Morris time. For several reasons.

[Henry]

Actually, he's not getting hit in the backfield and he has many clear lanes to run. As you'll see in the article.

Keeping him in the game right now is ridiculous. It's not fair to anyone--especially the guys wasting their time blocking for him.

Give him one series against the Pats to see if he's making the same mistakes. If he is, then pull him until he shows improvement in practice.

Honestly, I don't know what I'm looking at in that article. A bunch of stills and lines doesn't, in my opinion, necessarily make for expert analysis.

But, for the sake of argument, let's assume it's 100% correct and Morris is not producing in this scheme. Let's assume our two-time pro-bowl, three-time 1000+ yard back is having trouble with the scheme.

The problem ain't Morris.

 

[Knightingale]

Actually, he's not getting hit in the backfield and he has many clear lanes to run. As you'll see in the article.

Keeping him in the game right now is ridiculous. It's not fair to anyone--especially the guys wasting their time blocking for him.

Give him one series against the Pats to see if he's making the same mistakes. If he is, then pull him until he shows improvement in practice.

Where do we define the backfield?

Actually if you look at the pictures in that article you can see he IS getting tackled behind the LOS, which I think is what is technically 'The backfield'. Whether that's his fault of the O-lines fault is what is up for debate. That first set of images has the ball on the 20 yard line. Yes he cuts to the wrong lane supposedly, but you can clearly see he's tackled 2 or 3 yards behind the line of scrimmage on the picture at around the 17 or 18. The play was marked as a loss of 1 yard, so technically he was tackled in the backfield.

The pictures clearly show that he wasn't past the 20 yard line and got knocked backwards.



In fact if you look through all the subsequent pictures it's pretty much the same scenario.

Now on reading the article the writer makes some good points. There are occasions where he just misses a lane opening up. Or he hesitates and changes his mind. I also agree with the article he looks tentative and maybe that's some of the reason he's not making big yards on plays at the moment. He's not driving instinctively into the line like he used to and he's not breaking tackles at the moment.

Why is he tentative? Nagging injury we don't know about? Lack of confidence? Lack of time to get into rhythm? Is this a case of the O-line changing how it operates and he needs time in the system?

No idea.

 

[micks113]

Morris is benched because of production, nothing more. Anyone who can't produce can't be a favorite.

Morris needs a fullback to run behind. Fan62 says we moved to power straight ahead running game. I don't see it. I don't see a fullback in there.

Jones is a power back. Morris is not. He excels at reading and waiting on the hole. Only, there is no hole when the defense disrespects our passing attack and they actually KEY on the RB. They don't have to stack the box with 8. All they have to do is key on the RB. That, and lack of a fullback, is what ails Morris.

Did anyone see the comments about Peterson's change in the Vikings running game? Peterson admits he'll never get 2000 yds again due to the scheme and he has no fullback now.

 

[Knightingale]

Honestly, I don't know what I'm looking at in that article. A bunch of stills and lines doesn't, in my opinion, necessarily make for expert analysis.

But, for the sake of argument, let's assume it's 100% correct and Morris is not producing in this scheme. Let's assume our two-time pro-bowl, three-time 1000+ yard back is having trouble with the scheme.

The problem ain't Morris.

I'm with you Henry.

I think his track record speaks for itself. He's never been a 'set your pants on fire' kinda back, but he's usually been pretty reliable over the last few years. This isn't just a slump, I feel like something is wrong and I'm not sure it's Morris at all.

Like many others have said (including me!) he was fine those first couple of weeks with Lauvao in there. Something has changed.

Most obvious is the O-Line. The indicator for that is how all the RB's are struggling, not just Morris.
If the problem was Morris then you'd be expecting Jones and Thompson to still be putting up 100 yard games. But they're not.

No one is.

Which is why I also am hesitant to say it's the scheme either. As they were fine in weeks 1 and 2.

The change? Injuries to the line. I honestly think it'll take this line a while to gel. We have basically 2 rookies on the line in Moses and Scherff (with only 7 games of experience in the NFL!) and we have Trent who is nursing an injury and a backup replacing Lav and Stieg. This line hasn't been together very long and playing under Callaghans schemes. This is I think the big X Factor here.

