Running to the SB

[Doomsday101]

I found this to be an intersting fact, all the remaining playoff teams all have 1 thing in common which is they all have ran the ball more than passed the ball during the reg season

Pitt: 549 rushes and 379 passes
Den: 542 rushes and 465 passes
Sea: 519 rushes and 474 passes
Car: 487 rushes and 449 passes.

[DragonCowboy]

nice find. Too bad we run the football all the time, but still can't seem to get any yards out of it...

[Sasquatch]

But I thought you had to "open up" the offense to be successful in this league?

[StanleySpadowski]

Denver and Pittsburgh are both running oriented offenses and have been for years, but Seattle's numbers are a bit misleading.

Hasselback threw 70 more passes in the first half than the second. They had a lead in a lot of games and sat on the ball, riding Alexander for all he's worth.

[Doomsday101]

nice find. Too bad we run the football all the time, but still can't seem to get any yards out of it...

True 3.6 yards a carry which is what we averaged is not going to cut it. Dallas ran the ball 521 times and passes it 500 times this season

[Doomsday101]

Denver and Pittsburgh are both running oriented offenses and have been for years, but Seattle's numbers are a bit misleading.

Hasselback threw 70 more passes in the first half than the second. They had a lead in a lot of games and sat on the ball, riding Alexander for all he's worth.

These stats though are also showing themselfs in post season

Pit: 45 passes 76 rushes
Den: 26 passes 32 rushes (2nd seed bye)
Car: 55 passes 76 rushes
Sea: 26 passes 33 rushes (1st see bye)

[ABQCOWBOY]

Denver and Pittsburgh are both running oriented offenses and have been for years, but Seattle's numbers are a bit misleading.

Hasselback threw 70 more passes in the first half than the second. They had a lead in a lot of games and sat on the ball, riding Alexander for all he's worth.


Sounds kinda familiar don't it?

[StanleySpadowski]

Sounds kinda familiar don't it?

Yea it does.:D

[gbrittain]

But I thought you had to "open up" the offense to be successful in this league?

You dont have to open it up to be successful. When "closing down" the offense is not working so great, some might think to try something different.

[StanleySpadowski]

These stats though are also showing themselfs in post season

Pit: 45 passes 76 rushes
Den: 26 passes 32 rushes (2nd seed bye)
Car: 55 passes 76 rushes
Sea: 26 passes 33 rushes (1st see bye)



And again, these teams jumped to early leads then ran the ball for the most part.

Statistically, Indianapolis has one of the best running attacks in the NFL. They fell in a hole early against Pittsburgh and only gave the ball to James a dozen times or so.

[Doomsday101]

And again, these teams jumped to early leads then ran the ball for the most part.

Statistically, Indianapolis has one of the best running attacks in the NFL. They fell in a hole early against Pittsburgh and only gave the ball to James a dozen times or so.

I'm just pointing out the importance of the running attack. Everyone talks about QB all the time but the running game even into today’s football is critical in having success. Also in the indy game james did not touch the ball much from the get go, it was not until the colts drive in the 2nd qrt in whiched they scored their 1st points did they even bother to involve James into the game. Prior to that is was 98 percent pass so Pitt teed off on almost every snap.

[StanleySpadowski]

I'm just pointing out the importance of the running attack. Everyone talks about QB all the time but the running game even into today’s football is critical in having success.


I agree that running the ball and stopping the run are the two biggest factors but Dallas had a better rushing attack than Carolina.

The difference is that Delhomme can bail Carolina out when he needs to.

[Doomsday101]

I agree that running the ball and stopping the run are the two biggest factors but Dallas had a better rushing attack than Carolina.

The difference is that Delhomme can bail Carolina out when he needs to.

Delhomme numbers were really no better than Bledsoe. Drew threw for 23 TD and 17 ints hitting 60.1% while Delhomme threw 24 TD and 16 ints 60.2%

[maxsports]

Bledsoe showed he could bail us out at times too. The difference between us and those teams is OFFENSIVE LINE!!!!! With OLine help, we will have a superior running attack.

