Forum › The Longship › Is the run game back?

Is the run game back?

MaroonBells
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For the first several games, the longest run of the season was Cook's 16-yarder against Green Bay in week 1. But in the last 4 games, Cook has notched a 30 yarder, a 53 yarder and an 81 yarder. 

I wish we could get it going earlier. KOC's opening script is usually very effective, despite an ineffective run game. But if we keep after it, something usually breaks. Cook's 81-yard dash just before the 4th quarter was the turning point in the Bills game. And those 10-12 yard chunk runs on the opening drive of OT were back breaking for the Bills.  

#1 · Nov 15, 6:10 AM
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I think Ingram is settling down and helping pop open lanes.  His run blocking yesterday was really good.

#2 · Nov 15, 6:12 AM
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How much of the recent success is teams over playing our passing strength and leaving themselves vulnerable and not as much of our OLine just asserting its will?

#3 · Nov 15, 6:46 AM
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I think we're getting too reliant on the pass. 50 pass attempts with only 14 runs for Cook. As Leber pointed out, this unbalanced offense came after the Jets had just won by running on Buff the week before. Not sure what the scouting dept./offensive game plan was based on that.

#4 · Nov 15, 6:52 AM
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@"JimmyinSD" said: How much of the recent success is teams over playing our passing strength and leaving themselves vulnerable and not as much of our OLine just asserting its will?
You tell me...
#5 · Nov 15, 6:56 AM
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It looked like the Vikings were saving the run game for the second half, because Cook sure got popping...he only had 13 yards in the first half.  kinda like the Jets did to Buffalo.

#6 · Nov 15, 7:01 AM
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@"mgobluevikes" said: I think we're getting too reliant on the pass. 50 pass attempts with only 14 runs for Cook. As Leber pointed out, this unbalanced offense came after the Jets had just won by running on Buff the week before. Not sure what the scouting dept./offensive game plan was based on that.

I agree....

Overall as we get to December and later - running the ball (at least to hold a lead) grows in importance. KOC just seems to say F' it, we're chucking the ball around. 

I have a growing suspicion Cook has peaked...Even as good as he looked on the 81 yarder

We'll see - I hope I'm wrong I love Dalvin. Team would benefit a ton if he became a real force this last part of the season. 

#7 · Nov 15, 7:02 AM
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@"purplefaithful" said:
@"mgobluevikes" said: I think we're getting too reliant on the pass. 50 pass attempts with only 14 runs for Cook. As Leber pointed out, this unbalanced offense came after the Jets had just won by running on Buff the week before. Not sure what the scouting dept./offensive game plan was based on that.

I agree....

Overall as we get to December and later - running the ball (at least to hold a lead) grows in importance. KOC just seems to say F' it, we're chucking the ball around. 

I have a growing suspicion Cook has peaked...Even as good as he looked on the 81 yarder

We'll see - I hope I'm wrong I love Dalvin. Team would benefit a ton if he became a real force this last part of the season. 



I don't think he's peaked.  He's just not being used enough.  The Buffalo game was a good example...  The previous two weeks the Packers and Jets showed you can run on the Bills and what do we do?  Throw, throw, throw and throw some more.  My only criticism of O'Connell to this point is I think he has a tendency to pass too much.  I get it, JJ is a stud and you want to get him the ball, but Dalvin is our 2nd best offensive skill guy and he's just not getting enough opportunities in the run and passing game. 

I'm cool with 60/40 pass to run split (or slightly higher passing percentage) but we seem to bog down at times when it gets 75/25 pass to run. I also think it would help our OL in pass pro if they can beat on that DL a bit more in the run game.  Hopefully as the season gets longer and the days get colder, we start to run a little more.  We're going to need it in the playoffs.

#8 · Nov 15, 7:22 AM
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@"Wetlander" said:
@"purplefaithful" said:
@"mgobluevikes" said: I think we're getting too reliant on the pass. 50 pass attempts with only 14 runs for Cook. As Leber pointed out, this unbalanced offense came after the Jets had just won by running on Buff the week before. Not sure what the scouting dept./offensive game plan was based on that.

