What Is The Biggest Problem With The Running Game?

[Joemailman]

It's hard to believe that it's just the OL. Guys who are this good at pass blocking should be able to run block a little bit. I'm inclined to think that the musical chairs situation at RB is a big part of the problem. I'm hoping that MM will settle on a main guy at some point. Wynn would be my choice

[Brohm]

I think it's a combination of all the above. Throw in the good defenses we have played and it's the bad running soup o'the day.

I do think though that we will get better as the season rolls on. With no hitting/cut-blocking, it's tough to practice so they will have to get better with game-day experience.

[BallHawk]

I blame it on the first two. The scheme worked with Green last year and even though we don't run it exactly like Denver, we do run a ZBS.

I like Morency, but unless you have a fantastic OL like the Broncos, you can't get by with average RBs. Are RBs are at the point where they're arguably not even average.

I'm always concerned about Clifton and Tauscher. They do a great job at protecting Favre, but I just don't think that they can be effective run-blocking in this scheme.

[]{ilr]3]

I think its all of the above as well.

Our RB just dont hit the holes and are always looking like there are preparing to be hit, instead of doing some hitting themselves.

I dont think the Zone Blocking Scheme is working at all,

I dont think we have the personel to run a ZB Scheme either.

MM play calling for the run are in question because he goes away from it when its the absolute best time to go for it. 3 and inches and a pass Yikees!

[Bretsky]

I don't think it's the scheme
I don't think it's the playcalling; MM knows we suck there and he does an outstanding job calling plays knowing we cannot run the ball

I think our OL is subpar in their run blocking
I think our RB's are subpar

As a result our running game is sub par; we shouldn't be that surprised this is occuring.

The pleasant surprise is how effective our passing game has been the last couple weeks; it's likely the run will setup the pass for much of the year

[Carolina_Packer]

So, the choices moving forward (and obviously something you do off-season) is:

1. Keep the scheme, change the personnel
2. Keep the personnel, change the scheme to fit them better (easier to do rather than making wholesale changes in personnel).
3. Coach 'em up, get them to play more disciplined within the scheme by fixing technique that is lacking and tweak the skill positions to find better talent.

I don't think you can lay it at anyone's feet completely, however, it does seem quite often that the backs are taking on a defender at or before they are hitting the hole, or soon after they are hitting the hole, which means the lanes are tight.

These backs were hand-picked for our running/blocking scheme, so obviously they can't all suck. A running back, like a qb needs space to make a play.

[HarveyWallbangers]

We faced two of the toughest run defenses in the league the last two weeks, and barely tried to run it. Our run game will get better--just like last year. We couldn't run it a lick last year until Ahman had that long run vs. Miami. After that, we were okay. We have the same personnel as last year--except Ahman (and Ahman wasn't the same player as he was in his prime). I think Morency will give the team a boost. I think Grant will get a bigger role. Things will get better.

On the plus side, if things do get better in the run game, we are going to be a tough team to beat.

[GrnBay007]

Things will get better.

And if not, there's always Ryan. :P

[BallHawk]

If we can get something that just resembles a running game we instantly become a Super Bowl Contender.

We are playing like a playoff team right now, no question, but to win the NFC you need to beat the Cowboys and the Cowboys have a complete offense, a passing game and a running game. We only have one of those.

[GBRulz]

I really would like to see us to at least try and run the ball on 3rd and 1.

[retailguy]

I think the RB's and the OL have to share the blame.

Harvey is right, we've gone up against two tough run defenses, but, in all fairness we haven't looked good in the preseason, nor against the Eagles or the Giants either. (Though the Giants looked better, but their run D stinks).

What do you guys think will happen when the weather changes, the wind picks up and it rains/snows? I don't think we'll be able to pass 40 times those games...

[Freak Out]

The focus of the OL is keeping #4 alive and that is at it should be....you would have to think that the running game would get better as the season went on but who knows with this group. It falls on the OL and the backs with some blame also on the scheme itself (I hate the ZBS by the way).

[retailguy]

I really would like to see us to at least try and run the ball on 3rd and 1.

LOL. How about 4&1 from the one? But, hey, they're winning so who cares?

[HarveyWallbangers]

We actually ran the ball much worse last preseason. Then, we couldn't run it a lick the first few games. However, we kept trying and finally broke out against the likes of Arizona and Miami. This year, same thing. Except we faced the 7th best run defense and the top run defense from last year, so McCarthy schemed to not even try to run the ball. (Which was obviously a good move.)

I think we'll get considerably better--just like last year. Except for the Bears twice and the Vikings once, we don't play that many really stout run defenses the rest of the year.

[Carolina_Packer]

These are all professionals. It's the technique as much as it is the technicians. The coaches and players will have to dig deeper and figure it out. These are good players who are just not in synch. I think our RB's need chemistry and timing with the scheme, and our O-line has to start kicking ass and taking names to give them lanes to run in.