The Gruden Files - Year Two

[Knightingale]

Oh.... and Morris....

I thought he looked pretty good this week. I'm with those that feel that if he'd have had the majority of carries we'd have seen more consistency from him and another 1000 yard plus season. We've morphed into a pass first offence at the moment and under those conditions we just need a reliable dependable work horse we can use to set up play action and the pass game. I think we saw this week that he can do that really well. Keep Jones as a change of pace back if you like, maybe he is the future. But as for Morris, I REALLY want him back next year. He's a good humble grounded presence to have in the locker room too, especially on a team that has a history of trouble with prima-donna's and banned substance abuse in the past.

In fact, as an aside, that's one of the MOST refreshing aspects of this season. NO DRAMA!

Anyway, I suspect that with some more drafts along the O-Line and with another off season for our rookies to get under their belt in Callahans system we could be a really good running team, even if it is by committee. Morris and Jones have both shown they can put up 100 yard games. Jones needs to nail those fumbles down, but I think it could be a strength going forwards. I actually feel really good about our offence going forwards. Indeed I worry more about replacing DJax to be honest. We need a deep threat and he's not gonna be here forever.

 

[micks113]

Morris doesn't catch and run out of the backfield as well as Jones. The screen plays are Jones bread and butter, Morris does not have the top end speed that Jones has passed the line of scrimmage. Also, Jones is north south RB, Morris off tackle. Both are very good at breaking tackles and getting the extra yards.

No team save the Vikes have a one back system. The load sharing is a function of how the game plan is being executed vis a vis the defense being played. No need to "read" anything into it, its just not there for the rumor mill, You can't bring Jones up to speed in the NFL without getting the reps, yes he is a rookie, hello.

One other thing, the success of the running game is a direct function of the lines ability to run block. Conversely, the pass blocking is not directly proportional to the success of the passing game. The QB can often make up for poor pass blocking by quick release and reading secondary formations. So if you are not getting the yards, look at the line blocking, not who is carrying the ball, and you'll figure out the relevance of utilizing one back over the other. That is the in-game decision making of the head coach. Although I thought I read somewhere that which RB is inserted is someone else's call. Again if its Callahan, its on him and the line blocking for moving the chains.

 

[Knightingale]

Morris doesn't catch and run out of the backfield as well as Jones. The screen plays are Jones bread and butter, Morris does not have the top end speed that Jones has passed the line of scrimmage. Also, Jones is north south RB, Morris off tackle. Both are very good at breaking tackles and getting the extra yards.

No team save the Vikes have a one back system. The load sharing is a function of how the game plan is being executed vis a vis the defense being played. No need to "read" anything into it, its just not there for the rumor mill, You can't bring Jones up to speed in the NFL without getting the reps, yes he is a rookie, hello.

One other thing, the success of the running game is a direct function of the lines ability to run block. Conversely, the pass blocking is not directly proportional to the success of the passing game. The QB can often make up for poor pass blocking by quick release and reading secondary formations. So if you are not getting the yards, look at the line blocking, not who is carrying the ball, and you'll figure out the relevance of utilizing one back over the other. That is the in-game decision making of the head coach. Although I thought I read somewhere that which RB is inserted is someone else's call. Again if its Callahan, its on him and the line blocking for moving the chains.

I'm happy with a running back by committee approach, the days of the lone back are past. There are a few out there (Peterson is the notable example) but not like the old days. I would like to see them think about how they deploy their runners better, I'm not sure that's been perfect this year, but then the whole year has been a work in progress to some degree.

Way back in the old days I used to play a little football and I used to play on the O-line, mostly RT or RG. I always found Run Blocking to be way more complex that pass blocking. Might just have been me, but in run blocking it was always more imperative you knew who you were blocking, and which way you were moving them in conjunction with who the other linemen were blocking and where they were moving them and where the running back was supposed to hit the gaps we provided. Pass blocking was much easier, pick up your man and make sure he doesn't get to the QB basically.

I do believe we're seeing an element of that with this O-line. I think there's talent across it, but it's been hit with injuries and our whole right side is rookies. Plus it's a new coach and probably system for them. It's the pass blocking that leads me to believe that this is going to be a really good O-line for years to come if we can keep it together. It's pretty young and talented and if we supplement through the draft or free agency we could have something really special on our hands. I'm intrigued to see what these guys can do next year with another preseason under their belts to learn the run blocking schemes.

I think Morris will always be dependable given the carries to get the job done. Jones shows flashes and will learn to protect the ball. The fact that the Skins are now a Passing team will take some pressure off them, and if that O-Line can get some practice and with Moses and Scherff having a full season and a second preseason under their belts I think we'll see a difference next year.

