Running game

[Redman443]

One main element we are missing from last year is that ability to wear out defenses by pounding the rock with sony over and over. Did it in the super bowl, did it in the afc championship and I would honestly rather have this approach than asking TB to air it out 50 times a game. Sony hasn't been as productive as last year and Burkhead went MIA last game. I was wondering why they didn't give Damien Harris some carries if Burkhead was hurt. I'm guessing the reason we haven't been so efficient with pounding the rock is due to the injury to Devlin who really does make a huge difference. I really hope we can find a way to at least improve in this department.

 

[fxmallon]

In the Bills game, Sony may have done about equal to what Tom did, and both had the same OL to work with. So many of both of their plays were dead on arrival because of lack of blocking/protection. And both ran 2-5 plays in which they seemed their effective selves. The result: a bit of offense on a bad day for the offense, possibly mainly due to the Bills defense. Sony will look much better against Washington... a safe bet.

 

[imahobgoblin]

One main element we are missing from last year is that ability to wear out defenses by pounding the rock with sony over and over. Did it in the super bowl, did it in the afc championship and I would honestly rather have this approach than asking TB to air it out 50 times a game. Sony hasn't been as productive as last year and Burkhead went MIA last game. I was wondering why they didn't give Damien Harris some carries if Burkhead was hurt. I'm guessing the reason we haven't been so efficient with pounding the rock is due to the injury to Devlin who really does make a huge difference. I really hope we can find a way to at least improve in this department.

Do you not understand that this is not the same team as last year? It is a much different OL, TE, and FB situation. We can't rush the ball just because you want to. Josh and Brady understand the weaknesses right now. They are trying to play strengths. It makes no difference about what you would rather have. They have what they have now and have to figure out how to use it. What they are now will not be what they are by game 16.

 

[Mack Herron]

One main element we are missing from last year is that ability to wear out defenses by pounding the rock with sony over and over. Did it in the super bowl, did it in the afc championship and I would honestly rather have this approach than asking TB to air it out 50 times a game. Sony hasn't been as productive as last year and Burkhead went MIA last game. I was wondering why they didn't give Damien Harris some carries if Burkhead was hurt. I'm guessing the reason we haven't been so efficient with pounding the rock is due to the injury to Devlin who really does make a huge difference. I really hope we can find a way to at least improve in this department.

I have been pleading for Harris to get a chance, but the fact they gave Burkhead 12 snaps and Bolden 5 before dressing Harris might say something about what they think of Harris.

 

[maust]

One main element we are missing from last year is that ability to wear out defenses by pounding the rock with sony over and over. Did it in the super bowl, did it in the afc championship and I would honestly rather have this approach than asking TB to air it out 50 times a game. Sony hasn't been as productive as last year and Burkhead went MIA last game. I was wondering why they didn't give Damien Harris some carries if Burkhead was hurt. I'm guessing the reason we haven't been so efficient with pounding the rock is due to the injury to Devlin who really does make a huge difference. I really hope we can find a way to at least improve in this department.

Do you really not understand how the run game works?

 

[PatsFan2]

I have been pleading for Harris to get a chance, but the fact they gave Burkhead 12 snaps and Bolden 5 before dressing Harris might say something about what they think of Harris.

Damien Harris is a North/South Runner who can already catch I think they should be open minded in trying somebody Fresh. His backfield mate Josh Jacobs is running well for the Raiders. I think they are bringing Harris along slowly but I don't think he can't step in and perform if asked. RB's traditionally do well early on in Todays NFL.

 

[SBLIII]

In the Bills game, Sony may have done about equal to what Tom did, and both had the same OL to work with. So many of both of their plays were dead on arrival because of lack of blocking/protection. And both ran 2-5 plays in which they seemed their effective selves. The result: a bit of offense on a bad day for the offense, possibly mainly due to the Bills defense. Sony will look much better against Washington... a safe bet.

Sony looked good yesterday...

 

[Nunchucks]

Sony was pretty good. Not great, but he found some running room. Patriots are not committing to the run and teams are daring Tom to throw.

 

[Chevrolet]

I have been pleading for Harris to get a chance, but the fact they gave Burkhead 12 snaps and Bolden 5 before dressing Harris might say something about what they think of Harris.

