What exactly is the point of running a conservative offense?!?

[Kurb]

I think we are going to see a smarter offense, not particularly a conservative one.

[frash.exe]

If ya wanna win ya gotta run da ball because it sets up the everyone's everything to shine

[Kurb]

If ya wanna win ya gotta run da ball because it sets up the everyone's everything to shine

While its not the dominate focus it once was, I think establishing a running game still matters.

[Khaki Lackey]

Because we don't want to be Atlanta or Indiannapolis i.e. Can't/won't run the ball, out-shoot sub .500 teams and go out in round one in the playoffs. It wears defenses out.

Better question is, how can you argue for a more elaborate offense after watching the past two seasons?

[Khaki Lackey]

While its not the dominate focus it once was, I think establishing a running game still matters.

Indeed. Look at what teams led in rushing last year and who made/succeeded in the playoffs.

[rayzor]

run sets up the pass.

 

pass sets up the run.

 

you need both...and a lot of it.

 

and the aim of both HAS to be getting in the end zone, not controlling the clock.

 

score early and often because you can and should never trust that your D is going to hold off the other teams offense for long. you have to make it easy for them and easier for the win by scoring.

[frash.exe]

Teams like Minnesota and the Jets have run the ball effectively in recent years and it doesn't make Sanchez or Ponder look any less mediocre.

Now, more than ever, the passing game has become its own entity unaffected by how well a team runs. What matters the most is the guy throwing it.

[LinvilleGorge]

Wow, full on panic about the offensive philosophy and we've yet to play our first preseason game, much less an actual real game.

 

And let me warn you, don't panic during the preseason either.  We've played things very close to the vest and fielded a very vanilla offense in the preseason thus far under Rivera.

[frash.exe]

Indeed. Look at what teams led in rushing last year and who made/succeeded in the playoffs.

Atlanta literally made it to the NFCC game on 82 yards rushing a game. Baltimore's running game was average at best. Green Bay and New England are not rushing teams and they found some success in the playoffs.

It is no longer a requirement.

[beastson]

Wow, full on panic about the offensive philosophy and we've yet to play our first preseason game, much less an actual real game.

 

And let me warn you, don't panic during the preseason either.  We've played things very close to the vest and fielded a very vanilla offense in the preseason thus far under Rivera.

 

I disagree, pre-season might not show it all but it will show enough.. .especially with this team

 

Also, if our o-line can open up holes for the run game I'm all for it

[csx]

The point is to maximize time of possession and limit turnovers. It can be an effective strategy if the team has a strong defense and special teams coupled with an efficient but not necessarily potent QB and offense.

[Khaki Lackey]

Atlanta literally made it to the NFCC game on 82 yards rushing a game. Baltimore's running game was average at best. Green Bay and New England are not rushing teams and they found some success in the playoffs.

It is no longer a requirement.

New England was beat by the Ravens, who were 11th in rushing (above average) and Green Bay and Atlanta were beaten by the 9ers who were 4th in rushing.

I realize that it's not a requirement to make the playoffs, and I'm not advocating foxball, but I don't have a problem with more conservative that what we've seen the last two years.

[KendrickPanther]

Our passing attack isn't conservative at all. Running the ball sets up the pass. It's not like running the ball sets up the run.

[MHS831]

You have to step back and look at the big picture--QB, TD scorers, Big guys, and Pass Rushers.

 

We have the QB (Newton)

We have the TD Scorers (Smith, Olsen, Lafell, Ginn, Barner, Tolbert, Williams)

We have the pass rushers (Alexander, Hardy, Johnson, and the LBs)

We have the big guys (Gross, Silatolu, Kalil, Short, Star, Edwards, Cole, Kearse)

Well, we are missing one or two big guys on offense, but we are getting there.

 

Since the focus was on Defense in the draft (Star, Short,  Klein) and seemingly in free agency (Blackburn, Florence, Mitchell, Moore, Cole, Edwards, Munnerlyn), then it makes sense that we are going to have a patient offense and not a "come from behind" offense.  I think we will have better field position and a better, fresher defense.  These things allow you to be less conservative. 

 

Frankly, If the DBs continue to scrap, and I think they will be fine, and we get a RG at least, I have to wonder where we are weak.  I expect Wharton to be in Camp next week.  I also expect Gman to pick up an OL during the preseason. 

 

I love what I am hearing about the WRs being better than advertised.