View topic - is our running game finally back?

[Fire Arians Profile]

denver's rush defense was #3 in the nfl coming into the game, and they just got dominated. mendenhall averaged 7 yards per carry and i think only got stopped for no gain once or twice the entire game.

[IronCity__Man Profile]

It seems like Mendenhall gains 2 yards or 32 yards on carries. This goes back a few games. I won't complain but it would be nice to see a little less variance with the same yardage gained.

I wish we would run more - no reason to be passing when ben threw that pick in the endzone. First two drives could have benefitted from more running.

We look like a powerhouse running team. Probaby because we pass first so I should proabably just sit back and enjoy versus over analyzing.

[oldschoolhunkie Profile]

It seems like Mendenhall gains 2 yards or 32 yards on carries. This goes back a few games. I won't complain but it would be nice to see a little less variance with the same yardage gained.

This is stupid. He dominated them and imposed his will and made three or four yard gains on runs where there was NOTHING.

[dirtydave61 Profile]

Yeah, it was great seeing him gain consistent, positive yardage on plunges and then bust those counters for big gains. He seems to run really well off delays and draws in spread formations, too. I'm impressed with his vision and patience. Now, if he can just hang on to the darn ball for a few games, I won't clench my teeth every time he gets a handoff.

Being a pass-first team definitely has opened up the run, and because the offense is so balanced, I'm hoping it'll get to the point where it can routinely beat defenses with the opposite of what they're playing against.

I'm curious to see if Willie is going to be able to contribute anything significant the rest of the season. I feel bad so many people are down on him. He was a featured tailback on 2 Super Bowl winners, after all. I really hope he's got something left in the tank to help down the stretch.

[smheart78 Profile]

Agreed, I saw plenty of 3 and 4 yard runs which weren't pretty, other than they did exactly what they were supposed to do. Which is provide managable 2nd and 3rd downs.

[stillcello Profile]

It seems like Mendenhall gains 2 yards or 32 yards on carries. This goes back a few games. I won't complain but it would be nice to see a little less variance with the same yardage gained.

There have been at least a dozen runs over the past 3-4 weeks that Rashard got 2-4 yards where Willie would have gotten 0-2 yards. *Most* of the time, Rashard is hitting the hole very well on inside runs (at least on ones where he does not try and bounce it outside). When he does try to bounce it outside and get's caught, it's not pretty, but he's been successfully enough of the time...most of the time, that's it's worth him trying.

He's not a power back, but has enough power to move the pile a bit and, from what I've seen so far, to be an effective goalline back, etc.... and he certainly has above average top-end speed compared to most feature backs.

[dracula in cleats Profile]

Mendenhall was not impressing me early. It looked like he would hit the hole and then spin and go down...rather than driving through...later in the game I saw him spin and gain big yards...so I am kinda mixed in my feelings about how he attacks the line...the O-line was opening up big holes later and he hit them quick and showed great vision...there were a couple times I wished he had not gone out of bounds...especially late with us trying to use up the clock...but we scored...so all was well.

it was nice to see Parker on the sideline looking upbeat. he is a classy guy and I respect him and hope he gets some time onthe field...Mendenhall is our man for now though.

[rick723 Profile]

It seems like Mendenhall gains 2 yards or 32 yards on carries. This goes back a few games. I won't complain but it would be nice to see a little less variance with the same yardage gained.

I wish we would run more - no reason to be passing when ben threw that pick in the endzone. First two drives could have benefitted from more running.

We look like a powerhouse running team. Probaby because we pass first so I should proabably just sit back and enjoy versus over analyzing.

Hey, I'll take 2-2-32 all day long.
Answering the 1st question, I think our running game is back. We'll find out Sunday for sure.

[dadrfishing Profile]

If we run on the Bungles like we ran on Denver, this game will not be close. Otherwise I think stillers will win a close one.

[hatethebrowns Profile]

I dont care how we put a win in the W side just as long as we keep doing it