The Running Game (merged)

[callahan09]

This little piece deals with running backs across the NFL.  Fullbacks count as running backs for this consideration.

 

Here's a little statistical breakdown:

 

Rush Attempts: 221 for 574 yards = 2.60 yards per attempt / NFL Avg = 4.02

Receptions: 50 for 251 yards = 5.02 yards per catch / NFL Avg = 7.94

Overall: 271 for 825 yards = 3.04 yards per touch / NFL Avg = 4.76

 

We are the only team getting less than 3 yards per rush attempt out of our running backs.

 

Our running backs rank out of all 32 teams:

 

Bulk Yardage

29th in rushing yards

28th in receiving yards

32nd in total yards

 

Efficiency

32nd in rushing (yards per attempt)

32nd in receiving (yards per catch)

32nd overall (yards per touch)

 

Despite being ranked last in efficiency, we actually put the ball in our running backs' hands more than most teams.  NFL average is 212 rush attempts and 49 receptions, for 261 touches from the running backs per team.  We have a total of 271 touches out of our running backs, and have more than average rush attempts and receptions.

 

We have given our running backs the ball 3.8% more than the average team, while the NFL average team is earning 56.3% more yards per touch from their running backs than we are!

 

I like the Joe Flacco / Tom Brady comparison this year, they both have pedestrian looking passing numbers and everyone says they're in an equivalent situation due to their receiving corps' this year... But they couldn't be in a more different situation when it comes to the support they get from their running game.

 

The Patriots are gaining 4.70 yards per carry (2nd), and 6.97 yards per reception (23rd) from their running backs, for 4.99 yards per touch (13th).

That's huge, when compared to our 2.60 yards per carry (last), 5.02 yards per reception (last) and 3.04 yards per touch (last).  In all 3 categories, New England's running backs are contributing around 2 more yards per touch than our running backs.

 

Out of 1843 team seasons in NFL history (since 1920), the 2013 Ravens have the 17th worst rushing attack of all time based on yards per rushing attempt, and the worst since the 1953 New York Giants.

 

The 2013 Ravens have the 2nd worst yards per reception from running backs of all time.

 

And the 7th worst yards per touch from running backs of all time, being the worst since the 1944 Boston Yanks.

 

I'll say that again: Our running backs are contributing the worst efficiency production of any unit since the 1944 Boston Yanks.  A team that had been in its first year of existence and went defunct in 1948 after posting a .269 winning percentage in their short five year existence (the worst winning percentage among active NFL franchises is the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' .391 number).

[JohnJohnson]

No QB can operate well with such a horrible run game and subpar pass protection. But the haters were ready to pounce on Flacco from the beginning of this season, and it will continue.

[Guest Mr. Nobody]

another quality assessment from you callahan09, props

if the running game gets just that little bit better, towards the average field, more possibilities get open in the passing game - it all starts with the Oline though; i believe if we fix tht, we can get better production on both running and passing games

[Gordo52]

another quality assessment from you callahan09, props
if the running game gets just that little bit better, towards the average field, more possibilities get open in the passing game - it all starts with the Oline though; i believe if we fix tht, we can get better production on both running and passing games

O-line most definitely needs to improve. But Ray Rice can't seem to break a tackle or elude a defender anymore. Joe has had a couple horrible games but I agree. It all starts at the O-line. But all 11 must step it up.

[TSizzle00]

but but but what about Flacco and his 20 trillion dollar contract, maybe if we kept Boldin, Ray Lewis, Ed Reed, Travis Taylor and Michael Jackson we'd be undefeated.

[redrum52]

but but but what about Flacco and his 20 trillion dollar contract, maybe if we kept Boldin, Ray Lewis, Ed Reed, Travis Taylor and Michael Jackson we'd be undefeated.

You forgot Paul Kruger and the next Deion Sanders, Cary Williams.  

 

The running game stinks, but I think all the offensive problems come from one of the worst o-lines ever.  I will say this.  I never agreed with giving Rice his contract.  Always felt he deserved his money, but didn't really think we should be the ones to give it to him.  I thought the money you pay the running back, unless an AP like talent, should go towards your o-line.  A great o-line will make marginal running backs look like All-Pros, while giving your qb time to pass.  It helps both parts of the offense, cause as we see a good back with no line is worthless.  No run game puts more pressure on the entire offense and everything begins to collapes.

