What's Changed With The Run Game

[ivotuk]

Seahawks 'Optimistic' To Get Charles Cross Back From Injury, What's Changed With The Run Game & Other Takeaways

"That's a 12 As One play," Macdonald said. "I mean, everybody hit their targets, they hit their blocks.

And then my favorite part of the play is (Jake) Bobo and Jax (Jaxon Smith-Njigba) celebrating more than anybody else. Two receivers on a third and long who got their guys blocked and springing the run that got Ken the first down.

It was a heck of a run by Ken, but there's a lot of great blocking going on that play. And then to see the guys celebrate like that for the success of the team and their teammate was really cool."

Seahawks ‘Optimistic’ To Get Charles Cross Back From Injury, What’s Changed With The Run Game & Other Takeaways

 

[SeahawkSteve80]

As many of you know, I’m not the brightest bulb on the Christmas tree , but here’s my analysis on what’s changed with the run game:

1. Overall better effort, technique and fundamentals. Sundell was viewed by many here as an inferior run blocker to Olu. However the last few games, Sundell has really turned a corner there.

2. Teams playing 2 high safety looks. This is primarily due to the deep threat of Shaheed. I had mentioned in an earlier thread that I would’ve liked at least one deep shot attempt to Shaheed to keep the 49ers safeties on their toes, but it proved not necessary. Perhaps we’ll see it in the playoffs. Could you imagine if he had a healthy Horton too? Man, this offense would be very potent.

Having two high safety looks, as most of you probably know, means one less defender in the box. Therefore, this should, in theory, create more running lanes as there’s less traffic, allowing our backs to get into the second and third levels of the defense.

The receivers holding their blocks has been pivotal, as illustrated in the OP. Bobo and Cupp are elite blockers at their positions, and JSN is following suit as well.

3. Now, let me just preface this with this being an opinion only, I have no stats to back this one up. I am not trying to bad mouth anyone, but merely point something out. My friend had mentioned how the running game finally became effective after Cross went down. Was Jones a better blocker at LT than Cross? Not Walter Jones, but Josh Jones.
I’m not sure, but if the running game begins to struggle again when Cross comes back….

 

[Ostatehawk]

The downfield blocking has improved in a big way. I am no football savant - so for me to notice it has to be significant.

Imagine how useful that piece of film is going to be to the coaches in the team meetings. Being able to point to actual results of what they are coaching the guys to do.

That is impactful.

 

[ivotuk]

I definitely noticed the excitement of Bobo and JSN, and was happy to see Coach give them a shout out.

I expect 200 rushing yards per game from here on out, with Sam throwing about 25 times for 250 Yards and 4 TDs 0 INTs.

 

[hawker84]

Refreshing. Hopefully it will sustain through the playoffs.

 

[SoulfishHawk]

The best friend of a good defense is a great running game, imo. They go hand in hand. Eat up more time of possession, keeps the defense fresh.
This team can win it all with a good running game.,

 

[SoulfishHawk]

The downfield blocking has improved in a big way. I am no football savant - so for me to notice it has to be significant.

Imagine how useful that piece of film is going to be to the coaches in the team meetings. Being able to point to actual results of what they are coaching the guys to do.

That is impactful.

No doubt. The impression I got of Coach Mike, very early, was that if you're not willing to block, you'll be on another team.
Barner, Saubert and Kupp are VERY good blockers.

Another thing we are seeing more lately: Actual screen passes, and they are working. YUUUUGE

 

[Kamcussionator]

One thing I've noticed with Walker in particular is that they are giving him the ball deeper. I can't remember the last inside handoff play -- where they would give him the ball at the line and run him east/west -- but it's been 4-5 weeks now.

The net result is that he's reading the holes better and hitting the line instead of muddling around waiting for the seas to part.

So no jet sweeps, inside handoffs, or forward pass screens anymore. If they run the Zachwards pass play again, I would imagine he'll be 2-3 yards deeper. Giving those guys a chance to look up, see the field, and get some forward momentum seems to be making a difference. Both Walker and Charbonnet can make guys miss in space, so maybe there was an a-ha moment when they realized that giving up a few yards on the exchange point actually increased their success rate.

... or I could be imagining the whole thing.

 

[SeahawkSteve80]

^^ Zackwards pass play… lmao

 

[bileever]

3. Now, let me just preface this with this being an opinion only, I have no stats to back this one up. I am not trying to bad mouth anyone, but merely point something out. My friend had mentioned how the running game finally became effective after Cross went down. Was Jones a better blocker at LT than Cross? Not Walter Jones, but Josh Jones.
I’m not sure, but if the running game begins to struggle again when Cross comes back….

I agree with you to some extent about Josh Jones. To the naked eye, it seemed like he's good at run blocking. I saw at least one pancake block by him. But it could also be the result of playing two inferior defenses. That 49er D-line is not good right now, and the Bears gashed them as well. (But it also looked to me that Jones wasn't as good as Cross at pass protection.)

 

[Blazenhawks]

As many of you know, I’m not the brightest bulb on the Christmas tree , but here’s my analysis on what’s changed with the run game:

1. Overall better effort, technique and fundamentals. Sundell was viewed by many here as an inferior run blocker to Olu. However the last few games, Sundell has really turned a corner there.