[mr.jameswoods]

A. Fans on this site who wanted Parcells to vary his playcalling and open up the offense believe all of the following

1. They fail to grasp the value of the running game
2. They feel teams should pass the ball more than they should run
3. They are unaware of the fact that past Superbowl winners had strong running games



Are there any other assumptions we can make on their behalf?

:rolleyes:

[StanleySpadowski]

Delhomme numbers were really no better than Bledsoe. Drew threw for 23 TD and 17 ints hitting 60.1% while Delhomme threw 24 TD and 16 ints 60.2%


Numbers are almost meaningless. Some players come up big, some come up small consistently when most needed.

[mr.jameswoods]

Numbers are almost meaningless. Some players come up big, some come up small consistently when most needed.

Great point!

Troy Aikman didn't throw many passes but without his accuracy and ability to read defenses, we wouldn't have won 3 Superbowls regardless of our running game. There is a reason why Aikman will be voted into the Hall of Fame on the first ballot despite having average numbers.

[wileedog]

Numbers are almost meaningless. Some players come up big, some come up small consistently when most needed.

I would take Delhomme over Bledsoe in a minute, but give Drew Steve Smith and a line that can buy him at least another second or two and I think that would do wonders for Bledsoe "coming up big when most needed."

[Doomsday101]

Great point!

Troy Aikman didn't throw many passes but without his accuracy and ability to read defenses, we wouldn't have won 3 Superbowls regardless of our running game. There is a reason why Aikman will be voted into the Hall of Fame on the first ballot despite having average numbers.

True but having a RB who was leading in rushing for 4 years straight helped out quite a bit because it does not place the entire burden of the offense success or failure on the QB.

[mr.jameswoods]

I would take Delhomme over Bledsoe in a minute, but give Drew Steve Smith and a line that can buy him at least another second or two and I think that would do wonders for Bledsoe "coming up big when most needed."

or perhaps a better set of hands! David Carr was sacked 19 times more than Bledsoe and he had 6 less fumbles. Did our offensive line cause him to fumble the ball 9 times this season as well

[Doomsday101]

or perhaps a better set of hands! David Carr was sacked 19 times more than Bledsoe and he had 6 less fumbles. Did our offensive line cause him to fumble the ball 9 times this season as well

The fumbles are on Drew just as a fumble by a RB is on the RB. There clearly were times that Drew needed to tuck the ball down and take the sack and protect the ball. Easier said than done but none the less the it is his job to protect the ball.

[mr.jameswoods]

True but having a RB who was leading in rushing for 4 years straight helped out quite a bit because it does not place the entire burden of the offense success or failure on the QB.

No one disagrees that a running game is the most important feature of an offense. No one is asking for the burden of an offense to be placed upon a QB. What people are saying is that strong QB play is still imperative regardless of how successful your running game is and how many times you run the ball. This is why Denver has failed to advance the past few years. They had a strong running game but Plummer hurt them in key situations. This year, Plummer has improved his decision making which is why the Broncos are close to making a Superbowl appearance. A strong running game didn't compensate for Plummer's tendency to throw interceptions during key moments prior to this season.

[Doomsday101]

No one disagrees that a running game is the most important feature of an offense. No one is asking for the burden of an offense to be placed upon a QB. What people are saying is that strong QB play is still imperative regardless of how successful your running game is and how many times you run the ball. This is why Denver has failed to advance the past few years. They had a strong running game but Plummer hurt them in key situations. This year, Plummer has improved his decision making which is why the Broncos are close to making a Superbowl appearance. A strong running game didn't compensate for Plummer's tendency to throw interceptions during key moments prior to this season.

