Grading The Running Game

[JoeCool#5]

Grade D+ only reason why was Mcgahee's TD run from one yard out.
I thought the running game non-existant and the last Ravens drive should have resulted for 3 more points for Ravens were in field goal range after the heap catch. But the RBs kept getting tackled for loses so we had to punt.

Great Defense by the Jets? I dont know. I was suprised by 2 things.
1. Mcgahee - yardage total of 2 yards
2. Not one carry over 10 yards. (thought there would be at least one amazing run unfortunately, nothing)

Poor running and blocking schemes?
It needs to be cleaned up if we have any desire to beat Bungles.

Glad to see we kept running even if we didnt get much. Hopefully they can improve from the game tape. RBs see where they should have hit the holes and when they should have cut it outside. The OL can see where they need to improve on the blocking assignments.

[flynismo]

Blame that one on the OL. I can count on one hand how many times they gave Rice a hole to hit hard. The few times it happened, NYJ did a great job of containing Rice

[hawkprey]

1) Yanda's a great run-blocker but he was moved out of position because of Gaither's absence.

2) Gaither is a great run-blocker too.

3) Most of the time we were running straight into an 8-man blitz.

4) A lot of attempts were from inside our own ten where the Jets knew we were trying to run (no one gets good yardage in those situations

5) After halftime and towards the end of the game we started getting runs of 3-6 yards consistently. It was the first half where we really stunk.

6) Despite not getting yardage, we used runs to control the clock big time.

[berad]

Jets have an incredible run defense and they were obviously keying off on it, they know it's the Ravens biggest strength. They shut it down very effectively. I'm not concerned for a few reasons.

[i]-The new reshuffled OL, first time playing in that alignment, we knew it wouldn't be pretty but hopefully it gets better

-First game back is always sloppy, both sides of the ball mistakes were made

-The RBs made up for it with excellent blitz pick-up

-Most importantly, we WON with our biggest strength nullified![/i]

Also, the reasons I listed in the first sentence.. The running game should be fine - if we're still doing this poorly after Week 3, against the Browns, it may be time to be concerned.

[Bltravens]

It was Rex's game plan to blitz the whole game most of the time from a cover 1 nickel. He wanted to negate Rice and force Flacco to beat him.

[JohnJohnson]

Two things. First, they obviously focused on containing Rice, which was probably smart. Second, they don't miss tackles. He almost got away one time but one of their players was not letting go of his jersey. It was important to keep running anyway to keep them honest, but the most Rice got was 5 yards before they brought him down.

[I*Bleed*Purple]

[quote name='Bltravens' timestamp='1284520874' post='477410']
...and force Flacco to beat him.
[/quote]
He did!

[organizedchaos007]

[quote name='berad' timestamp='1284518178' post='477372']
Jets have an incredible run defense and they were obviously keying off on it, they know it's the Ravens biggest strength. They shut it down very effectively. I'm not concerned for a few reasons.

[i]-The new reshuffled OL, first time playing in that alignment, we knew it wouldn't be pretty but hopefully it gets better

-First game back is always sloppy, both sides of the ball mistakes were made

-The RBs made up for it with excellent blitz pick-up

-Most importantly, we WON with our biggest strength nullified![/i]

Also, the reasons I listed in the first sentence.. The running game should be fine - if we're still doing this poorly after Week 3, against the Browns, it may be time to be concerned.
[/quote]

I have to agree with you. This is a top 3 run defense in the league, it was not going to be easy sledding for the ravens. In addition to that we have shuffled our OLine and that clearly affected things alittle.

But i take a different perspective on the run game. It was "effective" in clock management. We ran 35 run plays, and ulimately the TOP was almost 3 quarters to the jets 1 quarter. To me, thats being successful in this type of game. I give us a B-.

We all know our run game is stout, I'm not sure why people question that after we faced the jets... lol. Our run game will have a break out game, prob not this week agains the bengals, but I think we break out in week 3 and continue that trend for the rest of the season.

[berad]

[quote name='organizedchaos007' timestamp='1284522564' post='477424']
I have to agree with you. This is a top 3 run defense in the league, it was not going to be easy sledding for the ravens. In addition to that we have shuffled our OLine and that clearly affected things alittle.

But i take a different perspective on the run game. It was "effective" in clock management. We ran 35 run plays, and ulimately the TOP was almost 3 quarters to the jets 1 quarter. To me, thats being successful in this type of game. I give us a B-.

