Thurmal34 Posted May 19, 2012 Share Posted May 19, 2012 We have two stud running backs and "meh" QBs and WRs. We have a D (on paper, I know) that should finally be less than paper meche. We have added some depth to a solid but thin OL. We play in the northeast and fortunately host a succession of dome/warm weather teams down the stretch run. Our two best offensive players are running backs. Will Gailey leverage our two best offensive players and get them at least 15 touches per game each? Or will he get down by 10 and claim he "had to pass" (see Tenn game last year)? Fitz has shown to be better when his attempts are in the 30 or less range. IMO Buddy is building us to run more and pass less. Will Chan play to our perceived strength? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
It's in My Blood Posted May 19, 2012 Share Posted May 19, 2012 We have two stud running backs and "meh" QBs and WRs. We have a D (on paper, I know) that should finally be less than paper meche. We have added some depth to a solid but thin OL. We play in the northeast and fortunately host a succession of dome/warm weather teams down the stretch run. Our two best offensive players are running backs. Will Gailey leverage our two best offensive players and get them at least 15 touches per game each? Or will he get down by 10 and claim he "had to pass" (see Tenn game last year)? Fitz has shown to be better when his attempts are in the 30 or less range. IMO Buddy is building us to run more and pass less. Will Chan play to our perceived strength? I would imagine with our improved defense, we should and will be running the ball a lot more than last year. We shouldn't have many games where we have to abandon the run because we're down multiple scores. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hondo in seattle Posted May 19, 2012 Share Posted May 19, 2012 I'm not opposed to running more but I'm not sure we should expect it. 1. Chan uses to passing game to open up the run game. 2. We don't have a dominating O Line. Our two backs averaged over 5 yards a pop partly because of #1. With the exception of maybe a new starting LT, we're going into this season with the same players we began last season. So my guess is that what we saw in the first of last season is pretty much what we'll see this season. That seems to be Chan's formula for maximizing the talents of this group. But Blood's comment is valid. Hopefully we can run more at the end of games because we have a lead. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
San-O Posted May 19, 2012 Share Posted May 19, 2012 No. Buddy is throw throw throw and throw. He has said multiple times he "would like to run more", but never does. When you have injured receivers, banged up O-line, a QB with apparent rib injuries and a stud RB getting 5.5 yards/carry and you STILL don't run more, you never will. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OCinBuffalo Posted May 19, 2012 Share Posted May 19, 2012 I'm not opposed to running more but I'm not sure we should expect it. 1. Chan uses to passing game to open up the run game. 2. We don't have a dominating O Line. Our two backs averaged over 5 yards a pop partly because of #1. With the exception of maybe a new starting LT, we're going into this season with the same players we began last season. So my guess is that what we saw in the first of last season is pretty much what we'll see this season. That seems to be Chan's formula for maximizing the talents of this group. But Blood's comment is valid. Hopefully we can run more at the end of games because we have a lead. At the beginning of last season....our O line was ripping huge running holes consistently. We can talk about things being set up...to a degree. But go back and watch the games, especially the first 7 games. A lot of those big run plays were about our O lineman finding their guy, owning him both physically and technically, getting off that block and getting a secondary one down the field. That happened over and over. It was less about trickery and more about skill...and in many cases, it was just a plain beat down. But, then the line started getting banged up, and everything got screwed up. With no real depth, it all went to schit. However, if you look at the Denver game, once the "replacement line" had a chance to work together for a few games....they started kicking ass. If the season lasted 26 games....etc. And...yeah, in the 2012 NFL: you don't run to win, you run because you are winning. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thurmal34 Posted May 19, 2012 Author Share Posted May 19, 2012 Hondo I hear you about using the pass to set up the run. However, I think our backs (and our OL, if tasked properly) are good enough that we can use the run to set up the run. In the days of Thurman, we used to be able to convert key 3rd and 2 slash 3's on the ground when everyone on the opposing team, in the stadium, and watching on TV knew the ball was going to Thurman or KD23. We got it anyway. IMO that's what Buddy is building us for. The question is will Chan be flexible enough to adjust to that style? What it comes down to, IMO, is those key short yardage plays. Will Chan drop Fitz back and toss to Donald Jones on a big Q3/Q4 3rd and 2 or will he simply hand it to FJ or CJ and shove it down the other team's throat? IMO even if our line isnt "dominating" yet, out backs sure are. Let's feature our two best players. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