According to Shannhan it played a big part, he has said we are not asking Jake to win games they ask him to take care of the ball. As for the importance of QB I don't denie that but I do know even guys like Elway could not get over the hump until Terrel Owens came to Denver and started putting up big numbers, prior to that all the passing Elway did was great on the stat sheet but did not help Denver win the big one. Marino could not get to a SB due to the lack of a running game. I would put RB importance right up there with the importance of the QB.

[gbrittain]

According to Shannhan it played a big part, he has said we are not asking Jake to win games they ask him to take care of the ball. As for the importance of QB I don't denie that but I do know even guys like Elway could not get over the hump until Terrel Owens came to Denver and started putting up big numbers, prior to that all the passing Elway did was great on the stat sheet but did not help Denver win the big one. Marino could not get to a SB due to the lack of a running game. I would put RB importance right up there with the importance of the QB.


Terrel Owens came to Denver and started putting up big numbers

That really would have been interesting!;)

[Rack Bauer]

I've been saying this for awhile now...


Our problems on offense wasn't the playcalling, it was the execution of the plays called. If the OL starts to do a good job there won't be a single person here complaining about "playcalling".

[Doomsday101]

I've been saying this for awhile now...


Our problems on offense wasn't the playcalling, it was the execution of the plays called. If the OL starts to do a good job there won't be a single person here complaining about "playcalling".

I agree.

[Doomsday101]

That really would have been interesting!;)

Sorry about that Terrel Davis.

[gbrittain]

Sorry about that Terrel Davis.

I knew what you meant. I do crazy things like that all the time on this board.

[mr.jameswoods]

According to Shannhan it played a big part, he has said we are not asking Jake to win games they ask him to take care of the ball. As for the importance of QB I don't denie that but I do know even guys like Elway could not get over the hump until Terrel Owens came to Denver and started putting up big numbers, prior to that all the passing Elway did was great on the stat sheet but did not help Denver win the big one. Marino could not get to a SB due to the lack of a running game. I would put RB importance right up there with the importance of the QB.

You mean Terrel Davis. :)

Shannahan isn't asking Plummer to win games and I wasn't asking him to win them either. But he was asking that Plummer not LOSE games and that's the point I and everyone else is trying to say about QB play. Good QB's make good decisions.

You are still confused. I agree with you. The running game is the most important feature of an offense. I want to run the ball more than I want to pass the ball. But I also know that Drew Bledsoe has some issues of his own. Yes, giving him more protection and a running game will improve his numbers. But if we are going to win a Superbowl, Bledsoe can't fumble the ball, hold onto the ball for a long time or throw a costly interception like he has been known to do. A running game can mask a QB's deficiencies in the regular season to some degree but not in the playoffs in which everything is exposed.

[Doomsday101]

You mean Terrel Davis. :)

Shannahan isn't asking Plummer to win games and I wasn't asking him to win them either. But he was asking that Plummer doesn't LOSE games and that's the point I and everyone else is trying to say about QB play. Good QB's make good decisions.

You are still confused. I agree with you. The running game is the most important feature of an offense. I want to run the ball more than I want to pass the ball. But I also know that Drew Bledsoe has some issues of his own. Yes, giving him more protection and a running game will improve his numbers. But if we are going to win a Superbowl, Bledsoe can't fumble the ball, hold onto the ball for a long time or throw a costly interception like he has been known to do.

I don't disgree with you on that and this thread to start with had really little to do with Bledsoe or any QB it had to do with teams still in the playoffs and how they all have managed to run the ball more than throw the ball and be very successful doing that.

[Doomsday101]

I knew what you meant. I do crazy things like that all the time on this board.

Hey I was glad you called me on that. TO get too much credit as is I don't want to give him credit for Denver winning the SB. LOL

[gbrittain]

Hey I was glad you called me on that. TO get too much credit as is I don't want to give him credit for Denver winning the SB. LOL

Very very true!!!

[Clove]

nice find. Too bad we run the football all the time, but still can't seem to get any yards out of it...That's why I was thinking that maybe our interior line is the main problem. The guard and center position has hand cuffed us for a while. And BP loves to run the ball.
If we can fix the interior of that line, we can gut defenses to no end.

