The Dennison Run Attack

[hondo in seattle]

As an ex army officer, I love tactics. But I've never had the time to learn the intricacies of NFL offenses. Even with my average-ish understanding, though, the run game has me worried after the Panthers game.

 

I was in awe of the Roman-designed rushing attack. Sometimes you'd see plays where none of the offensive linemen had to overwhelm their guy. They just had to be in the right place on the right time. Roman's attack was often predicated upon discipline, timing, athleticism and precision. It didn't always require the OL to be maulers. And yet they gave Shady and MB plenty of space to run.

 

Rico said he spent a lot of time watching the 2016 Bills rushing attack to see what works. And yet Rico's zone-blocking scheme doesn't bear any resemblance - in my eyes - to Roman's scheme. Our OL weren't winning the one-on-one battles against the Panthers that they had to win and the holes weren't there.

 

I noticed the difference in the blocking/running scheme during the Jets game but we were so productive that game, who cared? But now I'm worried that Rico didn't borrow enough from Roman. Given who we have at QB and WR, we need our rushing attack to be highly productive. Sunday, it wasn't.

 

I'd love to hear some observations and insights from guys who are better at Xs and Os than I am.

[Stank_Nasty]

As an ex army officer, I love tactics. But I've never had the time to learn the intricacies of NFL offenses. Even with my average-ish understanding, though, the run game has me worried after the Panthers game.

 

I was in awe of the Roman-designed rushing attack. Sometimes you'd see plays where none of the offensive linemen had to overwhelm their guy. They just had to be in the right place on the right time. Roman's attack was often predicated upon discipline, timing, athleticism and precision. It didn't always require the OL to be maulers. And yet they gave Shady and MB plenty of space to run.

 

Rico said he spent a lot of time watching the 2016 Bills rushing attack to see what works. And yet Rico's zone-blocking scheme doesn't bear any resemblance - in my eyes - to Roman's scheme. Our OL weren't winning the one-on-one battles against the Panthers that they had to win and the holes weren't there.

 

I noticed the difference in the blocking/running scheme during the Jets game but we were so productive that game, who cared? But now I'm worried that Rico didn't borrow enough from Roman. Given who we have at QB and WR, we need our rushing attack to be highly productive. Sunday, it wasn't.

 

I'd love to hear some observations and insights from guys who are better at Xs and Os than I am.

I've thought over the first 2 games the run game was extremely vanilla. even vs the jets I thought it was predictable..... I think his run philosophy is based off having an offense that can threaten through the air to loosen up the ground game.

 

...... and its pretty evident this pass offense isn't gonna loosen anything up for anyone.

[PolishDave]

These are pretty good.

 

Roman

 

http://youtu.be/sq1G7W_dXms

Edited September 19, 2017 by PolishDave

[87168]

the entire offense is conservative and pedestrian, at best. I don't understand the drop off. I mean, one can only attribute it to the OC. the cornerstones of the run game are still there (25 and 5).

 

Dennison's offense lacks explosiveness, and I'm not willing to peg that on the players. the plays themselves leave much to be desired.

[PolishDave]

Dennison

 

http://youtu.be/5o6kJcXq-MM

[ALF]

I would put more blame on this guy Juan Castillo

Offensive Line / Run Game Coordinator

[PolishDave]

Here is a good explanation of inside vs outside zone blocking.

 

Inside = more often last year

 

Outside = more often this year

 

http://youtu.be/8YvJeDA8jlU

 

 

 

 

Inside Zone runner targets A and B gaps

 

Outside Zone runner targets B and C gaps or even D

 

Outside zone runner tends to stretch plays wider towards sideline

 

Inside zone runner is more north and south

Edited September 19, 2017 by PolishDave

[KDIGGZ]

we took a big step back losing Kromer. they should have retained him

[quinnearlysghost88]

my question is why can't we adopt KC's look. their formations and plays are so versatile.

[Original Byrd Man]

As an ex army officer, I love tactics. But I've never had the time to learn the intricacies of NFL offenses. Even with my average-ish understanding, though, the run game has me worried after the Panthers game.

 

I was in awe of the Roman-designed rushing attack. Sometimes you'd see plays where none of the offensive linemen had to overwhelm their guy. They just had to be in the right place on the right time. Roman's attack was often predicated upon discipline, timing, athleticism and precision. It didn't always require the OL to be maulers. And yet they gave Shady and MB plenty of space to run.

