A Return of the Running Game?

[SkinzWin]

Originally Posted by REDSKINS4ever

The Redskins haven't had a 1,000 yard rusher since 2008. I do expect them to run the ball a lot once they have the lead. But I expect them to throw it when the are trying to establish a lead. The NFL is a pass happy league so look for the Redskins to throw the ball more than they run.

Yes, I do expect the 2012 Washington Redskins offense to be more balanced. But being balanced means mixing in a certain number of passes with a mixture of runs.

I expect Kyle Shanahan to want to call more pass plays. He didn't have the 4th best offense in Houston in 2009 by running the ball. He wants to establish the Washington offense as an explosive offense. With Garcon, Hankerson, Morgan, and F. Davis to go along with a trimmed down Moss, I expect this season to be the Redskins most offensive explosion under Kyle Shanahan's direction yet.

But how do you have a great passing attack? By having to keep the defense honest with a great running attach and using play action. We have seen Shanny make diamonds out of thin air when it comes to running backs. If we can stay healthy, IF, on the offensive line I think we will have a serious ground threat that will definitely help the passing game with our new competent QB and WR's.

So do I think we will run more? Yes. But it will be to help the passing game as well. Do I think Shanny Jr. wants to run more? No. He seems like a pass happy kind of dude. But we aren't Houston. We don't have Andre Johnson. Find the balance. Win the game.

[30gut]

Originally Posted by SkinzWin

...So do I think we will run more? Yes. But it will be to help the passing game as well. Do I think Shanny Jr. wants to run more? No. He seems like a pass happy kind of dude. But we aren't Houston. We don't have Andre Johnson. Find the balance. Win the game.

I'm hoping we run more also.
But like you said Kyle is a pass happy OC.
He'll have more weapons in the passing game then ever before since he's been in DC. (Griff, Garcon, Hankerson, Morgan, Paul)


If Kyle is a pass happy OC (like he's shown himself to be) then I'm not sure what would compel him to run the ball more.

[Lotus]

Originally Posted by 30gut

I'm hoping we run more also.
But like you said Kyle is a pass happy OC.
He'll have more weapons in the passing game then ever before since he's been in DC. (Griff, Garcon, Hankerson, Morgan, Paul)


If Kyle is a pass happy OC (like he's shown himself to be) then I'm not sure what would compell him to run the ball more.

I agree. This is especially true since he now has a strong-armed QB toy to play with.

I just can't see us running the ball more with Griffin than we did with Wrecks/Beck.

[SkinzWin]

Originally Posted by 30gut

I'm hoping we run more also.
But like you said Kyle is a pass happy OC.
He'll have more weapons in the passing game then ever before since he's been in DC. (Griff, Garcon, Hankerson, Morgan, Paul)


If Kyle is a pass happy OC (like he's shown himself to be) then I'm not sure what would compel him to run the ball more.

Answer: Shanny Sr. I think Big Mike Shanahan likes to run the ball in that ZBS of his. We have seen the fruits of his labor in the past. I think Shanny Sr. will have some say so over Jr. in the "we need to run the ball some more" department. I agree with the idea that bootlegs and rollouts may be a staple in the run attack to keep defenses honest but I think we can be a threat with just our running backs (provided the Oline can stay healthy). That is a big asterisk right there...

[SkinItup]

Originally Posted by SkinzWin

Answer: Shanny Sr. I think Big Mike Shanahan likes to run the ball in that ZBS of his. We have seen the fruits of his labor in the past. I think Shanny Sr. will have some say so over Jr. in the "we need to run the ball some more" department. I agree with the idea that bootlegs and rollouts may be a staple in the run attack to keep defenses honest but I think we can be a threat with just our running backs (provided the Oline can stay healthy). That is a big asterisk right there...

I'm not sure if we will run more but I certainly do expect the run to be more effective because of RG3. All the the play action rollouts will keep the back side defenders in place since one of the fast guys will be the QB and all the roll outs can quickly turn into qb keepers.

[30gut]

Originally Posted by SkinzWin

Answer: Shanny Sr. I think Big Mike Shanahan likes to run the ball in that ZBS of his. We have seen the fruits of his labor in the past. I think Shanny Sr. will have some say so over Jr. in the "we need to run the ball some more" department....

Well we know Mike Shanahan likes to a balanced offense as evidenced by his career pass/run ratio which is almost exactly 50/50 pass/run. <--heck that ratio now is probably considered run heavy.

But, I don't think Mike dictates the philosophy or gameplan to Kyle or any of his previous OCs.
Surely, if Mike was the OC last year we would have run the ball more often and more effectively much sooner in the year and maintained it all through the season.
Kyle threw the ball 591 times with Rex/Beck as his QBs, despite having a QB situation thatt warranted leaning on the running game if not at a minimum a more balanced attack.

