Running Out the Clock

[mgteich]

What methods will the patriots use to run out the clock, reducing the remaining the length of the game when we are ahead. In the past, this was a huge issue. Then came Clock Killin Corey Dillon. Now he's gone.

Do you all really see using alternating doses of Maroney and Morris as part of long drives? Do you see using Moss and Stallworth as part of a dink and dunk offense when we are ahead by a couple of touchdowns?

Frankly, I don't see us being able to use the running game to seal the deal with who we have. I see us just scoring more and more and more and more, until the other team gives up. This is colts style football. Have the personnel changes at WR so dramatically changed our team that we will now be almost totally dependent on the passing game (rather than a balanced attack, and rather than depending on the defense and special teams).

 

[Fencer]

I think this will be a "Throw things at the TV" issue.

In fact, they used Maroney like a power back last year (e.g., goal line) almost interchangeably with Dillon, and almost independent of his performance as same. Ditto Evans.

Whatever we think is best -- run Maroney, run Morris, go for 5-yard passes -- they'll probably do something else at least half the time.

 

[VrabelMayeWin]

We haven't had that Corey Dillon since 2004. With solid OL play, Maroney and Morris will be fine.

 

[zippo59]

What methods will the patriots use to run out the clock, reducing the remaining the length of the game when we are ahead. In the past, this was a huge issue. Then came Clock Killin Corey Dillon. Now he's gone.

Do you all really see using alternating doses of Maroney and Morris as part of long drives? Do you see using Moss and Stallworth as part of a dink and dunk offense when we are ahead by a couple of touchdowns?

Frankly, I don't see us being able to use the running game to seal the deal with who we have. I see us just scoring more and more and more and more, until the other team gives up. This is colts style football. Have the personnel changes at WR so dramatically changed our team that we will now be almost totally dependent on the passing game (rather than a balanced attack, and rather than depending on the defense and special teams).

I don't see what makes Maroney any less of an effective runner than Dillon in the waning moments of a game. The reason our running game had trouble running out the clock before Dillon came was because our running game was bad period. If you have a bad running game it's not going to miraculously become good when you need to run out the clock, and when you have a good running game it's not going to miraculously become bad in the same situation. If the running game is good this year, then we will have no problem running out the clock. If it isn't, then it will be more difficult and we will have to continue passing. It's as simple as that.

 

[fair catch fryar]

What methods will the patriots use to run out the clock, reducing the remaining the length of the game when we are ahead. In the past, this was a huge issue. Then came Clock Killin Corey Dillon. Now he's gone.

Do you all really see using alternating doses of Maroney and Morris as part of long drives? Do you see using Moss and Stallworth as part of a dink and dunk offense when we are ahead by a couple of touchdowns?

Frankly, I don't see us being able to use the running game to seal the deal with who we have. I see us just scoring more and more and more and more, until the other team gives up. This is colts style football. Have the personnel changes at WR so dramatically changed our team that we will now be almost totally dependent on the passing game (rather than a balanced attack, and rather than depending on the defense and special teams).

1) I don't think you can actually compare us to Indy's offense until we see how Brady's new toys work out.
2) Defense! Albeit, the Colts defense showed up for the playoffs, they're not even close to the Pats so we won't have to air it out every game.
3) The BIG ? If Maroney is healthy, then no problem. If he's not, then you've just hit the hail on the head. This one factor could bring the whole ship down.

 

[Brady to Brown]

What methods will the patriots use to run out the clock, reducing the remaining the length of the game when we are ahead. In the past, this was a huge issue. Then came Clock Killin Corey Dillon. Now he's gone.

Do you all really see using alternating doses of Maroney and Morris as part of long drives? Do you see using Moss and Stallworth as part of a dink and dunk offense when we are ahead by a couple of touchdowns?

Frankly, I don't see us being able to use the running game to seal the deal with who we have. I see us just scoring more and more and more and more, until the other team gives up. This is colts style football. Have the personnel changes at WR so dramatically changed our team that we will now be almost totally dependent on the passing game (rather than a balanced attack, and rather than depending on the defense and special teams).

