Playoff Running Game

mgteich · Nov 15, 2018

We go into the 2018 playoffs with Michel replacing Lewis and Gillislie. We also have Patterson replacing Bolden. Returning are White, Burkhead and Develin. For me, the key is the health of the blockers, including Mason, Cannon, Brown, Gronk and Allen.

We need to understand that the team has changed the entire running game, and have had injuries.

oceansizer · Nov 15, 2018

Last game was an example how important is to protect Brady well. Mason's missing was so prominent.

PatsFan2 · Nov 15, 2018

Also Sony needs to become a factor in our passing game. Good Teams knows what's coming when he's in there. Even BrittleRex was more of a factor when he's healthy: a run pass threat puts pressure on the D. Sony right now is all run.

ohiopatsfan · Nov 15, 2018

If Burkhead returns at full strength and finishes the season the way he played last year, the running game will be solid. A little shaky right now with him and Sony banged up.

supafly · Nov 15, 2018

mgteich said:
We go into the 2018 playoffs with Michel replacing Lewis and Gillislie. We also have Patterson replacing Bolden. Returning are White, Bulkhead and Develin. For me, the key is the health of the blockers, including Mason, Cannon, Brown, Gronk and Allen.

We need to understand that the team has changed the entire running game, and have had injuries.

You could be jumping the gun a bit, seeing as how we’re only halfway through November. Predicting what the situation will be two months from now is difficult.

For example, we have no idea if Michel will hold up, and we certainly don’t have any idea as to whether Burkhead will even make it to the roster, despite his recent 3 week activation. This seems like a subject that should be revisited after the holidays are over.

supafly · Nov 15, 2018

ohiopatsfan said:
If Burkhead returns at full strength and finishes the season the way he played last year, the running game will be solid. A little shaky right now with him and Sony banged up.

Without an effective running game, this offense is simply too predictable and its weaknesses are on full display.

Hyped · Nov 15, 2018

If we are going to commit to the run as a bigger part of our offense, I'd like us to pick up C.J. Anderson to keep the train rolling if Michel gets hurt.

SammyBlueCat · Nov 15, 2018

oceansizer said:
Last game was an example how important is to protect Brady well. Mason's missing was so prominent.

Did Ted Karras give up a sack?

Mack Herron · Nov 15, 2018

SammyBlueCat said:
Did Ted Karras give up a sack?

Yeah the line had problems, but I don't see evidence indicating Karras is to blame.

Luxusdk · Nov 15, 2018

Biggest issue is Waddle.. Wynn getting that injury hurts more then anything else.

supafly · Nov 15, 2018

SammyBlueCat said:
Did Ted Karras give up a sack?

Mack Herron said:
Yeah the line had problems, but I don't see evidence indicating Karras is to blame.

I don’t think Karras had much to do with the problems, either. I didn’t get that impression watching the game, and I haven’t read anything that has suggested that.

I think the struggles were mainly due to the rotation of the injured tackles and the pressure from a DL that played well.

The Brandon Five · Nov 15, 2018

dustcover · Nov 15, 2018

Hyped said:
If we are going to commit to the run as a bigger part of our offense, I'd like us to pick up C.J. Anderson to keep the train rolling if Michel gets hurt.

/QUOTE] If C.J. Anderson is picked up, who do you propose gets cut or placed on IR to make room on the roster for him?

Adam Seward · Nov 15, 2018

California gummy worm wormhole time warps are the best.

I agree now and probably will in two months, OL health is critical regardless of who is running it.

FCB02062 · Nov 15, 2018

It can't get worse than Steven Jackson in 15 rushing for 20 yards on 10 carries in 2 games....Pats run game was awful in 15 postseason (31-82 yards)

cstjohn17 · Nov 15, 2018

I hope they don’t have to rely on a running game in the playoffs. The NFL is a scoring league, against any of the top teams (Saints, Rams, Steelers, Chiefs, etc.) it will take close to 30 points to win. Running just isn’t going to cut it.

Michel hasn’t blown me away, I would much rather have Lewis as he was explosive and very good in the passing game.

The only path I see for the Patriots is to put the ball in Brady’s hands and have him chuck it 50 times.

maust · Nov 15, 2018

cstjohn17 said:
I hope they don’t have to rely on a running game in the playoffs. The NFL is a scoring league, against any of the top teams (Saints, Rams, Steelers, Chiefs, etc.) it will take close to 30 points to win. Running just isn’t going to cut it.

Michel hasn’t blown me away, I would much rather have Lewis as he was explosive and very good in the passing game.

The only path I see for the Patriots is to put the ball in Brady’s hands and have him chuck it 50 times.

The best way to slow down an ears pinned back pass rush is to run at it or at least present a realistic threat that you might. When a D doesn't have to at least give consideration to the the run bad things happen, as we have seen

Ras-IR Dowling · Nov 15, 2018

FCB02062 said:
It can't get worse than Steven Jackson in 15 rushing for 20 yards on 10 carries in 2 games....Pats run game was awful in 15 postseason (31-82 yards)

No complaints out of me for our 2004 first round haul of wilfork and Watson. Very good draft. Only thing better would’ve been a wilfork jackson first round. We would’ve had that transition at rb (Dillon to jackson) that we missed by taking maroney.

oceansizer · Nov 16, 2018

SammyBlueCat said:
Did Ted Karras give up a sack?

No he did not but the whole O line looked iffy and I strongly believe with a presence of Mason it would have looked differently.It is not only about giving up sacks but about allowing constant pressure on Brady.On the other hand giving your teammates calmness and confidence. That is what Mason mostly offers. I do not blame Karras personally but he is not a leader unlike Mason.

Joker · Nov 16, 2018

all you are doing in this thread is picking a part of a dead horse and tearing it to pieces...the whole team failed to show up for the Titans game.Every facet of team play was sub-par.You have to take into account that every team we face is extra motivated that week...the Patriots aren't the hunters, they're the hunted.Vrabel has been looking forward to this game on the schedule just like O'Brien and staff were and just like Rocketman's Lions were.The Pats just came off an emotionally draining win, after a week of ridiculous Bradybashing/Rodgersballwashing..and they laid an ostrich sized egg. Stop going beserk over details. It was complete team loss on the road against a well prepared, motivated team. Time to move on.

Playoff Running Game

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