Am I wrong to think???
 

Am I wrong to think that defenses have decided to guard our pass y running basically nickel packages, and that in part has lead to our success running the ball? Anyone with some good analysis please add some thought

Re: Am I wrong to think???
 

last year this was the case....this year we are utilizing our extra linemen well as a 3rd TE

against all of these teams we have been able to run with 7 and 8 men in the box

last year we were racking up worthless running stats against nickel and dime defenses because we were going to go back to the pass in the next play or 2.....teams could sit in a pass defense and give up a good gain on the ground because they knew it meant nothing in the overall game

im very impressed with our ability to run the ball this year....i think it has a lot to do with using our extra linemen, committing to the run, great play calling, and the new mindset of our offensive line under the new offensive line coach

Re: Am I wrong to think???
 

Seems like teams are bringing 4-6 in the blitz and then dropping everybody else into coverage to take the intermediate to deep passes away. In the last two games, Brees' yards per completion is right at 10 per; that's down from just over 13 per in the first two games.

If you look back at some of the runs we've made in the last few games when we've had success, we haven't had much in the 3-6 yard range. Everything gets stopped at the LOS or 10+ yards down the field. That tells me that the opposing D's LBs are playing on their heels. Once we get past the Line, there's a big gap before the second wave of defenders.

Also, notice how we keep getting stopped in short yardage situations, where the D is selling out to stop the run. It tells me that when teams try to stop our running game, they can.

I think another big problem with getting the passing game going is the absence of a real #2 WR. Henderson and Meachem are both one-dimensional, deep threats at this point. I just don't think that either has the route-running ability or the hands to make those tough catches in traffic that we need to really get it going. Moore fits that bill, but he's not been healthy this season. TGIBY.

Re: Am I wrong to think???
 

Good Moore point WhoDat! Moore is what's missing. All the talk of giving him up during the offseason is coming into focus with his absense. One catch last week on 1 attempt and Shockey getting all/most of the possession catches with no yards after the catch. The short cross is whats missing (Moore) and making the other flight paths seem unavailable. The mere variety of our offensive attack works well for our running game. If Payton keeps mixing it up, we will get good yards on the ground. We still have work to do in converting 3rd-and-1's. Looked like PT had his eyes closed on one of the 4th down attempts. I hope Moore gets healthy quick, preferrably before we get into our next shoot-out scoring challenge.

Re: Am I wrong to think???
 

I agree Moore is missed and we are lacking that quick reception and first step he brings. Hope he is back for the Giants.

Re: Am I wrong to think???
 

Just think, we're 4-0, without our starting LT, or our 2nd best WR, or our starting NT, or our 2nd best TE (a pass catching machine), and our best RB has missed 2 games, and our 2nd best RB has missed the other two, and Bush hasn't caught fire yet. Not to mention Brees has been held in check for the most part in half our games so far.

Wow.

Re: Am I wrong to think???
 

..and you also have to give credit to the Buffalo and Jets defenses for the lack of passing productivity.

Buffalo has a good defense, or at least had, depending how they are emotionally... prior to the Saints game, the talk was that the Bills were looking for a "signature" or "defining" win, and beating the Saints would've given them just that. But alas :)