The Saints Broke The Law Of Hill The Past Two Weeks
Actually, I did bring that up. Taysom never carried more than 7 times once until 2020. Our record: 37-11
In 2020, Taysom carried the ball 7 more times in 6 games and 3 of those were across games that he started as QB. The other 3 game were against the Bucs, 49ers, and Panthers. In the game against but the 49ers and Panthers, we were up 2 scores before Taysom registered his 4th carry. The only game where he rushing was actually significant to the win in the game that he didn't start as QB was against the Bucs.
In 2021, Taysom play in 12 games, as you pointed out. Here are the results in games where he didn't start at QB
-3-2 with JW at QB (it can be argued that the Giants game.....you know what, let me leave that alone)
-0-2 with TS
From 2017 - 2021, Taysom was responsible for:
8 passing TDS
16 Rushing TDS
7 Receiving TDS
(9 starts as QB)
From 2022 until now, Taysom is responsible for:
11 rushing TDs
3 receiving TDs
3 passing TDs
Again, when you peel back the layers, the "Law of Hill" and Taysom being seen as a cornerstone of the offense didn't come about until 2022 and Pete Carmichael.
As
@BayouSAINTJoe said
You skew the facts by making a futile attempt to dismiss the results of Hills overall production by not including his rushing numbers as a starting QB in games.
Cherry picking Hills numbers to fit a narrative may look correct in a vacuum but when looking at the totality of Taysoms production they're simply unjust.
Would anyone discuss the effectiveness of Lamar Jackson, Jalen Hurts, or Josh Allen as a rusher without including their rushing numbers from the QB position? I think not. Then consider most of their runs are not by design, rather by default in the passing game where they take off running/scrambling when numbers are to their advantage. Most of Hills runs are from the QB position as designed when the defense is stacking the box expecting it.
Afterall, Hill has attempted most of his rushing attempts lined up in the QB position. Which leads to discussing another lack of imagination from past and present coaching staffs. Taysom has been effective on the few plays in which he has been lined up as a RB, but the play callers ignore using him there more often where he could have the option to run or throw on pitch or sweep plays. The threat of passing would keep the DBs honest, but this is ignored.
You failed to mention another part of "The Law of Hill", being the 40 Yards or More Factor. In those 6 games that Hill rushed 7 times or more in 2021 as a Starting QB or Not, he Also rushed for 40 yards or more in all 6 games. The Saints Won all 6 (100%) of those games. Prior to 2022 Hill had rushed for 40 Yards or more in 9 games from 2017 to 2021 in which the Saints Won 8 and Lost 1. Keep in mind that Hill Didn't get a Single Rushing Attempt in 2017.
It is your contention that Hills production has been ramped up since the beginning of 2022, yet you cite his Total TDs from 2017-2021 at 31 and from 2022 to present at 17. This seems to contradict your claim. Adding to my point of Hills usage, let's keep in mind that TH7 doesn't get to call his own number or enter the game at his own free will. As much as Payton is revered as a genius here, let's remember that he didn't use Hill at all in 2017 and used him sparingly in 2018 and 2019. It took Payton basically 3 years to realize what he had on the sideline and finally found ways to incorporate Hill into the game plan. Can you imagine what Hills overall numbers would be today had he been used more often beginning in 2017. Is it that too hard to fathom?
I don't advocate for Hill to be featured as the cornerstone of the Saints Offense. As of now the 2 players that should be viewed as such are Alvin Kamara and Chris Olave. However, Hill could be used just a bit more in the run game as a complementary weapon and as a one-two punch with AK41.
A Career Rushing Average of 5.4 Yards Per Attempt and a Career Rushing Success Rate of 60.2% are Winning Numbers in the NFL.
For more perspective, Emmitt Smith, the NFL All-Time Leading Rusher had a Career Rushing Average of 4.2 Yards Per Attempt and a Career Rushing Success Rate of 46.2%. Barry Sanders had a Career Rushing Average of 5.0 Yards Per Attempt and a Career Rushing Success Rate of 44.1%. LaDainian Tomlinson had a Career Rushing Average of 4.3 Yards Per Attempt and a Career Rushing Success Rate of 44.4%. Adrian Peterson had a Career Rushing Average of 4.6 Yards Per Attempt and a Career Rushing Success Rate of 44.8%. I could go on.
It doesn't matter whether you're peeling back the layers or stacking them up, "The Law of Hill" is undeniable and phenomenal in its totality.
Maybe it's Causation=/=Correlation
For Sure it's Usage=/=Winning
It's Easier To SEE With Closed Eyes Than It Is To SEE With A Closed Mind. Artifactual 09/29/23