reddogblitz Posted May 19, 2012 Share Posted May 19, 2012 No. Buddy is throw throw throw and throw. He has said multiple times he "would like to run more", but never does. When you have injured receivers, banged up O-line, a QB with apparent rib injuries and a stud RB getting 5.5 yards/carry and you STILL don't run more, you never will. I agree with this. I'll also add that when you're backup shotgun center can't get a snap back and you still don't put the QB under center and try to run more, you never will. Coach Gailey is a passing guy. That said, in some games when Fred really had it going, like the Eagles game for example, he fed Fred heavily. In that game Fitz threw 27 times and Fred/CJ carried the ball 28 times. In the game before that when we should have been pounding the rock in the 2nd half, Fitz threw 34 times to Fred/CJ's 20 carries. I look for more of this type of ratio this year. The week after the Eagles game where we had so much success running the football, against the Giants, Fitz threw 30 time and Fred/CJ ran it 20 times. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
San-O Posted May 19, 2012 Share Posted May 19, 2012 I agree with this. I'll also add that when you're backup shotgun center can't get a snap back and you still don't put the QB under center and try to run more, you never will. Coach Gailey is a passing guy. That said, in some games when Fred really had it going, like the Eagles game for example, he fed Fred heavily. In that game Fitz threw 27 times and Fred/CJ carried the ball 28 times.In the game before that when we should have been pounding the rock in the 2nd half, Fitz threw 34 times to Fred/CJ's 20 carries. I look for more of this type of ratio this year. The week after the Eagles game where we had so much success running the football, against the Giants, Fitz threw 30 time and Fred/CJ ran it 20 times. I remember that game, but not the exact stats. It's too bad IMO, as it seems Gailey is trying to prove something re: the passing game instead of trying to call a smart and appropriate game, which I think will be his demise with this team. We'll see. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bufcomments Posted May 19, 2012 Share Posted May 19, 2012 We have two stud running backs and "meh" QBs and WRs. We have a D (on paper, I know) that should finally be less than paper meche. We have added some depth to a solid but thin OL. We play in the northeast and fortunately host a succession of dome/warm weather teams down the stretch run. Our two best offensive players are running backs. Will Gailey leverage our two best offensive players and get them at least 15 touches per game each? Or will he get down by 10 and claim he "had to pass" (see Tenn game last year)? Fitz has shown to be better when his attempts are in the 30 or less range. IMO Buddy is building us to run more and pass less. Will Chan play to our perceived strength? When Fred was healthy we WERE a running team. Remember Fred got his touches before he got hurt. Chan, Fitz and everybody in the locker room knows Fred is the MVP of the team. He will be the focus of the offense. But I think Spiller will get more reps as the season goes on to keep Fred fresh. In order to make the playoffs Fred is gonna have to make it through most of the season and Fitz cutting down on those INT's. I hope both happens because we have a Defense that can stop teams. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beerme1 Posted May 19, 2012 Share Posted May 19, 2012 It's a passing league. I think Fitz is perfectly serviceable looking back at our start dont you? I also believe that Chan will change and feed fred/cj more this year which is opposite the nature but these two and their talent will demand that they have a greater emphasis than Fitz. We are better. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BillyBaroo Posted May 19, 2012 Share Posted May 19, 2012 Maybe it's because I just watched Moneyball - but the stats really say that both Jackson and Spiller were very effective running the ball last year - we would be crazy not to be a running team. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thurmal34 Posted May 19, 2012 Author Share Posted May 19, 2012 (edited) When Fred was healthy we WERE a running team. Remember Fred got his touches before he got hurt. Why not stay a running team when Fred's backup is just as good as FJ, if not better? All I'm trying to get at here is that our two best offensive players are running backs. If Chan is true to his word and tailors the offense to suit his best players, shouldn't we expect an attack that features a heavy dose of both FJ and CJ? Look, I love Stevie, I even have his jersey, but in all honesty who is the better player, Stevie or CJ? If Chan can objectively look at this club and see it's being built for pounding the rock and limiting Fitz to 25-30 throws per game, we will excel. Maybe even win the division. Yes I said it. However, if we get down 7 or 10 in Q3 and Chan starts going 3 and out on pass plays, that's going to be frustrating. Being down 17-21 in Q3-Q4 is one thing, fine, pass away, but IMO you win with your best players. IMO our best player on O is FJ and our second best player is CJ. We should make teams pay for that, not let them relax when they have a 7 pt lead and know Fitz is going to throw to far less talented players three times in a row. We handcuff