Re: Forget the Chargers - On to Indy - What is UP With Our Running Game Or Lack There
You are the weakest link!
http://www.coldhardfootballfacts.com/Article.php?Page=1263
NEW ENGLAND: RT Nick Kaczur
The Patriots don’t have many statistical holes in their game. In addition to owning the No. 7 scoring offense and No. 2 scoring defense, the Patriots are:
2nd in defensive passer rating (88.3)
10th in rush defense (3.88 yards allowed)
6th in time of possession
7th in passer rating (88.3)
Their only significant deficiency is the statistically average running game (3.9 YPC, 18th in the NFL). Some of that is due to a disproportionate number of short runs by Tom Brady (49 rushes, more than Steve McNair), because New England’s three tailbacks (Corey Dillon, Kevin Faulk and Laurence Maroney) collectively had a bang-up season.
Their final numbers: 1,680 yards, 4.21 YPA, and 19 rushing TDs, to go with 80 catches, 697 yards and three receiving TDs.
But the Patriots did struggle a bit trying to run from sets with a single tight end. Dill-Faulk-Roney ran 65 percent of the time from two- or three-TE sets and averaged 4.31 YPA; from zero- and one-TE sets, they averaged 4.06 YPA.
New England plays to its strengths (strong tight ends), but they also have needed the help on the right side of the line.
New England tailbacks averaged just 3.36 on runs to the right (150 for 502 yards), where their weakest link resides.
A second-year man, Kaczur was beaten out by rookie Ryan O’Callaghan after an injury-marred camp and didn’t regain his job until Week 9. Shawne Merriman is likely to spend at least 50 percent of his snaps on Kaczur’s side, lining up next to run-stopping DE Luis Castillo.
The Patriots will need to protect their right tackle because you, Mr. Kaczur, are the weakest link.