Give the line time to heal and settle down and then see how the running game improves.

If it still stinks THEN start pointing to the Running Backs.

 

[Knightingale]

And honestly for all the Morris talk....

Morris is 91 carries for 302 yards. 3.32 avg
Jones is 63 carries for 249 yards. 3.95 avg

It's not like Jones is blowing Morris away here!

The fact these numbers are pretty much the same indicates to me that the problem isn't with the backs.

 

[McD5]

Honestly, I don't know what I'm looking at in that article. A bunch of stills and lines doesn't, in my opinion, necessarily make for expert analysis.

But, for the sake of argument, let's assume it's 100% correct and Morris is not producing in this scheme. Let's assume our two-time pro-bowl, three-time 1000+ yard back is having trouble with the scheme.

The problem ain't Morris.

I was wondering last night what the biggest problem with our running game might be. Is it a lack of talent on the O-line? Is it the running plays that Callahan is calling? Or is it the RBs?

I expected that our running game would slow a little after the first two weeks. DCs usually get better reads after they get a team on film, and then they can make adjustments to stop whatever's working.

And it's probably a combination of things.

But that article shows that if the RB isn't making even the most basic of reads, we aren't going to be successful. The decision to cut that outside is something Morris has known since college. And the decision to cut it inside is something that Trent Richardson would have done--not Morris. That needs to be fixed asap.

 

[Henry]

Take out the first two games of the season:

Morris is 48 carries for 122 yards. 2.54 average
Jones is 38 carries for 98 yards. 2.58 average

Morris ain't the problem.

 

[Goaldeje]

I was wondering last night what the biggest problem with our running game might be. Is it a lack of talent on the O-line? Is it the running plays that Callahan is calling? Or is it the RBs?

I expected that our running game would slow a little after the first two weeks. DCs usually get better reads after they get a team on film, and then they can make adjustments to stop whatever's working.

And it's probably a combination of things.

But that article shows that if the RB isn't making even the most basic of reads, we aren't going to be successful. The decision to cut that outside is something Morris has known since college. And the decision to cut it inside is something that Trent Richardson would have done--not Morris. That needs to be fixed asap.

Just stop. Please. Go read Keim's article on the exact same set of plays. He lambasts the OLine because they aren't blocking into the second level at all, and in some cases are missing first level blocks.

Here's the bottom line for me. Morris is one of the few players who has offensively earned the benefit of the doubt on this team. He has, consistently, been one of our top two or three offensive players for three years now. In my mind, there are two potential explanations.

1) As Om/Boone and some others have suggested, Morris might be nursing an injury. So let's play this out. Let's assume he has some sort of minor... something wrong with him. What the **** is Gruden doing playing him? Gruden needs to be able to look at film and figure out that something is wrong, then get doctors involved to figure out what the problem is and how to fix it. And sit him until he's good to go.

2) As Henry and Mike have suggested, the scheme is the problem. Again, this is on your golden boy for not even trying to adapt his scheme to the talent he has on hand. And it's not like Morris could be considered a flash in the pan. He is an established RB, who does his job, doesn't complain or cause waves, and rides a frickin' bike to work. If this is the case, it's another example of Gruden being the smartest guy in the room and being too stubborn to change his system.

Look about two hours North of DC. How's that mindset working out for Chippy right now? Gruden has some talent on his team, but he seems hellbent on his system being the solution to all our problems. He has a still relatively young RB who should be putting up bigger numbers in his system, particularly with a revamped OLine, but neither RB can put up 4 ypc average?

IMO, that's the system. Gruden needs to adapt or look for another job.

 

[Goaldeje]

Take out the first two games of the season:

Morris is 48 carries for 122 yards. 2.54 average
Jones is 38 carries for 98 yards. 2.58 average

Morris ain't the problem.

Fine. I wrote a book and you were more succinct.

 

[Goaldeje]

Morris is benched because of production, nothing more. Anyone who can't produce can't be a favorite.

