Why has Logan Mankins and the line been so bad?

[Bogaerts]

>> How come they brought back the same unit and there was such a regression in the unit, Solder, Mankins and Connolly in particular?

>> Is Mankins at the point of his contract where there is significant cap relief by cutting him this offseason? Not only has he been swiss cheese but his penalties are getting ridiculous maybe a sign of being beaten more and more?

>> Cannon was poor last week but has been the best line player against the Steelers.

 

[TomRicardo]

They have been injured as all hell and have had to deal with a depleted receiver core in front of them.

 

[Tony C]

The line has been injured? Until Seabass went down, they were quite healthy.

 

[Super Nomario]

They have been injured as all hell and have had to deal with a depleted receiver core in front of them.

The O-line has been? Not really until last week and Vollmer's injury. He specifically noted Solder and Mankins, who've been full participants in every practice this year.

 

[Seels]

The Mankins contract looks worse by the day. They need to figure out what to do with that, it's nearing an albatross.

 

[lexrageorge]

The Mankins contract looks worse by the day. They need to figure out what to do with that, it's nearing an albatross.

The chances of their being able to do anything about that contract this season are zero.  Nor should they try; Mankins is their starting guard, and there aren't exactly a lineup of better candidates waiting in the wings to take the job.
 
The contract is something to worry about after the season.

 

[Morgan's Magic Snowplow]

The Mankins contract looks worse by the day. They need to figure out what to do with that, it's nearing an albatross.

They are basically stuck with the contract through 2014, after which he will become very cuttable (11M cap figure, 4M dead money for 2015). It was a terrible contract, not just because they gave Mankins big money but because they gave him such a large signing bonus that the contract was virtually guaranteed for the first four years.

 

[Van Everyman]

Before we get into the particulars of cutting him, does anyone know why his play has been subpar? It's not like the guy has been a stuff his whole career. Is he injured?

 

[soxfan121]

Before we get into the particulars of cutting him, does anyone know why his play has been subpar? It's not like the guy has been a stuff his whole career. Is he injured?

 
Players age, players decline. He's had his fair share of injuries through the years and he's at the age and stage of his career where decline is expected. 
 
It may also be that Light and/or Koppen made him look better than he was by being so good at their jobs while he was in his physical peak and now that he's got a more inexperienced pair beside him (Solder/Wendell) he's not receiving as much help/support or he's trying to do too much or whathaveyou. 
 
And, as usual, MMS is entirely correct. Mankins is not cuttable until after 2014, so he either needs to pick up his performance or the team needs to invest heavily on interior linemen in the 2014 draft and make him a very expensive backup by the end of the season.

 

[Shelterdog]

The good news is that the contract isn't becoming an albatross, it already is an albatross and it's getting better every day: he's taken  up a shitload of cap space for a guard for three years running and with the possible exception of 2012 hasn't provided close to the value that he's been paid.  We're just getting closer to the time when we'll be able to restructure the contract or cut him without taking too bad a hit.
 
EDIT: I also think the line looks particularly shitty because we played a lot of good front sevens and interior linemen (4 of PFF's top 5, 6 of their top 12 NTs/DTs and 4 of the top 6 3-4 DEs).  When we face weaker lines we'll look better. Mankins is getting paid enough that he should neutralize the Sheldon Richardsons and McCoys and Atkins of the world, and he hasn't, but he and the rest of the line are going to look better going forward even if they actually aren't better.

 

[ragnarok725]

Thankfully, it looks like Mankins will be cuttable at the same time Solder will get very, very expensive. Solder is #1 amongst all OTs by PFF's ratings, even after just having had his worst game of the season by their metrics against the Steelers. He may wind up getting paid like a top 5 tackle (think Joe Thomas - 80M range), and that contract would need to start in 2015. A Mankins cut/restructure will probably be a piece of the puzzle in being able to free up the cap to pay him.

 

[Jimy Hendrix]

What do Mankins penalty stats look like this year compared to the past, I feel like even when he was in his prime he got his share of dumb penalties. Part of that whole "nasty", "setting the tone" package that talking heads cite approvingly when the player's performing well.

 

[Kenny F'ing Powers]

His penalty numbers are pretty similar to years past.
 
Mankins made his bones by being a mean motherfucker as a run blocking guard. He's never had great pass blocking technique, but having veteran players around him helped make up for his issues.
 
