There are various reasons for our lack of rushing power at the moment: 1) an OL which isn't elite anymore. 2) the fact more and more teams are able to play the run better (llok at the stats on NFL.com and compare them to last year). etc. etc. An important reason is a scheme we used to run that we don't anymore: Jumbo TE sets. Sure, we have played with 2 or even 3 true TEs on the field, only one being a true blocking specialist (Mulligan), but how many time have we seen 6 or even 7 actual OL on the field together? Last year there was a lot of chemistry between all the OL. With the exception of Slauson the other 4 starters + Turner and Hunter had played together for 3 years. Woody at RT + Hunter & Turner as 6th and 7th OL where one heck of a power running unit. This year the best we can ask for is Hunter at RT + Ducasse & Schaluderaff/Baxter... not exactly the same thing. However my opinion is whoever we bring in to take Turner's place (put today on IR) will have to be effective as an extra linemen on obvious running downs. I'm not saying we have to run this scheme on every play, but sometimes I think it will really help us establish our run game more and also give Sanchez more time to stand tall in the pocket... thoughts? PS It also worries me a little they don't put in Ducasse more often as a 6th OL since, supposedly, he is a run blocking freak.
Ducasse is a run blocking freak but putting him in is raising a big flag to the defense saying we are going to run this play. Until he can stay in for some passing downs he won't help much on run plays unless its on the 1 or something and we are just trying to pound it in.
I agree with you that we definitely need to see more jumbo sets, as they can be used to open up the play action. When we used to run these sets the offense would break either a big run off tackle, or the occasional big pass (Sanchez play-action rollout to keller on the post). With our offensive line troubles I think they need to look into running a similar system to the Pats, as now the Bills have emulated it pretty well with equal to lesser WR talent. Spread em out 4 wide, give sanchez 2-3 seconds to find the reciever and avoid getting "crushed". He's best when he doesnt have time to overthink plays..... What do you guys think?
Seems to me that we no longer have the personnel to run jumbo. Letting go of Woody and Hartsock and then losing Mangold and Turner has really hurt our power running game.
Is it just me or is Moore not the player he had been the last couple of years? Of course having Baxter & Hunter instead of Mangold & Woody next to him hurts his game but...
They did the same thing with Turner. There comes a point in time where you have to run a play or 2 that the other team knows is coming. You do this to say hey it's coming and you can't stop it. That was a hallmark of the Jets rushing the last few years. Maybe that attitude is what is lacking.........
Exactly! Where does this notion come from that every play you run you have to fool the defense? Its such a stupid thing to say. 3rd and 12 situation in the NFL, doesnt everyone in teh fuckin stadium know youre gonna throw? Are all 3rd and 12 passes incomplete? wtf
It's really a win win for everyone. If it works the players have their swagger back and Callahan is amazing for fixing the line. If it doesn't work schotty is an asshole for telegraphing the run. Really nothing to lose.
