Running Game Frustrates Lovie
October 7th, 2014
Ten NFL teams average 30 or more rushing attempts per game.
And whaddya know, not one has a losing record.
The Bucs, however, are averaging just 21.2 carries a game. That’s third-lowest in the NFL, just ahead winless wonders Jacksonville (19 carries per game) and Oakland (18).
Speaking at his news conference yesterday, Lovie Smith answered a question about the running game in a very frustrated manner. Lovie even channeled Warren Sapp’s famous “next question” line.
Reporter: The running game has not, obviously, played out as well as you wanted it to. That’s a foundation of your offense. What’s not happening there?
Lovie Smith: Not able to run the football. Next question.
Doug Martin is averaging 2.5 yards per carry. His big run Sunday (16 yards) came deep in Bucs territory with 15 seconds remaining in regulation and the Bucs running out the clock to head to overtime.
Watching Martin closely, one can see he’s often stopping and looking to change direction, versus running downhill. Sometimes it works. Sometimes it doesn’t. Regardless, 2.5 yards per carry stinks. And Lovie’s unhappy. … And there are two more games before Charles Sims makes his debut.
October 7th, 2014 at 7:30 am
We are far too predictable with our playcalling…..running on 1st & 10 nearly always. We are probably one of the few teams that could use play action then and have it work quite well.
Obviously our run blocking is poor….I think Martin has struggled for a while now….its a mystery as to his lack of production compared to his rookie year.
Sims’ constant passing threat may give him more running lanes.
October 7th, 2014 at 7:31 am
Everyone keeps acting like Sims will be our savior. Here’s to hoping.
Can he rush the passer?
October 7th, 2014 at 7:36 am
The O-line is not run-blocking very well, but Martin is just compounding the problem. It’s possible that he is still a little snake-bit from the injury and is playing ‘too safe’. Whatever the problem, Lovie needs to help Martin fix it or set him on the bench.
Usually, teams that don’t run much, are teams that are either behind early, going up against a fast-paced offense, or are a ‘passing-first’ team.
October 7th, 2014 at 7:37 am
Lovie, this is YOUR Oline – YOU rebuilt it in your likeness (your history suggests you should not be in charge of building Olines…) because we were a “4-12” team. Now we are a 1-4 team under your leadership. We drafted a RB in the 3rd when we desperately needed Oline help, partially because we GAVE AWAY Zuttah. Anyone who thinks Charles Sims is going to save the day with one wheel still healing, probably believes the Bucs might still make the playoffs.
October 7th, 2014 at 7:38 am
When the defense knows without a doubt that it is going to be a run play and probably the same type run play as the last one, its not to hard to defend.
It makes it pretty hard for the offense line to block when the other team knows whats coming.
October 7th, 2014 at 7:43 am
This team is playing with place holders on offense, wait till this year draft gets healthy and more experienced, night and day from right now and they are close right now, can’t imagine next year… this team is going in the right direction.
October 7th, 2014 at 7:46 am
I’m tired of the negativity from everyone, including the team.
We are what our record says we are and you do not make wholesale changes and expect a mailing OL performance overnight.
All of the Bucs issues are gaps that will be addressed one by one – lets not lose sight of the big picture that we are competing and truly that’s all we can ask from the Bucs for now.
October 7th, 2014 at 7:47 am
I’m still dumbfounded that Michael Johnson played 80 snaps with zero tackles. You’d think that someone would have run him over by accident. Oh, wait….
October 7th, 2014 at 8:19 am
It’s easy to stop the run when you know it’s coming. Maybe the Ravens haven’t watched film, so they won’t realize we run the ball every single first down. Maybe they won’t notice the pattern that every fan off the street notices.
October 7th, 2014 at 8:22 am
It’s not even that they’re predictable running on 1st down every time. IMO it is the type of run calls being made. They are all I-formation, right down the middle runs every time. I haven’t seen any stretch runs, tosses, draws, counters, etc. You gotta mix up the run plays a little bit, but they’re not. Same old, same old.
