Why do we have no run game?

[teamplayer]

We can't convert fourth and 18 inches. Pitiful. That's one thing I appreciate about the Eagles. They make that play an automatic first.

Not only can we not convert short yardage plays, but we actually go backwards. We have absolutely zero push from our line. You are correct when you say it is pitiful.

 

[Windsortide]

I think the backs are slow seeing it and they almost always go down on first contact.

 

[CoolBreeze]

The combination of OLine execution and predictive playcalling is the problem. We need to get back to where were were at the start of the season...let Ty hit the open man for 5 yards he knows will be open pre-snap and use the short passing game to open up run lanes. Think that is the best we can hope for this season.

 

[81usaf92]

I've asked this question before and haven't seen an answer better than the OL is horrible at run blocking. Whether that's due to mis-evaluated personnel, lack of development, or poor coaching, I don't know.

As others have posted: At this point in the season, we are what we are and just need to do our best to scheme around the weakness.

I do think the lack of a credible running threat will cost us at least one game. Might be OU. Might be the barn. IF (two big letters) we make it past them, it'll be in the playoff.

If a top-flight D can just disregard the threat of the run, it drastically reduces time to pass and shrinks throwing windows. You can be one-dimensional and still beat an inferior team. If you're playing another quality team for something worth winning, it doesn't work that way.

Aside from Texas… we would have gotten through every top level defense capable of totaling shutting us down after Auburn.

I think the problem is more that we try to run than we can’t run. Our game is receivers finding space and the quarterback making good decisions with accuracy. It is effectively what Tom Brady terrorized the nfl for two decades with. I still think the Vandy game from last season is so much In DeBoer’s mind that we won’t just go all out a light everyone up through the air like we are more than capable of doing. Sometimes you just have to let loose and cause destruction.

 

[davefrat]

From some of the comments you’d think we lost by 20 and everything is completely falling apart.

 

[AlexanderFan]

Scheme wise it seems Deboer/Grubb prefer the more mobile and athletic lineman like Brailsford. They do a lot more pulling of interior OL that we are used to. Our bigger slower guards are clogging up running lanes instead of opening them.

I can see this.

Problem is the SEC is filled with 300+ guys who eat Parker alive one on one, so more guys his size aren’t going to help.

It’s going to take a blending of what they are comfortable with and what it takes to be effective in the SEC.

I’d like to see Ty keep it a few times a game, turn upfield or throw it quick. I don’t want him to take a hit, just threaten the edge to slow down those guys a little and keep them from just downhill clogging the middle

 

[arthurdawg]

I can see this.

Problem is the SEC is filled with 300+ guys who eat Parker alive one on one, so more guys his size aren’t going to help.

It’s going to take a blending of what they are comfortable with and what it takes to be effective in the SEC.

I’d like to see Ty keep it a few times a game, turn upfield or throw it quick. I don’t want him to take a hit, just threaten the edge to slow down those guys a little and keep them from just downhill clogging the middle

I would guess we are looking more at 300-320 pound type guys with mobility.

Proctor too big and slow.

Formby doesn't have the mobility for tackle in this offense. Could be a guard perhaps?

Roberts has struggled with injuries and VDM has been a great jack of all trades, but master of none.

Freshmen have played and are promising.

Our center is too small to power his man off the line usually, despite brings lots of skills otherwise. 290 lbs is soaking wet with 10 lbs of quarters in his back pockets! Good guy though, we needed him to do what he is done this year.

Really, the left guard in Kam has been disappointing. He is probably too big and slow for the pulls in this offense, but he doesn't seem to move his man despite his size either.

Lots to retool and think about for next year. Really need to look to the portal for at least of couple of guys to fill in gaps.

 

[arthurdawg]

From some of the comments you’d think we lost by 20 and everything is completely falling apart.

Yes! We are at a minimum 9-1 given a scrimmage with East Illinois.

East is 3-7 in the FCS and lost to Ty's dad's UT Martin squad!

Win one of Okie and the Barn and we are 10-2 and should make the playoffs.

All things considered and given a brutal schedule where literally everyone has a bye week before us... Not too shabby in this brave new world of college football.

 

[92tide]

From some of the comments you’d think we lost by 20 and everything is completely falling apart.

eeyore abhors a vacuum

 

[BamaMoon]

Tom Brady only had one elite running back in his 20 years playing with the pats and that was for about 2 years. He kinda made the 3-5 yard check down his running game.

Which I have said we should do, repeatedly.

Dance with who brought ya!

 

[dWarriors88]

I've asked this question before and haven't seen an answer better than the OL is horrible at run blocking. Whether that's due to mis-evaluated personnel, lack of development, or poor coaching, I don't know.

As others have posted: At this point in the season, we are what we are and just need to do our best to scheme around the weakness.

I do think the lack of a credible running threat will cost us at least one game. Might be OU. Might be the barn. IF (two big letters) we make it past them, it'll be in the playoff.

If a top-flight D can just disregard the threat of the run, it drastically reduces time to pass and shrinks throwing windows. You can be one-dimensional and still beat an inferior team. If you're playing another quality team for something worth winning, it doesn't work that way.

We saw it almost bite us in the butt against Sackerlina, Riley was our leading rusher in the season opener against FSU, 5 carries 31 yrds, but longest was 13. Our next leading rusher was rich young, 9 carries for only 26 yards longest rush was 6 yards. Then Ty simpson with 9 carries 17 yards. the run game is non existent in a Loss.

So it should be no surprise if we see a failed running game in the 2nd and 3rd quarter, we could be in for a edge of our seats 4th.

 

[Bama Lee]

Oklahomas DL will eat our OL alive. They'll have a week off to prep and their coach will know all our tendencies and tells.

Oklahoma isn’t a juggernaut. If you research their numbers against better offenses, they really didn’t hold them. Yeah, they get to the qb at times, but we will be ok. The sooners made most of their defensive numbers against the crappier teams

 

[bamaslammer]

I think the thought was if we hit a few deep they would have to take a safety out of the box giving us a hope for the run game. Ty didn't hit them so basically they ignored it. I just don't think Ty has a deep game. I do like Ty, but all this talk of heisman is a joke. He's a first year starter with some ability and that's about it thus far. I think our best bet is to stick with the quick and intermedia throws he's good at and pop a smoke draw on them occasionally.

The lack of ability to knock anyone off the ball is unacceptable after two years. If I were the coach I'd look at a change at OL coach. I'm not saying he's got great talent to work with, but we are a season and a half in and they are worse now than when we started. Not every OL coach is suitable for the SEC.

 

[editder]

Oklahoma isn’t a juggernaut. If you research their numbers against better offenses, they really didn’t hold them. Yeah, they get to the qb at times, but we will be ok. The sooners made most of their defensive numbers against the crappier teams

I can’t help being concerned about Oklahoma; however, I think there’s a lot of truth to what you’re saying. There is no way on earth they should have beaten Tennessee, who absolutely refused to take the W in that game.

 

[BamaFanInTally]

Well

We don't block right.....

or left......

or middle

Seriously, it is frustrating....

You could put Saquon Barkley running behind our Oline and he would look average.

 

[SkullDuckery]

I don't understand why OP is asking this question when it has been discussed and forseen. Who is the offensive coordinator? Go look him up and do a little reading on the play caller. This is expected!!! It's Ryan Grubb's offense, just get used to it as long as he is here, it's working too. Just relax and embrace the offensive philosophy change.

It’s working but may get Ty killed.