Closer look at the run game

Discussion in 'Tennessee Titans and NFL Talk' started by TitanJeff, Sep 30, 2014.

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  1. TitanJeff

    TitanJeff Kahuna Grande Staff

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    Let's address this "need to run the ball more" argument. Remember, Whiz likes to use the short passing game like the run game. He's going to dink and dunk the high percentage pass which gets a player in space.

    So, on the surface, I don't expect to see a totally balanced offense in Whiz's offense.

    The other issue is that few teams will run the ball as much when they are down big. In their three losses, here is the situation:


    DALLAS
    Greene has a nice first half with 44 yards but the Titans are down 16-0.

    The Titans offense runs a total of nine plays the first quarter with two of those being punts. Of the remaining seven, three are runs of 5, -1 and 7. That's pretty balanced. The Titans O can't stay on the field. In the second quarter, they run 18 offensive plays four being punts. The breakdown is 10 passes with only four runs. That sounds one-sided but the Titans were down 10-0 two minutes into that quarter and 13-0 midway.

    Entering the third quarter down 16-0, Whiz tries to get the O going by putting Jake in the shotgun and got a field goal. That was a solid drive of three runs and five passes.

    When the Titans got the game to 16-10 in the third, the defense melted. Jake throws his second pick the next series and, with the defense gassed, can't get off the field and Dallas expands their lead. Whiz abandons the run.


    CINCINNATI
    In the Titans first drive, four plays to the RB, five passes. The runs were 0, 2, 5 and 2. The next drive, two runs and two passes. Runs of 20 and 1. Next drive, four runs to four passes. The next, two runs and one pass. The next, one run to two pass.

    At this point, the offense is balanced and the run game isn't any more effective than the passing game. Once the Bengals went up 19-0, any NFL will coach is going to pass the football.


    INDIANAPOLIS
    First drive is two runs and two passes. The runs are 3 and 0. The pass to Wright who fumbles is typical Whiz extending the pass game with a short pass.

    Next series, already down 14-0, Whiz goes one run to three passes before the Hunter pick. Next time the Titans get the ball, it's 17-0. I don't blame Whiz for going more pass heavy at this point but he still runs McCluster on first down who only gets one yard. 2nd-and-9 isn't going to get too many conversions. The run game isn't effective at this point in the game.

    Down 20-10, the Titans get the ball and start out with a run of one yard. Whitehurst converts on a 3rd-and-8 by scrambling. Another run on first down gets six with Sankey. At this point, I continue to run the football, keep Luck on the sideline while giving the defense more rest. I suspect the Colts were playing to stop the run so Whiz takes a shot which falls incomplete. Next play is a sack so the Titans punt, the Colts score, and the score is 27-10. Three scores behind.

    But Whiz calls another run on first down the next drive. Sankey gets three. Another sack and the Colts get the ball and go up 34-10, go soft on D and allow the Titans to run the ball all they want the rest of the game because they know it'll take more time for the Titans to score. I think what we saw at that point from the run game is very misleading.


    CONCLUSION
    When the game is close, the Titans run game has not been as productive as many think. Whiz has called a lot of runs on first down with limited success. Mix that in with poor QB/WR and horrible defensive play and you have too many lopsided scores by the second quarter to run the football.
     
    #1 TitanJeff, Sep 30, 2014
    Last edited: Sep 30, 2014
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  2. Alzarius

    Alzarius Pro Bowler Tip Jar Donor

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    Good write up and you're on target.
     
  3. JCBRAVE

    JCBRAVE goTitans 2019 Survivor Champion

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    But the scores dont get lopsided if we pace ourselves and score when we can score. The RB's and Walker are all we really have at the moment, the WR's/QB's has SUCKED, take the game out of their hands!
     
  4. TitanJeff

    TitanJeff Kahuna Grande Staff

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    Go to the NFL box scores of those games and download the Gamebooks. You can read every play Whiz calls and he's calling run a lot on first down. The run game has put the offense in second-and-long too often.
     
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  5. JCBRAVE

    JCBRAVE goTitans 2019 Survivor Champion

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    IDK how in depth youre looking into that, Im currently combing thru the Indy game and we only called 4 running plays the entire 1st half for gains of 3, 0, 6, and 1. Those are all manageable 2nd downs we go on to screw up by passing.

    Throwing the football is not a strength of this teams no matter how bad Whiz wishes it was. He needs to adjust.
     
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  6. TitanJeff

    TitanJeff Kahuna Grande Staff

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    So you abandon the pass even when you're down by two scores?

    Look at the situations. The first two runs are 0 and 3 before the fumble. Whiz is clearly wanting to establish the run up to the stupid fumble by Wright. Next time they see the ball, they're down 14-0. Whiz runs the football and gets six. Maybe you keep running against the Colts there but you have a total of ONE successful run of three called and a whopping total of five offensive plays at that point.

    The play that came after to Hunter was there. He makes the catch and the Titans likely go back to the run.

    Next time they get the ball, it's 17-0 and Whiz STILL runs the ball on first down and it does squat. Now you have ONE decent run out of four called and a very balanced offense.

    2nd-and-9 down 17-0 and you want another run?
     
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  7. JCBRAVE

    JCBRAVE goTitans 2019 Survivor Champion

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    Im actually reviewing each and every run this year (all 95 of them) as we speak and its looking VERY promising to me that running is the way to go. Only one bad run all year for a -1-yard loss, everything else is encouraging. At least when we run we arent turning the ball over or losing yards. Ill show you what Im talking about when Im done.
     
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  8. TitanJeff

    TitanJeff Kahuna Grande Staff

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    So only negative runs are bad? I know you can't be serious.

    Focus on the three losses. Everything was working on both sides of the ball in the opener. You didn't have anyone complaining about anything after that game. Also, be sure the scrambles don't get mixed in as they're generally pass plays.
     
    #8 TitanJeff, Sep 30, 2014
    Last edited: Sep 30, 2014
  9. JCBRAVE

    JCBRAVE goTitans 2019 Survivor Champion

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    Alright so check it, we ran the ball 19 times on 1st downs vs KC (not including scrambles) and averaged 4.4-yards doing it

    runsvskc.jpg
     
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  10. JCBRAVE

    JCBRAVE goTitans 2019 Survivor Champion

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    Vs Dallas we ran 7 times on 1st downs averaging 7.1-yards

    runsvsdal.jpg
     
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