Morris needs a fullback to run behind. Fan62 says we moved to power straight ahead running game. I don't see it. I don't see a fullback in there.

Jones is a power back. Morris is not. He excels at reading and waiting on the hole. Only, there is no hole when the defense disrespects our passing attack and they actually KEY on the RB. They don't have to stack the box with 8. All they have to do is key on the RB. That, and lack of a fullback, is what ails Morris.

Did anyone see the comments about Peterson's change in the Vikings running game? Peterson admits he'll never get 2000 yds again due to the scheme and he has no fullback now.

Right. Because Jones is blowing the lid off the place. Oh. Wait.

Face it. Gruden's scheme is causing the problems. FOR BOTH RB'S.

 

[McD5]

Goal, I head that same nonsense about RG3. Just look at your post, and substitute RG3's name in for Morris. It reads nearly identically.

And I know the benching of RG3 was traumatic to a few for some reason. Those people may snap if Alfred is benched too.

Callahan is the one instructing the line. He's also the one calling the running plays.

I'm sure it's a combination of things--it's not all on Callahan. Including the RB making the wrong decisions as the article illustrates.

 

[Henry]

I was wondering last night what the biggest problem with our running game might be. Is it a lack of talent on the O-line? Is it the running plays that Callahan is calling? Or is it the RBs?

I expected that our running game would slow a little after the first two weeks. DCs usually get better reads after they get a team on film, and then they can make adjustments to stop whatever's working.

And it's probably a combination of things.

But that article shows that if the RB isn't making even the most basic of reads, we aren't going to be successful. The decision to cut that outside is something Morris has known since college. And the decision to cut it inside is something that Trent Richardson would have done--not Morris. That needs to be fixed asap.

You have an Offensive-Coordinator-by-committee playing musical running backs and you are wondering why they are confused and having trouble producing?

Goal got it one.

 

[Henry]

Goal, I head that same nonsense about RG3. Just look at your post, and substitute RG3's name in for Morris. It reads nearly identically.

And I know the benching of RG3 was traumatic to a few for some reason. Those people may snap if Alfred is benched too.

Callahan is the one instructing the line. He's also the one calling the running plays.

I'm sure it's a combination of things--it's not all on Callahan. Including the RB making the wrong decisions as the article illustrates.

Things will only be traumatic if the team, and specifically the offense, continues to play like a wounded giraffe.

I've said it before and I'll say it again. If you want to buck Conventional Wisdom, fine. But you better damn well be right.

 

[Goaldeje]

Goal, I head that same nonsense about RG3. Just look at your post, and substitute RG3's name in for Morris. It reads nearly identically.

And I know the benching of RG3 was traumatic to a few for some reason. Those people may snap if Alfred is benched too.

Callahan is the one instructing the line. He's also the one calling the running plays.

I'm sure it's a combination of things--it's not all on Callahan. Including the RB making the wrong decisions as the article illustrates.

So Bullock pins it on Morris and Keim pins it on the OLine. Regardless of which one you believe, Gruden still carries the blame.

If Morris is injured, why is he playing? If Gruden cannot adapt his scheme, why is he coaching? As I said yesterday, it's frustrating hearing Ron Rivera being talked about as a COY candidate for being a genius who can design a scheme to fit around Cam's strengths. Is there a reason Gruden can't do that?

Obviously he cannot, because neither back is playing well right now. But by all means, let's continue to watch our HC waste one of Morris's good years left. That seems like a swell idea to me.

 

[servumtuum]

There is a measurement recorded that lends insight into to what extent a runner is tackled behind the line of scrimmage.

It's called "stuffs."


I checked a listing of the percentage of runs a particular runner is stuffed and what percentage of all teams rushing attempts are getting stuffed behind the line of scrimmage and found some interesting results.

Alfred Morris right now is getting tacked behind the LOS 14.3% of all rushing attempts. This puts him alongside RBs like Carlos Hyde 49ers at 13.9%, Arian Foster Texans 14.3%, and Andre Williams Giants 14.3%.


