Running game

[BlitzFritz]

Didnt see this posted (tho i have been working hard this week!).
The facts seem to indicate we are running well.
Are some fans sounding spoiled by looking for a dominant running game (not just a productive one)?

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From Reiss

It's a question that has been debated this season, and opinions vary. While statistics don't always reflect success, here are a few numbers that some might point to when saying the team has been productive running the ball:


4.0 -- The number of yards per carry the Patriots are averaging this season, gaining a total of 1,609 rushing yards on 400 attempts. The total includes quarterback kneeldowns at the end of games.


1 -- The number of times in the last 20 years that the Patriots have averaged 4.0 yards per carry or better in a season (2004, 4.1).


47.5 -- The percentage of Patriots rushing attempts that have gained four or more yards this season, the highest total in the NFL.


4.21 -- The average number of yards per carry that Laurence Maroney has gained in his career (1378 yards on 327 attempts).


4.22 -- The Patriots’ individual franchise record for most yards per carry with the team, achieved by Corey Dillon (3180 yards on 753 carries from 2004-06) and Craig James (2469 yards on 585 carries from 1984-88).


4 -- The number of games this season in which the Patriots have had a 100-yard rusher.


3 -- The total number of games in which the Patriots had a 100-yard rusher over the previous two seasons combined (2005-06).

 

[mancunian]

it would be interesting to see the number of run plays called compared to the number of pass plays.

I remember earlier this season it was pretty much even (well through the first 4 - 6 games).

Guess I could go to NFL.com and have a look

 

[mancunian]

400 rush attempts (43% of plays)

528 pass (including sacks - (57% of plays)

 

[onegameatatime]

I started a thread recently along these lines with a comparison over the last 7 years. My ulitmate conclusion is that fans have rose-colored glasses about previous seasons and only remember 2004. In general since 2001, this year is the second best year for rushing outside of 2004.

 

[mavfan2390]

Wow, I honestly did not know the numbers were that good, I'm surprised....wow, and here I was thinking we only had a passing O

 

[mavfan2390]

Just more reason why we shouldn't draft McFadden, I'd love to trade down to let's say Oaklands #8 spot, draft Ghoston or Phillips, and pick up some more picks, or a useful players or something.

 

[wistahpatsfan]

I guaranty you that BB has the team working on a power running game for the next three weeks. He has the best offensive line in the NFL and he will have these beasts run blocking as well as they pass block by the time the playoffs arrive. This is the greatest O-line we have had since Hannah/Gray/Adams. They will have to run when the weather is cold and severe, like it will be for the rest of the season and playoffs.

 

[NYCPatsFan]

Just more reason why we shouldn't draft McFadden, I'd love to trade down to let's say Oaklands #8 spot, draft Ghoston or Phillips, and pick up some more picks, or a useful players or something.

Are we allowed to trade that pick? I thought we cannot but I might be wrong.

 

[ctpatsfan77]

Are we allowed to trade that pick? I thought we cannot but I might be wrong.

Compensatory picks (awarded for loss of FAs) cannot be traded. All other picks can.

 

[ShrewBeer]

its the old, stand next to an ugly chick and look hot. well, we've got two hot chicks, but one is just the hottest there has ever been. so the hot one doesnt look so hot in comparison.

 

[Grogan's neck roll]

its the old, stand next to an ugly chick and look hot. well, we've got two hot chicks, but one is just the hottest there has ever been. so the hot one doesnt look so hot in comparison.

This post made me happy in the pants on several levels.

 

[BlitzFritz]

this sunday will put more pressure on the power running game to develop further, given weather predictions.

now can we pls run ouside the tackles stretch play a few times??

 

[PatsFanInVa]

Nice workup!

The whining contingent has always predicated the whining on which other team's back they most salivate over.

In other words, looking at an unattainable "done deal" (someone else's production in someone else's system,) to degrade what we do have this year in New England.

Could it be better? Probably.

Should we do what needs doing to have a chance of making it better?

No. All the suggested moves ignore risks and assume positive consequences, predicating the need for such risk-loading, on a poor performance evaluation which is simply not valid.

PFnV

 

[DaBruinz]

Are we allowed to trade that pick? I thought we cannot but I might be wrong.

Why wouldn't the Pats be able to trade the pick? The only picks that aren't allowed to be traded are compensetory draft picks and those occur at the ends of the 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, and 7th.