could double troubles' problem be their hesitation?

[PhillyB]

I just spent the last two hours watching game film of the 2008 season (and reminiscing about celebrating victory after victory. ) I paid close attention to the backs - Deangelo Williams in his first year as a starter and Jonathan Stewart as a rookie... and noticed a pretty big difference between that year and the current one.

Specifically, there was no hesitation on the part of either of them. Unless it was a misdirection play, there was very little twinkle-toe maneuvers going on. They attacked the hole, following the blockers, ran straight downhill.

This year has been quite different. Both backs have been hesitating. They dance around in the backfield. Shitty blocking is obviously a factor, but the holes that do open close a moment later - a split second too late for a hesitating back who could've been ten yards down the field and is now dropped for a loss.

If we're going to take advantage of a shaky New Orleans defense this sunday, all three backs and damn well better be prepared to bolt without a second thought.

[weyco2000]

I see it also, most of the holes now are up the middle, sure miss Otah on the right side.

[Darth Biscuit]

I've noticed this too, particularly with Stewart. I think it probably has more to do with lack of blocking and smaller holes to run thru, but I continue to wonder if Stewart is not 100%.

[CLTPanther]

Probably because there's nowhere to go. Takes a second to think "oh poo", thus the delay.

[panthers55]

It isn't hesitation, that is what backs do especially in a zone blocking scheme. They have to wait for the hole to open which looks to the fan as hesistation. In 2008 we were clearing bigger holes and piledriving folks. With teams run blitzing and filling in the gaps this year, there aren't running lanes and Williams and Stewart and trying to find some daylight. Running stright ahead with no daylight is just pounding a wall. It gets you nowhere.

What else is different? Fiametta is no Hoover and can't ram through the line and create holes.

[CharlotteBeer.com]

To be honest, I've seen Williams hesitate quite a bit and wait for holes to open up for him this year. But I'm sure the opposite is true, too.

[CatMan72]

I think most of the hesitation is related to the lack of holes being opened this year, but it's also clear to me that JStew is not 100% in game shape at the moment (which shouldn't be a surprise).

I'm concerned about the o-line not opening holes but I'm not concerned about JStew, he got better with each touch during the Bengals game and will continue to progress.

I haven't focused much on Fiametta, but I'm going to go back and see how this kid is playing... he may be part of the problem.

[natty]

It isn't hesitation, that is what backs do especially in a zone blocking scheme. They have to wait for the hole to open which looks to the fan as hesistation. In 2008 we were clearing bigger holes and piledriving folks. With teams run blitzing and filling in the gaps this year, there aren't running lanes and Williams and Stewart and trying to find some daylight. Running stright ahead with no daylight is just pounding a wall. It gets you nowhere.

What else is different? Fiametta is no Hoover and can't ram through the line and create holes.

Ding Ding we have a winner.

As big and stout as he is Hoover was playing lights out when our run game was in full force. They don't trust Fiametta as much.

[Brooklyn Bully]

Yup, it's Fiametta. Hoover was the unsung MVP of this team. They hesitate bc the hole they're supposed to go through is not there. Thus they have to readjust.

[weyco2000]

Yup, it's Fiametta. Hoover was the unsung MVP of this team. They hesitate bc the hole they're supposed to go through is not there. Thus they have to readjust.

I know on Williams 2 longest runs, so far, Fiametta sprung him both times, rememember him laying out the middle LB for the Giants? However, you are right, he does seem to disappear at times.

Looks to me the holes are created by Kalil and Wharton, nothing over tackle. Who remembers those huge runs to the right side last year? We have to get the run game going to beat the Saints, even if it means adding an extra OL lined up as a TE.

Noticed also, neither are breaking a lot of tackles this year, compared to last year and where's the emotion we had last year? I see Goodson showing it after runs, but not D'LO or Stew. I would prefer they leave one back in for a whole drive, then switch up on the next. The 2 back system, worked last year, but a 3 back system usually spells doom, (see Giants) I see Goodson getting a lot of action late in the game, is that causing some animosity? :eek:

[mav1234]

I've seen this with Stewart a number of times, not as much with Williams. Stew actually seems to start dancing around even when he's got a hole sometimes. There were a couple points that instead of plowing forward he tried to go sideways, and it cost him a couple yards. While in the grand scheme of things I doubt it made a difference, it was still frustrating to see.

[CAVSS]

The HB's don't trust the o-line or the FB yet. That is one problem. However with three backs sharing carries no one gets into a rhythm. That is the biggest problem. Most people though that this was the biggest problem with two backs a few years ago. D-will and J-Stew seemed to overcome that by becoming a team of RB's rather than a pair of RB's. With Goodson thrown in so much they are just three RB's taking turns.

[Lumps]

Sutton?

[Tutto]

They hesitate because they do not have a whole to run through, I dont think its the backs faults, they are some of the best.