Bradshaw worried about dropoff in our running game (1 Viewer)

[jazzjack]

Expect the new FB to play plenty against Tampa and Carolina. I'd only play the starters a half at best.

 

[NPs6724]

but balance is crucial to our success in the playoffs and if we dont run the ball, we wont win......you keep talking about our defense not getting stops.....but thats why i keep saying we should keep the defense off the field

running the ball would do that....its not all about clock management all the time.....but most of the time it is.....its not all about keeping the defense rested......but most of the time it is......but its always about controlling the ball and keeping the defense off the field and keeping the ball in your possession

But we DID that yesterday. We won TOP by 13 minutes due to our offense staying on the field with our defense never getting themselves off. We were also 8/12 on 3rd down and had 0 turnovers.

Running or passing, it doesn't matter if you're keeping the ball. Are you really complaining about 36 minutes of TOP and 5 scores on 7 drives? Seriously? Because that's what it sounds like.

You don't have to rely on the running game for long drives. We showed yesterday it can be done and we did the same in past years (3rd, 9th, and 15th from '06-'08, never below 30:00). The only complaint I agree with is not running more on the final drive to make Atlanta burn timeouts before the 4th-down fake. But other than that, our offense did everything you should expect to win the game.

 

[Deuuuuce]

There is nothing wrong with our offense.....Period.

We are having one of the most productive offensive seasons in the history of the game. Its moronic to point out a lack of anything on that side of the ball right now. ALl the "run first" advocates need to realize that all season long it has been our passing game more than anything that has opened up our running game. It also should be mentioned that some of our biggest runs of the season have come on non traditional runs like reverses.

We have made a few tweaks here and there with our power running game, but I have never seen defenses as focused on pressuring the QB and covering recievers as I do when I watch them play the Saints. Two deep safety looks, defensive ends rushing straight up the field, defensive backs and even linebackers drifting off into coverage on running plays. That has opened up some big lanes for us to run through and its all because of the threat of our passing game.

The only games in which we will run the ball more than pass it are blow outs when we're killing clock early in the third quarter. You can talk about balance all you want, but our base formations are all in essence passing formations, and you'll never hear me complain about it.

 

[Saint Kamara]

Worried mainly on 3rd and really short.

Not converting many of those in the past 2 weeks.

We miss Heath Evans.

 

[Domeination]

I think we should have run more in the red zone yesterday. I think there's a definite correlation between a higher ratio of FGs to TDs and the drop off in the run game the past 2 weeks. I know Bell was out yesterday, but we had PT and Hamilton, both of whom have decent power. Payton needs to self-evaluate and get back to emphasizing the run in practice and games more in red zone situations.

 

[choozer]

My only complaint (and it's a small one) was not running the ball again on 2nd down, right after Atlanta's timeout with about 2:20 left.

That was my complaint, too. Of all the times to be running the ball, that was it. Two more times and the Falcons would have used all their timeouts.

 

[Saint Kamara]

That was my complaint, too. Of all the times to be running the ball, that was it. Two more times and the Falcons would have used all their timeouts.

Time was not going to be an issue. A team can go 75-80 yards with 2 minutes and no timeouts.

being aggressive and calling pass plays was the right call if you execute

i have to admit i wish it would have been a safer pass play like a screen or quick pass to the sideline to a WR

Everybody would have complained just the same had we run it twice and got 2 yards and kicked

 

[Wahoo]

I think we should have run more in the red zone yesterday. I think there's a definite correlation between a higher ratio of FGs to TDs and the drop off in the run game the past 2 weeks. ....

Ahhh, I have a hard time criticizing the play calls yesterday. On our first 4 red zone possessions we had 3 TDs (Brees 7-10 for 54 yds, 3 TD passes). On the fifth RZ possession (1st and goal from the 10) the intentional grounding call killed us. I guess one could argue that we should have run on first down there, but other than the previously mentioned play-calling with just over 2 minutes left, I thought Payton called a great game, especially in the RZ.