 

[Henry]

Morris doesn't catch and run out of the backfield as well as Jones. The screen plays are Jones bread and butter, Morris does not have the top end speed that Jones has passed the line of scrimmage. Also, Jones is north south RB, Morris off tackle. Both are very good at breaking tackles and getting the extra yards.

Jones would make a great third down back. He's a better receiver out of the backfield and he's a solid pass-pro blocker. He's also not durable enough to be the bread-and-butter guy. Morris is the durable one and actually has decent outings when he gets enough carries. Seems like a no-brainer to me.

No team save the Vikes have a one back system. The load sharing is a function of how the game plan is being executed vis a vis the defense being played. No need to "read" anything into it, its just not there for the rumor mill, You can't bring Jones up to speed in the NFL without getting the reps, yes he is a rookie, hello.

I think this is an overstatement. There are plenty of teams that run with a primary back. In most seasons about 10-15 teams in the league will end up with a 1000-yard back. This season is a huge outlier in that only 7 players broke 1000 yards. It's the first time in 25 years that fewer than 13 backs hit that benchmark. Perhaps it's a coincidence that this year the league is considered a down year for the quality of teams in general. Maybe not.

And of course you can bring a RB up to speed without playing time. RB is not the same as QB. It's an instinctive position and players are dropped into that position all the time. We've done it here with backups like Stephen Davis and The Incomparable Ladell Betts. Hell even a guy like Ryan Torain can come in and carry the ball 20 times a game without much in-game experience and produce. RBs are expected to be able to come into the league and hit the ground running (pun kind of intended). Have you ever heard of a RB being allowed to take his lumps on the field? Of course not. You either produce immediately or the team finds someone else.

One other thing, the success of the running game is a direct function of the lines ability to run block. Conversely, the pass blocking is not directly proportional to the success of the passing game. The QB can often make up for poor pass blocking by quick release and reading secondary formations. So if you are not getting the yards, look at the line blocking, not who is carrying the ball, and you'll figure out the relevance of utilizing one back over the other. That is the in-game decision making of the head coach. Although I thought I read somewhere that which RB is inserted is someone else's call. Again if its Callahan, its on him and the line blocking for moving the chains.

I agree with this. I would say that it's probably easier for a line to get a feel for the run game if they aren't always trying to adjust to a new RB entering the game every few snaps. It's one thing to try different RBs over the course of the season if the coach isn't settled on the position. It's another to switch RBs in and out seemingly randomly over the course of a game itself. What we were doing wasn't even running back by committee. In a committee each player has his own defined role. I did not see any significant defined roles in our backfield. Maybe Thompson was the 'speed' guy, but there didn't seem to be much rhyme or reason to when these guys were playing or not. That's my problem with the running game. Not who's getting what role at this point.

 

[Smoot Point]

Henry, I think we also had some critical injuries to RBs who were on a 1k pace mid season and some guys who were capable of 1k... Jamaal Charles, Arian Foster, Leveon Bell, Justin Forsett, Chris Johnson, Mark Ingram, Carlos Hyde, etc... I'm sure there were a few others. However, some teams churned through multiple promising backs (Cardinals, Saints, etc).

Our only problem is we have a coach who excels in the passing game and only cares about the run in as much as it can help the passing game.

 

[micks113]

Henry quote: "I think this is an overstatement. There are plenty of teams that run with a primary back. In most seasons about 10-15 teams in the league will end up with a 1000-yard back. This season is a huge outlier in that only 7 players broke 1000 yards. It's the first time in 25 years that fewer than 13 backs hit that benchmark. Perhaps it's a coincidence that this year the league is considered a down year for the quality of teams in general. Maybe not."

I think you're making my point. only 7 players, I think its either injury or rotations of RB's that is the cause. Anyways, ever since the league went to 16 games, the 1000 yd mark is meaningless. Or at least not as meaningful as having been "the standard". It only takes 63 yards per game to reach that. A back doesn't have to be the main guy to reach that number. I started watching when there was only 12 games. a 1000 yds was darn hard to come by, especially with the rules back then allowing for hands to the face of the OL.

The bottom line for me is that I think we as a fan base have overestimated the line's run blocking. Yes Callahan has worked wonders, but we're not where we want to be yet up front.

Also, while Jones is better at catch and run out of the backfield, we all know that really is the job of Thompson. He is the key RB there.

 

[McD5]

Our only problem is we have a coach who excels in the passing game and only cares about the run in as much as it can help the passing game.

What would make you think that?

We ran the ball on 43.6% of the plays this season. That ranks 11th highest in the league.

Since entering the NFL in either Cincy or here, Gruden's teams have run a lot more than the average team. His teams are usually in the top 3rd. He's always emphasized the running game.

Team Rushing Play Percentage: 2015 NFL Season

 

[Henry]

What would make you think that?