The question of how much is on him versus how much is on the OL brings up how the Redskins as a team rank in what percentage of rushing attempts get stuffed behind the LOS and that one isn't good.

The Redskins rank 27th in the league in having 12.9% of rushing attempts stuffed behind the LOS-right along with the Cardinals at 12.5% and the Browns at 13.1%.

I got curious about how other teams with similar numbers of rush attempts fared-the Skins have made 186 rush attempts.

Cardinals-185 attempts-12.5% stuffed

Saints-185 attempts-8.1%

Steelers-188 attempts-11.1% stuffed

Eagles-190 attempts-10.5% stuffed.

The league's best are New England at 4.7%, Oakland at 5.1% and the Colts also at 5.1%


Then I wondered how good the teams the Redskins have played are on rushing defense-particularly on tackling runners in the backfield.

Kind of good actually.


4 of the teams the Redskins have played are among the top six in percentage of rush attempts stuffed behind the LOS.

2.) NY Jets 15%

3.) St. Louis Rams 14.7%

5.) Miami Dolphins 13.2%

6.) Tampa Bay Bucs 12.6%

11.) Falcons 11.4%

The Jets, Rams, Falcons and Bucs also rank in the top 9 in the league for fewest rushing yards allowed per game.



The Rams game seems an outlier since both Morris and Jones ate them up in the run game despite the Rams high run D atings but that, at least in my opinion,is at least partially due to the game occurring before the OL was ripped up with injuries.


None of this is an attempt to "prove" anything just an examination of possible contributing factors to a runners underachieving performance-namely what level of run defense have we been facing.

Source: Team Stuff Percentage: 2015 NFL Season



P.S. See, Knightingale, I can do wordy posts too.

 

[Chris]

Yeah, but did you play pee wee football?

 

[MikeSr619]

we call it Pop Warner football out here...we are obviously superior

 

[Miles Monroe]

And that's what cracks me about this discussion. The entire running game is dysfunctional for what it's worth, short of the gimmicky stuff with Thompson. I don't see Jones racking up the yards either. He may be gaining more, but marginally more. It still boils down to bad blocking due to missing starters, and teams not respecting our passing game. Hit some deep throws, and the D wont be able to stack the box, and we can get right back on track with hard runners like Morris and Jones.

I'm sure most will say it's not that simple....

At seasons start, Morris and Jones looked to be on track to violate opposing defenses. Whats changed since then ? We've lost starters on the line, and lost our best blocking TE's to begin with. Opposing teams quickly realize Gurden is protecting Cousins by running a primarily short passing game and power running. They start to stack the box to make us have to win on Cousins arm. Does anybody really think we've changed something in the scheme that doesn't fit Alf's running style, because again, neither back is doing squat.

It's really that simple from where I'm sitting.

 

[DieselPwr44]

So wait a minute....everybody bitched and moaned about the Shanahan scheme: Smaller, quicker linemen that could get out in space and zone block.

Alot of those same fans said the remedy was to get bigger and stronger along the Oline and become a Power blocking team.

We're now transitioning to that. We're not there yet but the plan is to become that....and now, that's no damn good?

And Redskins fans say they have patience...............

 

[micks113]

Its obvious to me. Callahan calling running plays. OK with that. What is not OK is that without a fullback, the "power" run game lacks teeth. Yet Callahan is relying on the line he coaches to handle the dline by being physical. He mistakenly thinks the beef up front is capable, but yet the evidence suggests we aren't there yet. We will be, but not this year. As a result, Morris can't get through. The hitting in the backfield is indicative of being unable to gap block. They have big and fast guys too, and it is harder to stop a guy who shoots a gap even when you know the snap count.

This is why I am in favor of misdirection plays to keep the D off balance. Its kind of like a pitcher who can't bring the fast ball, but can get the outs with Junk off spead pitching. If we don't bring in the fullback to help the power game, we need to run some traps draws sweeps, counter trey type plays. But to line up in pass formation then run Morris out of it, isn't going to spring him into the secondary.

The smart money in the Pats game will run and slow them down keep the clock running and shorten the game. Its gonna take a fullback as part of the main plan imho.