What are your ideas to fix the Bills' running game for next year?

[Logic]

Perhaps it's too early for some to start talking about next season. If that's the case for you, I understand.

As for me, I'm already excited about the potential of the 2021 Buffalo Bills.

It was quite clear watching last night's game -- and watching the entire season unfold, really -- that the Bills could DESPERATELY use a good run game. 

The question remains, though: Just HOW do you go about addressing the running game? Buffalo recently spent third round picks on Singletary and Moss. I doubt they're ready to give up on either of them, nor should they. The Bills usually only dress three running backs on game day, with the third being a special teams contributor. Neither Singletary nor Moss contribute much on special teams.

So what do you do?

Do you draft another running back? If so, you'd probably better draft one earlier than round three. If Singletary and Moss aren't getting it done, what makes you think another third round or later running back will?

Are you willing to part with such premium draft capital for a running back? Do you focus on replacing a guard or two, or the center? What do you do? 

Knowing how aggressively Beane attacks roster weaknesses, and how much McDermott values the run game, I trust that Buffalo will actively seek to address this problem. But in the meantime, how do YOU suggest we go about it? This question does not seem to have any easy answers.

 

Edited January 25, 2021 by Logic

[Call_Of_Ktulu]

3 new interior O-Lineman, New RB and the running game coordinator from the 49ers. That should improve our running game dramatically. Moss is the only keeper on our current depth chart.

[JOSH HUFF]

I really like Najee Harris, he can move a pile and catch a ball like a WR.  I think he will be around, late 1st round

[BullBuchanan]

It comes down to talent. Step 1 is finding a RB capable of being #1. You do that next year. The year after that, you replace Morse with someone that can run block.

[ALLEN1QB]

Is this you Sean McDermott

[Nextmanup]

Hopefully they don't dedicate much in the way of resources to a "running game."

 

Run plays, except in very specific situations, are just a wasted down.

 

 

[Success]

Good thread.  I'm sure whatever I think is a few levels below Beane's thinking, but I don't think we're that far.  Moss is a really good start, imo - it hurt us more than we think not to have him yesterday.  He was starting to make a real impact, and he is so much better at the LOS than Singletary.

 

I want so badly for Singletary to work out, but it might be time to move on, in whatever form that takes.  He's becoming consistent at all the things you don't want consistency in - getting 2 yards on most carries, and making mistakes.  That game could have been so different if he holds on to that ball.  Keeping your eye on the ball until it's caught is a RB 101 kind of thing.

 

I thought Yeldon was impressive last night in both the pass and run game, and it made me wonder why we didn't use him more all season.  Where Singletary can't break the 1st tackle at the LOS, Yeldon consistently turned it into a few more yards.

 

I think most of the offseason work & draft has to be defense this year - but if they like a back in the 1st couple of rounds, they should make that a priority.

 

[NewEra]

1 minute ago, Call_Of_Ktulu said:

3 new interior O-Lineman, New RB and the running game coordinator from the 49ers. That should improve our running game dramatically. Moss is the only keeper on our current depth chart.

The run game coordinator for the niners is the new OC for the jets iirc.  
 

I agree with the rest. It’s a lot of change and I don’t think that we’ll see 3 new interior OL......but I’d like to.  
 

We I do believe we need a big upgrade at RB.  Maybe a trade back from 30 if we had 3 2nd rd picks, use one on Kenneth Gainwell or Javonte Williams.  

[Bleeding Bills Blue]

The offense needs to run more plays from under center.  Just seems like if Allen is under center, they know we're running it - its very rarely a misdirection or counter, its almost always outside zone or inside zone.  The run game needs to be overhauled, and if the offensive linemen can't execute it then they need to be replaced.

[Logic]

3 minutes ago, Nextmanup said:

Hopefully they don't dedicate much in the way of resources to a "running game."

 

Run plays, except in very specific situations, are just a wasted down.

 

 

I understand this line of thinking, but I respectfully disagree.

I'm not suggesting that the Bills should run the ball more often next year. I AM suggesting that they need to be able to run it more EFFECTIVELY. 

Run volume/frequency and Run effectiveness are not the same thing. 

While I agree that the modern NFL is all about passing, and that the Bills should continue to be a pass-first team going forward, they have to at least BE ABLE to run the ball when needed. The two Super Bowl participants are the perfect example. Both the Chiefs and Bucs are pass-first teams, but both of them can run the ball with effectiveness when needed. 

[D. L. Hot-Flamethrower]

I think letting Morse walk and moving Feliciano to Center long term with Boettger and Ford would be an improvement running the ball. We also will look to bring in a back with speed.

