Why establishing our run game could lead to continued success down the stretch of the season:

[Ring 6]

"Rookie wall" lol.

He has only just now walked through the rookie door.

He also played 15 games last season and had a longer season than nfl teams.
The old idea that adjusting from 10 or 11 games to 16+ doesn’t apply anymore to players that go deep into the ncaa playoff.

 

[Ring 6]

It has been nice to see Henderson stepping up. I would like to see Josh incorporate more calls that utilize his speed and pass catching ability, they need to get him in space. You can have Jennings handle the Rham runs up the middle.

I don’t think Henderson “stepped up” meaning I don’t think he was a step down. You can judge a RB especially a big play RB when he is getting 3 runs up the middle a game.
When he has gotten the opppirrtunity he has done well, all year long.

 

[DoubleDeluxe]

He also played 15 games last season and had a longer season than nfl teams.
The old idea that adjusting from 10 or 11 games to 16+ doesn’t apply anymore to players that go deep into the ncaa playoff.

To be fair Ring, it’s just not the number of games.
NFL rookies have said for years how it’s an adjustment to football everyday all day, practice, film room, meetings. It’s the live, breath sleep football 24 hrs a day that is the real adjustment. It’s more a mental grind than physical.

 

[Patsfan1645]

I don’t think Henderson “stepped up” meaning I don’t think he was a step down. You can judge a RB especially a big play RB when he is getting 3 runs up the middle a game.
When he has gotten the opppirrtunity he has done well, all year long.

I didnt say he was a step down, we all had high expectations of what he would do this year and that hasn't panned out yet. I think he has played better (good) or been utilized better in the last two games. He did not play well in the Saints game 9 carries for 27 yards is not good and was a non-factor in the Tennesse game 2 carries for 5 yards. But with Rham going down and Josh being forced to focus on utilizing him more it seems to be trending in the right direction. I just want to see more of him in space where he can do damage.

 

[Patsfan1645]

Last year was just a disaster, I don’t think anything they wanted to do, did or didn’t do matters. They were clueless.

I think the talk of being a run first team didn’t come from the organization it was created for them by observers and media who assumed a HC with a defensive back ground who used to have Derrick Henry would want to be a ground and pound team.
Nothing could be further from the truth IMO. By far the greatest asset this team has is its QB. Now the best way to win with a top QB certainly isn’t to abandon the run and make his job harder, so the running game is imoortant but in the big picture we run to enhance the passing game. We run to make throwing easier, but we win by passing.

So we will never be run first with Drake Maye at qb we will be run as much as necessary to keep the defense honest so the passing game can be the best it can.

I dont disagree with what your saying but they did not know in preseason Drake would be playing to this level and that the ability to move the ball passing would be far better than how they run the ball.

 

[Hugepatsfan]

All year we've faced loaded boxes at a pretty high rate. Diggs/Boutte are both good receivers in the broader sense but as a #1, Diggs is low end Boutte isn't particularly noteworthy as a #2, and we don't really have a consistently reliable/credible #3 WR. And our TEs are good but not "change your coverage schemes" level of good. Our Before people flip out, I am not saying we don't have good players catching passes... but against NFL caliber coverage guys, at least so far, teams have been fine taking their chances. That's the assessment NFL coordinators have made. With someone playing at as high a level as Drake Maye throwing them the ball and defenses playing loaded boxes, they're good enough to make tons of plays as they have all year.

I think whether our run game gets going will depend on if defenses carry that approach forward. Bad ranked teams or not, I don't think our run game is strong enough to be dominant vs. loaded boxes. So unless defenses schematically shift how they play to prioritize taking away Maye's downfield passing, I think our run game will continue to be "meh" to underwhelming.

I don't see how coordinators wouldn't adjust to the success of our passing game though, so I do think they'll shift to lighter boxes (at least once Boutte is back).

 

[mgteich]

A balanced offense is a better offense.

A team that can run even when opponents know they want to is a tough team.

What is balanced to you? Almost all teams have a 4% edge of passing over running plays. Only BUD and SEA are really balanced.

Only BUF runs more than it passes.

Only BUF, SEA, and PHI run more than we do.

 

[VrabelJr]

The run game is coming back in vogue in the NFL more and more every season. Partly out of necessity due to shoddy QB play and partly because defenses got a lot smaller. I'm not technical enough to understand how it has evolved and is different than the run game of the 2010s and earlier, but my eyes tell me it clearly is. A lot more happens off tackle and it seems like the blocking schemes involve skill positions to open up space. Being a WR that blocks is no longer a compliment but a necessity.

