jimmac
Pro-Bowler
Offline
New England was 27th in the league rushing in the 2003 season at 100.4 yards per game.
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I try to be accurate when I'm arguing a point, Joseph. There is a time for opinion based answers, and a time where an answer should be backed up with documentation.
They also had some pretty solid defenses (much better than ours) to go along with Brady, and their O was still more balanced than ours.
By the way, in their first SB victory season (2001), they had a very balanced attack:
482 passing plays, and 473 running. I'd say that's balanced.
Finally, and contrary to what you wrote, in their 2001 SB season, A Smith was an 1157 yd rusher for the season, not a sub 1000 yd rusher as you indicated...
Okay. If we really want to start claiming past Super Bowl teams' pass/run differential, we can look at:
Run/Pass:
New England 2001: 49/51
St. Louis 2001: 43/57
Tampa Bay 2002: 42/58
Oakland 2002: 40/60
New England 2003: 47/53
Carolina 2003: 53/47
New England 2004: 52/48
Philadelphia 2004: 41/59
Pittsburgh 2005: 59/41
Seattle 2005: 52/48
5-year average for Super Bowl teams (total aggregate of all regular season plays for all 10 teams): 4679 rush, 5103 pass = 47.8% rush, 52.2% pass.
Yes, here is a semblance of balance, but it is also important to note that there have been teams with the following percentages of pass plays making the Super Bowl in the last 5 years: 57, 58, 60, 59.
Now there's some analysis.
Sorry, guidry, but I have to disagree with you. The reason we'd want to run the ball more, and most importantly, run it more effectively, is because you don't go very far into the post season just on the arm of your QB, not matter how good he is.
Don't get me wrong. I am thrilled with Drew's numbers, but I also know that while it's great for highlight material, we have to get a little more balanced. 42% runs vs. 58% passing is not very balanced.
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throwing the ball is the most effective and consistent way for us to move the ball down the field.