Alexander
What's it going to be then, eh?
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I noticed Phillips in between fist-pounding yesterday declared we have to become a better running team and in fact, be a top ten running team.
So what does that mean exactly? It doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out that successful teams tend to be able to run the football better. It minimizes the chance for negative plays (sacks, interceptions, penalties) and keeps the time of possession in your favor.
Basically, this is what the top ten teams did last season:
Interestingly enough, both Indianapolis and Arizona ranked at the very bottom for the regular season but still made the postseason. But Arizona in particular "found" its running game in the postseason, ranking 5th out of 12 participants after being dead last all year. They ran the ball 28 times a game, but their YPC actually declined. Part of that ball control was due playing keep away for much of the Carolina game but they still renewed emphasis by gearing up late when it is most needed.
What I hope is that there is perspective. Pounding away fruitlessly all season long isn't necessarily the best method. If we cannot notch these four yard per carry and 30 carries benchmarks, it is not the end of the world. Nor is it a death sentence if we don't have a top ten rushing team.
But, we need to be able to run effectively. Right place, right time. That may or may not translate to a "top ten" running team. Pittsburgh finished 23rd. for example.
But what the Steelers did is know when to run, when to use it to control the clock and keep their defense off the field and fresh. That's what we need to understand. Too many times we ended up not using the run game to calm games down and diffuse momentum, especially late in the season.
We need balance, not a swing in the other direction to be something we are not. Honestly, I don't see this line as a great run blocking line. We saw how they all were sucking wind after pounding New York in the divisional playoffs. What I would expect is more Felix Jones, but also a concerted effort to run more physically as the season progresses. If we don't run the ball effectively in the last quarter of the season, that's where it will be more of a determinant.
So what does that mean exactly? It doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out that successful teams tend to be able to run the football better. It minimizes the chance for negative plays (sacks, interceptions, penalties) and keeps the time of possession in your favor.
Basically, this is what the top ten teams did last season:
- 60% (6 of 10) made the playoffs - New England, Washington, New York Jets and Oakland failed to qualify. But only Oakland had a record worse than 8-8.
- 70% (7 of 10) ran the ball more than 30 times a game.
- All rushed for a minimum of 124 yards a game. That basically equates to a four yard average.
Interestingly enough, both Indianapolis and Arizona ranked at the very bottom for the regular season but still made the postseason. But Arizona in particular "found" its running game in the postseason, ranking 5th out of 12 participants after being dead last all year. They ran the ball 28 times a game, but their YPC actually declined. Part of that ball control was due playing keep away for much of the Carolina game but they still renewed emphasis by gearing up late when it is most needed.
What I hope is that there is perspective. Pounding away fruitlessly all season long isn't necessarily the best method. If we cannot notch these four yard per carry and 30 carries benchmarks, it is not the end of the world. Nor is it a death sentence if we don't have a top ten rushing team.
But, we need to be able to run effectively. Right place, right time. That may or may not translate to a "top ten" running team. Pittsburgh finished 23rd. for example.
But what the Steelers did is know when to run, when to use it to control the clock and keep their defense off the field and fresh. That's what we need to understand. Too many times we ended up not using the run game to calm games down and diffuse momentum, especially late in the season.
We need balance, not a swing in the other direction to be something we are not. Honestly, I don't see this line as a great run blocking line. We saw how they all were sucking wind after pounding New York in the divisional playoffs. What I would expect is more Felix Jones, but also a concerted effort to run more physically as the season progresses. If we don't run the ball effectively in the last quarter of the season, that's where it will be more of a determinant.