 

[NFL Mystique]

All year we've faced loaded boxes at a pretty high rate. Diggs/Boutte are both good receivers in the broader sense but as a #1, Diggs is low end Boutte isn't particularly noteworthy as a #2, and we don't really have a consistently reliable/credible #3 WR. And our TEs are good but not "change your coverage schemes" level of good. Our Before people flip out, I am not saying we don't have good players catching passes... but against NFL caliber coverage guys, at least so far, teams have been fine taking their chances. That's the assessment NFL coordinators have made. With someone playing at as high a level as Drake Maye throwing them the ball and defenses playing loaded boxes, they're good enough to make tons of plays as they have all year.

I think whether our run game gets going will depend on if defenses carry that approach forward. Bad ranked teams or not, I don't think our run game is strong enough to be dominant vs. loaded boxes. So unless defenses schematically shift how they play to prioritize taking away Maye's downfield passing, I think our run game will continue to be "meh" to underwhelming.

I don't see how coordinators wouldn't adjust to the success of our passing game though, so I do think they'll shift to lighter boxes (at least once Boutte is back).

Even Buffalo has Cook who DC's need to really worry about. Patriots don't have a receiver or te keeping DC's up at night. No true game changers. Receiver and te need to be upgraded.

 

[Brotherblues]

Even Buffalo has Cook who DC's need to really worry about. Patriots don't have a receiver or te keeping DC's up at night. No true game changers. Receiver and te need to be upgraded.

Drake Maye makes DCs afraid to check under their bed at night.

 

[Hugepatsfan]

Even Buffalo has Cook who DC's need to really worry about. Patriots don't have a receiver or te keeping DC's up at night. No true game changers. Receiver and te need to be upgraded.

I don't think they necessarily need a game changer. Not when you have a QB like Maye who makes guys into game changers with ball placement. But right now, they're having a ton of success passing against defenses not overly committing to the pass. Improvements at WR would help allow them to maintain that productivity even as defenses adjust. But the alternative route of the running game improving to the point defenses can't adjust to the pass works too.

IMO, what they need on offense over the next few years:

1) Diggs/Boutte have to maintain their level of play
2) Douglas or Williams need to develop into a consistently reliable WR3 at least. If they can't one needs to be acquired
3) Will Campbell needs to maintain or hopefully improve his level of play
4) Jared Wilson absolutely needs to improve or, if he can't, eventually be replaced
5) Bradbury should be upgraded
6) Onwenu needs to maintain his level of play or be adequately replaced if he's too expensive
7) High investment should be made at RT to replace/upgrade Moses as he ages
8) Stevenson needs to figure out the fumbling issues to the point he can be relied on because he is a very solid player and Henderson needs to solidify himself as a real compliment to him
9) Henry/Hooper play at TE needs to be retained or replaced if those guys age out

I don't think they need anything flashy there to be championship level on offense based on what Maye has shown and the level of coaching they seem to have. That's a long list but all pretty attainable/realistic IMO. I think their big risk is that Diggs and the TEs age out as the other player development/acquisitions take another year or two to sort out. You have to time it up right where those holes don't open up as guys develop into the other roles.

If the above happens, I think they'll be multiple and versatile enough on offense to beat anyone consistently no matter how you play it, even without a true gamechanger outside of Maye.

 

[NFL Mystique]

I don't think they necessarily need a game changer. Not when you have a QB like Maye who makes guys into game changers with ball placement. But right now, they're having a ton of success passing against defenses not overly committing to the pass. Improvements at WR would help allow them to maintain that productivity even as defenses adjust. But the alternative route of the running game improving to the point defenses can't adjust to the pass works too.

IMO, what they need on offense over the next few years:

1) Diggs/Boutte have to maintain their level of play
2) Douglas or Williams need to develop into a consistently reliable WR3 at least. If they can't one needs to be acquired
3) Will Campbell needs to maintain or hopefully improve his level of play
4) Jared Wilson absolutely needs to improve or, if he can't, eventually be replaced
5) Bradbury should be upgraded
6) Onwenu needs to maintain his level of play or be adequately replaced if he's too expensive
7) High investment should be made at RT to replace/upgrade Moses as he ages
8) Stevenson needs to figure out the fumbling issues to the point he can be relied on because he is a very solid player and Henderson needs to solidify himself as a real compliment to him
9) Henry/Hooper play at TE needs to be retained or replaced if those guys age out

I don't think they need anything flashy there to be championship level on offense based on what Maye has shown and the level of coaching they seem to have. That's a long list but all pretty attainable/realistic IMO. I think their big risk is that Diggs and the TEs age out as the other player development/acquisitions take another year or two to sort out. You have to time it up right where those holes don't open up as guys develop into the other roles.

If the above happens, I think they'll be multiple and versatile enough on offense to beat anyone consistently no matter how you play it, even without a true gamechanger outside of Maye.

But you don't want to just rely on the QB. Buffalo has done that and it hasn't worked. Even great QB's need very good to great support.