But those teams that think they can pass their way to glory, had better think again.

[mr.jameswoods]

I don't disgree with you on that and this thread to start with had really little to do with Bledsoe or any QB it had to do with teams still in the playoffs and how they all have managed to run the ball more than throw the ball and be very successful doing that.

But a lot of these posts are written with the false impression that members of this forum don't value the running game or prefer to pass the ball more. That isn't the issue at all. You can still vary your playcalling and still focus on running the ball. Opening up the offense isn't translation for "Run N Shoot" or "Colt's offense"

[Rack Bauer]

But a lot of these posts are written with the false impression that members of this forum don't value the running game or prefer to pass the ball more. That isn't the issue at all. You can still vary your playcalling and still focus on running the ball. Opening up the offense isn't translation for "Run N Shoot" or "Colt's offense"


With a lot of people here, that IS the case.


And when your OL has trouble executing certain plays it minimizes the plays you can call. Therefore it isn't as easy as you make it out to be to "vary the playcalling".

[Doomsday101]

But a lot of these posts are written with the false impression that members of this forum don't value the running game or prefer to pass the ball more. That isn't the issue at all. You can still vary your playcalling and still focus on running the ball. Opening up the offense isn't translation for "Run N Shoot" or "Colt's offense"

I think some don't value the running game as much. Evidently you do and I agree with what you are saying. I think if you look at most of my posting I'm a firm believer in a balanced attack although a bit more on the running side because I know guys like Riggins and Jamal Lewis made their QB look better than they really were. Even with some of the top QB’s it is the ones who have a top RB and rushing attack that have helped them get over the hump.

[mr.jameswoods]

I think some don't value the running game as much. Evidently you do and I agree with what you are saying. I think if you look at most of my posting I'm a firm believer in a balanced attack although a bit more on the running side because I know guys like Riggins and Jamal Lewis made their QB look better than they really were. Even with some of the top QB’s it is the ones who have a top RB and rushing attack that have helped them get over the hump.

I agree. I can't recall the last time a QB won a Superbowl on his arm with no rushing attack to take the pressure off him. At the same time, I know a lot of fans think that getting a running game will solve all of a quarterback's problems. It doesn't. Case in point, the Steelers lost in the playoffs to the Patriots last year despite having a strong running game. Rothlisberger had a bad game and failed to execute despite the Steelers being able to run the ball. You need both; a strong running game and QB play. Even Trent Dilfer protected the ball and didn't turn it over when the Ravens won their Superbowl. Look what happened to them the next season when they cut Dilfer?

[Doomsday101]

I agree. I can't recall the last time a QB won a Superbowl on his arm with no rushing attack to take the pressure off him. At the same time, I know a lot of fans think that getting a running game will solve all of a quarterback's problems. It doesn't. Case in point, the Steelers lost in the playoffs to the Patriots last year despite having a strong running game. Rothlisberger had a bad game and failed to execute despite the Steelers being able to run the ball. You need both; a strong running game and QB play. Even Trent Dilfer protected the ball and didn't turn it over when the Ravens won their Superbowl. Look what happened to them the next season when they cut Dilfer?

I agree with what you’re getting at. As for Dilfer it is easier to coach him when you’re not asking him to put the ball up a lot and even in that season Trent still threw 12 TD and had 11 ints. Which is what I mean about taking an average QB and being able to win with him due in large part because of a very good running attack. Pitt does the same with Rothlisberger they don't ask him to throw the ball much and I think because of that it makes him a bit more effective when he does put the ball up because he can freeze the LB and safeties off the play action

[Juke99]

I didn't read the three pages worth of posts here but stats like this can be misleading.

The stat that annoys me the most is "When So and So runs the ball for 100 yards, the team is 21-1" Yeah because the RB got the ball more because the team was in the lead and looking to run out the clock.

The stats posted here tell me that when a team has the lead, they run the ball to take time off the clock.