What happened to our running game?

[Chach]

Seriously. I know Maroney looked tentative this season but he had some nice runs last night. Why the hell is the team not running the ball and Faulk is out there like 50% of the time? Unless they can keep teams honest with the ground game I think games like tonight are going to be much more common. McFadden and Offensive line help, here we come. mahalo
~Chach~

[Basketball Jesus]

Um, what are you talking about? The Patriots are eighth in the league in rushing attempts, first in rushing DVOA (per-play metric). Under Belichick, they

[Boston's Future]

For the first time in about, well ever.. I'll agree with Chach... our running game sucks. Its going to be our downfall, we can't control the clock, and its easy for teams to defends the pass when the pats are spread 5 wide with no one in the back field alongside Brady. Maroney is a bust, he needs to learn to hit the hole hard instead of just dancing around, Faulk is a nice change up back, not a full time RB, and Heath Evans is Heath Evans. I know that the Pats need LB help, but McFadden sounds really nice right now with that 1st rounder we have from San Fran

[CeltsfaninDC]

Seriously. I know Maroney looked tentative this season but he had some nice runs last night. Why the hell is the team not running the ball and Faulk is out there like 50% of the time? Unless they can keep teams honest with the ground game I think games like tonight are going to be much more common. McFadden and Offensive line help, here we come. mahalo
~Chach~

I honestly believe they are saving him for the playoff run. He has had a few nagging injuries and they know he is it (now that Morris is out for the season). If they can keep his carries down now, he will be fresh and injury free for the playoffs. The last thing this team needs is a banged up running back in Dec/Jan

[Chach]

Um, what are you talking about? The Patriots are eighth in the league in rushing attempts, first in rushing DVOA (per-play metric). Under Belichick, they

[Basketball Jesus]

Two bad match-ups, mostly. The Eagles are a smart blitzing team, which put a lot of pressure on the tackles. Light and Kaczur have had a lot of trouble this season handling blitz pick-ups on the outside as well as dealing with speedy rushers off the end. So the Patriots bread and butter running play, the draw, had a tough time developing since the defense was already in the backfield and on the back before Brady even had a chance to sell the fake pass play.

The Ravens are just a great defense (third in run defense DVOA, second in overall defensive DVOA). Kelly Gregg is having an all-pro season and Halio Ngata is quite adept at muscling his way into the backfield (he absolutely abused Light and Mankins for much of Monday night). Add to that one of the best linebacker corps in the league, strong winds making the vertical game nearly impossible, and a case of the bumbles by Patriots receivers, and there was no way the Patriots were going to be able to establish a good ground game.

That said, Maroney looked pretty good on Monday. More physical than he

[sunshinekids99]

I agree with you BBJ, I thought Maroney was pretty good as well. He had the dancing around problem at times in college, so I'm not surprised he does it now. Somebody needs to get into his head to pick a hole and go with it.

He's also pretty lucky that Sammy Morris is out. If Morris was healthy, he's the guy right now.

[Chach]

See, I don't really mind the dancing around part as long as he hits the hole hard once he picks it. I'd rather a patient back than someone who just picks a hole instantly and then buries into the crowd for a 2 yard gain because he can't wait half a second to see the hole open to his left.

I was hoping it was just a matter of match-ups but I know that Maroney had issues with not hitting the hole hard enough and with Sammy Morris out of the season, I was worried that Maroney continued to suck and they simply abandoned the run because they didn't have any horse to ride for it. Glad to hear that's not the case. mahalo
~Chach~

[HCYanks]

See, I don't really mind the dancing around part as long as he hits the hole hard once he picks it. I'd rather a patient back than someone who just picks a hole instantly and then buries into the crowd for a 2 yard gain because he can't wait half a second to see the hole open to his left.

The problem is I don't think he has the luxury of thinking much at the line of scrimmage, because the second he draws heavy coverage, he's done. That's why he's dangerous with an open hole and crap in short yardage situations.

I mentioned this in the GB game thread, but i'd love to see how he does as a slot back on a few plays a game. Brady had a couple check downs to Maroney against the Ravens for big gains; I wonder if it would work on a consistent basis.

[sunshinekids99]

See, I don't really mind the dancing around part as long as he hits the hole hard once he picks it. I'd rather a patient back than someone who just picks a hole instantly and then buries into the crowd for a 2 yard gain because he can't wait half a second to see the hole open to his left.

I understand what you are saying, but he's just taking too much time. Just seems to passive to me, I'd rather him just attack and see what happens.

[Chach]

-= original quote snipped =-



I understand what you are saying, but he's just taking too much time. Just seems to passive to me, I'd rather him just attack and see what happens.

Except he did exactly what I wanted him to do on Monday night. He didn't barrel into his offensive linemen, he hesitated just for a moment then hit the hole and hit it hard. Sometimes he got two yards, other times he got 8. That's what I want from my RB. He doesn't have to dance behind the line, just a moment's wait to see what develops is all I ask from him. It seemed earlier in the season that he would hesitate and hesitate and hesitate and THEN hit the hole and by that time, every gap is filled. mahalo
~Chach~

[sunshinekids99]

He was much better on MNF. He's showed at times that he can be one hell of a running back. Perhaps it was him just not sure about his injury and he was a step too late.