Football Myth "must run to set up the pass" (1 Viewer)

TCEd

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This has nothing to do with how our Saints are running & passing, just thought it was interesting.

Fact or Fiction?

I'm watching the NFLN & they have a show on the Top 10 Football Myths, they just did this one, "You must run to set up the pass", which I completely thought was fact, but about 80% of the guys they were talking to, former coaches & players, all say it's fiction & pointed out several teams, including the recent SB with the Cards being ranked 32nd in running, yet made it to the big game.

In fact, they pointed out that in most cases, it's the other way around, that passing the ball, case in point of our Saints, that opens up the run. They all agreed its good to have a balance, but that running late in a game to close, again thinking about our team, makes a greater impact than trying to use the run to open up the pass.

They pointed out that many teams who totally commit the idea of run to set up the pass, often get behind in games, at which point they have to abandon the run game.

As I said, I've always believe the statement (you must run to set up the pass) to be the most imporatant, but now I'm not so sure. I think it also depends on the team itself & what it's strengths are, but I would agree that pass can set up the run better than the former.

What do you guys think?
 
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This has nothing to do with how our Saints are running & passing, just thought it was interesting.

Fact or Fiction?

I'm watching the NFLN & they have a show on the Top 10 Football Myths, they just did this one, "You must run to set up the pass", which I completely though was fact, but about 80% of the guys they were talking to, former coaches & players, all say it's fiction & pointed out several teams, including the recent SB with the Cards being ranked 32nd in running, yet made it to the big game.

In fact, they pointed out that in most cases, it's the other way around, that passing the ball, case in point of our Saints, that opens up the run. They all agreed its good to have a balance, but that running late in a game to close, again thinking about our team, makes a greater impact than trying to use the run to open up the pass.

They pointed out that many teams who totally commit the idea of run to set up the pass, often get behind in games, at which point they have to abandon the run game.

As I said, I've always believe the statement (you must run to set up the pass) to be the most imporatant, but now I'm not so sure. I think it also depends on the team itself & what it's strengths are, but I would agree that pass can set up the run better than the former.

What do you guys think?

I think we have successfully proven that, with the right scheme/talent, you can pass to set up the run. However, I think a good balance is a necessity to open up your full range of options (play action pass, misdirections, screens). While I'll agree that you have to run to set up the pass is false, it doesn't mean the opposite is true either. Its about balance and I think our success this year has proven that. Imagine if we had this amount of success running the ball last year...how many of those games could we have closed out?
 
The threat should be there.

AZ ran it better in the playoffs than they did in the regular season. Remember that they won the division at 9-7, almost by default, because the rest of the division was so bad. Then caught fire in the playoffs, as well as a meltdown by Carolina's QB.

Our offense has been terrific because of a dynamite QB, who has been helped out by the perceived threat of a strong run (at first Reggie, now Thomas/Bell). We all know the threat isn't always there, but if it's perceived, then it's enough to keep that extra guy out of coverage and keying on the wrong guys.
 
I don't think it completely false, you can win in many different ways but running to set up the pass have proven to be the most consistently successful way. Passing to set up the run can work and allow a team to control the ball but it doesn't give you the same "big play potential". Running before your pass open up the deep throws and by forcing the D to play at the line, it opens up the second level for long gain on the ground as well.
 
In today's NFL, it's a myth. Back in the day, not so much, but the game has changed a lot, even since the 70s.

Now, you pass to secure the lead and you run to keep it.
 
Fact.....play action sucks the linebackers in creating a wide open middle for passing.
 
you dont have to run to set up the pass....but it is definitly beneficial to the passing game

when you establish the run you make the defense bring in run blitzes and bring the DBs up to the box....that opens up the field for the passing game and means 1 on 1 coverages, deep zones open, and a lot more passing yardage

the same with the pass openning up the run.....you pass to spread out the field....then with less LBs on the field you can run the ball more effectively

its not a fact that you must establish one to open up the other.....but utilizing both helps and its definitly not a myth
 
You do whatever is working.

One of the guys said it best. "Why bang your head against the wall when you can take 4 steps and go around it."

Take what the defenses are giving you. If it's the run then run. If it's the pass then pass. Stubbornly setting up the run when it's not there will just lead to you being down by 3 TD's by the time you finally have it "established."
 
I think it's all about scheme and matchups. You put your team in the best position to take advantage of what you see across the field on defense. You see a 3 man rush and 2 deep, you run the ball. You see a blitz, you screen or draw. You see 9 guys stacked on the LOS with one on one coverage on the ends, you look to throw, preferably downfield. You want to put pressure on the defense, make them doubt their scheme, and spend that extra second thinking about what they are trying to do.

These are things we as a team to extremely well.
 
You can't do well consistently relying solely on one form of offense, whether it be passing or running. If you can't pass, you can't come back from large deficits or compete in shootouts. If you can't run, you have a hard time closing out games. If your offense is a one-trick pony, you will have problems.
 
In today's NFL, it's a myth. Back in the day, not so much, but the game has changed a lot, even since the 70s.

Now, you pass to secure the lead and you run to keep it.


True,,,

What it boils down to is you need to have a serious run and a serious
pass threat to force defenses to play you honestly. Not to say
that you need a dynamite running game, just good enough to keep
defenses from pinning their ears back on 2nd and 3rd down and medium yardage.
 
Since we clearly set the run up with our passing game and have the top offense in the NFL, obviously it's a myth.
 
The maxim "You must run to set up the pass" clearly is a myth, which I think was repeated time and again by obstinate coaches who did not feel comfortable learning the complexities of modern passing offenses.

And I think Mike Ditka falls into the above category.
 
The Gulf Coast offense proves this to be myth. This isn't the NFL ten years ago...
 

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