(11-07-2019, 12:34 PM)NYC4jags Wrote:

(11-07-2019, 11:01 AM)JackCity Wrote: That's kind of the entire theory behind it though. There's a lot more to PA than just running effectively, which is why we often see teams who are very bad at running still maintain elite levels of production and effectiveness from PA.

I'll be more specific. 

Say a  team has a crappy YPC average and very low ranked run game coming into a game.

They begin their third possession by ripping off a 7 yard run and follow that up with another for 5 yards on the ensuing 2nd down.  They have now set up play action more effectively within that drive by actually running the ball well within a microcosm of sorts. 
 Doesn't matter that they don't do it consistently. 
Ripping a couple of decent runs in a drive or a succession of drives will definitely aid the effectiveness of a play action call compared to not being able to make anything happen all day on the ground in that game. 

Sure you can call it when you are pumping out 2 yards and a cloud of dust all day and it may still work, but you ABSOLUTELY have a better chance to catch a defense more off guard if they have a well executed run play fresh in their minds.

Yeah... play action only works if the run game is working within that game (or more specifically, that drive)
For teams that are known for running the ball on early downs and to start games I think opening up with PA would be quite effective but I don't see it that often. Probably because the actual threat of the run has yet to be established within that game or drive.

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