry. Instead of continuing to run the ball with Maroney, NE takes him out of the game, and goes back to the air. When you've got a QB like Brady I can understand wanting to give him every opportunity to make plays, but if your running game is working, you shouldn't just abandon it.

Game two: Fred Taylor's given the ball 8 times, and he gains 46 yards on those 8 carries, for an average of 5.8 YPC. Maroney doesn't fair quite as well, but also had some good runs during the first half. He finishes the game with 6 rushes for 23 yards (3.8 YPC). So, with one RB gaining close to 6 yards, and another gaining close to 4 yards each time they touch the ball, why would NE again choose to abandon the run?

As I've already explained, I can understand wanting to put the ball in Brady's hands as much as possible, but you're running the ball effectively, and the passing game (especially in week 2) isn't working... In my opinion, the Patriots could have moved the ball more effectively, and put up a TD or two, if they had stuck with the run. With Brady coming back from serious injury, I can't understand the coaching staff's decision to place the outcome of these contest so squarely on his shoulders, especially since they seem capable of running the ball. Sometimes I think NE's coaching staff forgets that while Brady and the offense put up other worldly passing numbers throughout most of the 2007 regular season, it was on the back of their rushing attack (Maroney in particular) that they won two of those playoff games, before going down slinging against the Giants, as Brady attempted one bomb after another.

An added note concerning my earlier statement, where I mentioned some of these problems are 3-4 years old. I'm talking about playcalling, and NE's inability to commit to a power rushing attack. Some particular playcalling patterns that I've noticed: If they run the ball successfully 2-3 times in a row, NE's coaching staff will then believe they've sufficiently established the run, and proceed to pass the ball almost exclusively for the next 5-10 plays, even if their passing attack isn't being as successful.

On sunday just prior to Brady faking the run and going deep to Moss (instead finding Revis), I told the person standing next to me "they're going to fake the run, and go deep to Moss". I'm sure many fans on this message board had similar thoughts, and I'm also sure it was pretty obvious to the Jets defensive coaches as well. NE's being too predictable on offense has been a problem for awhile now, and I don't see anything changing.

 

[Liverpool_Patriot]

You would think that they would try and ease Brady back into action by using our RBs a bit more by either pounding the ball or slowing the pass rush down with some screens and draws. It just doesn't make sense

 

[FarScapeR]

The problem is the offensive line has been exposed as being a better pass protecting line than a run blocking one. Our running game is going to have to be craftier, and the pass is going to have to set up the run. Unfortunately, when you can't pass, you can't run too well, either.

 

[BelichickFan]

The problem is the offensive line has been exposed as being a better pass protecting line than a run blocking one.

It's possible we'd run better if we ran more. That said, we're averaging 3.6 YPC right now. It's a small sample but right now we aren't a good running team. With the running backs we have I think we'd prove to be a decent running team if we committed to it but right now, we are what we are - which is a bad running team. That said, Atlanta is averaging 5.1 YPC against and that's not just because Carolina is a good running team, a mediocre Miami ran well on them too. So this should be the week.

 

[Liverpool_Patriot]

The problem is the offensive line has been exposed as being a better pass protecting line than a run blocking one. Our running game is going to have to be craftier, and the pass is going to have to set up the run. Unfortunately, when you can't pass, you can't run too well, either.

But we were running the ball effectively against the Jets and then decided to abandon the running game and turn to the passing game, which wasn't working as effectively. I hope the offense uses a balanced attack to keep the Defense guessing instead of constantly blitzing against a predictable offense.

 

[LeonPowe]

Part of the problem with the YPC is that whenever Maroney is in the game, it's a run. I've always been annoyed by Maroney's "dancing", but this year he hasn't been doing it and to me has actually been doing well, and he's still going to get a bad rap because of our obvious offensive playcalling.

 

[BradyManny]

NE's being too predictable on offense has been a problem for awhile now, and I don't see anything changing.

I can't argue with much in the post - I'd love to see a more balanced offense and I think a better, more consistent rushing game will only help free up the passing attack.

The modus operandi for the Pats offense for the past few years is "see what the D is doing and react", aka "take what they can give you".

However, there are now defenses out there that are good enough to give us nothing - ie, the Jets. And the offense is going to have to force defenses to react, not vice versa. When a team as ****y as the Jets comes in and knows its going against a pass happy offense and proceeds to jam guys at the line, disrupt routes, and then rush 5 on 5 or even 6 on 5, every offense is going to struggle in the passing game.

 

[ScrewDrvr]

I wish they would let one or 2 backs play the majority of the game. Let them get into rhythm.

 

[rabthepat]

We do not have the players for a consistent run game. The offensive line is a finesse line and our running backs do not include one legitimate starter.

In order to help the run game we need to go to a no huddle offense and throw in some trickery. We cannot "Man Up" and run on anybody.

 

[BradyManny]

We do not have the players for a consistent run game. The offensive line is a finesse line and our running backs do not include one legitimate starter.

