Indy uses the pass to set up the run. New England uses the pass to set up the run. Clearly, our passing game is MUCH better than our running game. Why does Kubiak still insist on establishing the run? I know this is generally accepted as Football 101, but I think times, they are a'changing. Why not go with your strength instead of stubbornly trying to plug away at something that is CLEARLY the weakest part of your team? We saw what happened yesterday (4th quarter) when we finally quit trying. Use the pass to set up the run, not the other way around. ID
If you look at championship teams over the past 20 years they have always gone with their strengths. Why would Kubiak stubbornly continue to force a sluggish run game down the throats of our opponents? SHEESH! KC
^^Nice DD impression. I think when we get Andre back, we can throw the ball more. Also, the line was just awful at the beginning yesterday. Schaub had about 2 seconds to throw.
Nope you do not need to establish the run, but it has to be part of your arsenal. The Texans could use the pass to set up the run or vice versa... DD
at this point, I'm willing to try anything....even bringing sage during goal line situations. It would be our version of the 2 quaterback system I just don't understand why coach kubiak places the blame on himself, saying that it is his fault for such a poor game plan; yet he doesn't make the changes to put us in a good situation C#11
YES we need to establish the run...sure our passing game is far better than the running game but you need both. The ability to run the ball wears down defenses (look at game vs. Jags), it allows teams to use the clock (look at game vs. Chiefs), but most importantly...it allows you to control the pace of the game. We controlled the pace of the game in our first 2 wins, but vs. the Falcons/Jags/Titans you can clearly see that they were the ones controlling the pace. 3 and outs aren't going to get you anywhere in this league, constantly having 3rd and 8 because you can't run the ball more than 3 yards a series is hurting us more than anything else.
If you don't have a running game to establish, it makes things rough. We need to play to our strengths and become a pass-happy offense. Kubiak seems too stubborn to do so though. When there is 8 in the box, you don't run. When there is 8 in the box and they are coming on a blitz, time for a screen or a draw, a swing pass or something downfield. Not just keep running in to the defense.
The most consistent way to win a championship is by stopping the run on and establishing the run. But the Texans could win more games by passing first more. I guess it depends on whether you think winning more games this year helps you more down the road.
Contrary to Buddy Ryan's opinion, I've always thought the Run And Shoot could be unstoppable. Three step drops, 3 wides running crossing patterns (with incidental picks), getting the TE matched up 1 on 1 with a LB, using the RB to pick up blitzs, run draws and release out of the backfield. 6 yards per completion and 50% completion rate = ball control. And I wouldn't ever worry about running out the clock, I would just always try to move the ball and score.
The best run and shoot teams also featured two of the best offensive lineman EVER to play the game (Munchack, Matthews). The Texans don't have anything close to that right now, and Schaub/Rosenfels would get killed (like they were almost yesterday).
But our pass blocking is still much better than our run blocking. Just to be clear, I'm not suggesting we totally abandon the running game and go Texas Tech on every down..... I'm just suggesting we use the pass to set up the run, instead of the other way around. Like the Colts and Pats do. If the defense starts blitzing, that's when you set up the screen and/or draw play to keep them honest. I'm also not suggesting that we have the weapons the Colts and Pats do. But our passing game is FAR SUPERIOR to our running game right now, obviously. You play to your strengths, not your weaknesses.
While balance is ideal, I think they have to start using the pass more to set up the run. The only think the running game is setting them up for right now is 2nd and/or 3rd and long. We've got the receivers. Let's use them. I'll still say, other than AJ & McKinney's injuries, the next biggest one might be Chris Taylor going down in camp. He could have been good in this offense with his speed and cutting ability.
KY? As is KY lubricant? Sure, it may make things easier to take, but it still won't solve our running game issues.
ima, the common thread running through houston's first two wins was an effective running game; as it's gone south so, too, has our scoring and, more importantly, our ability to win games. we HAVE to runthe football. this is why i spent last year jumping up and down: look away from the imploding QB - we've got A LOT of other issues to address. schaub is an upgrade but... anyone who watched yesterday's game and didn't think, even for a second, about carr's tenure here is lying. he looked dazed, confused and completely unsure of himself. that's going to happen when you can't run or pass block, and your QB is left on an island, absorbing hit after hit -- which, as i beleive nick pointed out, has been the team's biggest weakness since september 2002. for all the things kubiak has done well, his attitude toward the running game has been perhaps his biggest gaffe. you need players to make a system work; he seems to think the system can work independent of quality players - it's a drum i've beaten for a year and half now. he failed to address the RB position last year and applied a band-aid to it this year. not good enough. it and the secondary are our biggest needs.
I agree on the lack of talent at RB. I wonder if they really were expecting more from Chris Taylor before he got injured. Depending on who's available, the 1st pick next year can only be RB or OL. Defense is set for years to come...with the exception of needing CB depth. They absolutely need to get a better RB. Does anyone else think that a healthy Dominick Davis/Williams would have been perfect for this system?
