Why we should come out passing

[Gokz1000]

yeah, lets have JD throwing the ball up for grabs 40 times instead of taking advantage of our ability to control the ball using our two great running backs. Awesome plan.

Congrats. You've managed to completely ignore the thread. Try reading before posting next time k?

Were not discussing throwing 40 times a game.

I'm saying we shouldn't become a stale running team is all.

This isn't even about balance. If the defense is hell bent the whole game on stopping our running backs, then pass. If the defense plays like the seahawks did during the NFC-C then run.

I just never want to hear this, "We came into the game knowing we were going to run, and no matter what the defense did, we ran any way just to prove we could. They dared us to run, and we did it."

It may work a few times, especially when the other team is tired a disheartened at the end of the game like Tampa Bay, but it'll catch up to you at the end of the day.

Just like throwing to Steve Smith over and over caught up us in 2005.

[nosuchthingasapanther]

What? You can't run 30 run plays in a row. We could barely convert a 2nd and 1 towards the end of the game because they knew what we were going to do. What got us those 9 yards in the play before you ask....it was a pass play.

the last 2 touchdowns of the game consisted of 2 series of nothing but run plays.

tampa bay could do nothing to stop it.

[megadeth078]

That drive was important as any. There's no excuse for going three and out when our running game was dominating like that. They knew exactly what we were going to do, and for once, they stopped it. There's nothing wrong with switching it up.

[jonbig04]

I agree with the OP. We were passing effectively on Monday, or so it seemed to me. I thought Jake played well. He was intercepted twice, true, but the Barber interception, to me, was more more of an outstanding play on Barbers part than a bad throw by Jake (even though it was a bad throw). The other interception... I mean, come on, did you see it? Of course there were the dropped passes as well. I hope Jake plays like that from now on.

[Delhomeboy]

I agree with the OP. We were passing effectively on Monday, or so it seemed to me. I thought Jake played well. He was intercepted twice, true, but the Barber interception, to me, was more more of an outstanding play on Barbers part than a bad throw by Jake (even though it was a bad throw). The other interception... I mean, come on, did you see it? Of course there were the dropped passes as well. I hope Jake plays like that from now on.

I don't even think the Barber interception was a bad throw. I mean, it was a bullet, near the sideline, and freakin Barber was like TEN FEET from Rosario. I was so freakin pissed when it happened, because it should've been a completion.

[CharlotteBeer.com]

I agree that the first drive against Tampa Bay, and especially the two completions to Moose, kept Tampa on their heels and forced them to bring a man out of the box, thereby opening up our ground attack.

Now why wouldn't we do the same against a depleted Denver secondary that ranks 27th against the pass (and 26 against the run)? Yes, we'll probably have success running the ball on them regardless, but we could dominate the game if we force them to acknowledge Smith, Muhammad and Jarret. It worked against one of the best secondaries in the league, it should work against Denver.

Another thing to consider is Denver's ability to quickly put points up on the board. Denver has a much better passing game than Tampa. Whether we start fast or slow, we've got to be able to match their scores. I don't know that we'll be able to match them blow for blow by just running the ball.

[beastson]

Before Monday night football, I saw threads like this "Why John Fox football leads to close games", and people were begging for Jake Delhomme to pass and to get other receivers involved. Post Monday night football I see comments like this, "If John Fox calls a pass play against denver he is an idiot".

I honestly believe though that the first drive against Tampa Bay is a key reason we were able to run against them like we did. I know that at the end of the game, we were blowing through 8 and 9 man fronts but that doesn't happen every day. Especially not against playoff teams like NYG.

Even if it leads to interceptions, I honestly believe that John Fox needs to let Jeff Davidson run a balanced attack, especially at the beginning of games. If the opposing team thinks your going to run, pass to Muhammad. If they pull safeties down on run support, make them pay by running play action. I loved that first drive even though it ended in a field goal, because I guarantee you that passing to Moose and Jarret were probably the last thing on Tampa Bays mind.

Once the opposing defense is playing honest, then we can unleash Smash and Dash on them, but I hope we don't get back to being stale like we were at times this season and years past. Running even though the other team can obviously stop it.

ding ding ding dinggggg :smash:

i wish we could give rep

[Brooklyn Bully]

We're playing the Broncos. We can wait until next week to consider passing.

Their run D is actually slowly getting better.

Thankfully, their pass D is equally poor, just rarely talked about.

I agree, pass a bit more this week. I want both aspects of the game to be in FULL GEAR when we goto the Meadowlands. That is not the time to start throwing more. This week is.

[ChucktownK]

Of course they expect the run. Why play into their hands? Taking them by surprise in the first would put them on their heals and force them into plan B which usually is conservative. Thus, opening up all kinds of opportunities. Remember the Flea flicker to Moose?

[shinner]

yeah, Denver is 26th against the run....best not to temp them.

[ChucktownK]

Yeah, and TB was like #1 against the run, what's your point. This is the NFL (i.e. any given Sunday).

[Miaoww]

yeah, Denver is 26th against the run....best not to temp them.

Zactly, no need to outthink ourselves here. Run it until they prove they can stop it.

[shinner]

Yeah, and TB was like #1 against the run, what's your point. This is the NFL (i.e. any given Sunday).

Just that there's no reason to expect Denver to sell out on the run and it should be a piece of cake to pass all over them all day long. Balance is what we should use and if the percentage of pass:run is any more than 55:45, I think that's a mistake.

[Fright]

As long as we never throw to Hoover again, Delhomme fixes his accuracy problems, and Lucas or whoever blows their assignments in the pass D steps up... the same game plan we ran vs bucs. should beat about anyone we play. I don't see how it couldn't.