It's a combination of the o-line talent, the scheme we're using, and the rb talent. First, the line...

We have a bunch of rookies and one veteran (not counting Lewis) on the line. The one vet isn't particularly good either. They've been getting switched around all through the camps and pre-season so it shouldn't shock anyone that they aren't used to playing as a unit. They are at best only average as pass blockers (half the sacks on Henne was Henne's fault) but plain poor as run blockers. Then there's the scheme...

Knowing that we are poor run blockers, Jedd Fisch attempts to run Toby Gerhart on swings outside. There is a problem with this however; (a) swing runs require the guard or tackle to pull and lead, ours get beat so quickly that the defense is able to come right through and tackle Gerhart before he can turn up field. Then there's Gerhart...

Toby was touted as a 'power running back'. This is supposed to mean that he can bull his way forward through the line and pick up short (but reliable) yardage. He is almost exclusively a 'north/south' runner. He isn't known for his burst of speed and cuts... he just pounds north/south. The problem is that very, very few runners can pickup yardage if there is no hole to run through. Even fewer can gain yardage (even short yardage) if the defenders are already in the backfield with him before he has even started forward. Toby may be a power runner, but he's slow; too slow to be trying to use on swing plays. We have a back (Denard Robinson) who would be perfect for this situation, but he is getting under utilized. I don't know why.

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