Run the Ball + Stop the Run = Success | FinHeaven - Miami Dolphins Forums

Run the Ball + Stop the Run = Success

AJ Duhe

AJ Duhe

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It's funny. With all the emphasis on the NFL becoming a passing league, look at what's happening in the playoffs. It seems to bear out every single year. When the weather gets cold and more importantly the refs allow tighter coverage in the playoffs, being able to run the ball and stop the run become big factors in winning. Just on a whim, I went to the stats to look at the top 10 teams in each category. Very telling. http://www.nfl.com/stats/team?seasonId=2013&seasonType=REG&Submit=Go
 
But you have to pass to win in the regular season.
 
You need to have a balance. Balanced teams are the most successful. I've always been a bigger fan of running the ball effectively than anything else. It gives you so many more options.
 
There is no question, that teams effectively run the ball and have "balance" are going to be more effective. There were two things from yesterdays games that stood out to me on this subject...

* Seahawks had a 3rd and 9 at about their own 15 year line. They called an interior line misdirection running play on third down and picked up 10 yards. Obviously, the defense was expecting pass.....but the fact that Seattle has a strong running game and had the confidence to call this play gave them the flexibility to catch the defense off guard and use a low risk play deep in their own end to keep the drive going. Impressive.

* Patriots actually drew up a game plan against the Colts that was heavily weighted towards the run. Again, when you play Tom Brady, you think of his passing abilities and plan for that.....but the ability to run the ball gave them the flexibility to use the entire play book against the Colts. This actually helped the Pats passing game as it kept the Colts defense guessing and it showed.

While all teams talk about running the ball and balance......we actually saw a lot of that yesterday by teams that actually can do it.

I also agree with the posting above, that you need to throw the ball more to win in the regular season. But when the weather turns bad in December and January and good teams have game planned to stop your passing attack.....you had better be able to run the ball to be successful.
 
It is a QB driven league, but you can help the Qb immensely by running the ball well and stopping the run. By running the ball it slows a pass rush down, sets up even more effective play action and puts the team in a better 3rd situation. For someone like RT, he can even bootleg off of a strong running game.

By stopping the run, it makes teams one dimensional…hence 3rd and long situations in which a team like Miami with some good pass rushers can get after the passer. In theory, by having longer 3rd down situations, the D has a better chance of getting of the field earlier in the possession, giving the offense more chances in the game.

---------- Post added at 08:12 AM ---------- Previous post was at 08:11 AM ----------

Last Miami threw it 65% of the time. That is way too much and balance is needed.
 
Adam Schefter ‏@AdamSchefter 4m
Neither winning quarterback Saturday, neither Tom Brady nor Russell Wilson, threw a touchdown pass.
 
The correlation between win percentage and yards per carry differential is 0.28.

By contrast, the correlation between win percentage and yards per pass attempt differential is 0.77.

Now, does that change in the playoffs as a function of weather? I don't think we really know. I suspect the first correlation may increase somewhat, but I suspect passing efficiency (YPA differential) still drives the bus.
 
Fix the O-line and find a Lynch / Lacy / Blount type power back either in FA or the draft - anyone any ideas who might tick the box?
 
Gravity said:
The correlation between win percentage and yards per carry differential is 0.28.

By contrast, the correlation between win percentage and yards per pass attempt differential is 0.77.

Now, does that change in the playoffs as a function of weather? I don't think we really know. I suspect the first correlation may increase somewhat, but I suspect passing efficiency (YPA differential) still drives the bus.
Click to expand...

How does the per pass attempt differential improve if the team is an effective running team?
 
Being able to run the ball effectively when you WANT to is what matters. I want an offensive line that will let the team run when they want to. No more of this letting the defense dictate what we do.
"Well they had 8 in the box so we had to throw"

Bull Hockey!! Line up and run the damn ball down their throats! Then, mix in the play action, bootleg, etc...
 
Hayden Fox said:
How does the per pass attempt differential improve if the team is an effective running team?
Click to expand...
If you define for me the most appropriate measure of "effective running team," I can tell you with precision.
 
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