The Running Game

[richpjr]

The Ravens lead the league in rushing by a wide margin, averaging 204 yards per game on the ground. Obviously, it's because of their QB, who leads the team in rushing yards and is 6th in the league. He is backed up by a decent RB corps, spearheaded by Mark Ingram, who is 11th in the league in rushing yards. The Ravens are 5-2 and went to Seattle and dominated the 'Hawks in a 30-16 win. The Patriots play in Baltimore tomorrow night. That is going to be a fascinating game to watch. If the Ravens win, it will be a further validation of their style of offense with Lamar Jackson IMO.

The Chargers have personnel to run that type of offense successfully IMO, but it will require a change at QB. Tyrod Taylor, in his three prime years in Buffalo, ran for 1,575 yards and scored 14 rushing TDs. He did it in a more traditional passing offense, not the type of offense Baltimore is running now where the QB is a RB. Taylor also averaged 3,000 passing yards per season during those three seasons and threw 51 TD passes against 16 INTs. IMO, if the Chargers fail to turn the offense around in the next four games before the bye, and are out of realistic playoff contention, they should use the bye to design a new run-heavy offense around Taylor (yes that means benching Rivers). I think with Ekeler, Gordon and JJ, the Chargers' RB corps is superior to the Ravens. Think of the possibilities of a Ravens-style offense with Taylor and these three RBs. And Taylor is a much more accomplished passer than Jackson.

The only way Taylor starts a game this season is if Rivers is hurt. The Bills drafted a replacement for him, benched him and then let him walk for a reason.

[SDBORN]

I think you are wrong. I think Lynn believes the team has to run to be successful and that in his mind, Gordon is the best running back on the team. The offense worked best last year when Gordon was our starting RB and Ekeler was our 3rd down back. Most of us fans are over Gordon and want more Ekeler and Jackson. But Jackson has been hurt and if you look at Ekeler's number running behind our crappy oline in the past 3 games, he is average less than 2.2 yards per carry. It almost doesn't matter who is our RB with the way we are blocking.

Agree with Lynn believing Gordon to be his best back and the focal point of the offense. It's a huge fault and very stubborn at this point. It's costing us games over relying on
what the run game brings with this personnel.

We were 4-0 without Gordon last year. We were 8 and 4 with him in. This year we have lost every game Gordon has been in if I'm not mistaken. We have been figured out.

It is not just the plays we are running, but when we are running them and how often they are being run. I think our offense has just become plain predictable to opposing defenses. This isn't a team with the personnel on the oline to say '' this is what we are running now stop us ''. Because more often than not they will get set, key in and know exactly what we are trying to do prior to the snap, when we will snap it and succeed in stopping it. If the fans can see it, coaches can too.

We have one of the slowest moving (play clock grinding - 31st in the league) and most predictable offenses in the league. This doesn't help when the defense stays on the field all day - it actually limits the number of possessions we have per quarter on offense. The only way I see any saving grace this season is if the offense is moves to a no huddle, up tempo style offense starting this Sunday.

The short to intermediate pass early to open up the run game later. Running on early downs is continously shut down and is expected.
The Rivers 7 step drops for deep throws repeatedly aren't helping either because our oline can't hold up. The shorter passing game should be used to open up the run game at this point IMO. Run first spells doom for this oline.

[Velo]

The only way Taylor starts a game this season is if Rivers is hurt. The Bills drafted a replacement for him, benched him and then let him walk for a reason.

What was that reason exactly? Because when you look what he did in Buffalo, there is nothing to suggest he is the reason they weren't more successful while he was there. Two of the last four Super Bowls were won by QBs who were reclamation projects after being released.

[jubei]

Well Lynn doubled-down yesterday at his presser that we have to run the ball to be successful.

He said he didn't want to be an 8-8 or 9-7 team that throws the ball all around.

I would take 9-7 for this season but if we aren't built to run, why do it?

I would not take a 9-7 record. It doesnt get the team into the postseason and then nets us an even lower draft pick. If we're not gonna make the playoffs I wouldnt want the team wasting wins to look good on paper but then get stuck with a middling pick.