We all know our run game is stout, I'm not sure why people question that after we faced the jets... lol. Our run game will have a break out game, prob not this week agains the bengals, but I think we break out in week 3 and continue that trend for the rest of the season.
[/quote]

Totally right, in Rex's post-game presser, he commended the Ravens for running so much - he said something to the effect of, "even though they didn't get anywhere, the kept pounding it to eat up clock".

The run game, although, mostly unproductive was a factor is us winning that game. I agree with the notion that we might not do much against the Bengals, they have a tough D, as well. But we'll get back on track, the Ravens have been a good running team for 3 years straight, now. That won't stop.

[organizedchaos007]

[quote name='berad' timestamp='1284522905' post='477429']
Totally right, in Rex's post-game presser, he commended the Ravens for running so much - he said something to the effect of, "even though they didn't get anywhere, the kept pounding it to eat up clock".

The run game, although, mostly unproductive was a factor is us winning that game. I agree with the notion that we might not do much against the Bengals, they have a tough D, as well. But we'll get back on track, the Ravens have been a good running team for 3 years straight, now. That won't stop.
[/quote]

exactly, we will still be a top 3 running team this year.

[ravensfan160]

I'm sure there were a bunch of fantasy owners that were disappointed.

[Ravenmore74]

This is how I look at it. How do you expect to run on a team that is built like us? At one point people called us the runs stopping team that's what we do so I'm assuming that also what the Jets do.

[reediddy]

I'd give it a C. We can't be happy with not gaining as many yards as we usually do, but we still have to be happy with the effort, especially McGahee's TD. Blitz pickup was great, especially with Rice. Our OL had their hands full with a stout front 7 and they did a commendable job

[ed.s52]

Well in my opinion, the fact that Cromartie and Wilson were left on an island far too much kind of balanced out the horrible run game. And you have to consider the absence of both Gaither and Cousins on the field, which hurt us big time on the run.

[Jabara]

I would give the running game a B+.
Think about it, running the ball wasn't our game plan, except to eat up clock, which we clearly won the time of possession, and to put the ball in the endzone from the 1 yard line.
We clearly did both.
When you run the ball for positive yards against the Jets defense you've done something right.
Whether it's one yard or five yards. Running the ball helped keep our defense on the sideline, while beating down there defense. I was sure towards the end that Ray would break a big run, because he was getting more and more yards each carry, but that never really happened.
Had Rice/McClain/McGahee got a big chunk of yardage here or there it would show that we clearly beat them down. You gotta give the Jets D some credit, but don't discredit our running game, since they simply got their part of the deal done, in order to set up big passes.
If you are going to give our running game a D+, you don't understand the point of running, especially in a game like Monday.
They didn't shut us down, we ran wisely.

[SnOoPy]

C'mon. Played with a tough Defense. It's only week 1..

[CustomUserName]

[quote name='Bltravens' timestamp='1284520874' post='477410']
It was Rex's game plan to blitz the whole game most of the time from a cover 1 nickel. He wanted to negate Rice and force Flacco to beat him.
[/quote]

Exactly what this guy said. Rex ran a cover one nickel most of the time, and a cover zero man to man several more times this game.

He believed the best way to beat the ravens was to stop the three headed monster, and put 8 in the box to make Flacco beat him. Flacco and the receiving corp stepped up and beat the best pass defense in the league last year. I say huge props to them.

Finally, the Jets were the #1 defense last year (and there is no reason to believe they lost a step), so this game is in no way indicative of the offense for the rest of the season.

[Gtown Purple]

The running game was effective to the point where it ate the clock and provided balance. You can't expect to light it up against such a good defense. Ray was one broken tackle short of busting a couple and I was on the edge of my seat just waiting for him to do it.

[JoeCool#5]