 

Rico said he spent a lot of time watching the 2016 Bills rushing attack to see what works. And yet Rico's zone-blocking scheme doesn't bear any resemblance - in my eyes - to Roman's scheme. Our OL weren't winning the one-on-one battles against the Panthers that they had to win and the holes weren't there.

 

I noticed the difference in the blocking/running scheme during the Jets game but we were so productive that game, who cared? But now I'm worried that Rico didn't borrow enough from Roman. Given who we have at QB and WR, we need our rushing attack to be highly productive. Sunday, it wasn't.

 

I'd love to hear some observations and insights from guys who are better at Xs and Os than I am.

From what I understand the technique is designed to create gaps when a D lineman over pursues or fails to remain in the proper gap. This is a similar case with last years O line. I think the problems are the vanilla game plan. Last year they ran a lot of read options with Tyrod and Shady to give defenses more to worry about. Also understand the Bills just faced two very formidable D lines. I'm concerned about they next two games if Dennison doesn't get more creative.

[PolishDave]

I don't recall Buffalo running many (QB keeper) zone reads under Dennison yet either (maybe they ran some - I don't recall them though), whereas Roman liked to use Tryod as a second running back by calling those plays. And they were extremely effective the last 2 years. And they force defenses to pay more attention to the QB in other plays - which can open things up even more for the primary running back (McCoy).

 

Those zone reads were part of the reason why Buffalo was harder to defend against the run. The defenses had to respect the fact that the QB could very likely end up being the runner - not just the half back. That is where most of the argument comes from when someone suggests that Tyrod adds to the run game in more ways than people realize. He absolutely does - if they use him that way. Defenses can be forced to respect him as an elite runner because he could take one to the house just like a starting running back or shifty receiver can. If the Bills run them, they force the next opponent to game plan for it. That forces defenders to think more after the snap instead of just react. That can slow their reaction time down resulting in a bigger play for our runner. (More yards before contact - as witnessed last year) Some would argue that is part of the reason why the Bills running game was extra - effective the last two years. Defense is more uncertain who is going to be running the ball.

 

If the Bills don't run and execute those plays enough this year - the defenses don't have to game plan against them and the defenders can key in on McCoy instead of waiting to see which guy is actually running with the ball. The end result is less yards before contact, less yards per play, less chain moving, fewer big running plays, less scoring, etc...

[Figster]

I've thought over the first 2 games the run game was extremely vanilla. even vs the jets I thought it was predictable..... I think his run philosophy is based off having an offense that can threaten through the air to loosen up the ground game.

 

...... and its pretty evident this pass offense isn't gonna loosen anything up for anyone.

stanky, but true

[KDIGGZ]

Duh.

 

They should've retained every offensive coach they could from Rexs staff.

 

But Dennison needed "his guys" here.

 

I got bashed here for saying I wasn't that impressed with the rushing attack against the Jets.

 

Like I said before the season, expect a significant drop in the rushing attack/offense this year.

new coach came in and said we want to lead the league in rushing. fire all of these offensive coaches that led the league in rushing so that we can get some real coaches in here!

[BillsFan130]

I hate the run game this year. The one thing we had last year was an amazing run game. Use Tyrod in a read option type of approach where a defender has to account for him, and spread the defence out. I had an argument with a few posters last year saying if the bills ran a tradional run game approach, that it wouldn't work, but they disagreed. So far it has been uninspiring, and i think it is terrible that they don't make defences account for taylor's legs on run plays

[PolishDave]

Duh.

 

They should've retained every offensive coach they could from Rexs staff.

 

But Dennison needed "his guys" here.

 

 

You know that's how it works though. A new coordinator isn't going to come in and keep most of the existing staff, especially not the guys closest to him. They almost always want their guys. Bills would have needed to keep Lynn as offensive coordinator and they couldn't even if they wanted to as he left to be a head coach.

 

new coach came in and said we want to lead the league in rushing. fire all of these offensive coaches that led the league in rushing so that we can get some real coaches in here!

 

lol

 

I hate the run game this year. The one thing we had last year was an amazing run game. Use Tyrod in a read option type of approach where a defender has to account for him, and spread the defence out. I had an argument with a few posters last year saying if the bills ran a tradional run game approach, that it wouldn't work, but they disagreed. So far it has been uninspiring, and i think it is terrible that they don't make defences account for taylor's legs on run plays

 

So many people (fans) think it is all because of McCoy's inherent talent. It's not. He is a more talented runner than most, but it was a combination of many things that allowed them to excel - and could allow him to excel here still. (my opinion)

 

Until the Bills at least start attempting to beat defenses deep in the passing game, the Bills running game is probably going to get a notch uglier yet.