It has NOTHING to do with Michel. The OL can not sustain blocks and are woefully unatletic. You could have Ezekiel Elliot out there and he would be getting stuffed with the current state of the OL

 

[SBLIII]

It will get better and Sony will get better. But it starts with the OL and especially with Cannon and Mason. They will eventually be competent and we will average our 4 yard clip again. It won't be as good as last year but as time goes on the running game should not be the big liability it is now.

 

[SBLIII]

It has NOTHING to do with Michel. The OL can not sustain blocks and are woefully unatletic. You could have Ezekiel Elliot out there and he would be getting stuffed with the current state of the OL

Sony can and will be better but if anyone thinks Harris would be better that is foolish.

Just have to look at the situation. The OL right now is struggling to block anyone in the run game. Breaking tackles is also challenging because it's not like they somewhat tackle the guy, these often are just free runners. A RB has no chance to escape that.

 

[masterbouncer]

LT, best blocking TE in the NFL, starting C, FB all gone, thats the difference to the PO run in Jan.
And remaining startes look quite bad in the run game especially Mason and Cannon, so its not about RBs, its the weak run blocking performance at the line.

 

[NashuaPats]

LT, best blocking TE in the NFL, starting C, FB all gone, thats the difference to the PO run in Jan.
And remaining startes look quite bad in the run game especially Mason and Cannon, so its not about RBs, its the weak run blocking performance at the line.

Well said. The question is, can they improve their power running game? If so, how?

I'd really like to see them trade to upgrade their line, but don't have any realistic trade ideas. I suppose they just keep trying to coach up the guys they have now.

 

[Uptown]

 

[masterbouncer]

Well said. The question is, can they improve their power running game? If so, how?

I'd really like to see them trade to upgrade their line, but don't have any realistic trade ideas. I suppose they just keep trying to coach up the guys they have now.

They have not really much CapRoom to bring really an upgrade on the Line (LT/TE), so there BB would need to do some magic with extensions etc.
However, whomever they might bring in, it will take time to pick up all the run plays and even more time to execute it properly as a whole unit, thats actually what is missing.

It is not like everyone is bad on every play, it is enough if only one is pushed around on the line to break up the play.
Wynn is already an available upgrade on LT but he struggles to stay on the field.

In general they need to execute it better and McDaniels needs to burn the opponents more for loading the Box when Sony is out there and making the Pats run game less predictable.
This should also make it easier for the Line and the RB if the opponents have to stay honest on every play and cannot load the box as soon as they see Sony on first/second downs.

 

[patriot1136]

I'm interested to see how the run game looks with Watson back blocking.

 

[Mack Herron]

It has NOTHING to do with Michel. The OL can not sustain blocks and are woefully unatletic. You could have Ezekiel Elliot out there and he would be getting stuffed with the current state of the OL

I am a big fan of Sony. But you are exaggerating when you absolve Sony of any responsibility in the problems with the running game. Sony doesn’t have even an average ability to make tacklers miss. He is not as effective as Burkhead, who is not reminding us of Dion. I think the running game and Sony will improve. It can’t get any worse.

 

[SBLIII]

I am a big fan of Sony. But you are exaggerating when you absolve Sony of any responsibility in the problems with the running game. Sony doesn’t have even an average ability to make tacklers miss. He is not as effective as Burkhead, who is not reminding us of Dion. I think the running game and Sony will improve. It can’t get any worse.

Missed tackle is not = missed tackle.

Michel needs to improve but when guys come running full steam unblocked at you it's hard to break tackles.

 

[PatsFan2]

I am a big fan of Sony. But you are exaggerating when you absolve Sony of any responsibility in the problems with the running game. Sony doesn’t have even an average ability to make tacklers miss. He is not as effective as Burkhead, who is not reminding us of Dion. I think the running game and Sony will improve. It can’t get any worse.

A voice of reason Great RB's make some Tacklers miss Sony wants the Red Sea to be parted on every carry. Last year he went through some gaping holes that me an you could go through Sony is a not a Breakaway runner either. He is what he is and that's an ok RB unless he improves that I think he's going to be Benched or used sparingly. He's not a threat to catch it either and he can't create from himself again if he doesn't improve somethings gotta give.

 

[PatsFan2]

Missed tackle is not = missed tackle.

Michel needs to improve but when guys come running full steam unblocked at you it's hard to break tackles.

Michel ain't a 196lbs either he's bulked up some use a stiff arm or improve his lateral steps. He has learn to adjust to how this OLine Blocks.