[quote name='Jabara' timestamp='1284535491' post='477518']
[b]I would give the running game a B+.[/b]
Think about it, running the ball wasn't our game plan, except to eat up clock, which we clearly won the time of possession, and to put the ball in the endzone from the 1 yard line.
We clearly did both.
When you run the ball for positive yards against the Jets defense you've done something right.
Whether it's one yard or five yards. Running the ball helped keep our defense on the sideline, while beating down there defense. I was sure towards the end that Ray would break a big run, because he was getting more and more yards each carry, but that never really happened.
Had Rice/McClain/McGahee got a big chunk of yardage here or there it would show that we clearly beat them down. You gotta give the Jets D some credit, but don't discredit our running game, since they simply got their part of the deal done, in order to set up big passes.
[b]If you are going to give our running game a D+, you don't understand the point of running, especially in a game like Monday.[/b]
They didn't shut us down, we ran wisely.
[/quote]
I agree we kept with the running game and it was good to see us eat up the clock even with the small gains.(hence the point of running the ball)
But a "B+" ??? Wow. What game where you watching? I drink the purple kool-aid as much as the next man. There is no justifcation no matter how you spin it.
I dont care if the Ravens were playing the 85 Bears. You cant give the running game a B+. With a turn over, several third and long situations thanks to the poor running, the last drive stalled (In stead of running getting TFL and out of FG range -take knee > running backwards), and an average carry of 1.28 yards. 35 carries for 49 yards. Giving a B+ to the running game? You had your purple haze glasses on. LOL. Least I can justify the D+. If you are going to give the Ravens running game a B+ you obviously dont know the key to grading a running game.
Getting first downs and taking large chunks off the clock. The ravens accomplished the last one, but a QB sneak everytime would be about as effective then a 1.28 yd/carry. (Joe = 6ft+ if he falls forward more then 2yds/carry)

Jabara's scale for running backs "B+" = 1.28 yards/carry. Thats comical.


But like I said before, I am glad Raven got the game on tape and can see where they can improve

[Jabara]

[quote name='JoeCool#5' timestamp='1284555474' post='477597']
I agree we kept with the running game and it was good to see us eat up the clock even with the small gains.(hence the point of running the ball)
But a "B+" ??? Wow. What game where you watching? I drink the purple kool-aid as much as the next man. There is no justifcation no matter how you spin it.
I dont care if the Ravens were playing the 85 Bears. You cant give the running game a B+. With a turn over, several third and long situations thanks to the poor running, the last drive stalled (In stead of running getting TFL and out of FG range -take knee > running backwards), and an average carry of 1.28 yards. 35 carries for 49 yards. Giving a B+ to the running game? You had your purple haze glasses on. LOL. Least I can justify the D+. If you are going to give the Ravens running game a B+ you obviously dont know the key to grading a running game.
Getting first downs and taking large chunks off the clock. The ravens accomplished the last one, but a QB sneak everytime would be about as effective then a 1.28 yd/carry. (Joe = 6ft+ if he falls forward more then 2yds/carry)

Jabara's scale for running backs "B+" = 1.28 yards/carry. Thats comical.


But like I said before, I am glad Raven got the game on tape and can see where they can improve
[/quote]
I still disagree. Even Rex complimented how effective our running game was.
It's not all about big runs and stacking up hundreds of yards per game.
We used it to attack the defense.
Our running game no doubt played a major role in the win, and they executed it properly against a monster run defense.
The game plan was not to break huge runs, it was to pound the ball at them, take up some clock and wear out the defense. And we can see that all worked for us.
I think you're looking at it from a fantasy football perspective.
Yes the McGahee fumble was terrible, but other than that they executed the run game extremely well.

[Shammy]

I'd give it A C considering the OL and that the jets are probably the best run D in the NFL bar none ... we have a better overall D tho IMO

[Ngata92NT]

[quote name='Jabara' timestamp='1284585208' post='478073']
I still disagree. Even Rex complimented how effective our running game was.
It's not all about big runs and stacking up hundreds of yards per game.
We used it to attack the defense.
Our running game no doubt played a major role in the win, and they executed it properly against a monster run defense.
The game plan was not to break huge runs, it was to pound the ball at them, take up some clock and wear out the defense. And we can see that all worked for us.
I think you're looking at it from a fantasy football perspective.
Yes the McGahee fumble was terrible, but other than that they executed the run game extremely well.
[/quote]

a) ANY running play wears down the clock.
B ) The plan is always to break huge runs. Our plays are designed to break off chunks of yardage for first downs. You think we were TRYING to get only a yard or so per rushing attempt?
c) If we had been truly effective in the running game the score of this game would not have been close.
d) If you think we did extremely well in the running game today than you're going to freak out every running play for the rest of the season because I don't think we'll see a performance as mediocre as this one again.

