2 ?s for the 2017 season

[NikkiSixx]

I'm curious how much emphasis has anyone seen the staff put on the running game? From my perspective, there has been very little emphasis on it. What evidence do we actually have? The only thing I have seen is they have recruited backs that are small and can catch the swing pass out of the backfield. That is the only thing remarkable about this staff's attention to the running game. The only other evidence we have, is two seasons of declining rushing stats, with a team that didn't fit their pro style scheme. I don't see any evidence that some how those rushing numbers are supposed to get better. Quite the contrary, the visible evidence says pass, pass, pass, and another pass.

 

[Cornicator]

I'm curious how much emphasis has anyone seen the staff put on the running game? From my perspective, there has been very little emphasis on it. What evidence do we actually have? The only thing I have seen is they have recruited backs that are small and can catch the swing pass out of the backfield. That is the only thing remarkable about this staff's attention to the running game. The only other evidence we have, is two seasons of declining rushing stats, with a team that didn't fit their pro style scheme. I don't see any evidence that some how those rushing numbers are supposed to get better. Quite the contrary, the visible evidence says pass, pass, pass, and another pass.

1. There is a QB battle in place. You don't grade QBs by how to hand off the football.

2. The rushing numbers went down last year when all things offensively went to shit after a plethora of injuries. The team was averaging roughly 220 yards per game on the ground and about 260 thru the air after the Northwestern game. Then the wheels came off with injuries. Farmer got hurt. Right tackle became a Ferris wheel. Gates was hurt. Westerkamp and Carter go down. Moore could barely walk. And then everything took its toll on Tommy. They tailored the running game around Armstrong and Run Pass option style scheme. But once half the threats were gone, Nebraska became very easy to stop.

3. Smaller quicker running backs are more ideal when you have a potent passing game and a QB who can sling it anywhere on the field. Defenses, in theory, are going to be Spread out a bit defending all options. A smaller back with better quickness will have more chances to make a play in space.

 

[NikkiSixx]

1. There is a QB battle in place. You don't grade QBs by how to hand off the football.

2. The rushing numbers went down last year when all things offensively went to shit after a plethora of injuries. The team was averaging roughly 220 yards per game on the ground and about 260 thru the air after the Northwestern game. Then the wheels came off with injuries. Farmer got hurt. Right tackle became a Ferris wheel. Gates was hurt. Westerkamp and Carter go down. Moore could barely walk. And then everything took its toll on Tommy. They tailored the running game around Armstrong and Run Pass option style scheme. But once half the threats were gone, Nebraska became very easy to stop.

3. Smaller quicker running backs are more ideal when you have a potent passing game and a QB who can sling it anywhere on the field. Defenses, in theory, are going to be Spread out a bit defending all options. A smaller back with better quickness will have more chances to make a play in space.

1) So you think they are passing more in practice to help shake out which QB is going to start?

2) Injuries dragged down the entire offense last year, not just rushing. I don't think this bullet point supports increased attention to the running game. I think you're trying to say that last years rushing stats would have been better without the injuries. Plausible, but the prior year rushing wasn't good either, so..

3. A small back is harder to find in the backfield and if he is actually quick, then also harder to tackle. I really think what they are doing here is treating the RB position as more of a wide receiver type of position. Almost a hybrid. It actually supports the notion of more passing. I guess one could get into the argument of whether the short pass is a run or not, but I'll avoid that for now.

 

[Cornicator]

1) So you think they are passing more in practice to help shake out which QB is going to start?

2) Injuries dragged down the entire offense last year, not just rushing. I don't think this bullet point supports increased attention to the running game. I think you're trying to say that last years rushing stats would have been better without the injuries. Plausible, but the prior year rushing wasn't good either, so..

3. A small back is harder to find in the backfield and if he is actually quick, then also harder to tackle. I really think what they are doing here is treating the RB position as more of a wide receiver type of position. Almost a hybrid. It actually supports the notion of more passing. I guess one could get into the argument of whether the short pass is a run or not, but I'll avoid that for now.

1. I'm saying they are in the middle of QB race. You can't judge QBs by their ability to hand off the football.

2. My point with #2 is judging any future running game off of last season is slightly pointless.

3. You can't emphasize a running game when you're trying to select a QB. You hammer that out in August when you've chosen your man behind center.

 

[NikkiSixx]

1. I'm saying they are in the middle of QB race. You can't judge QBs by their ability to hand off the football.

2. My point with #2 is judging any future running game off of last season is slightly pointless.

3. You can't emphasize a running game when you're trying to select a QB. You hammer that out in August when you've chosen your man behind center.

1. They already know who is going to start at QB.
2. You can't judge a staff's running game from one year to the next? hmmmmm
3. You changed topics here and went back to topic #1

 

[Morgan747]

I went to 5 practices last year in different weeks and get reports from people that attend practices. They lack physicality in practice and don't practice the run enough. You can see they care about the pass more. They practice the screen game as much as the run. Of course they also practice all the different pass routes. They don't emphasize the run and I don't think they will commit to it. I think 40 passes per game is what we will see.

I hope they'll practice differently this season, we'll have to see. If they don't change the way they practice, I don't see much success in running the ball.