Because the running game looked like a jumbled mess. Like an afterthought. It's not necessarily how often a team runs, but how the run game is implemented.

We ran the ball on 43.6% of the plays this season. That ranks 11th highest in the league.

We are 30th in yards per attempt. There's more involved in committing to the run than calling run plays.

Since entering the NFL in either Cincy or here, Gruden's teams have run a lot more than the average team. His teams are usually in the top 3rd. He's always emphasized the running game.

Interestingly, this particular claim inspired me to look up Cincy's running game during Gruden's tenure there.

In 2011, the Bengals were 10th in rushing attempts but only 27th in yards per attempt.
In 2012, they were 17th in rushing attempts but 20th in yards per attempt.
In 2013, they were 8th in rushing attempts but 28th in yards per attempt.

In 2014, they were 5th in attempts and 12th in yards per attempt. (first post-Gruden season)

Now what concerns me is not the amount of carries, but what those carries do for us. So far, as an offensive coordinator and now as a coach, Gruden's running game stinks. Yes, he does run the ball, but he apparently doesn't know how. Now, I didn't watch the Bengals so I don't know what their run game looked like specifically when Gruden was there. But I know what it looks like here, and it looks like crap.

This is absolutely something to be concerned about going forward.

 

[McD5]

Yeah Henry, I'm not sure what to make of that. It could mean several things:

1. He loves to run the ball more than most teams.

2. His running game in YPC has been bad both here and in Cincy.

3. Maybe we should run a lot less.

4. Or maybe by running so many times it keeps defenses honest against the pass.

I'm not sure if there is any easy answer. As might be expected, teams like New England, and the Saints have great QBs, and they run less. If Kirk turns out to be great for the next few years, maybe that's the way to go. There seems to be a big shift to the passing game in the league now.

I don't like the fact that the YPC of his teams has been so low, but there are a lot of factors needed to get a better picture. In Cincy, he was running against defenses like Baltimore and Pittsburgh in their division. Cincy went to the playoffs all three years. So was that really a problem?

Here we are basically starting two rookies on the right side of the line, and we are in the playoffs. It's hard to say. I think the only thing that is safe to say at this point is the following:

1. He runs the ball a lot.

2. His YPC have been bad both here and in Cincy.

3. He stays committed to running the ball even with bad YPC.

4. In five seasons in the NFL, his offenses have made the playoffs 4 out of 5 times.

Whatever it is, it seems to work well.

 

[Ax]

Yeah, the "Never Won A Playoff Game" fact will change on Sunday.

 

[Kel Varnsen]

Run or pass and score - We want a lot more. Who cares how they do it. Just score and win.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Henry]

Yeah Henry, I'm not sure what to make of that. It could mean several things:

1. He loves to run the ball more than most teams.

2. His running game in YPC has been bad both here and in Cincy.

3. Maybe we should run a lot less.

4. Or maybe by running so many times it keeps defenses honest against the pass.

Sure, if I look at nothing but stats it could mean a lot of things. If I watch the games and think to myself "This team has no idea how to put together a decent running game" and then I look back and see those stats … to me it means this team has no idea how to put together a decent running game.

I'm not sure if there is any easy answer. As might be expected, teams like New England, and the Saints have great QBs, and they run less. If Kirk turns out to be great for the next few years, maybe that's the way to go. There seems to be a big shift to the passing game in the league now.

I don't like the fact that the YPC of his teams has been so low, but there are a lot of factors needed to get a better picture. In Cincy, he was running against defenses like Baltimore and Pittsburgh in their division. Cincy went to the playoffs all three years. So was that really a problem?

Personally, I think one fairly obvious answer is to pick a running back as our feature back and let him get in a rhythm with the OL and the scheme, rather than subbing three RBs into the lineup with seemingly no rhyme or reason. I think that really is the problem.

I do agree that if Kirk Cousins can play like Brady or Brees it probably won't ultimately matter. If he plays like pretty much any other QB in the league I think it probably will matter. Gruden has made a lot of progress this season and there's a lot to like about this team and it's prospects for the future. The running game is the one thing I'm probably most concerned about at this point.

Here we are basically starting two rookies on the right side of the line, and we are in the playoffs. It's hard to say. I think the only thing that is safe to say at this point is the following:

1. He runs the ball a lot.

2. His YPC have been bad both here and in Cincy.

3. He stays committed to running the ball even with bad YPC.

4. In five seasons in the NFL, his offenses have made the playoffs 4 out of 5 times.

Whatever it is, it seems to work well.

It works well enough to get to the playoffs. That much we know. As I said, I think going forward the running game is still a concern. All things being equal, it's something I hope we can fix rather than ignore and hope doesn't matter.

