Steelers coach Mike Tomlin has emphasized that he believes any successful team must have a strong running game. All too often, however, “commitment to the run” is but a forgotten platitude. Example A: Witness how the New Orleans Saints gave workhorse stud running back Deuce McAllister only six carries in the NFC Championship Game against the Chicago Bears. So, give the Chicago Bears credit for playing to their strength early in the NFC Championship Game and sticking to the run on a key second-quarter drive against the Saints. Running back Thomas Jones carried the ball on all eight plays of the drive, which culminated in a two-yard touchdown run.
Joey Porter’s Pit Bulls love this sort of drive, which was dissected and analyzed nicely by Michael David Smith at Football Outsiders.
Nothing demoralizes a defense more than being unable to stop the run. Then, when the defense overcompensates and stacks the line to try to stop the run, it becomes vulnerable to the aerial attack – which is what happened later in the Bears-Saints game.
The Indianapolis Colts have their notice.
3 comments:
Totally agree with you, I love a team that can pound the run. I think the moment the Saints began to deteriorate is when they abandoned the run, especially on that drive when they had to try for the long field goal (I think it was a 54 yarder) and had their punter kicking it... that was the turning point of the game for the Saints in my opinion. With the dynamic running game they have I cannot fathom why they abandoned it.
Good point, Mai Wen. If the Saints had stayed with their running game, they might have controlled the clock better and kept the Bears' offense off the field.
Yeah, but when SexyRexy steps up, it don't matter what kind of defense he's looking at. The Sex Cannon will be fully engaged! COLTS BEWARE!
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