Dillon was a great clock killer but he was also great at getting the ball in for 6. He may have pulled himself out after every down, but inside the 10 he was golden. Who becomes the best bet inside the redzone.

 

[mgteich]

We worry about Maroney's health, and then suggest him as a short yardage back. Obviously, if Maroney could remain effective and healthy as our feature back on first, second and short-yardage all year, that would be fine. However, Maroney isn't LT, and LT has always had a change of pace back. And, of course, we don't have the FB or OL that SD has.

I guess, in the end, we are what we are. We are not a running team, and don't try really hard to become one. That's fine. We just need to find some way to chew up clock. I am not as concerned with scoring in the red zone, or even really in short yardage situations. That is not what I intended with this thread. I want to know how we will grind out 5 minutes off the clock when we need to, or 4 1/2 as was needed to in the title game with Indy.

If the issue is having enough healthy running backs for the Championship Game, or even for the playoffs, then perhaps we might consider having another running back on the squad. Perhaps we shouldn't give Maroney so many reps during the season. Sharing is good! Gaining 1700 yards and being tired for the playoffs is bad, very bad!

 

[zippo59]

We worry about Maroney's health, and then suggest him as a short yardage back. Obviously, if Maroney could remain effective and healthy as our feature back on first, second and short-yardage all year, that would be fine. However, Maroney isn't LT, and LT has always had a change of pace back. And, of course, we don't have the FB or OL that SD has.

I guess, in the end, we are what we are. We are not a running team, and don't try really hard to become one. That's fine. We just need to find some way to chew up clock. I am not as concerned with scoring in the red zone, or even really in short yardage situations. That is not what I intended with this thread. I want to know how we will grind out 5 minutes off the clock when we need to, or 4 1/2 as was needed to in the title game with Indy.

For the most part they have been able to do that, even when their wide receivers and running game haven't been great. They have plenty of option (in both the running and passing game) and will find a way. I am not worried.

 

[dhamz]

In the last 2 games of the season at Jax and at Tenn, Maroney was the guy the Pats were giving the ball to with a 1 score lead late in the game. Each time he broke a TD and put the game away. If it worked last year with a less than 100% Maroney, why wouldn't it work again this year if he is 100%?

 

[Brady to Brown]

We worry about Maroney's health, and then suggest him as a short yardage back. Obviously, if Maroney could remain effective and healthy as our feature back on first, second and short-yardage all year, that would be fine. However, Maroney isn't LT, and LT has always had a change of pace back. And, of course, we don't have the FB or OL that SD has.

I guess, in the end, we are what we are. We are not a running team, and don't try really hard to become one. That's fine. We just need to find some way to chew up clock. I am not as concerned with scoring in the red zone, or even really in short yardage situations. That is not what I intended with this thread. I want to know how we will grind out 5 minutes off the clock when we need to, or 4 1/2 as was needed to in the title game with Indy.

If the issue is having enough healthy running backs for the Championship Game, or even for the playoffs, then perhaps we might consider having another running back on the squad. Perhaps we shouldn't give Maroney so many reps during the season. Sharing is good! Gaining 1700 yards and being tired for the playoffs is bad, very bad!

Well you want to know how they will kill the clock now that Dillon is gone. I agree with you, and I am also wondering who gets the ball inside the ten now that he is gone.

I wish I knew more about Morris and what he brings to the team. Getting Dillon to sign would be sweet. Maroney if healthy is a player :singing:

Maybe Vrabel will become our big threat inside the 10 :singing:

 

[Canada's #1 Pats Fan]

What methods will the patriots use to run out the clock, reducing the remaining the length of the game when we are ahead. In the past, this was a huge issue. Then came Clock Killin Corey Dillon. Now he's gone.

Maybe this is where Chris Brown comes in and lends a hand.

 

[zippo59]

Maybe this is where Chris Brown comes in and lends a hand.

Probably no more than what we already have.


Really, I don't see the reason why we can't hand the ball to Maroney. What is the problem with that?

