CHFF Clears up the "New England can't run" myth

[Chevy]

LINK

Sheds a whole new light on this year's rushing attack.

 

[thunder509s]

Great read! Thanks...Puts a greater perspective on things....

 

[Pat the Pats Fan]

LINK

Sheds a whole new light on this year's rushing attack.

Just saw that myself, thanks for sharing.

Gotta bump this. It is a good read, but, of course anything that compares football to bosums deserves to be read.

 

[cavtroop]

This is a very good read. I'm not 100% sold on Maroney yet - but my opinion is slowly changing. I'm beginning to think we are using him wrong - seeing him get the ball in space last week on those two swing passes, he looked great.

I just think he should be used more in toss sweeps, and off tackle, not center/guard gaps etc. I think if he was used more in space, he'd be more comfortable and more productive.

 

[alamo]

I haven't had the chance to view that article yet, but I think you always need to view CHFF with a critical eye (like all other media of course). They trumpet "facts" but in the past I have noticed they are not above cherry-picking those facts and presenting them in the best possible light to make the Pats look good. They are run by a Bostonian and are certainly not completely objective (unlike Football Outsiders which is also run by a Bostonian). Even so, they often have an interesting and informative perspective.

 

[onegameatatime]

The large number of first downs on the ground suggests that they are effective. DVOA takes this into account. For example, a 2 yard run on 3rd and 1 is effective, even if it does not look good on the stats. Ditto for short yardage TDs.

However, I suspect that many of the yards we have come when grinding out teams in the 4th quarter when they are beaten already. Going with the eyes (which has some risk), I question our ability to impose the will by running the ball when it counts.

But, I do think the running ability is better than usually portrayed.

 

[Redcell]

Great read. I could do without seeing Chesty, though.

Thanks for posting.

 

[psychoPat]

I haven't had the chance to view that article yet, but I think you always need to view CHFF with a critical eye (like all other media of course). They trumpet "facts" but in the past I have noticed they are not above cherry-picking those facts and presenting them in the best possible light to make the Pats look good. ....

If the data arrays in that short, decisive article constitute cherry-picking
.... then i find them so compelling, prima facie,
that it behooves anyone who wishes to stay on the other side of this debate
.... to "cherry-pick" their own set of facts and publish them.

Until then, CHFF has closed the discussion.

 

[notex]

Good read...but i think everybody here has forgotten one thing (well probly not everybody)...

Sammy Morris...i would like to see our #'s compared before/after his injury...i bet they are alot different...i cant think of one productive game since then running-wise...

 

[VJCPatriot]

Good read...but i think everybody here has forgotten one thing (well probly not everybody)...

Sammy Morris...i would like to see our #'s compared before/after his injury...i bet they are alot different...i cant think of one productive game since then running-wise...

That's right, the book is FAR from CLOSED. CHFF utilizes the Pats team rushing stats for the WHOLE season, and Sammy Morris was a big part of the Patriots running game through the first 5 games until he got hurt. Take his production out of the equation, and the Pats are a far worse running team than 8th overall. Don't believe it? Just look at the numbers.

Game Yards YPC
1 54 4.9
2 51 5.1
3 46 3.8
4 117 5.6
5 102 4.9

http://www.nfl.com/players/sammymorris/gamelogs?id=MOR536043

Take Morris' production out of the equation, and the Patriots running game is far less robust. I also think that it is very concerning that Maroney's decline in production coincides nearly perfectly with Sammy Morris' absence.
That suggests that Maroney is better suited to be a complementary back, and struggles when he is asked to be the feature back all by himself.