Running game woes: theories and what happened to the Faulk draw /delay play?

TheButlerDidIt · Jan 19, 2016

I still can't get my head around why our running game is so poor, and, worse, seemingly uncreative, particularly in the last few weeks. I understand that some of the reasons include:

Relatively inexperienced and shuffling offensive line
Loss of key runners (Lewis, Blount)

Is it also possible that a line that is mostly built to pass protect and (presumably) gets most of its practice reps running pass protection is of a different physical make-up / skill set compared to a team that runs more? Those who know more about offensive lineman may know more, but I wonder if foot speed, quickness, and maybe even lighter weight/ less mass are more important in pass blocking, and therefore (1) is our offensive line relatively undersized compared to other effective running blocking lines (I'm too lazy to do the statistical comparison), and/or (2) do our coaches emphasize to a much greater extent the techniques for pass blocking, and/or (3) the practice reps are significantly more devoted pass protection plays versus running plays?

Are there indeed fundamental differences between great pass blocking versus run blocking offensive lineman, and does our system pull more for one versus another, or is it reasonable to expect that a solid pass blocker should also be a solid run blocker?

In terms of run creativity, I wonder why we rarely see White run those draw/delay runs that were Faulk's bread and butter for so long. I naively think it would be an effective option, given how pass-heavy we are, how strong the pass rush comes after us, and the fact that we are a better pass blocking team. You put that all together, especially against strong outside rushers like Denver, and I would think you would have a better chance at 3-5 yards in that run scenario than many other choices?

Sicilian · Jan 19, 2016

I think point number 1 is the biggest factor. I remember five or six years back (can't remember the exact year, but it was the year we signed Andre Carter and Mark Anderson), Belichick made the switch to a primarily 4-3 defense after years of running a 3-4 base. Part of the explanation given for this change was that, following the lockout and lack of training camp, it became easier to teach his defense this as the base, since they typically went to a 4-3 type alignment in sub packages. So, without as much time to get his players up to speed (and because his players fit the scheme better), he elected to simplify everything.

I think with these young, raw interior linemen, coupled with less time for the "starting 5" to gel together because of injuries, etc, Belichick and Degugliemo have opted to focus on what is the most important part of their job: pass protection. Even with stable OL's that had more talent and experience, the Patriots were usually a pass first team. So when deciding how to use their prep time, if they have to choose between getting the pass protection up to snuff or working on run blocking, I'm sure they lean towards the former.

MassPats38 · Jan 19, 2016

Run blocking and pass blocking are very different. Fundamentally, pass blocking holds a position (pocket-obviously do not want to go downfield before the pass and earn a penalty) while run blocking drives/pushes in order to clear a small area (even at the expense of letting defenders past the line). Both involve picking up assignments, but run blocking requires that you find your assignment while you and the target are moving.

Likely the one intelligent thing I heard Fouts say last game (at least I think it was Fouts) is the Pats are using the pass to set up the run. If defenders have little respect for receivers, then they will throw everyone up front, which makes the running game more difficult. If defenders fear quick passes and cannot get to the QB then I expect they are more inclined to stand and swat, which makes them more susceptible to run blocks.

Just my opinion. The Pats seem to have a mix of proficient run and pass blockers, so it has been tough to see why the run game has done well and poorly. Lewis was a special case of RB as he was small enough to hide behind blocks and fast enough to take advantage of the split second delay necessary to find him. Some of the success is attributable to team strengths and weaknesses. Generally my opinion has been with Pats the RB successes follow the fortune of the line as no back is good enough to run without blocks (other than Barry Sanders and the Lions).

TheButlerDidIt · Jan 19, 2016

Good thoughts. Thanks

FCB02062 · Jan 19, 2016

They ran the draw plenty of times w Dion lewis...

fightingirish595 · Jan 19, 2016

I really think the loss of lewis and solder has hurt the running game the most. Throw Blount in there too. I think if we had just one of those guys we would be a lot better off

dales804 · Jan 19, 2016

Watch them run for 200+ on Sunday.

glm · Jan 19, 2016

dales804 said:
Watch them run for 200+ on Sunday.

