That doesn't even make sense.
Why did they put a DB on the line? because they would rather we had no pass options and didn't fear our running game.
If we used the run and our surprising, but very limited running backs as the focal point of our offense, we would be executing the game plan Ryan hoped to make us have to do.
There's a reason he spent so much time trying to mess up Brady's options and so little respect for our running game.
You know, if somehow, BJ and Woodhead started gouging them for runs of 20 and 30 yards when he left half the line open to them, all he'd need to do is move a DL and/or a linebacker back in place to stop any runs after the initial 3-5 yds, if that.
Believe it or not, some teams even put a safety in the box to stop running games they fear. Do you think that happens a lot with Brady, BJ and Woodhead in there?
They are wonderful human beings, but both our F.A. running backs benefit from defenses that key on stopping Brady and the passing game. Ryan reportedly had 11 DBs active.
Give any D coordinator the primary job of stopping our running game and it's stopped. I realize BJ is disciplined and goes forward, but he lacks speed, power, and agility compared to great running backs. That's not his fault, he gives 100% of his gawd given talent, but people here have convinced themselves that he went from a non player to Jim Brown or OJ Simpson overnight. It just doesn't happen that way.
Our backs get yards as a compliment to the passing game of Tom Brady which has wrecked the league this year, not the other way around. I was happy to see BJ get 1,000 yards, but, believe it or not there are plenty of JAG running backs around with multiple 1,000 yard seasons to their credit available every day on waivers. It isn't that hard. It's 62.5 yards a game.
We had a great season with one (1) premier veteran defensive player in Wilfork and Tom Brady. We had a fantastic run, and i love this team, and had we played our game and not made crucial errors, we could have won it. We didn't.
Pretending our personnel morphed into different players because they practiced and learned so well, is just self delusion. BJ and Woodhead did a great job taking what defenses who spent the week trying to stop Brady gave them, period.
Woodhead is probably a decent third down back, they aren't really hard to find, because they're undersized. If he can stick to it like faulk did, we've scored again. BJ is a good backup running back. He needs to be more versatile in that role, IMO if he wants a long NFL career. If you think he's going to carry an offense on his back in a playoff game, good luck. He's a complimentary player.
We're not always going to have things roll our way in a season like we did this one. We've got lots of young players who could be impact players and draft picks to fill other holes. Pretending our complimentary players are Cory Dillons or Curtis Martins is not going to help us get better and win next time.