What is wrong with our run game?

[morat1959]

This team isn’t going to the promised land.

And I don’t smoke crack.

But, but but....I’ve already ordered more jerseys, caps and shirts cause JJ said this team was a SB dynasty! I know you’re not disputing GM Jerry’s word! He’s lead us in the right direction for 23 + years! Come on man...we dem Boys!

 

[Beaker42]

Defenses are honing in on Zeke and Zeke just doesn't have that burst he used to

Not sure about that he isn’t getting any holes to hit.

 

[morat1959]

morat--- oh man i use to be just like you....keep it up bro....dont let nothing get you down

This is sarcasm my man. I’ve been a fan for 52 years of my 60 years. This team is as about as close to a SB asI am flying airplane.

 

[ArtClink]

Just curious, we should have all the tools yet we are not vey dominant?.

And Dak is playing great which should be setting up the run.

 

[starfan1]

I actually don’t think they are stacking box as much as advertised I think the problem is 1. The offensive line is no where as good as they were they are beat up and less effective but 2) I don’t think the play calling helps zeke out but he also isn’t the back he was

caboitis

 

[buybuydandavis]

buy--- i just dont understand what happened to our "elite" defense that was only suppose to get better from last year?...it puzzles me and frustates me a lot

Odd because Quinn is a huge addition. Earlier there were injuries, and Crawford was never healthy. But everyone is healthy now, and however much people may have taken Crawford for granted, Bennett at least fills that loss. Covington, Hyder, and Armstrong give us stronger depth than last year. We're out Gregory, who was playing well in the back half of the season.

Still seems that the dline is just stronger. Bennett > Crawford, Quinn > Gregory, Covington + Hyder > Ross + Reid.

Scheme getting figured out, or player drop off, I don't think we're getting the same out of our star LBs as last year. We're having problems with the LBs instead of getting splash plays. That's the difference.

I missed the game, but I did notice in the highlites Thompson in the middle of some big Detroit plays. Maybe teams are adjusting to the lack of The GOAT!

(Actually, The GOAT was playing not so hot anyway, but it is likely that teams will be keying on Thompson and finding things to exploit. He's got LB speed. Woods is faster, but still on the slow side for a FS. We got a lot slower at safety going from The GOAT to Thompson.)

 

[Diehardblues]

Just curious, we should have all the tools yet we are not vey dominant?.

I think there’s several contributing factors.

One our OL appears battered with lingering injuries. It’s arguably not the dominating force it’s been.

And defenses are are tempting to stifle Elliott and the running game as it’s a proven method to slow us placing the game in Daks hand. And putting our defense on the field longer

 

[buybuydandavis]

whoever made the decision to release him for alexander was a total buffoon.

Not a buffoon. Just a guy saving his own hide. Pollack was the scapegoat for the failures of guys above him.

That was the modus operandi of the 2018 offseason. Keep the incompetents at the top in place while throwing the guys under them under the bus.

 

[atlantacowboy]

Odd because Quinn is a huge addition. Earlier there were injuries, and Crawford was never healthy. But everyone is healthy now, and however much people may have taken Crawford for granted, Bennett at least fills that loss. Covington, Hyder, and Armstrong give us stronger depth than last year. We're out Gregory, who was playing well in the back half of the season.

Still seems that the dline is just stronger. Bennett > Crawford, Quinn > Gregory, Covington + Hyder > Ross + Reid.

Scheme getting figured out, or player drop off, I don't think we're getting the same out of our star LBs as last year. We're having problems with the LBs instead of getting splash plays. That's the difference.

I missed the game, but I did notice in the highlites Thompson in the middle of some big Detroit plays. Maybe teams are adjusting to the lack of The GOAT!

(Actually, The GOAT was playing not so hot anyway, but it is likely that teams will be keying on Thompson and finding things to exploit. He's got LB speed. )

Here are some notable facts about Detroit today. They've lost 6 of their last 7 and started Jeff Driskell and Bo Scarborough. Its a bad team.

Yet, our defense had to come up with a final stand to cement the outcome. This should have been an easy win but it wasn't.

 

[MizzouCowboy4]

But, but but....I’ve already ordered more jerseys, caps and shirts cause JJ said this team was a SB dynasty! I know you’re not disputing GM Jerry’s word! He’s lead us in the right direction for 23 + years! Come on man...we dem Boys!

Zeke held out and is out of shape and folks are loading up on it. It's why Dak is killing it.

 

[InTheZone]

if teams want to sell out against the run then we must keep taking advantage of it by passing, as we did today. We did some of that last week, but reverted back to "our ways" on the final plays and that's how we ended up with the L. Even on Zeke's fumble I was saying this is the perfect opportunity to playaction because they're going to expect a run up the middle. Need less predictability.

 

[Macnalty]

Unfortunately I think Fred is the weak link.

I agree he is back which makes the oline better as a whole. I really never expected him back at prior strength to illness, but more than he is exhibiting this season. Connor Williams needed constant assistance when he was on the field from the center position unless he was leading a sweep. Connor Williams needs to have the light-bulb go off or he can get into the boat with Jaylon Smith and try and figure out where things went wrong.

 

[percyhoward]

Last 16 drives
70% pass 30% run
(avg start own 24.6)
82 passes, 760 yards
35 rushes, 101 yards
59 points

Previous 16 drives
56% pass 44% run
(avg start own 32.3)
52 passes, 299 yards
41 rushes, 224 yards
37 points

 

[Chrispierce]

It’s total dog poop mode..thought Xavier should help,but they just kinda push off in mud.

 

[Cmac]

Anybody who doesn’t think this team is SB bound is on crack! Go Boys!

…..love the loyalty, but anything got you hallucinating like that should be of concern.

 

[cern]

cern---i think that is exactly what it is...because Zeke could not have deteriorated that much in one year...its our O line not able to run block...dang it....this really ticks me off....like someone said last week on here...we seem to fix one thing and then another issue pops up....coaching is so so important...look at Patriots....consistenly top tier team every year for 20 years...Belichek and Brady of course

Coaching can never become stagnant.

 

[basel90]

Zeke wasted all our cap money for his stupid deal , so did DLaw , we cannot get support on the OL . Which is struggling.
I still believe zeke hurt this team with his anti team antics and entitlement.

 

[CT Dal Fan]

I hate to use injuries as an excuse, but let's look at the facts:

Tyron Smith has had a bad ankle, Travis Frederick probably won't be 100 percent recovered from GBE until next season, Zack Martin has been playing with a bad back and sore elbow, and La'el Collins has had knee and back injuries of his own.

Of course, the pass protection has been solid, so maybe it's playcalling. I also saw Zeke trying to cutback into lanes that just weren't there today. Maybe he just needs to go back to hitting the hole hard instead of stutter-stepping at the line.

 

[Floatyworm]

I wish bill callahan was here

From what I've noticed....

1. We don't get the same line splits since Callahan left...

2. Zeke is worn down....ala Earl Campbell. Just don't think he takes care of himself like he should. Slow to the hole...indecisive.

3. Conner Williams kills us...constantly

4. Our TEs don't block worth a crap. Witten hasn't knocked anyone off the ball in years....

5. Still have doubts about Frederick. Just isn't living up to the contract. Doesn't pull like he used to...or get to the 2nd level.

 

[morat1959]

…..love the loyalty, but anything got you hallucinating like that should be of concern.

Lol! I think you know but my post was drinched in sarcasm. This team will never go to another SB as long as our GM has a hand in it.