If you commit to running the football, it opens up the passing game tremendously

[Bleu Star]

This has been proven time and time again through history. The skillful utilization of the run game is the perfect manager's tool for controlling multiple aspects of the game. Yes. I get the fact that the majority of today's teams are pass first organizations. I get it..

However, 8 of the top 10 rushing leaders are all on teams that utilize the run in a skillful fashion to achieve their weekly goals. These are teams that are successful in utilizing an equitable mix. Need I also say that all 8 are also on track for 1000 yard rushing seasons? The rushing milestone is not normally achieved in your usual pass happy run avoiding offense. I won't make you look up the 8 I am referencing. They are 1, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10 below.

1. Lesean McCoy
2. Marshawn Lynch
3. Jamaal Charles
4. Adrian Peterson
5. Alfred Morris
6. Matt Forte
7. Frank Gore
8. Eddie Lacey
9. Arian Foster (injured.. I know)
10. Deangelo Williams

I have been harping on it all season. We have to become comfortable with utilizing a fair mix of the run to be successful against the solid teams out there in the league. Here's to hoping something encouraging happens on Sunday night in New Orleans.

 

[Bleu Star]

If you're a pass happy offense, the advantage of keeping opposing defenses off balance exits stage left in those last five minutes of the halves where the greatest benefit is achieved.

 

[tm1119]

Play action would do this team wonders. And can't effectively use play action without at least a competent running game.

I'm also tired of seeing runs out of obvious running formations. We probably have the most predictable offense in the league.

 

[perrykemp]

Play action would do this team wonders. And can't effectively use play action without at least a competent running game.

I'm also tired of seeing runs out of obvious running formations. We probably have the most predictable offense in the league.

Play action can do wonders for any team. I'm still lamenting the Cowboys not drafting Lacy instead of Escobar -- Lacy brings play action without the need for a good run blocking OL -- he is able to smash his way for 4-5 consistently -- often after 1st contact.

I don't exactly blame the Cowboys for not taking him -- Lacy looked like a tub of lard in the off-season but seems to have worked himself into game shape. Still, I'd be willing to bet the Cowboys might be 6-3 or 7-2 with Lacy running the ball.

 

[Bleu Star]

Play action is such a powerful weapon and, on the few occasions that we do use it, there is no success due to the lack of any respect for the benefits of the run by our coaching staff. When we use play action, opposing dlinemen laugh as their ears are pinned on a b line to Romo.

 

[ROUSH8692]

Committing to running the ball, and actually running the ball well are two totally different things. We do commit to the run, we just lose too many yards doing it, because our line stinks, randle is horrible, and DeMarco Murray is a diva.

 

[Bleu Star]

Committing to running the ball, and actually running the ball well are two totally different things. We do commit to the run, we just lose too many yards doing it, because our line stinks, randle is horrible, and DeMarco Murray is a diva.

I don't think you can call what we do an actual commitment. Most offensive linemen and running backs be one stronger with repetition during a game. An average of 10-12 rushes per game is not a commitment and it serves no purpose in allowing our running game to get into a groove.

 

[Kristen82]

DET's only 21st in rushing yards yet somehow 2nd in passing yards and oh by the way 6th in scoring, NO is only 26th in rushing but 3rd in passing yards and 7th in scoring, we're 27th in rushing yet 9th in passing and 4th in scoring. Looks like they neither need "the run to setup the pass" nor to score. "Balanced O" is becoming a tired cliche.

 

[MichaelWinicki]

DET's only 21st in rushing yards yet somehow 2nd in passing yards and oh by the way 6th in scoring, NO is only 26th in rushing but 3rd in passing yards and 7th in scoring, we're 27th in rushing yet 9th in passing and 4th in scoring. Looks like they neither need "the run to setup the pass" nor to score. "Balanced O" is becoming a tired cliche.

Ouch!

It always hurts when someone gets out the fact-hammer... and uses it!

 

[Bleu Star]

Fun modern response but only one of those three teams has sniffed any hint of a championship lately in your modern world.

Some may consider it a tired cliché. I consider it a requirement for success.

DET's only 21st in rushing yards yet somehow 2nd in passing yards and oh by the way 6th in scoring, NO is only 26th in rushing but 3rd in passing yards and 7th in scoring, we're 27th in rushing yet 9th in passing and 4th in scoring. Looks like they neither need "the run to setup the pass" nor to score. "Balanced O" is becoming a tired cliche.

