Saints-Tigers
09-28-2009, 05:52 AM
I know what you are thinking just from the start, he is quite possibly the best player in the NFL, and you want him to have the ball as much as possible, but I've just been watching a trend that seems to be true in most games for running backs, and especially Peterson.
In the first half, running the football seems to be about setting the tone, keeping the defense on the field to tire them out, keeping the opposing offense on the sidelines and out of rhythm, and setting your passing game up with shorter first downs, and easy play action. If you can break a big run in the first half, that's a bonus, but I don't feel this is the objective...
In the second half, if you've managed to wear the defense down, that is when your running game is gong to truly flourish, and Peterson is a good example, how many times does it seem that he's been totally bottled up, something like 18 carries for 45 yards in the first half, then he absolutely EXPLODES in the second half, and trounces a team with a multitude of big runs.
But I see it a lot, and I have to wonder why they willingly subject a guy like that to so many early carries, when most will be nothing more than him plowing into the line for 2-3 yards, when a quality back like Chester Taylor can do the same thing, he isn't explosive, but he can grind out some yards like that early on as well.
I realize that leaving Peterson on the field is a great idea, even if they are running about the same in a particular game, his presence alone is going to have defenders on their heels, the playaction will be more effective, and they will have safeties creeping into the box more.
I just feel like earlier in games, the Vikings could split the carries more liberally, and save the Manimal for the second half, and it would probably prolong his career, would subject him to a LOT less of a pounding, and he'd be his usual dominant second half self, and they probably wouldn't lose a ton on the ground in the first half, except for those occasional big plays, but most of those aren't in the first half....
This isn't just Peterson, I feel like a few teams could do this, but they are a great example because Chester is a quality back, and Peterson's first 15 carries and his last 15 carries(so to speak) always seem to have a glaring advantage. Some think it's Peterson getting into his groove, but I think it's because the big O-Line and the short and tough runs has worn the D down.
On my own teams front, I think they showed the perfect idea of how to do it, they could have SPLIT the carries a little better, but the Buffalo game had a very distinct feel. The team was struggling to throw the ball because of protection issues, mostly due to Jammal Brown being out, and then the backup, Jermon Bushrod, having to come out as well... The Saints were able to run the ball well though, nothing astronomical, but Lynell Hamilton had like 5 carries for 24 yards or so, and Reggie Bush had like 10 carries for 55 yards at halftime. The Saints were moving the ball really well on the ground, but the Bills managed to stop the pass, and not give up any huge runs, and only the occasional screens.
Into the 4th quarter though, John Lynch mentioned how gassed the Bills D began to look from being on the field so long, and being subjected to our big package with 2 TE's and an extra tackle in the game. Enter Pierre Thomas, who didn't have a single touch in the first half, he comes in with fresh legs, and his stuffed on his first play, and then proceeds to totally dominate the worn down Bills team, gashing them for big gain after big gain, and he wasn't running guys over, or making spectacular moves, but his fresh legs combined with big holes that our line was able to open up against a worn down D was too much, and he finished with 14 carries for 124 yards and 2 touchdowns, all in the 4th quarter!!
Now, it probably would have been better to bring Thomas in earlier in the game to split with Hamilton and Bush, and then continue to split more into the second half, or ride the hot hand, I don't agree on keeping him out until the 4th, it obviously worked today, but I think they were still worried about his injury, and didn't want to risk him early, they had no idea he'd do that :eek:
Back into our first game, Mike Bell pounded out a lot of tough yards in the first half, and started to break it open late in the game. The second game, the running game was solid, but unspectacular, and when we got the lead, we brought the big package in, where our guys started to break some big gains, and Reggie Bush finished with a touchdown run up the middle, 20 yards untouched, credit to great blocking against a worn down defense.
So my point is, in the first half, you grind out tough yards, soften up the D, and try and wear them down. The second half is where your big runs, your YPC and your touchdowns are really going to start to pile up, if you did the job in the first half.
This can't always work, because teams will inevitably get down and have to throw from behind, which destroys your balance.
But the question is, in a perfect world, why aren't teams using their "expendable" backs more often in the first half, especially if you have a guy like Chester Taylor, who is a fine back, and then really unleash the monster.
