What needed to be done there, if you have an OL that can drive block - which we don't - and if you're going to call a run, is straight ahead drive block, hat on hat, and move the LOS 1-3 yds; do it again on 2nd down, and you're 3rd down on the 5 yd line.
Either that, or pass it.
What we saw, was MM getting cute with Bulaga blocking down (and whiffing), and Lang jumping out, presumably to kick out, but the ILB closed so fast that he was compromised - the play call takes some development and cooperation from the defense - which of course is a recipe for allowing penetration and risking the safety - which is what happened.
No, we didn't drive block anyone, b/c we don't have any running plays in the playbook that call for drive blocking - why?? Because we don't have any drive blockers, and MM doesn't believe in power running.
MM wants to "influence" defensive players - and to be sure there is a place for that in designing plays; he wants to move the POA along the LOS east/west, and hope the defense overruns the cutback, or doesn't marshall enough at the POA and the RB can simply go wherever the hole might be. MM doesn't design running plays to create specific holes, and he doesn't require that his offensive linemen win battles at the LOS. It's all about positioning, and walling off, and pretty much just trying to get in the way of the defenders.
The ZBS is easy to defend - especially now that they've outlawed that chop block that used to drive Gilbert Brown insane - and rightfully so.
Now, since I didn't see the game - how many running plays had OL pulling, trapping, sweeps?? Did MM simply trot out his vaunted 3 zone plays, and that was it??