I think what we're seeing in 2016 is a resurgence in the running game. It's still a passing league by and large, but teams like the Dolphins, Titans, Texans and Cowboys are showing us that you can be successful with a great running game and efficient play at QB (Mariota and Prescott are likely destined for top-tier star status, however, right now they're a notch below that. But they've made plays when needed and made few mistakes, so I'm not knocking or downgrading their play at all. Miami and Houston's QB are less settled).

 

Looking at the rest of the top 10 running teams, sure there are some bad teams on the list (Jets and 49ers), but  5 of the 10 (Dallas, New England, Miami, Oakland and Houston) are in playoff position and a couple others are still in the hunt (Tennessee and Buffalo).

 

Going forward, there's a couple of lessons we should glean:

 

1. A rugged, physical OL is making a comeback, and high picks should be spent on these players. I don't want guys who are turnstiles in pass blocking but I also am less inclined to draft a super athletic LT with no mean streak and who's below average in physicality. I want my OL to be nasty, I want them to physically dominate the opposing D-Line. I think that wears on a team over time both physically and also psychologically. Anyone who's been beat down on the football field, or even made a mistake during a work presentation knows that just a hint of confidence is lost and unless you make a concerted effort to keep your head in the game, it can be demoralising. Psychology matters.

 

2. Running backs are not quite a dime a dozen and the 1st round RB is not dead. Elite level talents like Elliot do provide a real advantage over your run-of-the-mill late round/UDFA. 

 

3. A great running game takes a lot of pressure off the passing game, and it opens things up for it too. A constant theme of this season has been the 1st down run for zero or even negative yards. It puts the team in a 2nd and long and basically tells the defence that we're passing the ball. Much easier to defend the pass when you can put 5, 6 or 7 guys in coverage because the run is not a real threat. I know we all hate the 1st down run and harp on the play calling. But what if the unthinkable happened, and the team was actually able to regularly gain 4-8 yards on the ground on 1st down? All of a sudden its 2nd and short and that foolish 1st down play call isn't an issue anymore.

 

In summary, the plan for this offseason should be to rebuild the OL. Spend a couple of draft picks and bring in some veteran free agents. Find fits for what we're trying to do, and that doesn't mean to just hand out $100 million contracts. Just as there are value signings in baseball, I believe there are value signings in football. Don't necessarily pass on Fournette if he's available just because of his position. Yes, Bortles needs to be evaluated and a decision should be made from there, even if it's a tough one to swallow. If he does stay, focus on making things a bit easier on him. Maybe he responds and has a bounce-back year. If not, a greatly improved running game could allow this team to get away with a stop-gap veteran signing or trade (like Alex Smith was to the Chiefs, for example) before a long-term answer is found.

 

 

 

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