 

[stevenaa]

I agree Henry. We need a running game in the playoffs. Pick one and stick with him. Almo is the proven commodity, so he'd be my choice.

 

[Fear The Spear]

A lot of love from the players, for Jay Gruden's success

http://sports.yahoo.com/news/aint-fake-jay-gruden-put-redskins-path-playoffs-231917666--spt.html

Said Jean Francois: "We know he ain't fake. He's Jay Gruden. He's himself. He's no one else. So whatever he tells us, whatever he wants us to do on that field, we're going to buy into that."

"A coach just needs to pick. Don't go through procrastination. Tell your team. 'Kirk's our quarterback? OK, cool. We don't need to go back and forth.' We weren't going to mope around or disagree. If we had done that, we wouldn't be in the playoffs."

 

[Knightingale]

Here we are basically starting two rookies on the right side of the line, and we are in the playoffs.

.

This!

I really believe that if you give these rookies one more off season with Callahan, draft or recruit some talent on the line, and keep the faith with Morris we'll see a much stronger running game next season.

If we don't..... then I'll start worrying about it.

 

[Om]

Like most things, I think the run failure this year stems from a combination of factors:

- I recall seeing us run the **** out of the ball in the first two weeks. Then when Lavao and later Kory L. when down, we couldn't run at all.

- We've heard all year from Gruden (and Cooley in the film breakdowns) indications that the problem hasn't been so much scheme but execution---one guy misses a block, the RB doesn't see/hit the hole, etc.

- defenses decided early that to stop the Skins offense, you stacked the line and attacked the run, forcing Kirk Cousins to beat them down the field. Early on, that worked. Down the stretch, it has not. They are still stopping the run, but the passing O is shredding people.

No idea why the Cincy Gruden offenses finished statistically like they did--I don't watch other teams with the same level of scrutiny necessary to make any kind of informed judgment.

All I do know is our offense is killing people right now, and to my eye it looks like they're still focusing on the run and daring Cousins to beat them. I kinda hope the Packers do the same. Unless of course they want to back off, in which case we might get a chance to see Messrs. Morris, Thomas, et al get going and eat us up some clock.

 

[Knightingale]

Agreed Om,

Which is why I'm not too worried. I think with another off season of practice and our talent back we'll be fine.
And as you say, we're now at a point where I reckon we'll be able to run or pass. Currently as you say teams are still clamping down on the run and daring Cousins to pass. Which is dumb when you look at what he's been doing, but I think some people still think it's a fluke run. But bar a couple of subpar games he's been playing really well since the Tampa game.
If they want to focus on taking out pass away, and now we've got Kory L back we might just kill em running like we did in those first couple of weeks.

I enjoy the fact that I think we're becoming a 'pick your poison' type of offence. You wanna die by land or by air? Your choice Packers and co.

All this I think (hope) is on the cards for next year really. I think this year we're slightly ahead of our progression curve. I really wasn't expecting anything close to this level of performance yet. I thought we were on a 2 or 3 year plan at best after Scotty came to town.

It's really hard not to get too excited about the Playoffs, but the reality is for me that we're playing with House money now. If we lose to the Packers I'll be disappointed sure, but as a season I'll feel really really good about 2015/16 no matter what the outcome. Because I feel like we've finally turned the corner and could be competing in the post season for years to come.

If Cousins is the man, then we're golden on offence for a while as long as we're smart replacing pieces like DJax and Garcon when the time comes. Cousins to Reed could be our signature play for years, much like Brady to Gronk, Rodgers to Nelson, Manning to Beckham...

What we need now is to bring our Defense up to spec in the off season too. Then we're REALLY talking something special potentially.

God I'm an optimistic sod sometimes.

 

[McD5]

A lot of love from the players, for Jay Gruden's success

http://sports.yahoo.com/news/aint-fake-jay-gruden-put-redskins-path-playoffs-231917666--spt.html

I think the single best thing about our HC is his sense of humor, and then what he does with it.

Yes, he can draw up great plays, and he obviously can develop QBs.

But his sense of humor is what separates him from other great coaches. That sense of humor does two things:

1. It keeps the players loose instead of being uptight. It lets them know that this playoff game isn't bigger than the coach.

2. You'll see reports that Gruden is just as likely to be joking around with the 53rd best player on the team as he is the star QB. That makes everyone feel appreciated, and then they all give 100%. That's absolutely huge. Players love the guy and give him their best effort.

 

[MikeSr619]

Now, if we are losing we can reverse that:

1 - the coach isn't controlling the locker room or intensity of the players

2 - it shows favoritism and a want to just be one of the guys instead of a leader.

its just because we are winning that stories like these are OK to hear and laugh about.

 

[TomE]

Of course, but remember that last year sucked and reports also came in that Gruden had not lost the room.