[Jabara]

[quote name='Ngata92NT' timestamp='1284585769' post='478080']
a) ANY running play wears down the clock.
B ) The plan is always to break huge runs. Our plays are designed to break off chunks of yardage for first downs. You think we were TRYING to get only a yard or so per rushing attempt?
c) If we had been truly effective in the running game the score of this game would not have been close.
d) If you think we did extremely well in the running game today than you're going to freak out every running play for the rest of the season because I don't think we'll see a performance as mediocre as this one again.
[/quote]
I'm sorry, but it's silly to say every carry is intended to break a huge run.
Obviously I don't think we were trying to get 1 yard per carry, I don't think some runs are designed for anything more than breaking down the opposing defense. We wore them out, that is what a physical running attack is all about.
Think about the fact that we played the Jets D. You can't really run the ball for huge yardage on them, not consistently, so we effectively used the run game to hit them in the mouth, regardless of yards, because we had to win the game in the trenches and in the air.
We did that, we won. What do you think ground and pound refers to? An instant 75 yard TD run?
It's intended to break down the other teams D and hopefully expose holes or weakness' for a big run, and towards the end of the game Rice was getting really close to breaking one on, arguably, the best run D in the league.
Maybe we've got that title now.
Our run game was extremely effective. That's all I'm saying. This isn't Fantasy Football.
So many people want to see fireworks and think that's a sign of a great running game, when really it's rare for that to be the case, as we saw in the Colts/Texans game.

[Ravensfan23]

The bottomline is our running game was "effective" enough to help us win the game. Lets be thankful that we now have a passing game that can carry us in a big game.

Although we were effective, we have to be much better in the future. I can remember making a comment on Monday night at the 4min mark that the game was over, because i though our running game would atleast be good enough to pick up a first down or 2.

After the Heap complete i felt even stronger about the game being over, the we picked up another first down to put us in FG range. However the running game failed us miserably, because we actually lost yards and it forced us to pass on 3rd down just to get back into FG range.

Because we now have what appears to be a really good passing game, it will open somethings up in future games for the run game. As many have said, Rex did a lot of run blitzing and planed to shut Ray down and Flacco beat him for it.

Well that is the style of offense the Ravens will play this year. You will have to pick your poision. Do you load up the box to stop Ray and allow Flacco and his toys to have a field day, or do you coverage and open up running lanes for Ray.

The Running game didn't play well, and we all expect so much more out of them. But that doesn't mean we don't still have a really strong running game.

Also another thing is. Ray Rice only had about 8 carries the whole preseason. Many times in the Jets game he didn't appear to have the same balance he displayed last season. As the game wore on, Ray seemed to be finding more room.

I look for a big day vs the Bengals for the rushing game.

[Ngata92NT]

[quote name='Jabara' timestamp='1284586457' post='478094']
I'm sorry, but it's silly to say every carry is intended to break a huge run.
Obviously I don't think we were trying to get 1 yard per carry, I don't think some runs are designed for anything more than breaking down the opposing defense. We wore them out. that is what a physical running attack is all about.
Think about the fact that we played the Jets D. You can't really run the ball for huge yardage on them, not consistently, so we effectively used the run game to hit them in the mouth, regardless of yards, because we had to win the game in the trenches and in the air.
We did that, we won. What do you think ground and pound refers to? An instant 75 yard TD run?
It's intended to break down the other teams D and hopefully expose holes or weakness' for a big run, and towards the end of the game Rice was getting really close to breaking one on, arguably, the best run D in the league.
Maybe we've got that title now.
Our run game was extremely effective. That's all I'm saying. This isn't Fantasy Football.
So many people want to see fireworks and think that's a sign of a great running game, when really it's rare for that to be the case, as we saw in the Colts/Texans game.
[/quote]

I guess it depends on your definition of "intention". When Rice gets the ball he's going to run for the endzone and he intends to break through the defense. He's not planning to get stuffed on 1st and 10 for .5 yards.

Some plays are designed for short yardage situations of course and it's fine when those plays only get short yardage. But if you think that was our whole game plan I'm guessing that you're wrong.

"What do you think ground and pound refers to? An instant 75 yard TD run?"

We had way to much "ground" and not nearly enough "pound". You're not going to wear out a defense by running three times, getting stuffed and walking off the field. If you're going to rely on the running game it has to be a threat to score in and of itself.

If we played Cleveland and they run it for 1.5 yards a carry and less than 60 total yards do you say they had an "excellent running game", that they "hit us in the mouth" or wore down our defense?

