OL is a problem. No push. Yeldon has to dance to pick up positive yardage, and when its an obvious run down the defenses just t up on our run game and can easily shut us down. We're also starting to see teams make adjustments knowing our OL is not good. They are dropping guys in coverage and rushing 4...sometimes 3...and affecting Blake regardless.

 

I will also agree that Olson's playcalling has been...lacking. People hated the Alualu call. But you know what? The Patriots score TDs on these types of plays. Houston did the same with JJ Watt. But therein lies the problem...that kind of playcall should be made in the goalline...not in the middle of the field (which we've tried a couple of times already) Goal line, the defense NEED to sell on the run, and they also have to contend with Blake's run option. Because the field is condense, it adds pressure on the defense: do I play the RB? Oh QB has the ball, do I play his run then? But wait, there's a big FB coming my way.

 

When its 3rd and short but there's 50 yards behind you, you can sit back and defend the FB knowing there's time for the rest of the defense to catch up. And even if you make a mistake, are you really scared of Alualu running a 50 yard touchdown run? Of course not. So the threat is minimal.

 

You run the same play in the redzone? It's bang bang. And the defense has very little time to decide to take TJ, Blake, or the FB. And guess what? You guess wrong, by the time your teammate tries to help you out to cover for your mistake...its too late. It may have only been a 4 yard gain...but that 4 yards just cost you 6 points.

 

Its mind numbingly dumb that we try these type of plays in the middle of the field but not in the redzone.

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