Quote:
Originally Posted by barrett
Forget the "Jumbo" package. Trading out our OL for the guys not good enough to get on the field is not the mysterious answer.
Just stop running the ball in general.
1) We need to stop trying to establish the run. We can't. We come out and try to be balanced and start slow. This past game we came out throwing and moved the ball.
2) We need to stop running in the redzone. We can't do it. We can throw it in tight. Why not throw the screen to AJ on 1st and goal like last week. Why not go to OD or Slaton? I'd take a fade to either AJ or Walter (both are big with great hands) over a run from anyone on our team.
3) We need to stop running in short yardage unless it's close enough for a sneak. This has cost us repeatedly. Our odds of completing a short, medium, or long pass are all greater than our odds of running for a yard on 3rd and 1. Our QB completes a higher % of his throws than we convert running it on 3rd and 1. So have Schaub complete 65% of his throws for first downs on 3rd and 1 rather than running with a 25% conversion rate.
4) We especially need to stop running the ball in an effort to sit on a lead. What runs more clock? A 3 and out with running plays (2 minutes or so without TOs being used), or a few first downs through the air? Obviously the latter. Statistically we use more clock when we pass this year than when we run (due to longer drives and more plays). So why not throw a screen or a hitch or a swing pass on 1st and 10 when we want to hold the ball and eat clock. Especially since our RBs fumble just as often as our QB throws an INT.
There is no need for us to run the ball any more often than is absolutely necessary to protect Schaub. We definitely didn't need 31 carries yesterday. It is almost like Kubiak knows he has to throw the ball to win but he is still going to run it simply because it is the "right" thing to do. Like the drive yesterday where our offense was in the middle of an unstoppable stretch throwing the ball and we came out and went 1 yard run, -1 yard run, incomplete pass, punt. What is the point? I don't think there is a team out there with the secondary talent to match up with the depth of our passing game weapons (AJ, Walter, Daniels, JJ, DA). All of these guys can play. Not to mention Slaton is better as a receiver than a runner. I love Leech as a lead blocker but there is no reason for him to see the field in our current offense.
We could have given that game away by trying to sit on the lead with the running game. And eventually Kubiak is going to run the ball right into getting fired.
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I hope that Kubiak and company take note of what happened today. We threw the ball to get a big lead and then tried to sit on it. Neither our Defense or Running game are up to the task. We need to keep throwing it and put teams away. Especially with Slaton's tendency to fumble.