woodheadwow
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- Oct 7, 2010
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The Patriots arent that talented at the RB position. You havent seen the 3rd and 5 draw play called much this season because Kevin Faulk is on IR. He was the guy getting the draw plays called for him on 3rd and 4/5. And I think we have seen a few draw plays go to Woodhead, just not as much as in the past. This is not a play calling issue, this is a personnel issue.
First of all, I don't believe that Faulk at this stage of his career is a better running back than Woodhead. Second, draw is not the only run that works on 3rd down, and 3rd and 5 is not the only situation I'm referring to. Again, the Patriots just about NEVER run the ball on 3rd down, even 3rd and 2. Lack of talent at the running back position (which to a certain extent I agree with you, btw) is not a justification for NEVER running the ball on 3rd down. And now you will say that they have run the ball on 3rd down, but I would counter that it's rare and when it happens, it's draw. They literally NEVER, as in 0 times, attempt dive on 3rd down. This is stupid, plain and simple, even if we are not that talented.
The Patriots ran the spread probably more with Weiss than they are with BOB now.
True, but it actually used to work back then. Now it doesn't.
This year the Patriots have utilized Hernandez, Gronk and Crumpler and have had more sets with 2 and sometimes 3 TEs. Last year without TEs the Pats ran only 2 and 3 sets every game. This year the Pats have mixed it up showing more sets and looks each game. The Patriots whole philosophy is more emphasized on the pass, more than the run. Their team is built off of Brady and having WRs and TEs who can catch the ball. The Patriots are not a smash mouth football team, and I think you are thinking/wanting them to be.
Again, they run way too much spread and they run it at the wrong times (when they are behind or when the game is close). They may not be a smashmouth team (on offense), but they are also not an effective spread team (and that's my point).
Okay, about low and high risk plays after long drives...doesnt make much sense. You yourself even said BOB doesnt call creative plays, and that is most of your high risk plays, so the Pats dont really ever run high risk plays.
I never said he wasn't creative. However, when the defense is gassed, that is not the time to call high risk plays, creative or not.
The Patriots dont have a solid running game so when they run the ball twice and only gain 2 yards each play that sets up 3rd and 6, which isnt really what you want as an offense. I think you are looking too much into this issue. Like today, after the Browns were up 10-0 and the defense was on the field a good amount of time. Run, short pass, short pass. 3 and out. Those are "low risk" plays but still resulted in the same amount of time on the sidelines for the defense if the Pats ran a reverse, deep bomb and a double reverse. The whole issue is the Patriots dont have a consistent running game so it is tough to really run the ball
Here is the thing, we don't really know that we don't have an effective running game, because our OC in general doesn't attempt to run the ball enough to be able to make that determination. Personally, I think the running game is a lot better than most people seem to to think. Again, Woodhead is averaging 5 yds a pop.