Our Running game is awful

[PJTHEDOORS]

Last year we picked up 4-5 yards against stacked boxes.

Really? Well, Demarco late in the season saw a lot of stacked lines and was stopped cold.

 

[Brooksey]

I agree with X and say I disagree. When you have a QB that won't throw the ball downfield more than 10 yards you will be facing 8 and 9 man fronts. Your OL will look like crap and so will your RB's. Doesn't mean they aren't good. No offense can function against that kind of defense. Go rewatch the game and see how ATL changed their defense at halftime.

Last week it we couldn't run it because we were behind, now it's a new excuse. The best offensive line in the league can't block. Got it.

 

[CyberB0b]

I disagree.

The RBs were definitely not the problem. Once Atlanta figure out that Weeden would not throw the ball over 8 yards, they started loading up at the line. They not only had more defenders than could be blocked, but they were run blitzing.

What receivers on this team can run a route that will gain more than 8 yards?

 

[Brooksey]

Really? Hmmm...I wonder why.

Because we had a tough downhill runner in Murray. Randle is much better in space but terrible in congestion. Very indecisive. X walker (who I like) can breakdown Randle as a pet cat all day, but so can I, and he sucks in inside the guards. Mcfadden looked better inside on a few carries in the second half.

 

[Bleu Star]

Meanwhile... Chris Johnson is beasting in AZ. We had him in our clutches & we let him off the hook.

But that's none of my business...

 

[Rockport]

Looked pretty good in the first half, Randle is awfully nice in space. In congestion Randle and Mcfadden stink, there were some plays were I thought Randle could have picked up a tough two yards, yet he stuttered and lost three. He's not very decisive when there's penetration. We lost our identity in the second half of the game, as good as Weeden played we needed some down field throws to keep the defense honest, we failed to do that. Blame Weeden and the OC. Bottom line is we can't run the ball unless we catch the defense in a pass defense. Our O-line had a few problems but our backs need to put their heads down and get two yards in MOST those situations (Murray did that).

Randle and DMAC are not bruising type closing backs, Michael may have closed that game out with a win. I will trade the passes to Dunbar for the bruiser. Randle is very effective catching the ball out of the backfield, don't see the need for both.

The coaching staff decided to go finesse this year and it shows too much. We should be able to go big and tough with a 14 point lead. They are not fooling anybody for four quarters and our defense shows it's true colors when on the field to long (right now). It was a mistake with current personnel not to throw some passes to Butler early and close it out with the run game, IMO.

Chalk up the BIG L. Lesson learned hopefully.

SMH.

 

[superonyx]

Look I want to see what C Michael can do as much as anyone...
BUT this isn't on the running game. This is on our inability to force the defense to be honest.
The best anyone can hope the running game does is to make the defense come uP into the box. Once that is accomplished it's up to the other players (QB and WR's) to do their jobs and take advantage of the coverage mismatches.

Now it's up to the coaches to put the players in the right position to be successful.
Our one dimensional game plan refused to adjust....now was that right? Turns out it wasn't. Or maybe Weeden is that limited in which case Matt Cassell will be needed asap.

 

[hornitosmonster]

The oline or rb are not the issue. Lack of a passing threat is the issue.

 

[Brooksey]

SMH.

Shake it all you want as you chalk up the loss.

 

[DenCWBY]

I want a running back that when there aren't any "holes"' , he makes his own. No holes, no problem..hell smash his way for 2-3 yards

You go girl. Earl Campbell retired long ago.

 

[Brooksey]

The oline or rb are not the issue. Lack of a passing threat is the issue.

For all you "no threat of deep pass" please read the original post. That was mentioned as problem on OC and Weeden.

 

[Ultra Warrior]

The first half, it looked pretty good. Then we proceeded to put ourselves in a hole & give the Falcons momentum &... well... you know the rest.

 

[Frozen700]

If we don't dominate 100% of the time, we suck.

I understand the logic around here

 

[DenCWBY]

A

Last year we picked up 4-5 yards against stacked boxes.

Right with the best QB and WR in the game.

 

[conner01]

Notice in the post I said it was mistake to not throw it down the field, pay attention.

But you said the oline blocking was bad and it wasn't
5 guys can't block 8 and 9 guys
Throwing downfield is the only way to get them off the line
Can't blame the oline when they have two guys each to block

 

[Brooksey]

I disagree.

The RBs were definitely not the problem. Once Atlanta figure out that Weeden would not throw the ball over 8 yards, they started loading up at the line. They not only had more defenders than could be blocked, but they were run blitzing.

There were also 5 on 5 matchups on the line that penetrated and were a loss of three-five yards each time. It cost us the game, IMO.

 

[LocimusPrime]

You go girl. Earl Campbell retired long ago.

Earl Campbell was/ is the only running back that has that ability. Lol. Didn't know that. I recall Marion barber having a " little" of that trait. I've seen Demario Murray do that a couple of times. Lagerette from New England does that. Brandon Jacobs used to fall forward and get 5 yards against us lolollolol

 

[Brooksey]

But you said the oline blocking was bad and it wasn't
5 guys can't block 8 and 9 guys
Throwing downfield is the only way to get them off the line
Can't blame the oline when they have two guys each to block

Read the post, I said we should have thrown it downfield.

 

[LocimusPrime]

Cowboys used to be scared to tackle Brandon Jacobs.

 

[conner01]

Read the post, I said we should have thrown it downfield.

AND you blamed the oline