• Please be aware we've switched the forums to their own URL. (again) You'll find the new website address to be www.steelernationforum.com Thanks
  • Please clear your private messages. Your inbox is close to being full.

What is wrong with the run game?

SteelerFan448 said:
How does that explain the plays when the defenders are already in the backfield when he’s just getting the ball?
Click to expand...

It doesn't as it really is a mixed bag. I would also go as far that it doesn't lean Conner's way in the percentage of what goes wrong breakdowns.

You can look at the backup percentiles and know nobody else is lighting it up either.

With all this attention the O-line is receiving I wouldn't bet against them statistically improving.
 
Obviously Conner is by far better NORTH / SOUTH with lead FB, runner than anyone on the team. We don't utalize that type of set as it brings BEN closer to the line of scrimmage if disguised pass play (BEN isn't as escape able as he has been in the past).

Also due to empty / 1RB sets our play action is to predictable from a shotgun stance. To get the run game going would mean changing offense dramatically otherwise the "D" could guess a very favorable percentage of the time as to what play it will be.

Bottom line is what we are doing currently is exactly what is BEN's stregnth and for the first time in his career (consistantly and continuously) we are executing to his stregnths. It's NICE being where we are at and I think we ONLY need to establish / continue to establish a chance of a run and that is exactly what they seem to be doing.


STEELERS ROCK !!!!!!





Salute the nation
 
I'm sure there is validity to what Hodge said. When I listen to his segments he sounds pretty sound on X's and O's. That said, We haven't seen much of Vance and Derek Watt on the field. Ebron was not brought here for his blocking prowess and Gentry is whatever. I would like to see Vance, Watt, but to me you have to pair that with home run hitters at X and Z so that if you load the box, you could get zapped. I'm thinking Claypool and Johnson.
 
SteelerFan448 said:
I wouldn't either. Ben is getting the ball out faster than any other QB in the league this year.
Click to expand...

When they put that stat up, I had an immediate flashback to the B.A. days. Just the mere thought of it gave me the chills
I love watching these quick developing plays, and getting Ebron involved. This offense definitely lets you breathe a little. All of those jailbreak rushes Ben faced, while lined up in 5 Wide ******* formations where the WRs would run slow developing downfield were going to get him killed eventually.
 
skialta said:
When they put that stat up, I had an immediate flashback to the B.A. days. Just the mere thought of it gave me the chills
I love watching these quick developing plays, and getting Ebron involved. This offense definitely lets you breathe a little. All of those jailbreak rushes Ben faced, while lined up in 5 Wide ******* formations where the WRs would run slow developing downfield were going to get him killed eventually.
Click to expand...

IMO, and I'm sure others, BA was detrimental to Ben's development. Love him or hate him, Haley really helped turn Ben's career in a positive direction.
 
I think that Conner missed a few holes today. One play in particular there was a jam up in the middle, but outside was wide open and he rammed it up the middle. He also tried to bounce one outside on another play, but just didnt have the speed to get there. On both plays a quicker back would have had big gains. I do think the run blocking is lackluster though. I dont think Conner can be much more patient. He is already slow and I find it hard to believe he is outrunning blocks to the edge.
 
SteelerSask said:
Listening to Hodge this morning. His take is that Conner is outrunning his blocks on edge runs. Not being patient and allowing the blocks to materialize.
Click to expand...

I suspect there is some validity to this. Youth coaches spend all kinds of time teaching kids to hit the hole hard and fast. ****, just teaching kids to follow a slower FB at times was challenging when I coached. Best lesson I heard when I was with the HS team was the RB coach telling the back that zone running is like picking which girl to dance with. You start walking towards the pretty girl to the right, but just before you ask her to dance you take a quick peak back to the left to see if there is a pretty girl over there. Brilliant image for the kid. That lil' bit of fun aside, I do remember reading an inteview with Melvin Gordon in which he talks about learning to run east to west vs. inside. He says through college he ran N-S and could see the whole defense. When you shift to E-W you turn your back on half the defense. It is hard to be patient with the blocking in front of you because you are worried about the backside that you can't see. Your natural instinct is to go fast so the pursuit doesn't catch you. It makes a great deal of sense.

That said, I think we can all agree the issues are not any one thing though the short passing game is bringing more guys down front.
 
Jags in the backfield all day today. On one play I saw DD block no one-let a guy run past him to the backfield- SMH
 
I’m starting to think Decasrto is playing hurt. He just not the same.

Conner will need to be replaced next year.

The key for our team is this. He’s not fumbling and as is good enough to get first downs.


Sent from my iPhone using Steeler Nation mobile app
 
Coach said:
I’m starting to think Decasrto is playing hurt. He just not the same.

Conner will need to be replaced next year.

The key for our team is this. He’s not fumbling and as is good enough to get first downs.


Sent from my iPhone using Steeler Nation mobile app
Click to expand...

We have no idea who will need to be replaced next year. As the Steelers will not say who they will keep and who they will let test the free agency waters.

Almost forgot and DeCastro had a good game opening up holes. So your ***-essment is again wrong as usual.
 
Last edited:
slashsteel said:
We have no idea who will need to be replaced next year. As the Steelers will not say who they will keep and who they will let test the free agency waters.

