Is the running game overrated as part of the modern NFL? (1 Viewer)

SuperSaint

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I'm beginning to wonder if the running game has become an anachronistic part of the NFL?

Maybe we should be running 4 WR sets the majority of the time.

Other than token RB carries to keep up time of possession, it seems like the current rules favor all-out passing attacks, if you have an elite QB that can execute it.
 
No and the answer is pretty simple.

This game is always a play on action & reaction.

The moment you start focusing purely on the pass as an offense are you forcing the defense to adjust to that.

The result will be faster and more mobile defensive players and defensive scemes and playplanning that will counter that. You actually making the live easier for a DC.

Sure we do see a shift towards the passing game since several years but that is also because it is more attractive for the fans ... compared to a ground game with 1-3 yards per carry.
 
As a definitive means of production? Yes.

But you still need defenses to respect the PA. The exception is if you are built like the Patriots and have a guy like Edelman who is uncoverable under 10 yards.
 
I think it's underrated. Running backs have been heading toward obsolescence for years, with teams devaluing them in the draft and whatnot. But the fact is a good running back can ice a game for you. They can be the difference in holding a 1 TD lead for the 4th quarter using clock control and having a 3 and out, giving the opposing team extra opportunities.
 
Have to keep the defense honest by switching it up. But I think it's a good thing to do in the 4th quarter other than running the clock out we need to keep our foot on the pedal
 
I also think it's underrated. With a strong running game, one team can physically impose it's will on another team and control the game, as well as open up the passing game. A strong running game can wear down a defense later in the game. A good running game can also be important in bad weather and late-year games in the snow, wind, and rain.

It's not as exciting to watch as big passing plays, however, and it seems that passing is what the fans and the league wants.
 
My thought for a few years now has been that if a team goes hard for an old school power run offense they will have great success right now. Of course they would need a run oriented O line as well as a versatile power back.

My reasoning is that as defenses are built to defend the passing attack they are forced to put more emphasis a DB, and somewhat smaller LB that can cover more ground. DE and OLB are pass rush specialist. A big run oriented OL and RB should be able to power through the "smaller" defenders and wear them down with a bruising attack.

Another advantage would be that the first team that makes this switch back to the run would have a much bigger pool of top talent for those skill players because teams right now are looking for more versatile OL for pass protection and RB with more speed and pass catching skills.

3 yards and a cloud of rubber pellets would be good to see right now.
 
no matter how well you can pass, you still need the running back to ice games for you. that part can't change. if you do nothing but pass, it can be exciting but a coaches nightmare. no lead is safe at the end of the game.
 
Over rated as an offensive tool.

Under rated as a way to help your defense.

Under rated as a way to close out and win games.

Under rated as a means to beat up and demoralize the opponent.

Under rated as a means to make your OL feel dominant and aggressive.
 
Statistically, it's clear that teams should be relying on passing over running. A good passing team will earn at least 4,000 yards through the air in a given season. A good rushing team will gain 1900 yards on the ground.

That means twice as many passing yards as rushing.

But 1,900 yards isn't nothing. Most teams won't win a game unless they have at least 1,000 rushing yards.

It seems to me that while teams should focus on passing, running should be used strategically. A good run game forces teams to play more players up front. It can also be devastating against the blitz, since an RB that slips past the blitz suddenly has lots of room to run.

The run is also useful situationally, such as in 3rd and short and 3rd and goal, when you really don't want to lose yardage. Runs lose yardage less often than the pass, because you can't give up a sack.

But I think the greatest value of the run is that it tends to work better later in games, when defenses wear down. Many good running teams pile up their numbers in the fourth quarter. Fourth quarter running can control the clock, solidifies field position (again, because a sack is not possible), and wears out defenses because you are taking direct shots at the D Line.

It is easier to close out a game when you can run, much easier. On the flip side, it is almost impossible to close out a game when you either can't run, or can't stop the run.

So I guess I would say the run game is not quite as important as it once was, but it is still very valuable, especially for protecting a lead in the 4th quarter.
 
There are rules advantages to the passing game in the modern NFL.

Most flags on a passing play are on the defense.
Most flags on a running play are on the offense.

You can complete a pass without completing the pass which makes it more efficient than in golden days.
 
The Raiders long run was the turning point in last week's game.

Conversely, if we could have ran the ball successfully against OAK in the 4th quarter, we could have kept our depleted DB's off the field. We could have coasted to an easy win with a few running 1st downs in the 4th.
 
My thought for a few years now has been that if a team goes hard for an old school power run offense they will have great success right now. Of course they would need a run oriented O line as well as a versatile power back.

My reasoning is that as defenses are built to defend the passing attack they are forced to put more emphasis a DB, and somewhat smaller LB that can cover more ground. DE and OLB are pass rush specialist. A big run oriented OL and RB should be able to power through the "smaller" defenders and wear them down with a bruising attack.

Another advantage would be that the first team that makes this switch back to the run would have a much bigger pool of top talent for those skill players because teams right now are looking for more versatile OL for pass protection and RB with more speed and pass catching skills.

3 yards and a cloud of rubber pellets would be good to see right now.

I think thats why Seattle had such success recently. The power run with Lynch was tearing through defenses. Even the 49ers defense couldn't fully stop it.
 
who was it that said "when you throw the ball, three things can happen and two of them are bad"?
 

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