His 2013 numbers seem to align pretty well with his past performance. He still performs very well as a run blocker (5th amongst guards with 60% of snaps according to PFF). Football Outsiders has the Patriots center/guard run blocking ranked as 3rd best in the NFL, and 6th over the left tackle. Both of those numbers reflect a pretty good performance out of Mankins. The team still acknowledges his ability as a run blocker by running inside/left tackle 64% of the time. The team also ranks 7th in the NFL on "second level yards", a good barometer of weakside guards/centers getting into the second level to block linebackers.
 
Overall, Mankins may not be an elite runblocker anymore, but he's still very good. He's never truly been an elite pass blocker. PFF has ranked him as an average/below average pass blocker just about every year since 2010, and that seems to match up pretty well with the eye test. I think his numbers end up evening out as the level of competition declines through the rest of the year, but we're not seeing a drastically worse Logan Mankins. We're seeing a 31 year old guard who is still very good going downhill, but is often caught flat footed in pass protection.

 

[Super Nomario]

It's worth noting that OL play around the league is down, or maybe DL play is up. Sack rate league-wide is 6.9%; last year it was 6.1% (2011: 6.4%, 2010: 6.1%). YPC is 4.1; last year it was 4.3 (2011: 4.3, 2010: 4.2). I've been disappointed with the OL at times, certainly, but to some extent what we're seeing is the same thing other fans are seeing in 31 other cities.

 

[Reverend]

Are 2012 numbers a secret?

 

[jscola85]

Some of Wendell's struggles may be impacting Mankins as well - if he's constantly having to worry about a guy shooting past Wendell, it may distract him enough to make mistakes against his own man.  Trust and reliability are so valuable when it comes to offensive linemen and he may not be in sync with the guy next to him.
 
From what I've seen (especially last night), his run blocking is as good as ever.  The Pats were averaging 4.3 YPC on runs between the LT and LG and 4.7 YPC up the middle, prior to the Steelers game (and those numbers likely only went up) - Mankins is a real important part of that.

 

[dbn]

If he doesn't improve his pass-blocking soon, Brady should start hazing him.  (Too soon?)

 

[Reverend]

Can somebody explain what the hell is going on?

 

[RoyHobbs]

Has the OL been "so bad"? I guess I'd need to see evidence to support this. Empirically, it looks like it is middle of the pack at worst; anecdotally, it might not be as stout as in recent years but the high turnover and injuries are certainly factors there.

 

[RedOctober3829]

Has the OL been "so bad"? I guess I'd need to see evidence to support this. Empirically, it looks like it is middle of the pack at worst; anecdotally, it might not be as stout as in recent years but the high turnover and injuries are certainly factors there.

It has looked great in the running game the last 2 weeks. Just keep being physical and they'll be fine. Cindy is the only DL left in the AFC that I look at and have concern.

 

[Reverend]

Has the OL been "so bad"? I guess I'd need to see evidence to support this. Empirically, it looks like it is middle of the pack at worst; anecdotally, it might not be as stout as in recent years but the high turnover and injuries are certainly factors there.

 
Check the dates--I bumped the thread to signify that the puzzle is to answer why they are playing so well, especially after key injuries.
 
Ridley had 74 yards on 12 carries and nobody even gives a shit because Blount ran hog-wild, often through some gaping holes. Granted, special teams mowed a road for him too, but I have trouble believing the team got up because Belichick gave a particular inspiring pre-game speech or something.
 
Based on what was going on with the OL a couple weeks ago, my hope for Brady was downgraded to "Survival." Now they're... doing whatever the hell it is they're doing. They've been awesome and they aren't even starting a real LT. What gives?

 

[Kenny F'ing Powers]

The line was very good (again) yesterday against one of the best front fours in football.
 
Since Logan Mankins has moved to LT the team has averaged 7.3 YPC on the left side of the line (32 carries, 235 yards).
 
Here's how ridiculous that is:
 
Very.
 
As a comparison, runs up the middle and to the right side of the line are averaging 4.3 YPC (41 carries 177 yards). That number is a little deceptive because runs up the middle are inherently going to be shorter gains, so that is still a solid number. Also consider that Baltimore was much harder to run against than Buffalo up the middle/right side. The Pats averaged 5.8 YPC up the middle/right against the Bills (25 carries 145 yards).
 
