...no matter how you slice it, the Giants rushed the ball a paltry 354 times last season -- 4th lowest in the league. The average for the season (across all 32 NFL teams) was 415 carries.
This isn't a debate on the cause and effect of running the ball and winning football games**, although it should be noted that the top quartile of teams with the most rushes amassed an aggregate record of 86 - 42 vs. the lowest quartile 51 -74 -3 .
Bottom line: it's just common sense that it's probably a good thing if the Giants end up accruing more carries in 2019.
So the question then becomes: Who gets the additional carries? Obviously -- and hopefully -- Saquon Barkley gets a few more, but I don't like the idea of the Giants relying on him for ALL the extra carries. Last season he was second in the league with 261 (16.3 carries per game). And given how crucial he will be catching the ball out of the backfield, I think there are only so many touches the Giants should force on the best running back in the NFL!
Therefore, whoever is the second best running back on this team becomes that much more important (with an additional load of carries). The question then becomes: Is our second best running back good enough to be productive or does this position need to be upgraded, if not this season, then in the future?
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**On the one hand, if a team is ahead late in the game, there's a bias toward running the ball more often to take time off the clock. On the other hand, if a team's run game is stoned at the LOS, it will surely hinder the passing game and it will cut down on TOP, which can wreak havoc on the stamina of defenses in the 4th quarter.
Yes, that is true. And that is why I said:
On the one hand, if a team is ahead late in the game, there's a bias toward running the ball more often to take time off the clock.
But the question still remains: Is our #2 running back on this team good enough and productive enough to take on a heavier load in 2019, or does the backup to Saquon Barkley need upgrading?
Amen to that brother! Make that a double Amen!
Saying all that, I do think run blocking has to improve. Starters and back up online were very uninspiring run blocking.
Exception is if you are so dominating in the run game that opposition cannot stop you, even when selling out against run.
Giants have a lot of cap invested in QBs and receivers. I don't care what positions are responsible for our wins.
Bringing "extra" defenders doesn't mean there is just a dude hanging out close to the line of scrimmage not worrying about the pass smoking dubes. It's typically a matter of a linebacker or safety cheating up and playing the odds, or a corner running blitzing and handing off coverage in the slot or outside.
Throwing to the back isn't a great counter because the numbers in the lanes where the back is going to benefit the defense.
The Giants need their WRs to run themselves open against single coverage and make plays. That's the only scenario where a defense will dial down extra help in run defense.
Quote:
Teams that run a lot likely run a lot BECAUSE they're winning rather than vice versa.
Sure you want to run more but the best teams have great balance between pass and run even if passing game is short and intermediate. Ability to run really opens up opportunities in red zone for quick passing strikes. How many times have we seen not only Giants but other teams stall in red zone because they can't run the ball and there is nowhere to go with ball with seven or eight defending across the end zone?
Yes, that is true. And that is why I said:
On the one hand, if a team is ahead late in the game, there's a bias toward running the ball more often to take time off the clock.
But the question still remains: Is our #2 running back on this team good enough and productive enough to take on a heavier load in 2019, or does the backup to Saquon Barkley need upgrading?