Running game/short yardage futility

[Water Boy]

After the injuries, the most concerning aspect of the Cincy game was being emasculated by their defensive front who we made look like the Steel Curtain.

This is an offensive line problem from what I saw, not a running back problem. Not being able to punch it in from the goal line on successive tries is unacceptable for a team with playoff aspirations.

I also thought Maye's QB sneak was terrible (granted the blocking was worse). In hindsight, being about a foot from the goal like I think he should have tried to out stretch his arms and reach over the top.

Any thoughts on this problem? Can it be fixed? The Pats don't necessarily have to average 5 YPC a game, but they need to be able to pick up 1 yard when the game is on the line.

 

[NFL Mystique]

Seems like a lack of execution instead of coaching.

 

[signbabybrady]

Seems like a lack of execution instead of coaching.

When you get stuffed 7 straight times and still go for it on the 8th I'd say coaching comes into question.

They did finally decide to kick the FG the next 4th down.

Bill is way better!

 

[rkarp1]

I questioned the play calls
I questioned the decision to not take the 3 points seeing how the defense was playing
Borregales was money. Maye was floating some balls.
take the points

 

[PATSYLICIOUS]

Not sure why we didn’t run outside more. But yeah outside of the injuries this was the biggest concern for me yesterday. The run game had appeared to be turning a corner the past month or so but this was a major step back. Against the worst run d in the league too

 

[Headcase]

After the injuries, the most concerning aspect of the Cincy game was be emasculated by their defensive front who we made look like the Steel Curtain.

This is an offensive line problem from what I saw, not a running back problem. Not being able to punch it in from the goal line on successive tries is unacceptable for a team with playoff aspirations.

I also thought Maye's QB sneak was terrible (granted the blocking was worse). In hindsight, being about a foot from the goal like I think he should have tried to out stretch his arms and reach over the top.

Any thoughts on this problem? Can it be fixed? The Pats don't necessarily have to average 5 YPC a game, but they need to be able to pick up 1 yard when the game is on the line.

Now I know the running game hasn't been a strength, and I have to look at the timing of everything again....but weren't the goalline failures after all the injuries? I have to imagine losing the entire leftside of the line might have something to do with an inability to run.

EDIT: I'm wrong, the goaline stop was the drive before Campbell was injured; just Wilson was out.

 

[PatsFan2]

Now I know the running game hasn't been a strength, and I have to look at the timing of everything again....but weren't the goalline failures after all the injuries? I have to imagine losing the entire leftside of the line might have something to do with an inability to run.

I think Campbell was in there for some; we weren't playing the Steel Curtain.

 

[PatsWickedPissah]

Now I know the running game hasn't been a strength, and I have to look at the timing of everything again....but weren't the goalline failures after all the injuries? I have to imagine losing the entire leftside of the line might have something to do with an inability to run.

Then try a roll out to the right away from weakness at least once. Dumbfounded at the OC calls. And I like Josh but this was a D game for him.

 

[Username]

Henry was wide open on the RPO, nobody near him, but it seems like Maye never even looked and had decided to run regardless

 

[PatsFan2]

Henry was wide open on the RPO, nobody near him, but it seems like Maye never even looked and had decided to run regardless

H Henry had nobody on him even the Defender who threw up his hands knew. The 32nd Ranked Defense was at it's finest there and we left mega points off the board.

 

[Headcase]

Henry was wide open on the RPO, nobody near him, but it seems like Maye never even looked and had decided to run regardless

That play was blown up by a blitzing DB and an untouched DE before Henry got into his pattern.

 

[mike_usagisan]

The interior line is having a hard time. When Owehu plays tough, like in Henderson's second TD at the Jets, he can clear out a big hole. When he doesn't... well, it looks different.

 

[jdlboot14]

This clearly is the major weakness and concern for this team. That was a terrible sequence, and it wasn't a one-off.
JMD was outmatched yesterday in his scheme and playcalling.
Short yardarge runs have been atrocious this season - even midfield on 3rd &1 or whatever.
They run Hendo inside on obvious inside short-yard situations all the time, and it sucks!
I'm mad they didn't use Jennings more on those (we know Rham is worse than Hendo on those too)
But moreso - need to use some bootlegs, or toss plays

 

[TheRainMaker]

The Pats run blocking has been awful this season. Need upgrades at C and G.

 

[JoeSixPat]

After the injuries, the most concerning aspect of the Cincy game was be emasculated by their defensive front who we made look like the Steel Curtain.

This is an offensive line problem from what I saw, not a running back problem. Not being able to punch it in from the goal line on successive tries is unacceptable for a team with playoff aspirations.

I also thought Maye's QB sneak was terrible (granted the blocking was worse). In hindsight, being about a foot from the goal like I think he should have tried to out stretch his arms and reach over the top.

Any thoughts on this problem? Can it be fixed? The Pats don't necessarily have to average 5 YPC a game, but they need to be able to pick up 1 yard when the game is on the line.

Just going out on a limb here, but injuries on the OL may have played a role in short yardage situations.

That being said, we need a Blount type RB in those bull rush short yardage situations with or without backups on the OL - and that person isn't on the roster right now, unless you want to hand off to Tonga in those situations

so I'm expecting to see someone in free agency and the draft next year

 

[JoeSixPat]

Seems to me that play calling should certainly be looked at in yesterdays goal line futility

Josh is so adamant about having a running game that sometimes he just forces it when it ain't happening. Sometimes with the same back to back to back calls.

And its not the players call to give up an easy 3 points on the board to give the team a 9 point lead heading into the final minutes rather than a nailbiter 6 points.

That was a choice of the coaches - can't blame anyone on the OL or RB corps for that.

 

[JoeyCee]

They had no swagger on those short yardage plays. Maye doesn't see where to dive like Brady did. Tonga may be the key, most times he clears them out.

 

[p8ryts]

After the injuries, the most concerning aspect of the Cincy game was be emasculated by their defensive front who we made look like the Steel Curtain.

This is an offensive line problem from what I saw, not a running back problem. Not being able to punch it in from the goal line on successive tries is unacceptable for a team with playoff aspirations.

I also thought Maye's QB sneak was terrible (granted the blocking was worse). In hindsight, being about a foot from the goal like I think he should have tried to out stretch his arms and reach over the top.

Any thoughts on this problem? Can it be fixed? The Pats don't necessarily have to average 5 YPC a game, but they need to be able to pick up 1 yard when the game is on the line.

Just throw the damn ball.

 

[DaBruinz]

That play was blown up by a blitzing DB and an untouched DE before Henry got into his pattern.

Watch the play again. It was a run play. Had it been a Play-Action with Drake rolling to his right, it's a TD. Either Drake passes it to Henry or runs it in himself.

Now, the reason that the play was "blown up" as you say, is because Campbell and Brown were on the wrong guys. Campbell should have been blocking Geno Stone #22. Brown should have been on the DE instead of doubling up the DT with Bradbury. Moses should have been on the DE #99 Myles Murphy instead of doubling up with Onwenu on #92 BJ Hill. Something was very wrong on the blocking scheme there on that play..

 

[Water Boy]

With Maye's athleticism and ability to roll out, improvise, throw on the run or beat a defender to the edge it's mindboggling that we were stymied on the goal line like that.