Obviously these are the most basic numbers, and with that comes SSS and outside variables. Still, it's striking how good this team has been running the ball the last few weeks. As good as LGBT has been, I think he'd be the first one to tell you that he's just letting his line do the work. On his 4th quarter 35 yard TD, he simply strung out the defense and waited for Mankins to gain leverage on the outside shoulder, then he was off the the races. Less patient backs (which Ridley can be sometimes) would have simply lowered the shoulder, so credit has to be given to LGBT.
 
either way, they have been excellent in the running game and pretty decent in the passing game. I never thought I'd say this after the mid 2000's, but if this team is going to go on a deep run in the playoffs, it very well may have to be on the shoulders of the running game.
 
And that's some fucking fun football to watch.

 

[Stitch01]

Solder was back at left tackle yesterday wasn't he?

 

[RoyHobbs]

 
Check the dates--I bumped the thread to signify that the puzzle is to answer why they are playing so well, especially after key injuries.
 

 
Ah, indeed. I thought, given it appeared after the running assault of the past few weeks, this was one of those "WTF" kind of threads.
 
What KFP wrote (great post, as usual) was something I'd wondered about: Mankins's shift being a net positive. And I second his last sentiment, which is that the Pats reverting to "smashmouth" football might be something opponents outside of Cincy aren't prepared for. For example, a hot Blount/Ridley combo (they are both running like madmen) behind this line could easily be the antidote to a missing Gronk. Defenses will have to remain much more honest in the red zone, and the playbook might thus open up a bit.

 

[Kenny F'ing Powers]

Solder was back at left tackle yesterday wasn't he?

 
I thought he only came in at LT when Mankins went down with the ankle injury.
 
Was I mistaken?

 

[Shelterdog]

 
I thought he only came in at LT when Mankins went down with the ankle injury.
 
Was I mistaken?

 
Only if not knowing which linemen were playing counts as a mistake in a thread about line play.
 
Maybe he missed a snap or two but Solder was the left tackle the whole game.  And he was terrific.

 

[Kenny F'ing Powers]

Edit: Nope, looks like Solder was back for this game. I'll be the first to admit that I was only casually watching as I was at the in-laws and had a few people over.
 
If Solder was back in there at tackle, it gives me even more hope for the running game of this team. I wasn't sure if the success was only because they had a mauler move from LG to LT. If they had that kind of success running the ball behind Solder/Mankins, I'm fucking psyched.

 

[Kenny F'ing Powers]

 
Only if not knowing which linemen were playing counts as a mistake in a thread about line play.

 
Well then. Looks like I have some egg on my face you smug sonuvabitch...
 
(Actually is pretty boneheaded. I rewound and watched the ankle injury by Mankins about 5 different times because I was trying to figure out how he got hurt. Considering he hurt his ankle while playing guard...well...duh.)

 

[Stitch01]

Yeah I was in the nosebleeds so I wasnt sure and got confused by two straight posts talking about Mankins at LT.  I knew Solder started but sometimes miss if they are alternating guys or someone goes out.  Will be team and matchup dependent, but having a line that can grind out a long TD drive will come in very handy against a team like Denver.

 

[Reverend]

That's on me, too, then. But I had some, uh, shit going on too.
 
I still want to know what the hell is going on. Are they doing anything differently? I'm not adept at the mechanics of line play, either in terms of individual technique or overall tactics, but I can tell when one line is kicking the crap out of the other. I suppose one could argue that Buffalo folded and the conditions were awful or something, but Baltimore always brings it.

 

[Shelterdog]

 
Well then. Looks like I have some egg on my face you smug sonuvabitch...
 
(Actually is pretty boneheaded. I rewound and watched the ankle injury by Mankins about 5 different times because I was trying to figure out how he got hurt. Considering he hurt his ankle while playing guard...well...duh.)

 
And it's not like Solder is hard to find on a field. 
 
Anyhow, I think one thing that we're seeing is that--contrary to conventional wisdom--"small" athletic linemen like Solder or Wendell or Mankins or Connolly, who are all very light for their positions, are pretty lethal in the running game because they're so damn good at pulling and at getting to the second level.  People often talk about having road-grading linemen and about how great so and so the 350 pound guard is in the running game but by and large the Bryant McKinnie types aren't actually that useful in the running game because they're too damn slow.