In order to help the run game we need to go to a no huddle offense and throw in some trickery. We cannot "Man Up" and run on anybody.

Right now, it looks like the OL is not capable of running against a stacked box - but few OL's are. In clear running situations, our OL has gotten beat consistently this year, hopefully that changes.

But remember back to 2007 and when we were struggling to pass against SD in the AFCCG, we went to a power set w Maroney and Moss as the only wideout. We were running it right down their throats. I think that should be the go-to for any game where the passing offense isn't having its way. With Vollmer & good blocking TEs, that set should be even more effective.

 

[makoute]

Right now, it looks like the OL is not capable of running against a stacked box - but few OL's are. In clear running situations, our OL has gotten beat consistently this year, hopefully that changes.

But remember back to 2007 and when we were struggling to pass against SD in the AFCCG, we went to a power set w Maroney and Moss as the only wideout. We were running it right down their throats. I think that should be the go-to for any game where the passing offense isn't having its way. With Vollmer & good blocking TEs, that set should be even more effective.

This would have been good to try yesterday with the Jets only suiting up 3 Dlineman.

 

[slash83]

That 3rd n 1 or 2 where they tried to run the ball and got stopped for a loss is a big reason why I dont think they run the ball much.

 

[DaBruinz]

One has to wonder how much of the passing is Brady changing the play from a run to a pass at the line. Brady was making a lot of adjustments at the line yesterday and some of them didn't help.

There were two WR screens that Brady through yesterday that the Jets had sniffed out prior and Brady still threw into them anyways.

I think that the Pats, if they don't already, need some run audibles that would change from a run at the A gap to a Run at the Weakside C Gap with the line blocking to the Strong side.. And that Brady needs to remember that he's not a one man team back there.. And I hope that BB chewed him a new one... Honestly..Because he needs to be reminded of that.. And, as a Captain, he needs to remind these guys about it also.

The Patriots CAN run block and did so very well the last half of last season when they changed the blocking schemes. They need to go back to those blocking schemes and stay with them. Then we'll see all the RBs perform well.

 

[BelichickFan]

That 3rd n 1 or 2 where they tried to run the ball and got stopped for a loss is a big reason why I dont think they run the ball much.

Yes it is. And it loses confidence for times in the future like when, at the end of the half, we had a 2nd and 3 inside the 10. Two passes and a FG. ICK. That should be run, run and run again if needed to get the first down then you have a first down inside the 5. That sequence alone probably cost us the game. We have GOT to be able to run and get 1-2 yards consistently.

 

[BradyManny]

One has to wonder how much of the passing is Brady changing the play from a run to a pass at the line. Brady was making a lot of adjustments at the line yesterday and some of them didn't help.

Is Brady changing plays at the line? I thought he was just changing protections.

 

[slash83]

Yes it is. And it loses confidence for times in the future like when, at the end of the half, we had a 2nd and 3 inside the 10. Two passes and a FG. ICK. That should be run, run and run again if needed to get the first down then you have a first down inside the 5. That sequence alone probably cost us the game. We have GOT to be able to run and get 1-2 yards consistently.

Exactly, too many times this team has been in those short yardage situations and end up either getting stuffed or even worse end up losing yards. Their either getting no push, or as in yesterdays case they allowed way too much penetration.

 

[TheBaronPatriot]

I wonder if they did call more runs and if Brady was just changing them all to passes at the LOS.

Reminds me of my roommate playing Madden - after 2-3 bad runs and no big plays he will just give up on the run all together and start slinging it.

I wonder if Brady is getting into this mentality of "I'm TFB and I will beat the jets pressure like I know how with my arm" despite the coaches calling for runs.

An accurate Brady would have fared much better against this pressure and maybe he was trying to force it. So I'm not sure the blame is 100% with the coaches.

 

[DaBruinz]

That 3rd n 1 or 2 where they tried to run the ball and got stopped for a loss is a big reason why I dont think they run the ball much.

In all honesty, they shouldn't have run the ball on that play unless it was with a QB sneak or a quicker developing play. The play they ran had Maroney too far in the backfield and allowed the OLB to come around to make the stop because they over-loaded the right hand side of the line.

 

[bakes781]

They really did need to balance the attack yesterday. Brady looked flustered out there and yet he wasn't sacked once!

 

[Stokes]

We do not have the players for a consistent run game. The offensive line is a finesse line and our running backs do not include one legitimate starter.

In order to help the run game we need to go to a no huddle offense and throw in some trickery. We cannot "Man Up" and run on anybody.

I don't see them that way, at least in the interior. There isn't a lot of finesse to Mankins, and Neal is a devastating run blocker at times. Koppen is also well suited to the run in his ability to scoop to either side. At any rate even if they were more "finesse" they could still be an effective running team, as Denver always was with an undersized line (for today's standards).

I'd love to see them focus on the run game, especially in a game like yesterday's where they were having some success. Brady gives a great play action fake and that has been lost in the last couple years with the change in philosophy to a more pass-oriented attack.