Maybe you lose a little off your rushing attack in the first half, but for the most part, you get full results in the second half, and you extend his career and possibly season.
Thoughts on this? Can more teams apply this strategy more often?
In the first half, running the football seems to be about setting the tone, keeping the defense on the field to tire them out, keeping the opposing offense on the sidelines and out of rhythm, and setting your passing game up with shorter first downs, and easy play action. If you can break a big run in the first half, that's a bonus, but I don't feel this is the objective...
In the second half, if you've managed to wear the defense down, that is when your running game is gong to truly flourish, and Peterson is a good example, how many times does it seem that he's been totally bottled up, something like 18 carries for 45 yards in the first half, then he absolutely EXPLODES in the second half, and trounces a team with a multitude of big runs.
But I see it a lot, and I have to wonder why they willingly subject a guy like that to so many early carries, when most will be nothing more than him plowing into the line for 2-3 yards, when a quality back like Chester Taylor can do the same thing, he isn't explosive, but he can grind out some yards like that early on as well.
I realize that leaving Peterson on the field is a great idea, even if they are running about the same in a particular game, his presence alone is going to have defenders on their heels, the playaction will be more effective, and they will have safeties creeping into the box more.
I just feel like earlier in games, the Vikings could split the carries more liberally, and save the Manimal for the second half, and it would probably prolong his career, would subject him to a LOT less of a pounding, and he'd be his usual dominant second half self, and they probably wouldn't lose a ton on the ground in the first half, except for those occasional big plays, but most of those aren't in the first half....
This isn't just Peterson, I feel like a few teams could do this, but they are a great example because Chester is a quality back, and Peterson's first 15 carries and his last 15 carries(so to speak) always seem to have a glaring advantage. Some think it's Peterson getting into his groove, but I think it's because the big O-Line and the short and tough runs has worn the D down.
On my own teams front, I think they showed the perfect idea of how to do it, they could have SPLIT the carries a little better, but the Buffalo game had a very distinct feel. The team was struggling to throw the ball because of protection issues, mostly due to Jammal Brown being out, and then the backup, Jermon Bushrod, having to come out as well... The Saints were able to run the ball well though, nothing astronomical, but Lynell Hamilton had like 5 carries for 24 yards or so, and Reggie Bush had like 10 carries for 55 yards at halftime. The Saints were moving the ball really well on the ground, but the Bills managed to stop the pass, and not give up any huge runs, and only the occasional screens.
Into the 4th quarter though, John Lynch mentioned how gassed the Bills D began to look from being on the field so long, and being subjected to our big package with 2 TE's and an extra tackle in the game. Enter Pierre Thomas, who didn't have a single touch in the first half, he comes in with fresh legs, and his stuffed on his first play, and then proceeds to totally dominate the worn down Bills team, gashing them for big gain after big gain, and he wasn't running guys over, or making spectacular moves, but his fresh legs combined with big holes that our line was able to open up against a worn down D was too much, and he finished with 14 carries for 124 yards and 2 touchdowns, all in the 4th quarter!!
Now, it probably would have been better to bring Thomas in earlier in the game to split with Hamilton and Bush, and then continue to split more into the second half, or ride the hot hand, I don't agree on keeping him out until the 4th, it obviously worked today, but I think they were still worried about his injury, and didn't want to risk him early, they had no idea he'd do that :eek:
Back into our first game, Mike Bell pounded out a lot of tough yards in the first half, and started to break it open late in the game. The second game, the running game was solid, but unspectacular, and when we got the lead, we brought the big package in, where our guys started to break some big gains, and Reggie Bush finished with a touchdown run up the middle, 20 yards untouched, credit to great blocking against a worn down defense.
So my point is, in the first half, you grind out tough yards, soften up the D, and try and wear them down. The second half is where your big runs, your YPC and your touchdowns are really going to start to pile up, if you did the job in the first half.
This can't always work, because teams will inevitably get down and have to throw from behind, which destroys your balance.
But the question is, in a perfect world, why aren't teams using their "expendable" backs more often in the first half, especially if you have a guy like Chester Taylor, who is a fine back, and then really unleash the monster.
Maybe you lose a little off your rushing attack in the first half, but for the most part, you get full results in the second half, and you extend his career and possibly season.
Thoughts on this? Can more teams apply this strategy more often?