 

[Bleu Star]

8 of the last 10 super bowl champs have utilized a balanced attack to get there and win. Tag. Your fact hammer time.

 

[Billy Bullocks]

This has been proven time and time again through history. The skillful utilization of the run game is the perfect manager's tool for controlling multiple aspects of the game. Yes. I get the fact that the majority of today's teams are pass first organizations. I get it..

However, 8 of the top 10 rushing leaders are all on teams that utilize the run in a skillful fashion to achieve their weekly goals. These are teams that are successful in utilizing an equitable mix. Need I also say that all 8 are also on track for 1000 yard rushing seasons? The rushing milestone is not normally achieved in your usual pass happy run avoiding offense. I won't make you look up the 8 I am referencing. They are 1, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10 below.

1. Lesean McCoy 4 - 5
2. Marshawn Lynch 8 - 1
3. Jamaal Charles 9 - 0
4. Adrian Peterson 1-7
5. Alfred Morris 3-5
6. Matt Forte 5-3
7. Frank Gore 6-2
8. Eddie Lacey 5-3
9. Arian Foster (injured.. I know) 2-6
10. Deangelo Williams 5-3

I have been harping on it all season. We have to become comfortable with utilizing a fair mix of the run to be successful against the solid teams out there in the league. Here's to hoping something encouraging happens on Sunday night in New Orleans.

But only 6 of those 10 teams are above .500.

Of those backs, only Eddie Lacy play and Jamaal Charles plays with a top 10 QB (in attemps):

Romo 5-4
Brady 7-2
Stafford 5-3
Manning 7-1
Ryan 2-6
Dalton 6-3
Brees 6-2
A. Smith 9-0
Flacco 3-5
Roethlisberger 2-6

7 of the top 10 QB's (by attempt) are above .500.

 

[Billy Bullocks]

Sorry, only Jamaal Charles is on a team with a QB in the top 10 in attempts.

Green Bay is probably your best bet in making a case for a team with an elite QB that runs a balanced offense these days.

 

[Bleu Star]

My point being that there is plenty of room for conversation. Some people tend to believe that the pass only offense is the way of the future. I consider it a road to nowhere. As stated, 8 of the last 10 super bowl champs were balanced attacks. The pass only offense is a fad that fills the seats and gives some of our fans something catchy & new to latch onto. It doesn't necessarily win championships. Which, last time I checked, has eluded our grasp for 18 years strong. 18 whole years without a trophy. Not much to hang your hat on nowadays.

 

[Bleu Star]

Please don't put words in my mouth. My premise has had nothing to do with having an elite quarterback. It has been squarely focused on the fact that 8 of the top 10 rushing leaders are on teams that mix in a fair and equitable balance of run/pass successfully. To summarize, if we are such a pass happy league, it's interesting how we still have a large number of running bacs on course for 1000 yard rushing seasons attached to successful teams. Very interesting...

Sorry, only Jamaal Charles is on a team with a QB in the top 10 in attempts.

Green Bay is probably your best bet in making a case for a team with an elite QB that runs a balanced offense these days.

 

[dstovall5]

Give us any one of those backs and we'll become a balanced offense, especially Forte, Jamaal, or LeSean.

 

[DallasCowboysRule!]

DET's only 21st in rushing yards yet somehow 2nd in passing yards and oh by the way 6th in scoring, NO is only 26th in rushing but 3rd in passing yards and 7th in scoring, we're 27th in rushing yet 9th in passing and 4th in scoring. Looks like they neither need "the run to setup the pass" nor to score. "Balanced O" is becoming a tired cliche.

The running game has benefits beyond offense. It increases TOP which allows your defense to stay off the field and remain fresh into the 4th quarter which translates into wins.

 

[kramskoi]

I sometimes wonder how many actually watched this team during the nineties. The running game continues to crash under Garrett and it does not seem to have hit the bottom yet. Scary business, especially for Romo. A feast or famine offense combined with a sieve-like defense is not a good combination.

 

[Bleu Star]

You are so on point. Yet we continue to ignore the traits as if they will magically disappear.

I sometimes wonder how many actually watched this team during the nineties. The running game continues to crash under Garrett and it does not seem to have hit the bottom yet. Scary business, especially for Romo. A feast or famine offense combined with a sieve-like defense is not a good combination.

 

[Bleu Star]

I'm comfortable being the minority here in my opinion that we already have a premier back in DeMarco Murray that we don't utilize properly.

Give us any one of those backs and we'll become a balanced offense, especially Forte, Jamaal, or LeSean.