 

[( . ) ( . ) and (_!_)]

Yeah I was in the nosebleeds so I wasnt sure and got confused by two straight posts talking about Mankins at LT.  I knew Solder started but sometimes miss if they are alternating guys or someone goes out.  Will be team and matchup dependent, but having a line that can grind out a long TD drive will come in very handy against a team like Denver.

 
But did they grind out long TD drives yesterday?
 
The first TD was a result of a long drive.
The second TD came after starting at the Buffalo 20.
The third TD came after starting at the Buffalo 45 and was only two plays long, because Blount made a great play.
 
They had three drives of over 50 yards gained and 9+ plays that stalled out into field goals. And a drive that started at the Buffalo 40 that ended in a FG.
 
I think the line played fantastic, the running game was ridiculous.  But I also don't think it's wrong to say that they struggled in the red zone.  Good line play and running the football is going to serve this team very well in the playoffs.  Not converting red zone chances into TDs, may turn out to be this team's Achilles heel.  I'm not sure if that is due to the line, the play calling, the outside WRs being hurt/invisible. 
 
I'm not trying to rain on the parade here, the line was great yesterday.  But the red zone misses are a big red flag.

 

[Kenny F'ing Powers]

 
And it's not like Solder is hard to find on a field. 
 
Anyhow, I think one thing that we're seeing is that--contrary to conventional wisdom--"small" athletic linemen like Solder or Wendell or Mankins or Connolly, who are all very light for their positions, are pretty lethal in the running game because they're so damn good at pulling and at getting to the second level.  People often talk about having road-grading linemen and about how great so and so the 350 pound guard is in the running game but by and large the Bryant McKinnie types aren't actually that useful in the running game because they're too damn slow.

 
to be fair, I doubt that Solder is pulling all that much. Tackles rarely pull because it would take them too long to crack back all the way across the line (of course, there is the convoy created for a screen...a place where I think we visibly miss Matt Light's ability to get down field). The other side of that coin would be the "getting to the second level" part you mentioned, which can be huge for the weak-side tackle to tie up the weak-side linebacker (or potentially middle linebacker) from being the second guy to the ball. Since LGBT and Ridley have been so good lately at breaking the first tackle, taking out the next man up before he can even reach the ball is fucking humungous.
 
That being said, as stated above, the Patriots have been doing most of their legwork on the left side of the line. That kind of rules out Solder/Mankins pulling or getting to the next level as they have responsibility to get a hat on the guy in front of them. In particular, the Patriots have gained big chunks over the LG spot. Of the Patriots five biggest run to the left side of the line, four of them (36 yards, 18 yards, 15 yards, 14 yards) come over the left guard spot. That generally means that the center won't be pulling or crashing to the second level. If all of these things are true, it tells me a few things:
 
1.) Connolly has been very good at either (A) pulling down the line or (B) getting to the second level
 
2.) The left side of the line has been winning their battles
 
3.) Wendell has performed well as the help blocker, a huge rule if they want to run over the guards
 
4.) Hooman may not be getting enough credit for coming out of the backfield as a FB or helping Solder at the line of scrimmage
 
I haven't watched any film this year, but I'd be intrigued by you big brained bastards that have the time to watch the film and give a better summation of the line play.

 

[Stitch01]

 
But did they grind out long TD drives yesterday?
 
The first TD was a result of a long drive.
The second TD came after starting at the Buffalo 20.
The third TD came after starting at the Buffalo 45 and was only two plays long, because Blount made a great play.
 
They had three drives of over 50 yards gained and 9+ plays that stalled out into field goals. And a drive that started at the Buffalo 40 that ended in a FG.
 
I think the line played fantastic, the running game was ridiculous.  But I also don't think it's wrong to say that they struggled in the red zone.  Good line play and running the football is going to serve this team very well in the playoffs.  Not converting red zone chances into TDs, may turn out to be this team's Achilles heel.  I'm not sure if that is due to the line, the play calling, the outside WRs being hurt/invisible. 
 
I'm not trying to rain on the parade here, the line was great yesterday.  But the red zone misses are a big red flag.

Yesterday I think a fair bit of it was due to conditions making it pretty hard for Brady to throw the ball, especially outside the numbers, and they were good against the Ravens in the red zone the week before.  Its going to be a key in the playoffs, but if the improved line play is for real I dont see a red flag.  JMO.