I agree....

Overall as we get to December and later - running the ball (at least to hold a lead) grows in importance. KOC just seems to say F' it, we're chucking the ball around. 

I have a growing suspicion Cook has peaked...Even as good as he looked on the 81 yarder

We'll see - I hope I'm wrong I love Dalvin. Team would benefit a ton if he became a real force this last part of the season. 



I don't think he's peaked.  He's just not being used enough.  The Buffalo game was a good example...  The previous two weeks the Packers and Jets showed you can run on the Bills and what do we do?  Throw, throw, throw and throw some more.  My only criticism of O'Connell to this point is I think he has a tendency to pass too much.  I get it, JJ is a stud and you want to get him the ball, but Dalvin is our 2nd best offensive skill guy and he's just not getting enough opportunities in the run and passing game. 

I'm cool with 60/40 pass to run split (or slightly higher passing percentage) but we seem to bog down at times when it gets 75/25 pass to run. I also think it would help our OL in pass pro if they can beat on that DL a bit more in the run game.  Hopefully as the season gets longer and the days get colder, we start to run a little more.  We're going to need it in the playoffs.


Yah, KOC loves the passing drug...

I have a feeling TJH is going to be our 2nd best offensive player...

If you look at our remaining schedule we have only 2 outdoor games left (and they're both incredibly important) 

Dallas
NE
Jets
@Det
Colts
NYG
@GB
@ CHI

#9 · Nov 15, 7:27 AM
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@"purplefaithful" said:
@"Wetlander" said:
@"purplefaithful" said:
@"mgobluevikes" said: I think we're getting too reliant on the pass. 50 pass attempts with only 14 runs for Cook. As Leber pointed out, this unbalanced offense came after the Jets had just won by running on Buff the week before. Not sure what the scouting dept./offensive game plan was based on that.

I agree....

Overall as we get to December and later - running the ball (at least to hold a lead) grows in importance. KOC just seems to say F' it, we're chucking the ball around. 

I have a growing suspicion Cook has peaked...Even as good as he looked on the 81 yarder

We'll see - I hope I'm wrong I love Dalvin. Team would benefit a ton if he became a real force this last part of the season. 



I don't think he's peaked.  He's just not being used enough.  The Buffalo game was a good example...  The previous two weeks the Packers and Jets showed you can run on the Bills and what do we do?  Throw, throw, throw and throw some more.  My only criticism of O'Connell to this point is I think he has a tendency to pass too much.  I get it, JJ is a stud and you want to get him the ball, but Dalvin is our 2nd best offensive skill guy and he's just not getting enough opportunities in the run and passing game. 

I'm cool with 60/40 pass to run split (or slightly higher passing percentage) but we seem to bog down at times when it gets 75/25 pass to run. I also think it would help our OL in pass pro if they can beat on that DL a bit more in the run game.  Hopefully as the season gets longer and the days get colder, we start to run a little more.  We're going to need it in the playoffs.


Yah, KOC loves the passing drug...

I have a feeling TJH is going to be our 2nd best offensive player...

If you look at our remaining schedule we have only 2 outdoor games left (and they're both incredibly important) 

Dallas
NE
Jets
@Det
Colts
NYG
@GB
@ CHI



Good grief. Theres not an easy game left. colts at home is the easiest one left. 

#10 · Nov 15, 10:32 AM
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@"AGRforever" said:
@"purplefaithful" said:
@"Wetlander" said:
@"purplefaithful" said:
@"mgobluevikes" said: I think we're getting too reliant on the pass. 50 pass attempts with only 14 runs for Cook. As Leber pointed out, this unbalanced offense came after the Jets had just won by running on Buff the week before. Not sure what the scouting dept./offensive game plan was based on that.

I agree....

Overall as we get to December and later - running the ball (at least to hold a lead) grows in importance. KOC just seems to say F' it, we're chucking the ball around. 