[JoeCool#5]

[quote name='Jabara' timestamp='1284585208' post='478073']
I still disagree. Even Rex complimented how effective our running game was.
It's not all about big runs and stacking up hundreds of yards per game.
We used it to attack the defense.
Our running game no doubt played a major role in the win, and they executed it properly against a monster run defense.
[b]The game plan was not to break huge runs[/b], it was to pound the ball at them, take up some clock and wear out the defense. And we can see that all worked for us.
I think you're looking at it from a fantasy football perspective.
Yes the McGahee fumble was terrible, but other than that they executed the run game extremely well.
[/quote]
Umm.. The game plan for the offense is always to get first downs and keep the Jets offense off the field. In a perfect wold, the game plan was to have some what of a balanced attack. Not limit your options by having a poor running game, leaving the QB in several 3 and long situations. Not to take your team out of field goal range to make the Jets win with a TD.

Let me get this straight
1.3 yard avg/carry
Fumble to kill a long drive
Take your team out of FG range with a chance to go up by 4 on the last drive, due to back to back minus running plays.

That performance gets a "B+" Got it.

Guess 1.5 yards/carry gets an A.
lol

[Jabara]

[quote name='Ngata92NT' timestamp='1284587406' post='478112']
I guess it depends on your definition of "intention". When Rice gets the ball he's going to run for the endzone and he intends to break through the defense. He's not planning to get stuffed on 1st and 10 for .5 yards.

Some plays are designed for short yardage situations of course and it's fine when those plays only get short yardage. But if you think that was our whole game plan I'm guessing that you're wrong.

"What do you think ground and pound refers to? An instant 75 yard TD run?"

We had way to much "ground" and not nearly enough "pound". You're not going to wear out a defense by running three times, getting stuffed and walking off the field. If you're going to rely on the running game it has to be a threat to score in and of itself.

If we played Cleveland and they run it for 1.5 yards a carry and less than 60 total yards do you say they had an "excellent running game", that they "hit us in the mouth" or wore down our defense?
[/quote]
If the Ravens average 1.5 ypc against the Browns, I'd say that was horrible. You see, you can hit the Browns in the mouth with your running game, but you don't plan or play for the Browns like you do for the Jets D, so if we only got 1.5 on the Browns, we should be terrified.

[Jabara]

[quote name='JoeCool#5' timestamp='1284587721' post='478119']
Umm.. The game plan for the offense is always to get first downs and keep the Jets offense off the field. In a perfect wold, the game plan was to have some what of a balanced attack. Not limit your options by having a poor running game, leaving the QB in several 3 and long situations. Not to take your team out of field goal range to make the Jets win with a TD.

Let me get this straight
1.3 yard avg/carry
Fumble to kill a long drive
Take your team out of FG range with a chance to go up by 4 on the last drive, due to back to back minus running plays.

That performance gets a "B+" Got it.

Guess 1.5 yards/carry gets an A.
lol
[/quote]
You're over simplifying things. I'm not going to try to convince you that our running game was effective against the Jets w/o getting huge yards. If you don't see that, fine. And I'm not going to say we are a bad running team.
We used our running game effectively to [b]beat[/b] the Jets, it was one of the many factors that went our way to [b]win[/b] the game. That's all I'm saying.

[Marc2k6]

How can you give a guy a neg on his rep for giving the Ravens a D+ in running the ball? The run game was shut down D+ is a good grade! Now I will give my team an A for effort because they did not give up on the run and risk Joe in front of that pass rush. They had our number in the run game and yes their offense had a better day on the ground but what is most important is we won and the Jets did not!

[Ed_Reed20]

[quote name='JoeCool#5' timestamp='1284517630' post='477362']
Grade D+ only reason why was Mcgahee's TD run from one yard out.
I thought the running game non-existant and [b]the last Ravens drive should have resulted for 3 more points for Ravens were in field goal range after the heap catch. But the RBs kept getting tackled for loses so we had to punt.[/b]

Great Defense by the Jets? I dont know. I was suprised by 2 things.
1. Mcgahee - yardage total of 2 yards
2. Not one carry over 10 yards. (thought there would be at least one amazing run unfortunately, nothing)

Poor running and blocking schemes?
It needs to be cleaned up if we have any desire to beat Bungles.

Glad to see we kept running even if we didnt get much. Hopefully they can improve from the game tape. RBs see where they should have hit the holes and when they should have cut it outside. The OL can see where they need to improve on the blocking assignments.
[/quote]

You can put that on Cam. Within in field goal range, he decides to call tosses and sweeps that aren't likely to gain positive yardage.