Brunell

[itvnetop]

Originally Posted by skinsguy

Think about it though, let's say we do audible out of a run, and pass it every single time someone lines up 8 in the box. Remember - lining up 8 or 9 in the box doesn't necessarily mean they're ONLY keying in on the running back. We rush the pass and throw either an incompletion or worse - an INT. But, what is bad about passing it is that you throw an incompletion and the clock stops...you're giving a highly potent offense (and apparently the Seahawks were since they were #2 in the NFL,) plenty of time to get back on the field and run the score up. Plus, you still haven't gained anything on first down.

Even though it looks like some of those runs up the middle are "give up" plays or plays most of us feel aren't going to gain loads of yards, those plays are keeping the clock rolling, and with an improved passing attack, apparently it's not such a big thing for us to get into a 3 and long situation. It's just a characteristic of a ball controlled offense. It eventually wears down the interior of the defense. It's allowing OUR defense more time to rest. Which apparently is better for us than to force them to play more minutes.

excellent post