[theRalph]

That's all pretty accurate. So is the fact that the Bills were tops in a number of categories in rushing over the past couple of seasons. So why not continue this??

 

Because it resulted in 8-8 and 7-9. This is a passing league. When you start pulling linemen, you're telling your opponent you're running. It's an instant key. The Bills were still capable of pulling it off but alas it's still .500 ball.

 

If Tyrod Taylor was capable of a 3-step drop and IMMEDIATE throw (there were guys open) then Carolina would have been forced to respect the tight end and slot receiver. Then your run lanes open up.

 

I don't believe the Bills hired an entirely new coaching staff just to do the same thing as their predecessors. Sean McDermott cannot bench Taylor immediately and hope to keep the team focused. But at some point, we will see Nathan Peterman behind center. He may not be a 22 yo version of Tom Brady (and then again, he might be), but he demonstrated the ability to make immediate throws. Yeah yeah I know it was preseason. But the fact is that a proper quick NFL throw can be carried out regardless of the competition.

 

Rick Dennison is charged with creating an NFL offense. It requires an NFL quarterback.

 

 

[DallasBillsFan1]

My question is - can our current O Line create the holes needed for an effective running attack? Opponents have figured out Tyrod so they load the box, right? ... thus making it more difficult to run successfully (without threat of passing game). I don't understand scheme like most of you, but when the opponent has 8 or 9 in the box, and they have an above average secondary, it's kind of hard to run successfully, right? Not sure of our O line is winning at line of scrimmage.

[Boatdrinks]

That's all pretty accurate. So is the fact that the Bills were tops in a number of categories in rushing over the past couple of seasons. So why not continue this??

 

Because it resulted in 8-8 and 7-9. This is a passing league. When you start pulling linemen, you're telling your opponent you're running. It's an instant key. The Bills were still capable of pulling it off but alas it's still .500 ball.

 

If Tyrod Taylor was capable of a 3-step drop and IMMEDIATE throw (there were guys open) then Carolina would have been forced to respect the tight end and slot receiver. Then your run lanes open up.

 

I don't believe the Bills hired an entirely new coaching staff just to do the same thing as their predecessors. Sean McDermott cannot bench Taylor immediately and hope to keep the team focused. But at some point, we will see Nathan Peterman behind center. He may not be a 22 yo version of Tom Brady (and then again, he might be), but he demonstrated the ability to make immediate throws. Yeah yeah I know it was preseason. But the fact is that a proper quick NFL throw can be carried out regardless of the competition.

 

Rick Dennison is charged with creating an NFL offense. It requires an NFL quarterback.

 

The Bills weren't 8-8 or 7-9 last year because they ran the ball well and didn't pass enough. Their defense wasn't any good. Now the defense looks improved, but they have tinkered most with an offense that was working at scoring points.

[zow2]

The Bills weren't 8-8 or 7-9 last year because they ran the ball well and didn't pass enough. Their defense wasn't any good. Now the defense looks improved, but they have tinkered most with an offense that was working at scoring points.

 

Again, throughout the entire drought, both units.. O and D are never in sync the same year. It's frustrating. Just run the same offense as last year and they are most likely 2-0 right now. The D is 100% better than last year. The O is way worse.

[Norcalbillsfan]

That's all pretty accurate. So is the fact that the Bills were tops in a number of categories in rushing over the past couple of seasons. So why not continue this??

 

Because it resulted in 8-8 and 7-9. This is a passing league. When you start pulling linemen, you're telling your opponent you're running. It's an instant key. The Bills were still capable of pulling it off but alas it's still .500 ball.

 

If Tyrod Taylor was capable of a 3-step drop and IMMEDIATE throw (there were guys open) then Carolina would have been forced to respect the tight end and slot receiver. Then your run lanes open up.

 

I don't believe the Bills hired an entirely new coaching staff just to do the same thing as their predecessors. Sean McDermott cannot bench Taylor immediately and hope to keep the team focused. But at some point, we will see Nathan Peterman behind center. He may not be a 22 yo version of Tom Brady (and then again, he might be), but he demonstrated the ability to make immediate throws. Yeah yeah I know it was preseason. But the fact is that a proper quick NFL throw can be carried out regardless of the competition.

 

Rick Dennison is charged with creating an NFL offense. It requires an NFL quarterback.