2. Teams playing 2 high safety looks. This is primarily due to the deep threat of Shaheed. I had mentioned in an earlier thread that I would’ve liked at least one deep shot attempt to Shaheed to keep the 49ers safeties on their toes, but it proved not necessary. Perhaps we’ll see it in the playoffs. Could you imagine if he had a healthy Horton too? Man, this offense would be very potent.

Having two high safety looks, as most of you probably know, means one less defender in the box. Therefore, this should, in theory, create more running lanes as there’s less traffic, allowing our backs to get into the second and third levels of the defense.

The receivers holding their blocks has been pivotal, as illustrated in the OP. Bobo and Cupp are elite blockers at their positions, and JSN is following suit as well.

3. Now, let me just preface this with this being an opinion only, I have no stats to back this one up. I am not trying to bad mouth anyone, but merely point something out. My friend had mentioned how the running game finally became effective after Cross went down. Was Jones a better blocker at LT than Cross? Not Walter Jones, but Josh Jones.
I’m not sure, but if the running game begins to struggle again when Cross comes back….

Personally I think option 3 is a big factor. I never say Cross as a good Run blocker. I also think that K9 decided to stop dancing behind the line and started to hit the holes more. we will need the Run game bigtime since our passing game has been lack luster

 

[Appyhawk]

Shaheed makes a big difference and if we get Horton back our run game will get even better. Not too hard to figure out.

 

[sutz]

Well, we'll be playing at home, and that means weather. The run game is always important in weather games.

Overall, I would not say that Jones is as good as Cross. There's a reason they are stacked the way they are, and overall, Cross is the better option.

As for the run game improvement, I suspect two primary reasons.

1. Repitition. Just keep handing the ball off, even when you only get 2-3 yards, keep at it. Don't give up on it, even when fans are screaming to throw it more, keep at it. Even "unsuccessful" runs have benefits downstream in game and in season. When opponents realize that we're gonna keep pounding at it, they have to prepare and be aware that it could come at any time. That is the basis of that successful 17 yard first down on 3rd and long Saturday, first surprise and then good downfield blocking.

2. Continuity. Our O-line had a very good season injury wise. Having those guys work together is key to the whole system. We had a few injuries along the way this season, but mostly they were together.

Maybe it took most of the season to get it together, but our defense and yes, our passing game allowed us enough chances to get the run game going, just in time for a playoff run.

 

[hawkfan68]

As many of you know, I’m not the brightest bulb on the Christmas tree , but here’s my analysis on what’s changed with the run game:

1. Overall better effort, technique and fundamentals. Sundell was viewed by many here as an inferior run blocker to Olu. However the last few games, Sundell has really turned a corner there.

2. Teams playing 2 high safety looks. This is primarily due to the deep threat of Shaheed. I had mentioned in an earlier thread that I would’ve liked at least one deep shot attempt to Shaheed to keep the 49ers safeties on their toes, but it proved not necessary. Perhaps we’ll see it in the playoffs. Could you imagine if he had a healthy Horton too? Man, this offense would be very potent.

Having two high safety looks, as most of you probably know, means one less defender in the box. Therefore, this should, in theory, create more running lanes as there’s less traffic, allowing our backs to get into the second and third levels of the defense.

The receivers holding their blocks has been pivotal, as illustrated in the OP. Bobo and Cupp are elite blockers at their positions, and JSN is following suit as well.

3. Now, let me just preface this with this being an opinion only, I have no stats to back this one up. I am not trying to bad mouth anyone, but merely point something out. My friend had mentioned how the running game finally became effective after Cross went down. Was Jones a better blocker at LT than Cross? Not Walter Jones, but Josh Jones.
I’m not sure, but if the running game begins to struggle again when Cross comes back….

Great points. Here's my take on an improved run game, it could be a mere coincidence though, it seems it improved once Kennedy Polamalu, rb coach, left the team.

 

[SeahawkSteve80]

Great points. Here's my take on an improved run game, it could be a mere coincidence though, it seems it improved once Kennedy Polamlu, rb coach, left the team.

You could be on to something here!

 

[Floridahawk79]

You could be on to something here!

Great points. Here's my take on an improved run game, it could be a mere coincidence though, it seems it improved once Kennedy Polamalu, rb coach, left the team.

This has crossed my mind as well, do we have a reason why he left?

 

[Glasgow Seahawk]

Shaheed makes a big difference and if we get Horton back our run game will get even better. Not too hard to figure out.

Horton is done for the season

 

[SeahawkSteve80]

This has crossed my mind as well, do we have a reason why he left?

According to the Google, it just says he took a leave of absence for personal reasons. Hopefully everything is okay

 

[jammerhawk]

Yes, unfortunately Horton is done for the season. Our WRs & TEs who can block will help the running game though. Possibly we could see the return of Arroyo for the playoffs which may help Sam with other options.

 

[FLSeahawk]

They’ve been mixing in more gap blocking plays instead of 95% zone blocking like we did before. Since the rams game it’s like 70-30 or so instead of 95-5 zone/gap. I can’t remember the link but I’ll edit and post when I find it.