October 7th, 2014 at 8:27 am
Breaking news:
Lovie has just ordered the CD set from Bill Belichick:
How to conduct an NFL press conference…..
“On to Baltimore……”
“We’re on to Baltimore….”
“On to Baltimore…..”
“Any more questions?”
October 7th, 2014 at 8:43 am
I keep thinking we are setting up a team for a flea flicker on the first play of the game. If we did it, I guarantee you it would work.
October 7th, 2014 at 8:44 am
“We are what our record says we are and you do not make wholesale changes and expect a mailing OL performance overnight”.
Sorry, Architect I don’t completely agree with you. If you have positive leadership and motivation your group will tend to follow. There is a disconnect somewhere, I don’t believe you need to have great talent to play decent football.
October 7th, 2014 at 8:45 am
Mankins has helped only because the other options were atrocious. But his play this year is clearly in decline. EDS was a waste of money when Zuttah was already here and better. Collins is great a pass blocker, not so good in the run, Same applies to Dotson.
Simply put, this line isn’t meant for the running game. Use the short passing, screen, and dumpoff game as a replacement. But this isn’t a line meant for going forward.
October 7th, 2014 at 8:45 am
Teams with mediocre (I am being generous) O-lines have to be creative to run the ball, and as many have said, we just line up in the I and try to hammer it. We should be using Martin more like a Reggie Bush or Marshall Faulk — lots of short passes on 1st down and 2nd and 10, then mix in the draws and counters from pass formations. That would work. Hammer and tongs I-formation off-tackle is not getting it done with this group.
What i find insane is how often we run on 2nd and 10 or more. We run on 2nd and 25! Then Arroyo calls a pass on 2nd and 4 last week (even I like a run there, most of the time). And of course, the run on 3rd and 3 from the 5 against the Rams…. Just awful strategy, zero sense of understanding the basics on NFL offense. Hint: if you want to run on 2nd and 10, SHOW PASS and run a draw. Telegraphing every run is so bush league, it’s embarrassing.
October 7th, 2014 at 8:52 am
Is that stat supposed to suggest that they aren’t choosing to run the ball enough? Because they are second to last in total offensive plays (run and pass), which would suggest otherwise.
October 7th, 2014 at 9:03 am
Zam — exactly!
We don’t have many runs because we don’t get enough first downs. We don’t get enough first downs because we do stuff like RUN on 2nd and 20 (and because we are usually way behind in the second half and have no choice but to air it out).
More short, easy passes on first down would change everything.
October 7th, 2014 at 9:21 am
These run plays all look like they are setup for second and goal on the 1 yard line except that its actually first and ten on their own 20.
The players just go through the motions when the play is called as they know nothing is happening.
When it comes to the run plays called-BB King said it best
“The Thrill is Gone”
October 7th, 2014 at 9:23 am
easy passes ????
October 7th, 2014 at 9:25 am
Get into a hurry up offense with about 15 scripted plays, and then make the call on the run game. Way to slow in communication, = plodding unorganized stonewalled run game.
With defenses firing off with one second left on the play clock, what do you think the problem is?
October 7th, 2014 at 10:15 am
I love Martin we dont have the greatest line but we dont have the worst i cant help but notice the run game has an extra pop with Rainey in the game
October 7th, 2014 at 10:44 am
I mean let’s not sit here and act like anyone posting on this forum is a better X’s and O’s coach than Lovie Smith… I’m pretty sure everyone knows Dallas is going to run the ball, but they still can’t stop Demarco Murray. This is the NFL! You can only get away with a few tricks for so long before other teams catch on! Sooner or later players have to make plays(Players have to win 1 on 1) as Love has mentioned countless of times in his press conferences and THATS NOT HAPPENING!
October 7th, 2014 at 12:34 pm
If one RB was struggling way more than the others, then I would say it’s that one RB, but, because all of our RB’s are struggling, that tells me there is inadequate run blocking by the O-line and TE’s.
October 7th, 2014 at 5:27 pm
I stop and look for holes when I’m looking at the Hoover Dam. We run no counters, draws just try to slam the ball up the middle on first down. No imagination, no wins.