"Run the ball and stop the run"

[NAS]

I am excited about the Rhule hire, especially after hearing him speak at the press conference.  However, there was something he said in a soundbyte down in Waco after accepting the job that had me cringe.  He was asking about his philosophy and the John Fox quote came out "stopping the run and running the ball" came out. 

While I certainly think stopping the run on defense is hugely important, especially after this season, I am a little concerned if Rhule truly thinks running the ball is the cornerstone of his offence.  I am hopeful that he will advocate for a more modern NFL offense predicated on a potent passing attack like we see in KC - while balancing it with a dynamic running back to keep defenses guessing.  Maybe I'm reading too much into it - but I really don't want the future to be a Fox - Rivera style of keeping the game close into the fourth quarter and hoping the ball bounces our way for a 3 point victory.  

 

[chknwing]

It is what it is

[Sasquatch]

and what it is is correct.

[bga71]

Play action works great when you can run the ball.

[run-run-pass-punt]

Running the ball effectively still wins in the NFL. I think it's just a matter of being a little more dynamic than the old-school way of always pounding the ball-carrier up the middle endlessly.

In the end, balance and unpredictability is the formula, however you get there.

[RelaxImaPro]

I mean if you successfully stop the run while also run the ball well you have a pretty good chance of winning... nothing inherently wrong with the philosophy if you can actually do it.

[Actionman0z]

Every NFL team wants to run the ball. Come on man. If you ask Reid down in KC what he wants, he will say the same damn thing. What you’re looking for is scheme. Scheme dependent on what our players do well, vs. what we want to exploit against the defense each week. 

[SetfreexX]

OP then you better do some research on Rhule, overall he seems forward thinking, however football wise he definitely has a foundation in the old school way - as you hear in that byte. 

I think the difference here is if / when that tried and true formula doesn't work we will be better at adjusting the game-plan. You look at all of the teams left in the playoffs and what do they all do well....run the ball & play defense. 

BAL / TEN / SF / SEA / MIN  - five of the best rushing teams in the NFL

KC / GB / HOU - are more known for their QBs ability

None the less that is 5 of 8 teams being really good running clubs, it's why I think the Cam angst is silly, the best way to have the most potent run attack is to make the defense play 11 v 11.

However I think with Rhule and the OC the team will do a better job of utilizing Moore, and Samuel in that capacity as well. It was in one of the links I posted -- he said if you want 200 yards rushing in a game - 50 from the QB, 50 from the receivers, and 100 from the back. 

I think load distribution, and maximizing offensive personnel will absolutely be a thing that we see more of moving forward. Spreading out the defense, putting box defenders in conflict, ala LAR / SF / BAL offenses. 

[t96]

I think it’s clear from what I’ve seen of Rhule that he wants a balanced attack and defense and is able to adjust around his philosophy to what best wins games, due to the personnel or trends within the league. This is very good as Rivera and Fox just did the exact same thing every year they were here, with no changes. Rhule seems very open to adaptation and good at it as shown by how much different his Temple and Baylor teams were structured in the x’s and o’s...

[Rags]

I don't get how in a season where Baltimore and SanFran are the one seeds in their respective conferences people think that running still isn't important or dynamic.

[NAS]

I think it depends on how the run is utilized.  You need a good running game to run the clock when you've established the lead.  I just think without a dynamic passing attack, you will win some close games, but you'll also lose some and that is the definition of mediocrity.  You're not going to blow too many teams out by running the ball unless you can do it in huge chunks at a time.  That is what we had with Cam in 2015, same as Baltimore this year.    

But if we're going to run up the middle on first downs for a 2 yard gain just to "establish the run", we're going to be in for more 8-8 seasons.   

[philit99]

16 minutes ago, Actionman0z said:

Every NFL team wants to run the ball. Come on man. If you ask Reid down in KC what he wants, he will say the same damn thing. What you’re looking for is scheme. Scheme dependent on what our players do well, vs. what we want to exploit against the defense each week. 

This is absolutely correct. Scheme is the biggest difference in the game. That is why it is so hard to win the in the NFL, what works great against one team may not work on the next team. Skill and defensive scheme adjustments means you must continue to change your personnel packages or offensive scheme. That is the main reason guys like Belichick are so good, because they take what you do well away from you. That is what I am hoping Matt Rhule will be good at it too, taking what the other team likes to do away from them.

[trueblade]

12 minutes ago, SetfreexX said:

OP then you better do some research on Rhule, overall he seems forward thinking, however football wise he definitely has a foundation in the old school way - as you hear in that byte. 

I think the difference here is if / when that tried and true formula doesn't work we will be better at adjusting the game-plan. You look at all of the teams left in the playoffs and what do they all do well....run the ball & play defense. 

BAL / TEN / SF / SEA / MIN  - five of the best rushing teams in the NFL

KC / GB / HOU - are more known for their QBs ability

None the less that is 5 of 8 teams being really good running clubs, it's why I think the Cam angst is silly, the best way to have the most potent run attack is to make the defense play 11 v 11.

However I think with Rhule and the OC the team will do a better job of utilizing Moore, and Samuel in that capacity as well. It was in one of the links I posted -- he said if you want 200 yards rushing in a game - 50 from the QB, 50 from the receivers, and 100 from the back. 

I think load distribution, and maximizing offensive personnel will absolutely be a thing that we see more of moving forward. Spreading out the defense, putting box defenders in conflict, ala LAR / SF / BAL offenses. 

Green Bay has a really good running game as well. Aaron Jones was either tied or second to CMC in rushing touchdowns. 

[NAS]

14 minutes ago, Actionman0z said:

Every NFL team wants to run the ball. Come on man. If you ask Reid down in KC what he wants, he will say the same damn thing. What you’re looking for is scheme. Scheme dependent on what our players do well, vs. what we want to exploit against the defense each week. 

Andy Reid does not want to run the ball.  He looks at running the ball for 5 yards as an opportunity lost to gain 15 yards through the air.  However, he uses it situationally to keep the defense honest and to run the clock down when needed.