[jamrock]

What was that reason exactly? Because when you look what he did in Buffalo, there is nothing to suggest he is the reason they weren't more successful while he was there. Two of the last four Super Bowls were won by QBs who were reclamation projects after being released.

Are you counting Peyton?

[PMR9FAN]

I would not take a 9-7 record. It doesnt get the team into the postseason and then nets us an even lower draft pick. If we're not gonna make the playoffs I wouldnt want the team wasting wins to look good on paper but then get stuck with a middling pick.

9-7 might get us in.

Tanking the the season isn't cool ...

[Topcat]

9-7 might get us in.

Tanking the the season isn't cool ...

Yep. All this talk about "tanking" is totally illogical, unethical, AND if it did indeed happen, would be similar to the baseball Chicago "Black Sox" scandal...seriously?

[richpjr]

What was that reason exactly? Because when you look what he did in Buffalo, there is nothing to suggest he is the reason they weren't more successful while he was there. Two of the last four Super Bowls were won by QBs who were reclamation projects after being released.

Did you ever watch him play? He struggles reading defenses. If his first read isn't there he he doesn't know what to do and takes off running or gets sacked. He doesn't make many mistakes but also doesn't make many big plays. He is right where he should be - a backup.

[richpjr]

Here are our stats running the ball in the 8 games this year:

vs Colts: 21 rushes for 125 yards and a 6.0 average
vs Lions: 25 rushes for 137 yards and a 5.5 average
vs Texans: 18 rushes for 73 yards and a 4.1 average
vs Dolphins: 33 rushes for 79 yards and a 2.4 average
vs Broncos: 16 rushes for 35 yards and a 2.2 average
vs Steelers: 14 rushes for 32 yards and a 2.3 average
vs Titans: 21 rushes for 39 yards and a 1.9 average
vs Bears: 12 rushes for 36 yards and a 3.0 average

We are now in historically bad status:

[Boltjolt]

Here are our stats running the ball in the 8 games this year:

vs Colts: 21 rushes for 125 yards and a 6.0 average
vs Lions: 25 rushes for 137 yards and a 5.5 average
vs Texans: 18 rushes for 73 yards and a 4.1 average
vs Dolphins: 33 rushes for 79 yards and a 2.4 average
vs Broncos: 16 rushes for 35 yards and a 2.2 average
vs Steelers: 14 rushes for 32 yards and a 2.3 average
vs Titans: 21 rushes for 39 yards and a 1.9 average
vs Bears: 12 rushes for 36 yards and a 3.0 average

We are now in historically bad status:

Had the first TD call by Gordon stood, we would of had 40 yards lol.

[jubei]

IMO 9-7 does not get the bolts in. anything less than at least a wildcard means nothing other than a lower draft pick. of COURSE i want us to win...at least enough to get into the wildcard rd. but let's not forget that this team is not really good right now and winning just to say you dont have a losing record nets us nothing good IRL. now if they win out, or at least enough to make the wildcard, then EXCELLENT and I'm all for that. I just dont know where that what in the win column nets us at least a WC spot.
the ONLY reason we won today was the ineptitude that is the bears...they almost pulled off at the half what the bolts did to end the game last week. color me not impressed at all with this win other than a decent job by the oline with their protection.

[jamrock]

Here are our stats running the ball in the 8 games this year:

vs Colts: 21 rushes for 125 yards and a 6.0 average
vs Lions: 25 rushes for 137 yards and a 5.5 average
vs Texans: 18 rushes for 73 yards and a 4.1 average
vs Dolphins: 33 rushes for 79 yards and a 2.4 average
vs Broncos: 16 rushes for 35 yards and a 2.2 average
vs Steelers: 14 rushes for 32 yards and a 2.3 average
vs Titans: 21 rushes for 39 yards and a 1.9 average
vs Bears: 12 rushes for 36 yards and a 3.0 average

We are now in historically bad status:

On the bright side our average increased greatly