Almost forgot and DeCastro had a good game opening up holes. So your ***-essment is again wrong as usual.
Click to expand...

DeCastro missed a block or two during the game yesterday. I also don't think he's getting his usual push and they aren't using him to pull as much. Now, I admit to knowing jack **** about OL ins and outs, but there does seem to be something off with his play. Thing is, and it may be coincidental, the run game hasn't been the same since he replaced Dotson.
 
When Dotson comes back, I'd consider putting him in as the 6th lineman. He might be our best run blocker already.

I'm definitely in the minority but I'm not worried about the run game.

Statistically, we've run the ball more than the Chiefs and do you think the Chiefs are worried about their amount of carries per game? Nah, they're ok with Mahomes throwing the majority of the time and somehow still win games.
 
SteelBuckeye said:
DeCastro missed a block or two during the game yesterday. I also don't think he's getting his usual push and they aren't using him to pull as much. Now, I admit to knowing jack **** about OL ins and outs, but there does seem to be something off with his play. Thing is, and it may be coincidental, the run game hasn't been the same since he replaced Dotson.
Click to expand...

He opened some holes yesterday and Conner averaged a very healthy per carry average. I think he has been fighting injuries and is still working his way back. I think yesterdays performance was overall a positive one for him.
 
mdk2 said:
When Dotson comes back, I'd consider putting him in as the 6th lineman. He might be our best run blocker already.

I'm definitely in the minority but I'm not worried about the run game.

Statistically, we've run the ball more than the Chiefs and do you think the Chiefs are worried about their amount of carries per game? Nah, they're ok with Mahomes throwing the majority of the time and somehow still win games.
Click to expand...

With that being focus of theirs I am not as worried about it either. Ben knows how to use the WRs with short quick passes to act as a running game alternative.

I think the team is working its way to more complete performances. I see it as a slight concern not a major one....
 
slashsteel said:
He opened some holes yesterday and Conner averaged a very healthy per carry average. I think he has been fighting injuries and is still working his way back. I think yesterdays performance was overall a positive one for him.
Click to expand...

I agree, I don't think DD is the issue. I'm not sure where the problem solely lies but Pouncey gets pushed around a lot anymore, I think this may be an issue with lacking push in those quick hit run plays.
 
mdk2 said:
I agree, I don't think DD is the issue. I'm not sure where the problem solely lies but Pouncey gets pushed around a lot anymore, I think this may be an issue with lacking push in those quick hit run plays.
Click to expand...

One thing they are doing extremely well is pass blocking. I think that gets lost on some sometimes. If Ben is upright you give yourself a fighting chance to win any game.
 
Hoot said:
I suspect there is some validity to this. Youth coaches spend all kinds of time teaching kids to hit the hole hard and fast. ****, just teaching kids to follow a slower FB at times was challenging when I coached. Best lesson I heard when I was with the HS team was the RB coach telling the back that zone running is like picking which girl to dance with. You start walking towards the pretty girl to the right, but just before you ask her to dance you take a quick peak back to the left to see if there is a pretty girl over there. Brilliant image for the kid. That lil' bit of fun aside, I do remember reading an inteview with Melvin Gordon in which he talks about learning to run east to west vs. inside. He says through college he ran N-S and could see the whole defense. When you shift to E-W you turn your back on half the defense. It is hard to be patient with the blocking in front of you because you are worried about the backside that you can't see. Your natural instinct is to go fast so the pursuit doesn't catch you. It makes a great deal of sense.

That said, I think we can all agree the issues are not any one thing though the short passing game is bringing more guys down front.
Click to expand...

Quality post Hoot.
 
Hoot said:
I suspect there is some validity to this. Youth coaches spend all kinds of time teaching kids to hit the hole hard and fast. ****, just teaching kids to follow a slower FB at times was challenging when I coached. Best lesson I heard when I was with the HS team was the RB coach telling the back that zone running is like picking which girl to dance with. You start walking towards the pretty girl to the right, but just before you ask her to dance you take a quick peak back to the left to see if there is a pretty girl over there. Brilliant image for the kid. That lil' bit of fun aside, I do remember reading an inteview with Melvin Gordon in which he talks about learning to run east to west vs. inside. He says through college he ran N-S and could see the whole defense. When you shift to E-W you turn your back on half the defense. It is hard to be patient with the blocking in front of you because you are worried about the backside that you can't see. Your natural instinct is to go fast so the pursuit doesn't catch you. It makes a great deal of sense.

That said, I think we can all agree the issues are not any one thing though the short passing game is bringing more guys down front.
Click to expand...

There is also factoring in that some backs like Bell can pause and accelerate fast and some runners probably just aren't built like that. Like the kid perfection game

il_794xN.1100120526_pkt7.jpg


sometimes the pieces simply don't fit no matter how hard you try to cram it in there.
 
Run game still sucks. We need to stop the sideways runs. Hit the holes and lets ******* go.
 
Hines57 said:
Run game still sucks. We need to stop the sideways runs. Hit the holes and lets ******* go.
Click to expand...

Agree. The ONE (that I remember) time Connor was lined up behind Ben under center went for 25 yards.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top