Anyone still believe the run game doesn’t have a place in this league anymore?
It is a physical component to football that allows a team to dictate the clock, wear a defense down, and set up play action. The Giants desperately need to get back to focusing on fixing their ground game.
Watching the Steelers and Seahawks run the ball well really makes me miss the days of Jacobs/Bradshaw/Ward
Jimmy Garoppolo, anybody?
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Won a game? Might see it tonight
Greek
Jimmy Garoppolo, anybody?
That Montana guy and that Marino fellow weren't too bad ...
All these good offensive teams run the ball and all devoted big time resources to the running game. How the fuck are we even debating this ? It’s right in front of us.
Just because the good qbs are putting up absurd passing numbers doesn’t mean the running game isn’t essential.
I hope tomorrow brings nothing but good news and good results for him.
Teams realized they were playing against slow run stopping linebackers and box safeties and they could just pass first. When this started happening, it was pass first to open up the run. For some teams it has just morphed into pass early and often (Buffalo and KC are examples).
Defenses realized that the NFL was becoming "pass first" and started emphasizing smaller linebackers who can cover and smaller safeties who can cover deep.
Baltimore constructed an offense that counteracted the modern pass-centric defense.
Now, other teams are focusing on balanced offenses who's game plans are really dependent on the defensive look. The Cowboys are probably the best example of this. It is really difficult to defend because it requires having really versatile linebackers.
Unfortunately, for the Giants, they are still on Step 1 of this evolution (offensively). Actually, this year, they are trying to do a very basic version of Step 2, establish the pass so they can run more (in incredibly predictable ways).
Defensively, the Giants have probably the worst linebacker group in the NFL. Given how offenses are focusing more and more on attacking the linebackers and safeties, this is a big issue. They need their safties to step up and they aren't. If your linebackers and safeties can't cover, you need your corners to be absolutely lock down. That isn't happening either. Sigh.