 

[NPs6724]

Ahhh, I have a hard time criticizing the play calls yesterday. On our first 4 red zone possessions we had 3 TDs (Brees 7-10 for 54 yds, 3 TD passes). On the fifth RZ possession (1st and goal from the 10) the intentional grounding call killed us. I guess one could argue that we should have run on first down there, but other than the previously mentioned play-calling with just over 2 minutes left, I thought Payton called a great game, especially in the RZ.

Some people (and I'm not talking about JG) would rather fail with the run even if it means scoring fewer points than pass. Running is "real football", "tough" and "manly". It used to win championships 30 years ago, dag gummit! Get off my lawn!!

 

[outvoted]

I really think you have to combine rushing yards with Reggie's reception yards for a true picture. Games stats show: 94 yards on the ground plus 46 in the air to Reggie = 140 "rushing" yards and that also equals not overly worried for me.

The fact that we only pounded the ball for 94 yds is indicative of Bell's absence but if your gameplan is to feature more Bush (as it was) then the pass really is an extended handoff...as everybody says ad nauseum...

I think this has to be considered right from the jump. Now if we are talking strictly ball control and/or TOP then it is always situational.
I do not have any issues with the playcalling, I have issues with so many of our key guys getting banged up. With all 3 RBs we control the ball for longer drives, without all 3, we pass a few more times.
By the way, Hamilton ran like a stud, so I think we can use him the same way we use Bell, and before we start listening to anyone who criticises, as for commentators, remember that they "normally" do not watch the games before making their "Points". They are stat heads and highlight stalkers.
So let's all breath

 

[saintslidell]

We need Mike Bell back

 

[Wahoo]

Some people (and I'm not talking about JG) would rather fail with the run even if it means scoring fewer points than pass. Running is "real football", "tough" and "manly". It used to win championships 30 years ago, dag gummit! Get off my lawn!!

In my mind, the primary reason this game ended up being close is because Payton actually went conservative in a situation he usually doesn't. Late in the 3rd quarter, after Atlanta had cut the lead to 23-16, we completed a couple of passes for a first down to our own 35. On first down Bush ran for 8 yards, then on 2nd and 2, Thomas gained one (then on third, Brees missed Shockey and we punted). That 2nd and 2 play from our 43 is where I really thought we'd go for a big one. Of course, none of us know which plays Brees checks into or out of - maybe that was a case of checking into a run and it just didn't work, but that play really surprised me at the time.

 

[CCL36]

We are beat up and we have played a good Redskin D. Hopefully we get back to the aggressive nature we had on both sides of the ball. IMO we have not been laying the licks on D (excluding Vilma) nor have we been quite as physical on the O. I think our interior 3 are a little banged up but I have confidence that Evans-Goodwin-Nicks will be moving the pile come playoffs.

 

[Domeination]

Ahhh, I have a hard time criticizing the play calls yesterday. On our first 4 red zone possessions we had 3 TDs (Brees 7-10 for 54 yds, 3 TD passes). On the fifth RZ possession (1st and goal from the 10) the intentional grounding call killed us. I guess one could argue that we should have run on first down there, but other than the previously mentioned play-calling with just over 2 minutes left, I thought Payton called a great game, especially in the RZ.

Payton has been brilliant this season and has been one of the best play callers in the league for years now, so I agree with you that he doesn't deserve much criticism. My comment was meant to be mild. I'm amazed at the confidence Payton and Brees have, and it usually pays big dividends. I just thought there were a few calls when we got down in scoring range where a run might have been more prudent. No doubt Bell's being out affected Payton's play calling in those situations. Overall, though, I agree that there's not much room for second-guessing Payton. I had no problem with the fake FG, by the way. In general, I love his aggressiveness.

 

[CHI-TOWNSAINT]

Bell was out.

Bell has been out least efficient back this year. I'm not sure him being out has anything to do with our OL failing to open up holes.