[Brianmoorman4jesus]

Hand the ball off sometimes 

[T master]

Upgrade some players on the O line and get a true complimentary RB that is different from Singletary or Moss . I was not really impressed with Moss as this years choice i thought a AJ Dillon would have been a much better choice because he is a big powerful back which you need in the red zone .

 

Singletary i think this year was hurt by not getting as many carries and i think it showed in his production this year because he went backwards from his rookie year . 

 

But they definitely need to up grade the position i just hope they don't see Moss as the fix . Weldon was a much better option yesterday than either Moss or Singletary were this season as far as both in the run and passing game .

Edited January 25, 2021 by T master

[MJS]

I think it is job #1 for Beane and Daboll this off-season. Daboll needs to change up the scheme. Beane needs to add a dynamic back. I doubt we will be able to wholesale change the oline, so we need to find a way to make it work with the guys we have, for the most part.

 

The run game was not a huge issue last season. They weren't great, but they were better.

[Royale with Cheese]

I think the reason why the staff likes Felciano at center is because he gets more push in the run game.  I think adding that beef up front, maybe bring in a vet guard to compete with Ford for the LG spot.  I think Boettger he solidified the RG spot. 

 

I think we move on from Singletary.  I think they like Moss and I agree now we need a RB with speed who is a one cut and go.  

[Comebackkid]

Really the difference between Singletary this year in Singletary last year is the o line. Last year they could still run block more or less and pass blocking was atrocious.   This year they retooled the o-line but at the expense of run-blocking. So we either need people on the o-line that can do both effectively or an elite running back

[JOSH HUFF]

2 minutes ago, Nextmanup said:

Hopefully they don't dedicate much in the way of resources to a "running game."

 

Run plays, except in very specific situations, are just a wasted down.

 

 

Need more balance.  Singletary was not good enough this year.  Moss was the better back in my opinion.  Draft Najee Harris

 

[Thurman#1]

Figure out whether Morse's problems are only temporary.

 

He has been very good for most of his term here, but not lately. 

 

And spend more time with the OL on run blocking. We just don't appear to have a group that this year was a tough group on run blocking. Our OL was very good pass blocking, but not very good run blocking. Getting Ford back, at guard, should help. But they probably need one more interior DL, not to mention figuring out RT in terms of whether or not we can afford to keep Daryl Williams. If we don't, it doesn't look like his replacement is on our roster.

 

Run blocking is often a lot about mindset. Didn't appear we had that this year, we were mostly devoted to keeping Allen upright, with some good reason behind that.

 

 

Edited January 25, 2021 by Thurman#1

[texasjute]

Work hard with smart people in genetics and see if we can clone or recreate Thurman Thomas.

 

Seriously, I think this system needs a back who is  a true threat in the screen and short passing game to explode with YAC. Bring the defenses up to think about that more and that opens up more for our downfield receivers. The thing about Thurman was he phenomenal at catching but also had to be respected as a straight backfield runner. Where do we find one of these?

[Ed_Formerly_of_Roch]

I do wonder if Daboll (and maybe Allen too) got too infatuated with the early season success of the passing game and just kind of forgot about the running game to some extent.  How much did they practice it, did that also drop off some, maybe not a conscious decision but might have been the result.  That result trickled down to time spent working in run blocking too.

 

Assuming they resign Williams and Mongo, let Morse go, resign Ike and Bates as backups.  Draft an interior lineman fairly high to become starting guard, maybe they start year off with Ike starting, but by late October rookie takes over.  I'd also draft another lineman maybe around the 5th round or so to develop

 

There have been some good RB's drafted in 3rd round so not impossible.  K Hunt, A Kamera, David Johnson before injured

[Jobot]

Two main problems to address.

 

1- Run game as you pointed out

2- Pass rush

 

Does Star coming back fix the pass rush by freeing up Oliver and co?

[Don Otreply]

Having an O line that can run block consistently would be the first step, properly designed run plays would be nice as well. If we only fix those two aspects our current RBs would be above average in yards gained per game, replacing both our starting running backs would come third on my list.  
 

The game is won and lost in the trenches, fix the lines first... 

 

Go Bills!!!
 

 

[Sweats]

Najee Harris........nuff said

[Call_Of_Ktulu]

17 minutes ago, NewEra said:

The run game coordinator for the niners is the new OC for the jets iirc.  
 

I agree with the rest. It’s a lot of change and I don’t think that we’ll see 3 new interior OL......but I’d like to.  
 

We I do believe we need a big upgrade at RB.  Maybe a trade back from 30 if we had 3 2nd rd picks, use one on Kenneth Gainwell or Javonte Williams.  

That’s a great hire for the Jets, oh well. Our running game was very bad, it’s going to take some major reconstruction to get any results out of it.