Originally Posted by Skinswin

I agree with the idea that bootlegs and rollouts may be a staple in the run attack to keep defenses honest but I think we can be a threat with just our running backs (provided the Oline can stay healthy). That is a big asterisk right there

Well the boot action (bootlegs, nakeds, 'rollouts') and the zone stretch run go hand-in-hand they're complementary plays.
The success of the stretch run is made possible because the boot-action limits the backside pursuit, which creates cutback lanes.

[REDSKINS4ever]

Originally Posted by SkinzWin

But how do you have a great passing attack? By having to keep the defense honest with a great running attach and using play action. We have seen Shanny make diamonds out of thin air when it comes to running backs. If we can stay healthy, IF, on the offensive line I think we will have a serious ground threat that will definitely help the passing game with our new competent QB and WR's.

So do I think we will run more? Yes. But it will be to help the passing game as well. Do I think Shanny Jr. wants to run more? No. He seems like a pass happy kind of dude. But we aren't Houston. We don't have Andre Johnson. Find the balance. Win the game.

The way Mike Shanahan and Kyle Shanahan calls plays, it's not far fetched to think that they will keep the defense honest by having RG3 do a lot of rollouts and bootlegs much like Gibbs used to have Joe Theismann and Jay Schroeder do. The Redskins have the wide receivers to not only go deep, but also to get open anywhere on the field. It's my opinion, but I can see Garcon emerging as a respected NFL WR in this offense. He, Hankerson, Moss, and Morgan will be the primary targets in the passing game all year. Figure Chris Cooley, Niles Paul, and Fred Davis into that passing game also. The running game will take care of itself. Both Helu and Royster are hungry for success after getting a taste of the NFL as rookies last season. Add Tim Hightower to that mix also. The Redskins are overdue for a 1,000 yard rusher. One of these three will be it.

[30gut]

Originally Posted by REDSKINS4ever

...The running game will take care of itself...

So you think Kyle will change his philosophy/play calling tendencies?
If so why?

[REDSKINS4ever]

Originally Posted by 30gut

So you think Kyle will change his philosophy/play calling tendencies?
If so why?

Namely because he has a new quarterback who is capable of making dynamic plays inside the pocket and on the run. Wouldn't that change the way that you call your offensive game plan?

[Lotus]

Originally Posted by REDSKINS4ever

Namely because he has a new quarterback who is capable of making dynamic plays inside the pocket and on the run. Wouldn't that change the way that you call your offensive game plan?

Yes, it would make me change my game plan. I would call more pass plays than before and hand it off to a running back less.

Which, to go back to the title of the thread, would hardly be a return of the running game.

[30gut]

Originally Posted by REDSKINS4ever

Wouldn't that change the way that you call your offensive game plan?

We're not talking about some generalized or ambiguous "change".
We're talking specifically about whether or not the offense will/should become more balanced in the playcalling philosophy.
If Kyle's philosophy/playcalling were to become more balanced he would need to run the ball more.

So to answer your question directly: Certainly, having Griff as opposed to Rex/Beck would make change my offensive game plan.
But, having a dynamic QB, one of the best QB prospect in recent memory as opposed to Rex/Beck (near league worst QBs) wouldn't make me pass less.
It would make me maintain my pass first focus if not increase my pass first tendencies.

I have a direct question for you: Would having a QB who is capable of making dynamics plays in the passing game and running the ball cause you to pass less?

[REDSKINS4ever]

Originally Posted by 30gut

We're not talking about some generalized or ambiguous "change".
We're talking specifically about whether or not the offense will/should become more balanced in the playcalling philosophy.
If Kyle's philosophy/playcalling were to become more balanced he would need to run the ball more.

So to answer your question directly: Certainly, having Griff as opposed to Rex/Beck would make change my offensive game plan.
But, having a dynamic QB, one of the best QB prospect in recent memory as opposed to Rex/Beck (near league worst QBs) wouldn't make me pass less.
It would make me maintain my pass first focus if not increase my pass first tendencies.

I have a direct question for you: Would having a QB who is capable of making dynamics plays in the passing game and running the ball cause you to pass less?

They positive thing about Griffin is that he can be used in more than one way. He can pass the ball. He can also run for long gains as we know. I've even seen highlights of him catching the ball in Baylor's offense. Passing less depends on how much yardage you are gaining on offense with the running game or if the run is consistently effective.

[30gut]

Originally Posted by REDSKINS4ever

Passing less depends on how much yardage you are gaining on offense with the running game or if the run is consistently effective.

Well of course playcalling on a play by play basis is dependent upon a multitude of in game contingencies that lead to a decision.

But, offensive philosophy guides those in game decisions.
E.g. a run oriented team will have a healthy number of run plays on their playcall sheet for 3rd and short (less then 3 yards) vs. a pass oreinted team that might only have pass plays only on their 3rd and short playcall sheet.

Those types of philosophical playcalling differences are what guides the in game decisions and determine the style of offense and the playcaller tendencies.

So I ask again, hoping the courtesy of answering the direct question you asked me earlier will be returned....

Originally Posted by 30gut

...Would having a QB who is capable of making dynamics plays in the passing game and running the ball cause you to pass less?