Problems with running the ball in the red zone?

[toffee]

What are your thoughts on this interesting article?

2022​

• 19 carries for 11 yards (0.6 yards per carry, worst in the NFL),
• 2 touchdowns (fewest in the NFL)
• 52.6% stuff rate (carries resulting in 0 or lost yards, worst in the NFL by 11%)
• 21.1% positive EPA rate (worst in the NFL by 16%)

2023​

• 32 carries for 18 yards (0.6 yards per carry, second-worst in the NFL)
• 7 touchdowns (17th in the NFL)
• 37.5% stuff rate (fifth-worst in the NFL)
• 43.8% positive EPA rate (seventh-worst in the NFL)

The Seahawks’ red zone running game has been atrocious, can Grubb and Huff fix it?

The Seahawks’ inability to run the ball near the end zone has been costly in recent seasons.

www.fieldgulls.com

 

[pittpnthrs]

The Oline has been nothing short of a debacle for years. Didn't read the article, but it's pretty obvious. Hopefully MM makes it a priority unlike Pete.

 

[Bear-Hawk]

The Seahawks don’t have an offensive line that can just bull-doze people on first-and-goal from 5 yd.-line. Yet they keep trying anyway. That was one of my complaints about Waldron.

 

[sutz]

There certainly has been lack of production in the red zone recently, and a certain lack of creativity that was disappointing given our hopes of Waldron and what he was supposed to bring.

I think the RBs are fine, borderline great in some respects. Hopefully the additions on the OL will help things a bit, and with Grubb being an old O-line guy and Huff coming in, execution should improve. New personnel additions are promising, but unproven of course.

Mostly, I think we're looking for some more creativity in play calling down there from Grubb and the new staff. The offense was decent between the 20's for the most part. Just need that final push to turn yards gained into points.

 

[keasley45]

The no1 problem with our run game was predictablility. There was a great video on youtube that critiqued the overall blandness and incoherence of our play calling eith Waldron. If i can find it, ill post a link. But thr summary was that our run game was telgraphed, and along eith the offe se as a whole, easy for defenses to diagnose.

 

[chris98251]

Well Petes system was about Gaps and letting the RB find one and go up field, Zone blocking system that tried to deceive or misdirect the defense, which by the way everyone said was predictable. Additionally, we were only successful with a never say die back that had great balance and a great lateral sidestep like a crab to elude guys. His success allowed play action to work and covered the lines lack of control and push along with an elusive QB. We were never about dominating the line of scrimmage on offense, that was evident with Geno back there as well, he was as successful as he was in spite of the line. Why I think with good line play and a dependable running game he will excel. This will also help the red zone game where we can possibly get the short yardage when we go on fourth down and where the ball is on the goal line.

 

[Bear-Hawk]

Anybody missing Chris Carson?

 

[pittpnthrs]

Anybody missing Chris Carson?

Not his injuries, that's for sure.

 

[Bear-Hawk]

Not his injuries, that's for sure.

Running backs get injuries. Goes with the job.

 

[pittpnthrs]

Running backs get injuries. Goes with the job.

I'll still take somebody who can give us more than 2 seasons out of 5. So no, I don't miss Chris Carson.

 

[toffee]

Well Petes system was about Gaps and letting the RB find one and go up field, Zone blocking system that tried to deceive or misdirect the defense, which by the way everyone said was predictable. Additionally, we were only successful with a never say die back that had great balance and a great lateral sidestep like a crab to elude guys. His success allowed play action to work and covered the lines lack of control and push along with an elusive QB. We were never about dominating the line of scrimmage on offense, that was evident with Geno back there as well, he was as successful as he was in spite of the line. Why I think with good line play and a dependable running game he will excel. This will also help the red zone game where we can possibly get the short yardage when we go on fourth down and where the ball is on the goal line.

This is a quality post!