[T3hRaven]

I knew it was bad, but I didn't realize it was that bad. Quality stuff as usual callahan.

[Yatagarasu]

You know what we need?

 

 

Make it happen Ozzie!

[Yatagarasu]

This guy works too...

 

[TSizzle00]

Our running game is "one for the ages"!

[dhstandard]

One of the most detailed articles by far.  He watched a lot of tape and really looked at the reasons behind our failed running game.  I suggest you read this.  Really gives a good look at how bad our offensive line is playing this season as well as our tight ends.  He puts very little blame on Ray Rice which a lot of you should take notice of.

 

http://www.nfl.com/fantasyfootball/story/0ap2000000281971/article/fantasy-film-study-can-you-still-start-ray-rice

 

I'm happy that Oher's contract will be over in the offseason.  We need a new RT.  Monroe and Yanda are the only guys who deserve a spot next season.  I'll give Osemele a pass because I know how bad back injuries can affect one's ability to play.  

 

Pitta coming back will help us tremendously.  We also need another tight end who can block.

[NaveSenrag]

Great article. I clicked the link before I read it, and I was shocked to see it wasn an NFL.com article.

[HomeoftheBRAVENS]

*pours some vodka*

 

Ok,let me go read this article about the ravens oline and run game...

[Free Agent]

This was an excellent article. The play of our offensive line this season has been just that: offensive.

[CalvinSmoke]

Looking at this makes me wonder if Castillo has been the problem or not

[The Raven]

Looking at this makes me wonder if Castillo has been the problem or not

 

If you ask me, it looks like Oher and Gino lack the intellectual capacity for advanced blocking schemes. Like on the one play, Oher down blocked on the DT, leaving the DE untouched. Gino didn't get up to the second level on that play. I think both Oher and Gino goofed on that. Honestly hard to watch. You don't need three guys blocking one DT, and considering the DT was head up on Yanda, I know he's not to blame, lol. 

 

Actually, as Flacco is in the gun with Rice on his right, that would indicate a run to the left, which would make sense for Oher to take the DT, but in that case, Gino needs to go straight to the backer. So yeah, once again, Gino flashes his mental incompetence. 

 

Yeah, actually, that play is just so bad I don't even know what they were trying to do, let alone what they were supposed to do. Holy crap!

[redrum52]

If you ask me, it looks like Oher and Gino lack the intellectual capacity for advanced blocking schemes. Like on the one play, Oher down blocked on the DT, leaving the DE untouched. Gino didn't get up to the second level on that play. I think both Oher and Gino goofed on that. Honestly hard to watch. You don't need three guys blocking one DT, and considering the DT was head up on Yanda, I know he's not to blame, lol. 

 

Actually, as Flacco is in the gun with Rice on his right, that would indicate a run to the left, which would make sense for Oher to take the DT, but in that case, Gino needs to go straight to the backer. So yeah, once again, Gino flashes his mental incompetence. 

 

Yeah, actually, that play is just so bad I don't even know what they were trying to do, let alone what they were supposed to do. Holy crap!

Nothing  about the blocking looked right on the right side of the line.  When I saw 3 guys on Rubin I laughed.  I don't get how the o-line can be that inept this deep into the season.  Even if you think a scheme says go this way, from reading the defenses front, wouldn't common sense kick in and you take the free runner (53)?  They said in the pre season Juan was one of the best teachers so I can't understand why these guys still don't get it.

 

And for anyone still blaming the ZBS, the teams been using it since 2011.  Juan I think just tweeked some things.  I don't know if someone here posted the article or I saw it somewhere else, but I've heard that there's been some tension between Juan and Moeller. 

[arnie_uk]

So rice gets a pass fpr bad oline yet flacco sucks. I see

[nyc9192]

So rice gets a pass fpr bad oline yet flacco sucks. I see

Word

[Tank 92]

Good pics supporting what everyone pretty much already knows, but this article is just FF fodder.

