Let’s build a great running team

I wish we could. I'm pretty down on Sony Michel. I know the O-line has issues and if they were better, he'd be better, but he's pretty much useless right now. He can't get more than a couple of yards out of the backfield and he can't catch, so when he's in the game they know it's a running play, or that they don't have to be worried about a screen pass. Burkhead isn't much better from what I can see. White is awesome but gets doubled and I actually think Bolden is better than Michel or Burkhead right now. Sigh.

mgteich said:

Yes, it took the best team in the NFL to beat the Ravens. And your point is that Ravens are unproven?

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I’m saying that using the Ravens as a template for why a heavy running game works in the NFL is utter nonsense. They are a huge outlier...and don’t have the staying power and playoff to backup that his is even a winning strategy.

The point about the 49ers was in response to the same post I was responding to, which later pivoted to how to beat the Ravens, using the 49ers game as an example.

hmm

Yup, we'll improve on Thuney and have a new center. And that will solve our OL problems. NOT

Our problem in blocking is much more than the OL. In addition to a center, we need to replace Thuney, and we need blocking TE's and a FB.

Boston Boxer said:

we have plenty of talent at RB. TE and OLine issues are the reason we can run the ball...and nobody respects our passing game so it easy to defend the run.

i would love to run the ball more but we need to fix the OLine

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I agree that the Ravens are an outlier. And as long as Jackson can stay healthy, that will continue to be so.

Do you believe the patriots match up well against the Ravens?

Ice_Ice_Brady said:

I’m saying that using the Ravens as a template for why a heavy running game works in the NFL is utter nonsense. They are a huge outlier...and don’t have the staying power and playoff to backup that his is even a winning strategy.

The point about the 49ers was in response to the same post I was responding to, which later pivoted to how to beat the Ravens, using the 49ers game as an example.

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mgteich said:

I agree that the Ravens are an outlier. And as long as Jackson can stay healthy, that will continue to be so.

Do you believe the patriots match up well against the Ravens?

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Absolutely not. The Patriots match up well with teams that are build on a dominant passing game and spend all their money on wide receivers, which is most teams. Their secondary is easily best in the NFL. Gilmore’s play and other excellent secondary members wreck the concepts of these traditional modern offenses. It almost doesn’t matter who is in the secondary with the Ravens.

That said, football is such an unpredictable sport. All offenses are based on rhythm which can be disrupted, sometimes self-inflicted.

If we can just get Hog Hannah to come out of retirement.....maybe Sam Cunningham and Jim Nance and Corey Dillon as well.

No. How about building a team that can do it all?

FCB02062 said:

The great running team has a lung blood clot, a cbd business, and a badly-injured neck....

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...and our 1st-round steal/studley RB is in Cleveland...

Can we trade for Chubb? Sony is a slow plodder with zero receiving ability...

NG Pats Fan said:

Can we trade for Chubb? Sony is a slow plodder with zero receiving ability...

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Sony lacks courage and has no faith in his blocking.

Ochmed Jones said:

Sony lacks courage and has no faith in his blocking.

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He’s awful. Trade him this offseason. No fast twitch fiber or acceleration.

I want more SPEED and SEPARATION on offense

The O line problem is really frustrating. How many times have Pats runners confronted defenders before they even make it to the LOS? There appears to be no help coming this season. We had Cajuste available but BB chose to let him sit. I think ultimately he could be the replacement for Cannon at RT, but not before next year. Froholdt will hopefully be back next year. At 6-5, 315, he could be a swing guard and, more importantly, a big body center to spell Andrews against bull rushers.