I have a growing suspicion Cook has peaked...Even as good as he looked on the 81 yarder

We'll see - I hope I'm wrong I love Dalvin. Team would benefit a ton if he became a real force this last part of the season. 



I don't think he's peaked.  He's just not being used enough.  The Buffalo game was a good example...  The previous two weeks the Packers and Jets showed you can run on the Bills and what do we do?  Throw, throw, throw and throw some more.  My only criticism of O'Connell to this point is I think he has a tendency to pass too much.  I get it, JJ is a stud and you want to get him the ball, but Dalvin is our 2nd best offensive skill guy and he's just not getting enough opportunities in the run and passing game. 

I'm cool with 60/40 pass to run split (or slightly higher passing percentage) but we seem to bog down at times when it gets 75/25 pass to run. I also think it would help our OL in pass pro if they can beat on that DL a bit more in the run game.  Hopefully as the season gets longer and the days get colder, we start to run a little more.  We're going to need it in the playoffs.


Yah, KOC loves the passing drug...

I have a feeling TJH is going to be our 2nd best offensive player...

If you look at our remaining schedule we have only 2 outdoor games left (and they're both incredibly important) 

Dallas
NE
Jets
@Det
Colts
NYG
@GB
@ CHI



Good grief. Theres not an easy game left. colts at home is the easiest one left. 


Nope. I think I'd put them in this order: Dallas, Jets, NE, @Chi, @GB, NYG, @Det, Colts. The good thing is that with the exception of Dak and the douchebag in Green Bay, there isn't a good, veteran QB remaining. 

#11 · Nov 15, 11:02 AM
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@"MaroonBells" said:
@"JimmyinSD" said: How much of the recent success is teams over playing our passing strength and leaving themselves vulnerable and not as much of our OLine just asserting its will?
You tell me...
#12 · Nov 15, 11:13 AM
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I don’t know, but against Dallas would be a good time to pound the rock, don’t want to be in obvious passing situations against that pass rush. They showed vulnerability against outside runs against the Packers Sunday. 

#13 · Nov 15, 11:48 AM
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@"greediron" said:
@"MaroonBells" said:
@"JimmyinSD" said: How much of the recent success is teams over playing our passing strength and leaving themselves vulnerable and not as much of our OLine just asserting its will?
You tell me...

It might be this guy....he looks like kind of a badass. 

#14 · Nov 15, 11:59 AM
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@"MaroonBells" said:
@"greediron" said:
@"MaroonBells" said:
@"JimmyinSD" said: How much of the recent success is teams over playing our passing strength and leaving themselves vulnerable and not as much of our OLine just asserting its will?
You tell me...

It might be this guy....he looks like kind of a badass. 



https://www.vikings.com/video/baldy-s-breakdowns-how-the-vikings-stormed-back-to-take-down-the-bills-in-overti

Look at the Dalvin TD.  Starting at :21, watch Cleveland rock 99 so quickly and then move on to the LB.  

#15 · Nov 15, 12:40 PM
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That breakdown also shows a great little bit on Peterson's first INT.  He forces the WR out of bounds so he can ignore him and watch Allen.

#16 · Nov 15, 12:41 PM
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@"MaroonBells" said:
@"JimmyinSD" said: How much of the recent success is teams over playing our passing strength and leaving themselves vulnerable and not as much of our OLine just asserting its will?
You tell me...
#17 · Nov 15, 5:15 PM
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JJs block on the 81 yarder was huge.

#18 · Nov 15, 5:33 PM
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Didn't need to be text book---get one him and occupy him long enough for DC to make his cut.

Then enjoy the show
Line play on that one was spot  on.

#19 · Nov 15, 5:37 PM
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Against the cowturds I want to see massive oline play driving on them to take their will to compete away.

Then get our wrs/tes theirs while we snuff out any comebacks by dak

#20 · Nov 15, 5:42 PM
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O line was much better against the Bills than the commies. Going to be hard to be physically dominant against the boys but it is possible. They are improving.

#21 · Nov 16, 8:33 AM
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