 

[brdmaverick]

I think we will rely on the pass more in killing the clock than we have in recent seasons

 

[fair catch fryar]

I totally see your point here, and I have to say, this has me wondering. I'm not exactly keen on Morris or Evans, but at the same time, Morris has never benefitted from playing on a very good offensive team. Unless, we do re-sign Dillon(which I am not inclined to believe), I'm willing to start the season with Maroney and company! Who knows, maybe Justice Hairston will be a nice surprise, but in the meantime, Morris and Evans will have to be trusted on for short yardage and clock-munching.

 

[Mike the Brit]

In the last 2 games of the season at Jax and at Tenn, Maroney was the guy the Pats were giving the ball to with a 1 score lead late in the game. Each time he broke a TD and put the game away. If it worked last year with a less than 100% Maroney, why wouldn't it work again this year if he is 100%?

This is a very good point.

Maroney may not have shown himself to be the kind of 3rd-and-3 back that Dillon was at his best, but he is a major threat to break tackles against a tired defense. If the Patriots can keep Maroney fresh to the end of games, he could be a big, big factor.

 

[livinginthe past]

I think our offense is going to based largely around varied passing routes this year - that goes for situations where we might want to protect our lead also.

Maroney will benefit greatly in terms of ypc this year due to the emphasis on the passing game but our O-line hasn't been great at grinding out yardage consistently in obvious running situations.

This could all change, of course, with the introduction of the zone blocking scheme - maybe our shiftier O-linemen would be happier with a scheme that relies more on mobility than raw strength.

I think teams are going to find it difficult to stack the box this year, and if the game situation forces them to do this then there is no QB in the league i'd rather have throwing the ball than Tom Brady.

 

[Pats726]

I agree..this may be a problem and only time will tell. Dillon was a great an inside runner as the team has had and while Maroney shows a LOT of promise, he's NOT at all the same as Dillon inside. I agree with a few of the posters in not knowing exactly what kind of a runner Morris is...adn what/how he fits in. This is where a CBrown might be at it's best..for plowing inside and just eating up the clock...and/or as said, going more to a dink and dunk sort of offense with more passes of 10-15 yards if that...chewing up yardage. It's here that Morris might be very helpful...But I agree this will be more of an issue (I HOPE) this year..with leads and just taking that last quarter and slowly grinding it out...

 

[smg93]

I'm sure Maroney will do his part but there is also:

Wes Welker.

It was not so long ago when we used the short quick pass to kill the clock.

 

[mgteich]

I guess I'm just old-fashioned. I would like to take 4 and 1/2 minutes of the clock by using the running game (no clocks stops for incompletions). I understand that Dillon had been used less and less in that role. It does not follow that Maroney is the one to fill Dillon's 2004 role, along with increasing his 2006 role. And yes, we can win the SB without a player in that role. I just don't see why we aould voluntarily go into camp and the season with one fewer running back than the last two seasons, and without a short-yardage clock-killing back.

Yes, I know that we Hairston and Hill. But, I think we all know that they likely belong on the Practice Squad.

And yes, I do believe that the passing game is an important key to an effective running game, especially in the red zone. If we had an effective running game OR an effective passing game, the last 5 minutes of the colts game would ahe been much sweeter.

 

[Ring 6]

What methods will the patriots use to run out the clock, reducing the remaining the length of the game when we are ahead. In the past, this was a huge issue. Then came Clock Killin Corey Dillon. Now he's gone.

Do you all really see using alternating doses of Maroney and Morris as part of long drives? Do you see using Moss and Stallworth as part of a dink and dunk offense when we are ahead by a couple of touchdowns?

Frankly, I don't see us being able to use the running game to seal the deal with who we have. I see us just scoring more and more and more and more, until the other team gives up. This is colts style football. Have the personnel changes at WR so dramatically changed our team that we will now be almost totally dependent on the passing game (rather than a balanced attack, and rather than depending on the defense and special teams).

We have Lawrence Maroney to run the ball.