 

[Ozzy]

I think teams knew that Ge o wasn’t as good in the red zone, the line wasn’t great either and it caused teams to commit to the run more and it caused us to struggle. Hopefully this year with a new offense and some new pieces they all play a little better all around and things will work themselves out

 

[CallMeADawg]

The no1 problem with our run game was predictablility. There was a great video on youtube that critiqued the overall blandness and incoherence of our play calling eith Waldron. If i can find it, ill post a link. But thr summary was that our run game was telgraphed, and along eith the offe se as a whole, easy for defenses to diagnose.

This is completely accurate.

 

[Bear-Hawk]

I'll still take somebody who can give us more than 2 seasons out of 5. So no, I don't miss Chris Carson.

I'll still take somebody who can give us more than 2 seasons out of 5. So no, I don't miss Chris Carson.

It was closer to three. He missed 4 games in 2020 but came back to finish the season. It was the neck injury that ended his career. He was a warrior, but that could happen to anybody. I guess I liked him because his running style reminded me of Walter Payton. He always finished the run and fought in the dirt for an extra yard.

 

[hawkfan68]

The Seahawks were #3 in the league red zone scoring pct (TDs) in 2020 and 2021. They dropped to 27th in 2022 and 26th in 2023.

NFL Football Stats - NFL Team Red Zone Scoring Percentage (TD only) | TeamRankings.com

NFL Football red zone scoring percentage (td only), by team.

www.teamrankings.com

Disclaimer: The stats are a total pct. I couldn't find any where they split run vs pass tds in the red zone.

 

[pittpnthrs]

It was closer to three. He missed 4 games in 2020 but came back to finish the season. It was the neck injury that ended his career. He was a warrior, but that could happen to anybody. I guess I liked him because his running style reminded me of Walter Payton. He always finished the run and fought in the dirt for an extra yard.

I understand. He did run hard, but it was a detrement to him. He took hits he really didn't need to, but I guess that was his style.

 

[Bear-Hawk]

I understand. He did run hard, but it was a detrement to him. He took hits he really didn't need to, but I guess that was his style.

Yep, watch a runner when he gets to the sidelines. Does he turn upfield and fight for an extra yard, or does he step out to avoid the hit?

The neck injury was a fluke thing. I don’t think it is caused by running style. Brain injury is a different story. Maybe it’s good that he retired before taking too many hits.

 

[LeveeBreak]

The no1 problem with our run game was predictablility. There was a great video on youtube that critiqued the overall blandness and incoherence of our play calling eith Waldron. If i can find it, ill post a link. But thr summary was that our run game was telgraphed, and along eith the offe se as a whole, easy for defenses to diagnose.

Agree on the sentiment, but respectfully think the Oline was #1.

 

[AROS]

Yep, watch a runner when he gets to the sidelines. Does he turn upfield and fight for an extra yard, or does he step out to avoid the hit?

The neck injury was a fluke thing. I don’t think it is caused by running style. Brain injury is a different story. Maybe it’s good that he retired before taking too many hits.

Both Chris Warren and Shaun Alexander were excellent running backs, both of whom I have very fond memories of. However, both were poster boys for running out of bounds to avoid a hit instead of trying to squeak out an extra yard or two.

Some would call it cowardly, others smart. Just depends on what side of the fence you are on. Growing up I would have sided with the former but with all we know today about CTEs and the degenerative nature of players (especially running backs) I now side with the latter.

 

[Hawknight]

The no1 problem with our run game was predictablility. There was a great video on youtube that critiqued the overall blandness and incoherence of our play calling eith Waldron. If i can find it, ill post a link. But thr summary was that our run game was telgraphed, and along eith the offe se as a whole, easy for defenses to diagnose.

It was highly predictable for sure..even from a fans stand point. How many times consecutively..run..run..pass..repeat...over and over. It felt sometimes they had just a few plays....I think their playbook said "ditto" for most of their plays..hell..why didn't we just make copies of our plays pregame and pass them out to the opposing team. Same results at least it felt that way.