Question from the Arizona game?

[DickolausJ]

Did it feel like anyone else that we gave up on the running game too quickly? I watched the game just once and was fairly drunk but it felt like we didn't try to run at all in the 2nd half.

It felt like towards the end of the game the Cardinals were just blitzing on every single play. I remember specifically on one play we tried to run a screen and it failed pretty bad and we gave up on that. Were they doing designed run stopping blitzes. Were the blitzes also meant to contain Cam and stop him from running? Did all the blitzes just mean one on one coverage that we felt Cam should just beat with passing. I mean I know he was on fire.

I just feel like a nice counter or a sweep would have been sick against all the blitzing they were doing. Maybe even a crazy reverse.

We had it in there red zone 1st and 10 and we basically went for 4-5 shots at the endzone. Why didn't we try to chip away at the 1st down, have Cam try to run a little or do a nice little underneath pass right over the blitz?

I'm sure this has been asked and this subject is old hat it just has been bothering me.

[ed bell]

I really expected a little more effort with the run in the second half especially when we had them on their heels. Only problem was we opened the door too quickly with the blown play to King and the blown punt return coverage. I think that Chud and the offense wished they had the 4 plays at the end to do over again.

[mav1234]

honestly this is what people in Cleveland were saying every week Chud was OC. He's not afraid of moving away from the run game early if it has trouble...

but I do think we'll put more effort into the run game in coming weeks.

[Vampire the buffet slayer]

I think it had something to do with the fact we were having so much success with the pass game, you know if it aint broke dont fix it.

[mav1234]

yup... pass game was going well, rushing game was... well, not. stew had 2 good runs (one called back by a penalty) and that was basically it.

[TruCatzFan]

We ran it enough to keep them honest. Our run game will get going when our line can play in consecutive games together. Byron Bell will play well, but he's no Otah and will make some mistakes. I'm pulling for him to exceed expectations.

I'm not worried about our running game whatsoever. If we had Jake or Jimmy at QB I'd be Really worried. As it stands now, not worried whatsoever. We'll run more in Sunday. No need to start putting Chudz on the cross at all. You're just over-reacting. Chill and it will come

[Jangler]

smokescreen

[EMSMedic79]

They'll find a way to make it mix.... Chud never had the running talent in Cleveland that we have here.

[Verge]

I don't see why you would run when Cam is throwing it all over the field.

[goddessofmyworld]

Once again...the cards were playing to shut down the run.

They were stacking the box. The matchups favored our receivers and tightends.

[ed bell]

Most runs from the possession at 3:25 left in the 3rd through the end of the game were starting to break off chunks of yardage....the possession at 3:25 ended with an incomplete pass followed by a sack that took us out of range. The last drive didn't have the kind of time left on the clock to afford runs.

[Brooklyn Bully]

IMHO... this is the new Carolina Panthers. They finally joined the rest of the NFL. D-Lo and Stewie might only get 700-800 yds each.

[ed bell]

With a potent passing game, 700 and 800 for our two backs, combined with Cam's rushing total would put us in the playoffs IMO.

[Vampire the buffet slayer]

IMHO... this is the new Carolina Panthers. They finally joined the rest of the NFL. D-Lo and Stewie might only get 700-800 yds each.

Keeping them healthy into the latter part of the year will also be a positive. As defenses tire our runnig game should just be warming up.