[JOSH HUFF]

3 minutes ago, Jobot said:

Two main problems to address.

 

1- Run game as you pointed out

2- Pass rush

 

Does Star coming back fix the pass rush by freeing up Oliver and co?

NO

[DCOrange]

Given how successful the OLine was in terms of pass protection this year, I'm not really sure how much I want to shake it up. Their struggles opening up running lanes were apparent, but a part of me thinks we'd be better off just leaning into our passing game and bringing in a 3rd back that's more of a weapon out of the backfield. Guys like James White, Jamaal Williams, LeVeon Bell, Tevin Coleman, Rex Burkhead, etc. are available in free agency this offseason, probably won't break the bank, and would give us something we certainly lack from Singletary and may lack from Moss (though I think he's far more promising as a pass-catcher than Singletary).

 

I personally am not in a rush to bring in a more talented runner than the two we already have, though Singletary's regression this year was definitely alarming. If he can't make people miss the way he did as a rookie and in college, he's not contributing on the field at all so they're going to need to re-evaluate him this offseason and figure out if something significant changed this year, if he had a nagging injury we didn't know about/wasn't in good shape, or if they think he just had a bad year and will bounce back.

[BillsFan130]

For the O line situation I’m not sure, but I am ready for the bills to move on from singletary. He just straight up isn’t good enough IMO.

 

Go with moss and draft a speed RB is what I would do.

 

 

[BrooklynBills]

Dawkins-upgrade-Feliciano-Ford-Williams

 

[dpberr]

I'd prioritize size if I'm drafting a RB.  I'm talking Jerome Bettis/Jamal Lewis/Derrick Henry bulldozer size - in the minimum 240 to 250 lbs. range.   

 

I'd want the Bills to have a RB that the defense fears to tackle, especially on short yardage situations. 

[Jobot]

8 minutes ago, JOSH HUFF said:

NO

 

*sad face

[Toyo321]

We need to get rid of Moss and Motor period.  Given the sample size we have witnessed of both players including last year and this season.  They are to small and don't have the speed or strength to break the initial hit at the point of contact and they both lack speed to impact the plays at the LOS.   Their receiving skills are questionable at best.

 

I have watched so many other teams this year and the good backs like Chubb, Kamara and McCaffrey always seem to make a second move to find a opening to get through the LOS if they are initially stopped or hit, or they break off left or right of the initial hit to gain yards somewhere else on the LOS when they don't see any daylight. 

 

Our backs don't possess any of those skillset traits.  I have seen them get hit and because of their size, they are either stopped at the initial point of impact or put on the ground shortly afterwards.  Only once have I seen Motor or Moss truly make a move in the secondary that shows they have pure instinctive RB traits, to avoid a possible would be tackler.  Good RB's consistently break tackles and make people miss.  These two can't.  Even when they are past the LOS in a somewhat open field.

 

Although the O-Line is bad at run blocking, I can count too many times this year where our backs were a "Zero" threat when they got into the open field.  They were terrible could not extend plays and get yardage that other backs in this league would.

 

We need to find another Karlos Williams but without all the associated problems he had off the field.

Edited January 25, 2021 by Toyo321

[Rigotz]

Instead of wasting another high pick on running back, we could get a pretty decent, proven one in free agency.

I'm guessing it would cost maybe $5M and we would know what we're getting because the position has been devalued.

 

Options:

Chris Carson

Kenyan Drake

Todd Gurley

Carlos Hyde

Marlon Mack

Phillip Lindsay

 

Save the first round pick for a CB, DE, or someone else who isn't a dime a dozen.

[gotme365]

Spending any pick in the top 5 rounds on a rb after doing so 2 straight years is irresponsible. They need to upgrade the oline. It’s that simple. The line played well at times but at the end of the day we need to upgrade the guards. I would love to have the Colts o line. 

[Bleeding Bills Blue]

2 minutes ago, Rigotz said:

Instead of wasting another high pick on running back, we could get a pretty decent, proven one in free agency.

I'm guessing it would cost maybe $5M and we would know what we're getting because the position has been devalued.

 

Options:

Chris Carson

Kenyan Drake

Todd Gurley

Carlos Hyde

Marlon Mack

Phillip Lindsay

 

Save the first round pick for a CB, DE, or someone else who isn't a dime a dozen.

 

I think either of our backs would thrive in an actual rushing offense.  Not sure if its just - not creative?  But we basically have like 3 running plays.  Inside and outside zone (with occasionally mckenzie in motion), and if we're in shotgun its read option (with occasional motion, or RPO concepts).  No pitches, no power, no pin and pull, misdirection, counters, traps... anything.  

[RobbRiddick]

I'd like a RB who doesn't just have the burst and first move to hit the hole but a guy who is a true danger out of the backfield as well. Get that and a good TE who can consistently get open and we'll be good.

