Patriots run game on pace for least productive year since 2000

[patsinthesnow]

Rich Hill ?@PP_Rich_Hill
Rich Hill Retweeted Justin H

Patriots on pace for 1,394 rushing yards, lowest since Belichick's first year in 2000 with 1,390 rushing yards.

Team YPC is down to 3.8 as well.

Our run game was poor for the majority of last year (3.9ypc) and was nonexistent in the two biggest playoff games (Ravens/Seahawks).

Any concern? A team honestly doesn't need a run game to win it all but it would be nice to improve our current situation.

 

[FrodoBagginz]

Doesn't help that our best RB is out for the season. It will certainly hurt us come playoff time if our receivers aren't healthy. Edelman being back for playoffs will be huge.

 

[JMC00]

nonexistent in the two biggest playoff games (Ravens/Seahawks).

How'd those games turn out again?

 

[Froob]

I like that BB & McD have been more willing to scrap the run game all together when it doesn't work. Should have passes more Sunday in my opinion.

 

[Mack Herron]

Rich Hill ?@PP_Rich_Hill
Rich Hill Retweeted Justin H

Patriots on pace for 1,394 rushing yards, lowest since Belichick's first year in 2000 with 1,390 rushing yards.

Team YPC is down to 3.8 as well.

Our run game was poor for the majority of last year (3.9ypc) and was nonexistent in the two biggest playoff games (Ravens/Seahawks).

Any concern? A team honestly doesn't need a run game to win it all but it would be nice to improve our current situation.

This projection includes Lewis' early contributions, as well as Gronk and Williams blocking. Now, Lewis is gone, and Gronk and Williams are out for the time being. Unless important changes are made, they will hit a new low this year. Brady can overcome this anchor with all of his receivers healthy, but the receivers are all hurt now and assuming they will be at full strength for the play-offs is mostly wishful thinking. I see it as an important weakness. There have been a lot of RB tryouts recently, so I know they are looking, but at this point there are not a lot of great options.

 

[Saint Pat]

All of the problems caused by injuries could be solved if the Patriots could be better at the running game:

1.Why did receivers have trouble getting open in Denver game?

A receiver can create separation with quickness or speed. The Patriots had quickness in Jules and Danny, and we have seen in the past how those two can help move the chains on second and third downs with their quickness. Without them, we have little quickness and we have to rely on speed. LaFell has decent speed and he's big. But the problem with getting separation on speed is that Tom has to hang on the the ball for the play to develop. This hasn't been possible with the struggles at O-line, and Denver pass rush was good.

A good running game could have helped the receivers and Tom. If you can run the ball play actions become more successful because the defense is worried about getting gashed. We saw how Osweiler had success at the end of the game with the long passes to Demerius Thomas who had been non-existent until that point (because of Logan Ryan) and Emanuel Sanders. C.J Anderson running the ball helped them tremendously.

2. Why did Tom throw to Gronk and others with less than 3 minutes left instead of controlling the clock?

You have to move the ball and get first downs to run down the clock (well duh,no sh!t Sherlock!). So they had to throw the ball to move the chains. They could have let Blount run the ball. But 1 or 2 yards per run wouldn't get you first downs.

3. How come the defense unraveled at the end of the game?

They had done such an amazing job for the first 3 quarters. We saw good things from Nink and other linemen. We saw how brilliant Logan Ryan could be. But the thing was the offense couldn't move the ball and get points if they weren't given decent field positions by the defense. If you don't put away your opponents and let them hang around , Sunday's game is exactly what would happen. The point is running the ball not only helps the offense, but it in turn helps the defense.

I know a lot of members here have much more football knowledge than I do and I don't want to point out the obvious. But like TB12, I haven't been this frustrated or pissed off by a football game since the second Super Bowl loss to the Giants. We need to be more productive in the running game. If the O-line is the issue then we can scheme better and use some of the runs that Denver ran. We were the number 1 run defense before Sunday's game and their scheme was more than effective against us. If the running backs are the issue then damn, give Jonas Gray a look if he's available or some other back who can hit the hole quickly.

 

[Concussion Protocol]

Might as well make Bolden the feature back. At least he adds some versatility to the offense.

 

[FCB02062]

If edelman, amendola & gronkowski healthy come January then I'll not too concerned

 

[Joey007]

Why don't they try White on more 1st and 2nd down plays?

 

[Ice_Ice_Brady]

Our run game completely sucks. Does Brady ever have 2nd and 4 after a run? It's always 2nd and at least 9.

 

[A Defiant Goose]

I think we're in a day and age now where a run play is not always defined by handing off to the RB. Those screens, short dump offs, quick passes, work just as well as a run does. Problem is they're missing the personnel now to run those screens and quick passes and dump offs. Blount is slow, but the offensive line hasn't done him many favors either. Was Mason playing Sunday night at all? I think a line of Vollmer-Jackson-Stork-Mason-Cannon would be as good of a run blocking line as we could get. Would help get Blount the 2 or 3 or 24 yards he needs to get his head of steam lol

 

[KoolAid]

I think in terms of specific game-planning against teams that are particularly stout against the run, it is fine to go pass heavy with a QB of Brady's caliber. But this is not sustainable for late season, poor weather or playoff games. Brady is much more likely to get clobbered 10 - 15 times per game and this is a recipe for disaster.

This Philly game is a prime opportunity to work the ground game. Hell, it is almost a necessity with the limitations due to injuries.

Blount and White combine for over 100 Sunday is my prediction.

 

[glm]

But this is not sustainable for late season, poor weather or playoff games. Brady is much more likely to get clobbered 10 - 15 times per game and this is a recipe for disaster.

It worked pretty well in the playoffs last year.

 

[SVN]

edelman/amendola ARE our running game. If they can get that short passing game going they dont care to run . Right now we are missing the running game mainly ebcause there is no YAC without edelman and amendola and gronk can be doubled/tripled. Just have to fight through it until guys get back. Probably a reason the pats are forcing the run with blount so that WRs can get open easily on play action.

 

[borg]

RBs.......Subpar across the board
Blount's upright running style drives me crazy. Bend over and drive your legs forward....create momentum.
White....no wiggle, no waggle......not NFL caliber
Bolden......my only complaint is the telegraphing. If Bolden is in the backfield, Bolden gets the ball.
Lewis was great......but little guys getting feature back reps is not a formula for longevity

Looking at 2016.....the lost #1 draft pick is causing me to go insane. NE needs a big time CB, RB, maybe tackle depth, LB depth, a WR stud, TE depth, etc.

 

[supafly]

Might as well make Bolden the feature back. At least he adds some versatility to the offense.

At this point in time, I do not disagree. What's there to lose? No one else is producing.

We could mix Blount in as well, but obviously in the right spots. I'd still like to see more RB passes to White, but there's obviously a reason why he isn't seeing looks.