(01-12-2024, 10:26 AM)snarkyguy_he_him_his Wrote:

(01-12-2024, 10:22 AM)The Real Marty Wrote: It's amazing how people cannot mentally absorb this very straightforward and simple idea- not being able to run kills everything on offense.  The response seems to be, "well, why don't they throw the ball instead?"  And then when that doesn't work, it's "why didn't they throw it better?"

I'll try again.   The difference between running successfully and not running successfully is 2nd and 6 vs 2nd and 12.  When 2nd and 12 happens over and over, we have to do something else.  But the defense knows this.  So they pin their ears back and rush the passer.  Now, when they do that, there's a lot less time for pass patterns to develop downfield, or for the QB to go through progressions.  It's going to be one read and throw it.  Because the QB has no time to do anything else.  And because the defense knows this, they don't need to give any cushion to the WRs.  They can cover tight.  And they make sure to cover the checkdown, because they know the QB is going to have to check it down.  At this point, can't run the ball, and WRs aren't getting open.  Checkmate.  All because we can't run the ball.  It's like boxing with one hand tied behind your back.  

And at this point, there's nothing the play caller can do.  The offense has no balance, and they can't set up play action, and when they do try to run the ball, they wind up with 2nd and long.  

Weak Center and OGs = handcuffed play caller.  

This is a really simple concept, but a lot of people on this message board can't seem to grasp it.

Why does it have to be one way or the other?

It's both.

But a good coach changes scheme when he doesn't have the horses to run anymore.

Bottom line? Trent Baalke is what has hampered us. If Doug n Press had the horses they'd be fine. But it irks me that they didn't change a thing and just kept saying execution. Dude, scrubs can't execute your gameplan.. so change it!