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The Grand Poobah
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It’s A Colts World Now
By Rafael Vela
With all the hype over the ‘07 Patriots pursuit of perfection, and all the comparisons between these Patriots and the 1972 Dolphins, I’m stuck by the lack of stylistic comparisons.
The Dolphins were perhaps the greatest rushing attack of the modern era. Bill Walsh credited Dolphins OL coach Monte Clark with revolutionizing the pro rushing attack with his combination blocking scheme. It’s common to every modern attack today, but in 1972 the league was slow to adapt. In the perfect season, the Dolphins had two 1,000 yard rushers with FB Larry Csonka and RB Mercury Morris. Both averaged over 5.2 yards a carry.
In 1972 the NFL moved its hash marks closer to the center of the field, doubling the number of 1000 yard rushers from the year before. That said, the Dolphins were still a better rushing machine; the champion ‘71 Cowboys, with a talented trio of Duane Thomas, Calvin Hill and Walt Garrison had a relatively balanced 57/43 run pass ratio.
The Dolphins had a 71%/29% run to pass ratio that perfect year. Bob Griese’s broken leg contributed to the run-first philosophy, but the dominance of Clark’s line had more to do with it; opponents stacked the line but the Dolphins still led the NFL in scoring, proving conservative football could be sexy.
Miami was the perfect football team for active fans; they would take the football, grind out a couple of long scoring drives, take a 14-0 lead, shorten game times to about two hours and 20 minutes and give you extra afternoon for mowing the lawn or other pursuits.
The perfect ‘07 Pats lead a different era, where you pass to win. Look at the run-pass ratios of ’07’s top four playoff seeds:
It appears the Patriots, despite winning three titles this decade, have adopted one-time winner Indy’s philosophy. The Patriots didn’t load up on defense this off season, though they did sign Adalius Thomas. Instead, they copied the Colts spead game, obtaining Randy Moss, Donte Stallworth and Wes Welker for Tom Brady and scheming to outscore their opponents. In a cornerback-depleted NFL they’ve preyed on a fact the Colts have known for years — there are few teams with the secondary depth to match up with a good three-WR offense, never mind one that also has a quality receiving tight end.
Dallas has repeatedly used a pass first game plan to wear out opponents. Marion Barber made the Pro Bowl, but how often did he romp through a tired defense in the fourth quarter, after the front seven had tired itself trying to contain Tony Romo, Terrell Owens and Jason Witten?
Every one of the top seeds this year throws the ball as much, if not more than Mike Martz‘ famed Greatest Show On Turf Rams. Both Super Bowl Rams squads had 45/55 run to pass ratios. And they’re far more pass happy than the big teams from the late ’80s and ’90s:
It used to be an NFL maxim that you ran and played defense to win championships. Last year’s Colts defied the conventional wisdom, fielding a 23rd ranked scoring defense in their title drive. This year’s champ, barring several upsets, will ride the passing game to the Lombardi trophy.
By Rafael Vela
With all the hype over the ‘07 Patriots pursuit of perfection, and all the comparisons between these Patriots and the 1972 Dolphins, I’m stuck by the lack of stylistic comparisons.
The Dolphins were perhaps the greatest rushing attack of the modern era. Bill Walsh credited Dolphins OL coach Monte Clark with revolutionizing the pro rushing attack with his combination blocking scheme. It’s common to every modern attack today, but in 1972 the league was slow to adapt. In the perfect season, the Dolphins had two 1,000 yard rushers with FB Larry Csonka and RB Mercury Morris. Both averaged over 5.2 yards a carry.
In 1972 the NFL moved its hash marks closer to the center of the field, doubling the number of 1000 yard rushers from the year before. That said, the Dolphins were still a better rushing machine; the champion ‘71 Cowboys, with a talented trio of Duane Thomas, Calvin Hill and Walt Garrison had a relatively balanced 57/43 run pass ratio.
The Dolphins had a 71%/29% run to pass ratio that perfect year. Bob Griese’s broken leg contributed to the run-first philosophy, but the dominance of Clark’s line had more to do with it; opponents stacked the line but the Dolphins still led the NFL in scoring, proving conservative football could be sexy.
Miami was the perfect football team for active fans; they would take the football, grind out a couple of long scoring drives, take a 14-0 lead, shorten game times to about two hours and 20 minutes and give you extra afternoon for mowing the lawn or other pursuits.
The perfect ‘07 Pats lead a different era, where you pass to win. Look at the run-pass ratios of ’07’s top four playoff seeds:
- Patriots - 43/57
- Cowboys - 44/56
- Colts - 45/55
- Packers - 41/59
It appears the Patriots, despite winning three titles this decade, have adopted one-time winner Indy’s philosophy. The Patriots didn’t load up on defense this off season, though they did sign Adalius Thomas. Instead, they copied the Colts spead game, obtaining Randy Moss, Donte Stallworth and Wes Welker for Tom Brady and scheming to outscore their opponents. In a cornerback-depleted NFL they’ve preyed on a fact the Colts have known for years — there are few teams with the secondary depth to match up with a good three-WR offense, never mind one that also has a quality receiving tight end.
Dallas has repeatedly used a pass first game plan to wear out opponents. Marion Barber made the Pro Bowl, but how often did he romp through a tired defense in the fourth quarter, after the front seven had tired itself trying to contain Tony Romo, Terrell Owens and Jason Witten?
Every one of the top seeds this year throws the ball as much, if not more than Mike Martz‘ famed Greatest Show On Turf Rams. Both Super Bowl Rams squads had 45/55 run to pass ratios. And they’re far more pass happy than the big teams from the late ’80s and ’90s:
- ‘89 49ers — 51/49
- ‘94 49ers — 49/51
- ‘95 Cowboys — 50/50
- ‘96 Packers — 46/54
- ‘98 Broncos — 52/48
It used to be an NFL maxim that you ran and played defense to win championships. Last year’s Colts defied the conventional wisdom, fielding a 23rd ranked scoring defense in their title drive. This year’s champ, barring several upsets, will ride the passing game to the Lombardi trophy.