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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    When you run the ball only a handful of times, no RB gets enough carries to get into any rhythm, IMO. Greene did well in KC and in the first half against Dallas but I'll agree that Sankey deserves more work.
     
  2. CalgaryTitansFan

    CalgaryTitansFan Pro Bowler

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    Really comes down to us getting down by too much early. Last year it seemed the theme was to give up a TD on the first drive, but then tighten up. This year, tightening up isn't happening, and that's being compounded by the fact that the offence can barely get a first down. There's issues all over this team in every facet of the game, and it's very discouraging.
     
  3. titan_fan_4ever

    titan_fan_4ever Titans Rule

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    In very limited time, Sankey has looked like our best RB... He's shifty and got good vision. He's also got decent power and good speed as well. He needs some more carries early. No doubt.

    That is my opinion when 'closer looking at the run game'. Period.
     
  4. Gut

    Gut Pro Bowler

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    Finally a thread that has an informed and informative discussion!!! Valid points all around.

    Question is, do we take an unbalanced approach by running MORE? This counts on the mistakes by the OL giving up pressure, the WR's, and the QB's... not getting fixed. They SHOULD get fixed for the most part as our WR's are talented, our OL is pretty good, and our QB play should improve with less pressure and WR's making catches. We've had 3 games filled with mistakes on offense...PLENTY of tape to see all the errors!!!

    But if things don't get fixed, going to a 55% or even higher run % is not unheard of (though rare) to take pressure of the QB and OL pass pro, to control the clock (and keep our defense on the sideline), limit turnovers, and keep the score manageable. Another way to do this is to not change the playcalls but have the QB's throw more check downs, screens, bubble screens, wr screens, etc. Get the ball out of their hands and let players make plays. With McCluster and Wright...we should be able to get good YAC yards with them. Another reason for this is teams have blitzed us a lot and very effectively at times. Too many times our answer to an all out blitz was run 4 verticals and hope our QB got the ball off before he got crushed. There are just as effective ways to beat the blitz without killing our QB!

    And for helping our run game, how about a Jet sweep with McCluster coming in motion from a WR set. Seattle is awesome with this with Harvin and it really helps their inside run game by making the outside contain player not able to crash down the line so he can protect the outside sweep.

    I think we could see dramatic improvement if players just made normal plays and limit the mistakes (especially mental) and penalties. One of the other issues we are gonna need to deal with are teams doubling Walker. If we can't hurt them with our WR's (which I think we can), we are gonna need to get something else going (McCluster or Wright in space with a screen, sweep, something).
     
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  5. kenny

    kenny Starter

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    The biggest problem is our defense giving up big plays. If our defense holds we can run the ball more without having to worry about playing from behind.

    I agree Sankey should be on the field more even in passing situations. He seems to give a real spark when he is on the field. He is also showing something that a lot of others are not. A love of the game & HEART!

    I would like to see more of a balanced attack, but I would be lying if I said that I want to see the run more than the pass. I love a team with a strong vertical attack. Unfortunately we do not have that right now, so as bad as I hate to say it JC is right. (Man that hurt worse than I thought.) Until we get the QB, OL, & WRs on the same page we need to run hard until they force us to pass.
     
  6. Deuce Wayne

    Deuce Wayne NOW Y'ALL GET THE MESSICH?!

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    Run game is really the only thing that looks good.

    ... so of course we simply stop utilizing it.
     
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  7. TitanJeff

    TitanJeff Kahuna Grande Staff

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    Bring back Fisherball! ;)

    Funny how many here complained for seasons over how little the Titans passed the football. "The Titans are playing a style of offense which is obsolete". They bring in a pass-oriented head coach and now he's passing too much.

    Seriously, if the Titans could keep a game close beyond the middle of the second quarter, they'll run a lot more. Balance is the key. See the KC game - 38 runs, 32 passes. When the game is close, Whiz is going to take what the defense gives him.

    Which is exactly what happened last Sunday... except Wright fell and lost the football. I think Whiz wants to extend the run game by going with the high percentage plays like that. I'm hopeful we'll get a better idea of the true Whiz offense over the next four games and, I suspect, it'll be much closer to 55/45 with a lot of quick passes designed to get 4-5 yards.

    Isn't that always the case? The team that makes the fewest mistakes usually wins? After being +3 in the turnover ratio after the KC game, the Titans are now -1 on the season. Last year, when the Titans were taking care of the football, they started out 3-1.
     
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  8. JCBRAVE

    JCBRAVE goTitans 2019 Survivor Champion

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    TJ, we dont have a great passer, wake up.
     
  9. TitanJeff

    TitanJeff Kahuna Grande Staff

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    Wright fumbled the football. The pass was already completed. Hunter blew another catchable pass. Wash doesn't see a ball that nearly racks him.

    The passer wasn't the problem last Sunday.
     
  10. JCBRAVE

    JCBRAVE goTitans 2019 Survivor Champion

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    No kidding...
     
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