With most of the yards coming from Tom

stcjones · Jan 19, 2016

The delay draw play is generally a drive killer with most of our RB personnel and McD always seems to pull it out at the worst possible moments when it is so predictable that we end up stuffed for lost yards ! Shifty RBs like Lewis and Faulk do well with it......still starts with the OL blocking schemes of course

TheButlerDidIt said:
I still can't get my head around why our running game is so poor, and, worse, seemingly uncreative, particularly in the last few weeks. I understand that some of the reasons include:

Relatively inexperienced and shuffling offensive line

Loss of key runners (Lewis, Blount)

Is it also possible that a line that is mostly built to pass protect and (presumably) gets most of its practice reps running pass protection is of a different physical make-up / skill set compared to a team that runs more? Those who know more about offensive lineman may know more, but I wonder if foot speed, quickness, and maybe even lighter weight/ less mass are more important in pass blocking, and therefore (1) is our offensive line relatively undersized compared to other effective running blocking lines (I'm too lazy to do the statistical comparison), and/or (2) do our coaches emphasize to a much greater extent the techniques for pass blocking, and/or (3) the practice reps are significantly more devoted pass protection plays versus running plays?

Are there indeed fundamental differences between great pass blocking versus run blocking offensive lineman, and does our system pull more for one versus another, or is it reasonable to expect that a solid pass blocker should also be a solid run blocker?

In terms of run creativity, I wonder why we rarely see White run those draw/delay runs that were Faulk's bread and butter for so long. I naively think it would be an effective option, given how pass-heavy we are, how strong the pass rush comes after us, and the fact that we are a better pass blocking team. You put that all together, especially against strong outside rushers like Denver, and I would think you would have a better chance at 3-5 yards in that run scenario than many other choices?

wheresmosi · Jan 19, 2016

I would think the loss of Joe Devlin hurts as well (mainly for blocking, but it would sometimes get the ball in short situations). Someone mentioned at the beginning of the year that this might prove to be the biggest overlooked loss of the Pats season, though Solder would be up there as well (though not as overlooked).

TB_Helmet · Jan 19, 2016

stcjones said:
The delay draw play is generally a drive killer with most of our RB personnel and McD always seems to pull it out at the worst possible moments when it is so predictable that we end up stuffed for lost yards ! Shifty RBs like Lewis and Faulk do well with it......still starts with the OL blocking schemes of course

Haha yeah, that play is probably the one that is hated the most by fans.

At least until this year when they started throwing mid-range sideline passes to Chandler and deep passes to LaFell, maybe that's why the OP was reminiscing about the draw play!

sieglo · Jan 19, 2016

I prefer direct snap to Faulk where Brady fakes as if the ball is going over his head.

slam · Jan 19, 2016

dales804 said:
Watch them run for 200+ on Sunday.

Are we playing the Colts?

trevrox · Jan 20, 2016

Steven Jackson must be psyched to be watching a Super Bowl caliber team from the sidelines

Maybe he'll just get a participation ring when we win the SB

supafly · Jan 20, 2016

trevrox said:
Steven Jackson must be psyched to be watching a Super Bowl caliber team from the sidelines

My thoughts exactly. It may sound odd, but if they aren't going to give Jackson enough looks, or just feel that he can't get it done, then it may be time to consider giving the ball back to Bolden.

It's really the only option, unless one actually considers that a guy like Montae Ball would be placed in the AFCCG after seeing zero reps and reporting out of shape, and I'm not one of those people.

supafly · Jan 20, 2016

glm said:
With most of the yards coming from Tom

When the Clydesdale gets going, the Clydesdale gets going...

trevrox · Jan 20, 2016

supafly said:
My thoughts exactly. It may sound odd, but if they aren't going to give Jackson enough looks, or just feel that he can't get it done, then it may be time to consider giving the ball back to Bolden.

It's really the only option, unless one actually considers that a guy like Montae Ball would be placed in the AFCCG after seeing zero reps and reporting out of shape, and I'm not one of those people.

I think they should give Jackson some more opportunities. I liked what little I saw from him against the Chiefs. Even those 1-2 yard runs, it didn't seem like there was anything there to begin with.

captain stone · Jan 20, 2016

Why the running-game woes? Simple, really. In descending order:
OL
RBs
Skippy

p8ryts · Jan 20, 2016

All of the above plus not using James White, Faulk et al at least got attempts plus advertising the run when a big back comes in. The ingenuity of the passing game is missing from the run game.

TheButlerDidIt · Jan 20, 2016

TB_Helmet said:
Haha yeah, that play is probably the one that is hated the most by fans.

At least until this year when they started throwing mid-range sideline passes to Chandler and deep passes to LaFell, maybe that's why the OP was reminiscing about the draw play!

It's true that my brain hurts over those terrible sidelines passes to Chandler, where he looks like a 6'7" mannequin with his feet nailed to the ground and his hands encased in cement, not mention the LaFell bombs to nowhere, but I still think that some version of delay runs would be worth re-introducing, especially against defenses like Denver where the outside rushers don't pocket-contain.

Running game woes: theories and what happened to the Faulk draw /delay play?

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