ourselves. Edited May 19, 2012 by Thurmal34 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BillyBaroo Posted May 19, 2012 Share Posted May 19, 2012 Why not stay a running team when Fred's backup is just as good as FJ, if not better? All I'm trying to get at here is that our two best offensive players are running backs. If Chan is true to his word and tailors the offense to suit his best players, shouldn't we expect an attack that features a heavy dose of both FJ and CJ? Look, I love Stevie, I even have his jersey, but in all honesty who is the better player, Stevie or CJ? If Chan can objectively look at this club and see it's being built for pounding the rock and limiting Fitz to 25-30 throws per game, we will excel. Maybe even win the division. Yes I said it. However, if we get down 7 or 10 in Q3 and Chan starts going 3 and out on pass plays, that's going to be frustrating. Being down 17-21 in Q3-Q4 is one thing, fine, pass away, but IMO you win with your best players. IMO our best player on O is FJ and our second best player is CJ. We should make teams pay for that, not let them relax when they have a 7 pt lead and know Fitz is going to throw to far less talented players three times in a row. We handcuff ourselves. Definitely agree on the Stevie assessment - - running game should take precedence over him Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buffalo Barbarian Posted May 19, 2012 Share Posted May 19, 2012 We have two stud running backs and "meh" QBs and WRs. We have a D (on paper, I know) that should finally be less than paper meche. We have added some depth to a solid but thin OL. We play in the northeast and fortunately host a succession of dome/warm weather teams down the stretch run. Our two best offensive players are running backs. Will Gailey leverage our two best offensive players and get them at least 15 touches per game each? Or will he get down by 10 and claim he "had to pass" (see Tenn game last year)? Fitz has shown to be better when his attempts are in the 30 or less range. IMO Buddy is building us to run more and pass less. Will Chan play to our perceived strength? God I hope so, watching all that passing especially on short yardage was maddening. We have great runners and a devastating FB lets use him. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nucci Posted May 19, 2012 Share Posted May 19, 2012 We have two stud running backs and "meh" QBs and WRs. We have a D (on paper, I know) that should finally be less than paper meche. We have added some depth to a solid but thin OL. We play in the northeast and fortunately host a succession of dome/warm weather teams down the stretch run. Our two best offensive players are running backs. Will Gailey leverage our two best offensive players and get them at least 15 touches per game each? Or will he get down by 10 and claim he "had to pass" (see Tenn game last year)? Fitz has shown to be better when his attempts are in the 30 or less range. IMO Buddy is building us to run more and pass less. Will Chan play to our perceived strength? Who are both great receivers. It will be interesting but I think we will still have a very good offense. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eball Posted May 19, 2012 Share Posted May 19, 2012 I remember that game, but not the exact stats. It's too bad IMO, as it seems Gailey is trying to prove something re: the passing game instead of trying to call a smart and appropriate game, which I think will be his demise with this team. We'll see. How do people type this stuff, much less believe it? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BuffaloFan68 Posted May 19, 2012 Share Posted May 19, 2012 The main point that I am looking forward to is the fact that we should have more offensive plays this year with our D spending less time on the field. Show me the baby Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris heff Posted May 19, 2012 Share Posted May 19, 2012 Hondo I hear you about using the pass to set up the run. However, I think our backs (and our OL, if tasked properly) are good enough that we can use the run to set up the run. In the days of Thurman, we used to be able to convert key 3rd and 2 slash 3's on the ground when everyone on the opposing team, in the stadium, and watching on TV knew the ball was going to Thurman or KD23. We got it anyway. IMO that's what Buddy is building us for. The question is will Chan be flexible enough to adjust to that style? What it comes down to, IMO, is those key short yardage plays. Will Chan drop Fitz back and toss to Donald Jones on a big Q3/Q4 3rd and 2 or will he simply hand it to FJ or CJ and shove it down the other team's throat? IMO even if our line isnt "dominating" yet, out backs sure are. Let's feature our two best players. In today's NFL 3rd and 2 is a pass . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thurmal34 Posted May 19, 2012 Author Share Posted May 19, 2012 In today's NFL 3rd and 2 is a pass . So we should not play to our strengths on 3rd and short because "everyone else is doing it"? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris heff Posted May 19, 2012 Share Posted May 19, 2012 So we should not play to our strengths on 3rd and short because "everyone else is doing it"? I not saying I agree that 3rd and two is a passing down, just saying it is. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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