[PurpleCityLights]

One of the most detailed articles by far. He watched a lot of tape and really looked at the reasons behind our failed running game. I suggest you read this. Really gives a good look at how bad our offensive line is playing this season as well as our tight ends. He puts very little blame on Ray Rice which a lot of you should take notice of.

http://www.nfl.com/fantasyfootball/story/0ap2000000281971/article/fantasy-film-study-can-you-still-start-ray-rice

I'm happy that Oher's contract will be over in the offseason. We need a new RT. Monroe and Yanda are the only guys who deserve a spot next season. I'll give Osemele a pass because I know how bad back injuries can affect one's ability to play.

Pitta coming back will help us tremendously. We also need another tight end who can block.

another great post on our O-line & running game problems, good looking.

[PurpleCityLights]

So rice gets a pass fpr bad oline yet flacco sucks. I see

they both are playing bad atm, dont think either one should get a pass tho.....

[DocMartin]

Our Running Game is complete DISASTER. Our O-LINE blocking is DREADFULL. Besides having Rice coming off injury and he is NOT 100% healthy, nor in his usual form.
While we were on the SuperBowl run last year, other teams were.doing their homework. How do you beat the Ravens? Its quite simple. You take away the deep threat by double cover Torrey Smith and you stop the Running Game, including Ray Rice. And they are doing it.
Everyone knows when Rice is in on the field, he is getting the ball, so the defenders are looking for him. I have never seen Rice doing so many jukes in the backfield with people hanging on to his ankles, lucky if he.can get.back to the line of scrimmage.
What's even more PATHETIC is We Keep Calling the Same Play Over and Over!? It's like throwing a Tomato Against the Wall on every play. Come On Coach, can't we get little more creative?
1) Do Not Run Rice on 1st down, instead use him as decoy
2) Use Pierce more on the ground and Rice in short passing game
3) Use Leach in 3rd and short situations
4) Find out which play works the best and USE IT OFTEN

[newfangledtech]

One of the biggest reasons our running game is weak, is that Vonta Leach is sitting on the bench. What a waste!

[The Raven]

One of the biggest reasons our running game is weak, is that Vonta Leach is sitting on the bench. What a waste!

 

Actually, Leach has been pretty terrible this year.

 

It's also worth noting that we averaged 4.1 yards a carry with Leach on the field last year and 4.1 yards a carry with him off the field. 

 

Leach being on the bench is not hurting us at all. In fact, having Leach on the bench might actually help. Not only has he been bad this year, him being on the field means we'd see more guys in the box, where Rice does better when there are only five or six guys in the box.

 

The real waste is him taking up that money and the roster spot when he really hasn't done anything this season. If we were gonna give a fullback five snaps a game I'd rather keep an extra lineman and just start Juice at FB.

[jazz1988]

Actually, Leach has been pretty terrible this year.

 

It's also worth noting that we averaged 4.1 yards a carry with Leach on the field last year and 4.1 yards a carry with him off the field. 

 

Leach being on the bench is not hurting us at all. In fact, having Leach on the bench might actually help. Not only has he been bad this year, him being on the field means we'd see more guys in the box, where Rice does better when there are only five or six guys in the box.

 

The real waste is him taking up that money and the roster spot when he really hasn't done anything this season. If we were gonna give a fullback five snaps a game I'd rather keep an extra lineman and just start Juice at FB.

 

Leach in my opinion is still one of the best fullbacks in the league and I still dont see how it was a waste to re-sign him  and with time I think it will pay off. The only reason why Leach is getting less snaps because our offensive line suck at running blocking so much which makes it easier for opposing defenses to stop it which is  why the ravens have no choice but to go with a one back formation with three receivers and etc in order to keep the opponent guessing(in opinion still hasn't help much).

 

Theres no way in the world the ravens knew their o-line was going to suck this bad at running blocking  and since they do it has made leach look bad along with the running backs

[rmw10]

Leach in my opinion is still one of the best fullbacks in the league and I still dont see how it was a waste to re-sign him and with time I think it will pay off. The only reason why Leach is getting less snaps because our offensive line suck at running blocking so much which makes it easier for opposing defenses to stop it which is why the ravens have no choice but to go with a one back formation with three receivers and etc in order to keep the opponent guessing(in opinion still hasn't help much)

Leach has actually been pretty bad this year. He's missed a ton of blocks. He's part of the reason the run game is struggling.