Joe Vitt's return and its effect
 

I want to clarify on a few items, and since you clicked you are now my captive audience... (stop looking away).

The return of our running game is NOT due to Sproles being out, it is NOT due to Ivory being on the field, It IS for the most part due to Joe Vitt being back on the field.

Keep reading before you turn red. Our running game miraculously returned with Vitt. Not because Vitt is the solution, but because the return of Vitt, allowed Aaron Kromer to focus on his job, the offensive line.

Ingrams game AVE before Vitt
2.5/2.2/3.2/3.0/2.3 = 2.6 YPC
Imgrams AVE with Vitt
6.3/4.2/5.6 = 5.36 YPC

Thomas game AVE before Vitt
4.3/1.8/3.3/2.5/5.4 = 3.4 YPC
Thomas AVE with Vitt
7.3/2.0/6.0 = 5.1 YPC

From the backfield to 1-2 yard past the line of scrimmage is all o-line. After 2 yards past the line of scrimmage and beyond is vision and ability to break tackles/miss tackles... etc...

Sorry Halo, I know this is not something you want to agree to just yet but it is what it is...

Vit's return has turned this team around offensively.... because having him allows other people to focus where they need to.

Re: Joe Vitt's return and its effect
 

Not only that but Kromer isn't the fiery leader that Vitt is.

Re: Joe Vitt's return and its effect
 

Oak, I'm sure what you say is a major factor for the upgrade in our running game. That said, you have to also admit that somthing has lit a fire under Ingram's ass. His first run yesterday was a perfect example. He broke more tackles in that one run than in all of his carries in the pre-Ivory games. Whether it is Vitt kicking butt our Ingram looking over his shoulder at Ivory…..something lit the fire and it's fun to watch the result.

Re: Joe Vitt's return and its effect
 

Ive seen Vitt in front of a mic now... Fiery he isnt.. He puts him self to sleep.

http://atlantablackstar.com/wp-conte...8/Joe-Vitt.jpghttp://sitracking.files.wordpress.co.../145220120.jpghttp://brightcove01.brightcove.com/2...d=268012958001http://media.nola.com/tpphotos/photo...9-standard.jpghttp://www2.pictures.zimbio.com/gi/J...n9Ep_OJsTl.jpg

I agree w Oak. Vitt even said that we were relying way too much on the pass early in the season (does anyone have our run/pass ratio for the first 4 games?).
I think part of that is Kromer's inexperience. I think an inexperienced coach's tendency is to abandon the run when they fall behind early. We saw the same thing w Raiders coach yesterday. Whatever the reason, I'm glad Vitt's back!

Re: Joe Vitt's return and its effect
 

I don't think there's any magic to it, period. Vitt's return meant more coaching hands on deck. While out, not only was the team missing a head coach, but it was also missing a linebackers coach (Vitt) AND O-Line coach (Kromer). Kromer subbed as HC, but the o-line suffered.

That also left Spags shorthanded on coaching defense forcing even more coaches to double team as LB coach.

Vitt will be the first to tell you he doesn't know squat about offense. What Vitt does know is how to get in another coaches face and force him to find creative ways to start running the ball.

I credit Vitt for that. He understands football fundamentals - the run opens the pass. I think Vitt has done a great job of forcing every squad on the team to step it up, including linebackers.

Re: Joe Vitt's return and its effect
 

Run pass for first 6 games

Wash
52 pass 10 run - L
Car
49 pass 27 run - L
KC
36 pass 19 run - L
GB
54 pass 19 run - L
SD
45 pass 24 run - W
TB
37 pass 26 run - W
DEN
42 pass 17 run - L
PHI
27 pass 25 run - W
ATL
32 pass 29 run - W
OAK
28 pass 28 run -W

Re: Joe Vitt's return and its effect
 

His first run yesterday, Ingram wasn't met by 2 tackles 2 yards deep in his own backfield, he had a running start and a hole in the o-line to run through. And Ingram is healthier now than he's ever been since drafted.

Speaking of first runs last Sunday, Ivory in his first run got stuffed for -1, his second run he managed to fall one yard forward. I love the way Ivory runs the ball just like everyone else, but let's not get carried away.

Re: Joe Vitt's return and its effect
 

I dunno but they might be on to something here with the "run"

Re: Joe Vitt's return and its effect
 

Amazing what the results are when we are balanced huh. Oak, on one hand you are right but I think Halo nailed it. Having Vitt back means the other coach's can do what they are good at.