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When New Orleans Saints Coach Sean Payton talked in the preseason about the things New Orleans must improve upon if it is to make a serious run at Super Bowl XLVI, one he always hit upon was the running game's "efficiency."

That's a nebulous term, and Payton didn't shed much light on it in Oxnard, Calif., when asked for a definition. "The simple way to define it is running it better," he replied, offering an inarguable but still opaque answer.

But Payton then went on to provide a more detailed window into his thinking.

"I think you look closely at yards per attempt," he began. "In other words, you're running the ball but how well are you running it? You look at your yards per attempt, your big plays in the running game. At some point the thing we did in '09 is we finished games in the running game and so an 'efficient' run in the four-minute might be a 3-yard gain to get a first down and keep the clock moving. So those are specific areas and we've got a method to grade: red zone efficiency in the running game might be a little different than in the field, tight red zone, short yardage and goal line."

Full article.
The New Orleans Saints plan to run the ball better this season | NOLA.com

Really good article on the 3 headed beast!!

QBREES9

"The simple way to define it is running it better," he replied, offering an inarguable but still opaque answer.

Stay healthy and it will be better.

QBREES9

Strato ? LOL

foreverfan

3 Headed Monster will be unleashed. AMEN.

crawgator

Ways to run the ball Better...

1. Protect the football... One of the main reason football games are lost is because of a crucial turn over at the wrong time.. I remember when I was playing ball If we fumbled during a game we had to walk around with the football in our arms the whole week.. and if another player saw us they were to try to strip the ball from us.. We had to be on our toes the whole time... Not saying that this should be done but it sure me me aware at all times to be in control of the football.. Believe me this did work on me I learned fast how to better secure the football..

2. Be patient... Sometimes running racks get ahead of their O-line, sometimes they don't wait long enough for that crucial block to be made.. and boom they get smacked by an on coming LB or safety.. I have seen this many times in the recent years. One being Reggie Bush... So we need to be more patient wait on blocks,look for that spot to open.. Be surprised at what happens.

3. Smell the goal line.. What I mean by this is you gotta put forth the effort, you gotta believe your gonna get that yard no matter what.. You gotta give it 110% leave nothing on the sideline bring it all to the field.. I believe we got that back again in Ingram... He seems to want that extra yard . Remember Duece he ran like that...

So I believe to be successful in the run game you need to follow these principals... With the running backs we have now I feel we can get that done.. We are 4 deep and strong each with there own running styles.. I know if I was a defensive coordinator against the Saints this year I would be having fits in practice on what defense to run that week..

GEAUX SAINTS!!!!!!!!!

Crusader

That part of the article excites me.

RailBoss

It doesn't seem like Ivory will ever be healthy. Well at the end of last season SP was running Julius Jones and Ladell Betts. Rumor has it he even called Chuck Muncie to work out. So no surprise when the boys went NFL shopping what was on the top of the list.

Rugby Saint II

I was excited about Ivory in the beginning but I was disappointed in his vision and fumbling problems not to mention his injury history. So far Bell has done everything right and has impressed me.