Running Game

by hahasound on Dec 19, 2008 9:20 AM EST

It's been rather blatantly obvious for the past few weeks-- oh, who are we kidding-- the ENTIRE SEASON, that our rushing game has been a bit less effective than that of last year and of years past.

I mean, even with the Addai/Stonehands combo, we racked up around 1700 yards. Unless we magically manage to rush for about 600 yards against the Titans' D, it seems like we're likely to have quite a bit less than that.

It's demoralizing to constantly have to watch your team's running backs get runs of 1-3 yards... no one needs to remind me.

The question is... where does fault lie? Is this a fairly talented rushing attack that is merely suffering because the offensive line is completely inept at run blocking, or are Rhodes and Addai simply losing their touch?

...or, possibly something entirely different? Blame Dungy? Blame Polian? Blame aliens for stealing our team's talent in some sort of Space Jam-esque plot? I'm interested to hear this forum's thoughts...

Poll

Who is to blame for our awful running game?

Offensive Line; poor run blocking

26 votes

Running Backs; not enough talent

3 votes

Other

5 votes

34 votes | Poll has closed

This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of Stampede Blue's writers or editors. It does reflect the views of this particular fan though, which is as important as the views of Stampede Blue's writers or editors.

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Comments

Dominic running hard.

While Addai has seemed somewhat tentative this year, Dom has run as hard as I have ever seen him this year. Legs constantly churning, most times (until this game) getting the extra yards. I don’t know if it was scheme, or just plain crappy blocking, but the Panthers defense almost seemed to know what was coming. They were in the backfield all night on the run plays. Thank goodness that the pass protection was there, and Mr.P suffered no sacks.

by tim55 on Dec 19, 2008 9:57 AM EST reply actions

Cant keep running the outside stretch plays. We don’t have the guards for it. I’ve also said since 2006: Addai is the stretch runner, Rhodes is the belly runner. So you have an inside runner running outside runs with an offensive line that can’t block outside runs.

by Nideak on Dec 19, 2008 10:07 AM EST reply actions

Too Young

Pollak, Johnson and Ugoh need more experience. I expect that the running game steps it up next year with Lilja back and Pollak, Johnson, and Ugoh get another year of experience.

http://naptownsfinest.com

by Colts Homer on Dec 19, 2008 2:21 PM EST reply actions

I agree

Experience is the problem, not the actual players. People tend to forget that Pollak, Johnson, and Ugoh didn’t have Peyton this past training camp and preseason. Give these guys the remainder of this season and next year’s training camp and preseason, and the running game will be back in action.

by KMR24 on Dec 19, 2008 7:23 PM EST up reply actions

What's "other"

So what does “other” mean on that survey? Play calling?

by tim55 on Dec 19, 2008 5:49 PM EST reply actions

Poor O-line play, banged up backs, and questionable play calling…

All three?

I think it’s mostly the line, and yeah, I think the inexperience is the real problem. Hopefully we’ll give them some time to grow into the role rather then just blowing up the line this season. Saturday helps a lot, too, although running to the outside seems to be an interesting way of using his experience…

by eltharion_doa on Dec 19, 2008 8:58 PM EST reply actions

OL inexperience, Injuries and a certain member of the line dropping off a cliff effectiveness-wise.

Shonn Greene for Heisman
Doak Walker award winner
144 yards per game
6.2 yards per carry
08 TDs per game > 06 GPA

by shake n bake on Dec 19, 2008 10:24 PM EST reply actions

Im not sure which one you're referring to, but

I’m guessing he plays on the right side of the line?;)

by Nideak on Dec 19, 2008 11:32 PM EST up reply actions

O line will be a problem next year too

The O line is in serious shape. Pollak will be okay with experience but after that the line is all downhill. Saturday is aging so anticipate the usual problems there (we’re already seeing the injuries). Ugoh looks like a journeyman not a top flight left tackle as he’s not any better this year than last. Johnson is a journeyman at guard but he hasn’t shown the improvement year-on-year that you’d expect from a true starter. Diem, always a favorite of mine, is clearly on the slide and will be worse next year than this year. Diem, by the way, is a big cap hit next year and may not be a Colt because of it. Richards and company are all late round types where Polian finds good role guys but they’re still 5th, 6th and 7th rounders. This is a BIG problem going forward.

by coltfan59 on Dec 20, 2008 1:54 PM EST reply actions