[Chicken Boo]

46 minutes ago, Nextmanup said:

Run plays, except in very specific situations, are just a wasted down.

 

 

 

With this current team, you're absolutely right.

Edited January 25, 2021 by Chicken Boo

[NewEra]

10 minutes ago, Toyo321 said:

We need to get rid of Moss and Motor period.  Given the sample size we have witnessed of both players including last year and this season.  They are to small and don't have the speed or strength to break the initial hit at the point of contact and they both lack speed to impact the plays at the LOS.   Their receiving skills are questionable at best.

 

I have watched so many other teams this year and the good backs like Chubb, Kamara and McCaffrey always seem to make a second move to find a opening to get through the LOS if they are initially stopped or hit, or they break off left or right of the initial hit to gain yards somewhere else on the LOS when they don't see any daylight. 

 

Our backs don't possess any of those skillset traits.  I have seen them get hit and because of their size, they are either stopped at the initial point of impact or put on the ground shortly afterwards.  Only once have I seen Motor or Moss truly make a move in the secondary that shows they have pure instinctive RB traits, to avoid a possible would be tackler.  Good RB's consistently break tackles and make people miss.  These two can't.  Even when they are past the LOS in a somewhat open field.

 

Although the O-Line is bad at run blocking, I can count too many times this year where are backs were a "Zero" threat when they got into the open field.  They were terrible could not extend plays and get yardage that other backs in this league would.

 

We need to find another Karlos Williams but without all the associated problems he had off the field.

No chance we get rid of both of them.  

[TheBeaneBandit]

41 minutes ago, D. L. Hot-Flamethrower said:

I think letting Morse walk and moving Feliciano to Center long term with Boettger and Ford would be an improvement running the ball. We also will look to bring in a back with speed.

That would be a start, but one more good guard added would be ideal.

[TheFunPolice]

1. Spend a high pick on a top RB prospect, if there is a guy there still at 30.

2. Bulk up the OL with some maulers in mid to late rounds. 

 

Draft some of these guys: (all info from Walter Football) 

 

Aaron Banks, G, Notre Dame
Height: 6-5. Weight: 330.
Projected 40 Time: 5.33.
Projected Round (2021): 2-4.

 

Chasen Hines*, G, LSU
Height: 6-3. Weight: 349.
Projected 40 Time: 5.49.
Projected Round (2021): 2-4.

 

Michal Menet, C, Penn State
Height: 6-4. Weight: 302.
Projected 40 Time: 5.24.
Projected Round (2021): 3-5.

 

Trey Smith, OT/G, Tennessee
Height: 6-6. Weight: 320.
Projected 40 Time: 5.32.
Projected Round (2021): 2-3.

 

Travis Etienne, RB, Clemson
Height: 5-10. Weight: 200.
Projected 40 Time: 4.46.
Projected Round (2021): 1-2.

 

Najee Harris, RB, Alabama
Height: 6-2. Weight: 230.
Projected 40 Time: 4.53.
Projected Round (2021): 1-2.

 

Javonte Williams, RB, North Carolina
Height: 5-10. Weight: 220.
Projected 40 Time: 4.53.
Projected Round (2021): 2-4.

 

Larry Rountree III, RB, Missouri
Height: 5-10. Weight: 210.
Projected 40 Time: 4.5.
Projected Round (2021): 3-5.

 

 

 

[Miyagi-Do Karate]

24 minutes ago, DCOrange said:

Given how successful the OLine was in terms of pass protection this year, I'm not really sure how much I want to shake it up. Their struggles opening up running lanes were apparent, but a part of me thinks we'd be better off just leaning into our passing game and bringing in a 3rd back that's more of a weapon out of the backfield. Guys like James White, Jamaal Williams, LeVeon Bell, Tevin Coleman, Rex Burkhead, etc. are available in free agency this offseason, probably won't break the bank, and would give us something we certainly lack from Singletary and may lack from Moss (though I think he's far more promising as a pass-catcher than Singletary).

 

I personally am not in a rush to bring in a more talented runner than the two we already have, though Singletary's regression this year was definitely alarming. If he can't make people miss the way he did as a rookie and in college, he's not contributing on the field at all so they're going to need to re-evaluate him this offseason and figure out if something significant changed this year, if he had a nagging injury we didn't know about/wasn't in good shape, or if they think he just had a bad year and will bounce back.

Agree entirely.  I would love to grab White or Burkhead. That’s exactly the type of RB this offense needs.
 

We need to run a bit more to keep teams honest, but we shouldn’t be messing with our identity. Just look at the chiefs— it’s not like they were pounding the rock last night.