 

[Hugepatsfan]

But you don't want to just rely on the QB. Buffalo has done that and it hasn't worked. Even great QB's need very good to great support.

In 2020 they lost 38-24 to KC. In 2021, they lost 42-36 to KC on that game where Mahomes forced OT with like 14 seconds. In 2022, they lost 27-10 to CIN. In 2023 they lost 27-24 to KC with KC scoring a go ahead TD in the 4th. Last year they lost 32-29 to KC after Allen lead a game tying drive and then KC scored in the 4th.

Would more help for Allen have helped? Of course. But Allen putting points on the board consistently and in key spots hasn't consistently been their undoing, it's been stopping Mahomes from doing it. Part of that is that Mahomes and the Chiefs are an all time dynasty for a reason, so sometimes you have to just chalk it up to the opponent rather than make it about some systemic weakness you have. But part of what I'm saying with not splurging on a million offensive improvements is that the resources should yield better results on the other side of the ball too. That's a kind of support for your QB as well.

I'm not advocating against the type of offensive improvements you want with "weapons". I'm just saying I don't think they're necessarily NEEDED if they improve the team in other ways.

 

[NFL Mystique]

In 2020 they lost 38-24 to KC. In 2021, they lost 42-36 to KC on that game where Mahomes forced OT with like 14 seconds. In 2022, they lost 27-10 to CIN. In 2023 they lost 27-24 to KC with KC scoring a go ahead TD in the 4th. Last year they lost 32-29 to KC after Allen lead a game tying drive and then KC scored in the 4th.

Would more help for Allen have helped? Of course. But Allen putting points on the board consistently and in key spots hasn't consistently been their undoing, it's been stopping Mahomes from doing it. Part of that is that Mahomes and the Chiefs are an all time dynasty for a reason, so sometimes you have to just chalk it up to the opponent rather than make it about some systemic weakness you have. But part of what I'm saying with not splurging on a million offensive improvements is that the resources should yield better results on the other side of the ball too. That's a kind of support for your QB as well.

I'm not advocating against the type of offensive improvements you want with "weapons". I'm just saying I don't think they're necessarily NEEDED if they improve the team in other ways.

They haven't drafted well on defense. The good players they do draft tend to be out injured half the year. Nobody said Allen was at fault. The HC isn't good enough to outcoach Reid in a playoff game.

If the Bills had Belichick as HC since 2020, are they 0-4 vs KC? Not a chance. They probably have 2 SB titles as we speak.

 

[ZoisKing]

You can also wear down defenders if you have a big bruiser for a back.

Ive always enjoyed those RBs like Henry, Blount, Steven Jackson, etc.

Having to take hit after hit from a big boy will damage you physically and mentally.

 

[TheRainMaker]

Even Buffalo has Cook who DC's need to really worry about. Patriots don't have a receiver or te keeping DC's up at night. No true game changers. Receiver and te need to be upgraded.

Neither do the Bills or your Chiefs. Cook has become one of the best backs in the game, but the Bills have serious issues in the passing game. A team like the Pats are an awful matchup for the Bills.

Back to your Chiefs. They haven't had anybody for years that scared defenses since they traded Tyeek Hill. Kelse would turn it on when needed, but he ran out of gas last year. The running game has been a joke since they cut Kareem Hunt after his incident.

The point is, the problem with this era of the NFL is that you could take any team and find glaring holes on either offense or defense. This wasn't the case back in the day.

 

[ZoisKing]

I was looking at Blounts profile on sports ref and noticed that he received votes for comeback player of the year.......in his rookie season....?

 

[NFL Mystique]

Neither do the Bills or your Chiefs. Cook has become one of the best backs in the game, but the Bills have serious issues in the passing game. A team like the Pats are an awful matchup for the Bills.

Back to your Chiefs. They haven't had anybody for years that scared defenses since they traded Tyeek Hill. Kelse would turn it on when needed, but he ran out of gas last year. The running game has been a joke since they cut Kareem Hunt after his incident.

The point is, the problem with this era of the NFL is that you could take any team and find glaring holes on either offense or defense. This wasn't the case back in the day.

Worthy
Rice
Brown

 

[Ring 6]

To be fair Ring, it’s just not the number of games.
NFL rookies have said for years how it’s an adjustment to football everyday all day, practice, film room, meetings. It’s the live, breath sleep football 24 hrs a day that is the real adjustment. It’s more a mental grind than physical.

He played at THE Ohio State University.

 

[Wozzy]

What is balanced to you? Almost all teams have a 4% edge of passing over running plays. Only BUD and SEA are really balanced.

Only BUF runs more than it passes.

Only BUF, SEA, and PHI run more than we do.

Use the league average and be on the higher end of run heavy… even if you’re not wildly successful at it.

It keeps opponents honest, and makes the clock your friend if done right.