Getting Ahead Of The Curve

[JustInTime]

1 team ran over 600 times last year, Philadelphia.

4 teams ran over 500 times last year, none in 2023.

19 teams ran more than they did in 2023. 

What does it mean? Maybe a kid like Kenneth Grant has a little more value than previous years. Or CJ West, or JJ Pegues. Maybe a monster road grader like Tyler Booker has more value. Maybe a iLB like Demetrius Knight who can stop the run, rush the passer, AND cover has more value. Maybe RBBC means having 3 guys not just 2. 

It will be interesting to see if any of this starts playing out in the next 30 or so hours. It’s a copycat league, maybe we try to get ahead of the curve and prepare early for the new trend. Even better, set the tone.

[MaroonBells]

I think there's some (Croskey) Merritt to this. I think we'll still largely be a zone team (even the controversial OL assistant we brought in is a zone guy), so I'm not sure Booker is the best fit for us, but I could be wrong. I'd prefer Donovan Jackson. Who really knows what the plan is. In either case, I agree that runners, run blockers and run stuffers are probably going up in value. It's still a passing league and will remain so, but there's definitely a shift happening.

[ArizonaViking]

I think there's some (Croskey) Merritt to this. I think we'll still largely be a zone team (even the controversial OL assistant we brought in is a zone guy), so I'm not sure Booker is the best fit for us, but I could be wrong. I'd prefer Donovan Jackson. Who really knows what the plan is. In either case, I agree that runners, run blockers and run stuffers are probably going up in value. It's still a passing league and will remain so, but there's definitely a shift happening.

Matter of time.  Defenses over years began smaller, more athletic to cover the explosion of the passing game.  Now teams shifted back to the power running game and defensive are now becoming  bigger to contain the running games.

[StickierBuns]

[Zanary]

The basic rules always apply, starting with defense: get into their backfield, disrupt whatever they're trying to do, keep the offense out of its rhythm.

Similarly, on offense: block the lanes, watch for delayed blitzers, keep the pocket/protection assignments long enough to create a rhythm.

[medaille]

I don’t think this is an OLine trend or RB trend as much as it is a QB trend. Like if you get 7 solid seasons out of a Russell Wilson or a Cam Newton and then have to start over, it’s better to embrace that and lean in rather than try and convert them into a pure pocket passer who can play until their 40. I also think that QBs are getting better at running the ball and being smart about it and avoiding big hits, so it’s less scary for coaches to have them run.

I think the big takeaway from the last season is that you can’t over-invest at the skill positions at the expense of the OLine and hope it works out. I think high quality OLines will be in fashion as teams look to be more multiple. I still think that pass-blockers are going to be going ahead of run-blockers, but everyone will be looking for the guys that do both well.