 

[GBrushTWood]

I was under the impression that the reason the Patriots ran the ball so much yesterday, was because Buffalo's defensive strength is applying pressure to the QB. 
 
Buffalo ranks 2nd in the NFL in sacks (57). 
Buffalo's run defense is 28th in the NFL (128 YPG)
 
Add the weather elements yesterday, and you've got a very running centric gameplan. Maybe I am oversimplifying it, but I'm not sure yesterday's game tells us a whole lot about the OL and what to expect in the playoffs. It seemed more matchup specific to me.

 

[Stitch01]

 They pull Cannon and Connolly reasonably often on those runs over left guard.  They pulled Cannon on that first TD run yesterday by Blount, although what really made the play was a really good cut by Blount

 

[Stitch01]

The other change is that they are using a lot more I formation the last two weeks.  Develin had more snaps than Amendola yesterday.

 

[Dogman]

The other change is that they are using a lot more I formation the last two weeks.  Develin had more snaps than Amendola yesterday.

 
That may only be indicative of the rain and the conditions on the field. With his early season groin injury, Amendola's contributions to the gameplan may have been to not get injured.

 

[Stitch01]

Split was 24/32 last week against the Ravens.
 
I dont think they've turned into a ground and pound offense (you wouldnt see this against the Bengals obviously), and conditions clearly mattered, but they definitely are using more power formations and fewer spread formations.

 

[Reverend]

 
But did they grind out long TD drives yesterday?
 
The first TD was a result of a long drive.
The second TD came after starting at the Buffalo 20.
The third TD came after starting at the Buffalo 45 and was only two plays long, because Blount made a great play.
 
They had three drives of over 50 yards gained and 9+ plays that stalled out into field goals. And a drive that started at the Buffalo 40 that ended in a FG.
 
I think the line played fantastic, the running game was ridiculous.  But I also don't think it's wrong to say that they struggled in the red zone.  Good line play and running the football is going to serve this team very well in the playoffs.  Not converting red zone chances into TDs, may turn out to be this team's Achilles heel.  I'm not sure if that is due to the line, the play calling, the outside WRs being hurt/invisible. 
 
I'm not trying to rain on the parade here, the line was great yesterday.  But the red zone misses are a big red flag.

 
Looking back to the BAL game, they don't really have any long drives either.
 
Are the results of the last two weeks flukey? On the other hand, we don't know what would have happened if they had not had those short fields... are we not giving enough credit to special teams, I wonder?

 

[Stitch01]

They were 22-96 running against Miami and 20-85 on the ground against Cleveland.  They've been running well for a month.

 

[Time to Mo Vaughn]

 
to be fair, I doubt that Solder is pulling all that much. Tackles rarely pull because it would take them too long to crack back all the way across the line (of course, there is the convoy created for a screen...a place where I think we visibly miss Matt Light's ability to get down field). The other side of that coin would be the "getting to the second level" part you mentioned, which can be huge for the weak-side tackle to tie up the weak-side linebacker (or potentially middle linebacker) from being the second guy to the ball. Since LGBT and Ridley have been so good lately at breaking the first tackle, taking out the next man up before he can even reach the ball is fucking humungous.
 
That being said, as stated above, the Patriots have been doing most of their legwork on the left side of the line. That kind of rules out Solder/Mankins pulling or getting to the next level as they have responsibility to get a hat on the guy in front of them. In particular, the Patriots have gained big chunks over the LG spot. Of the Patriots five biggest run to the left side of the line, four of them (36 yards, 18 yards, 15 yards, 14 yards) come over the left guard spot. That generally means that the center won't be pulling or crashing to the second level. If all of these things are true, it tells me a few things:
 
1.) Connolly has been very good at either (A) pulling down the line or (B) getting to the second level
 
2.) The left side of the line has been winning their battles
 
3.) Wendell has performed well as the help blocker, a huge rule if they want to run over the guards
 
4.) Hooman may not be getting enough credit for coming out of the backfield as a FB or helping Solder at the line of scrimmage
 
I haven't watched any film this year, but I'd be intrigued by you big brained bastards that have the time to watch the film and give a better summation of the line play.

 
Really? I think Solder does an excellent job at this. I've noticed him a lot farther away from the line of scrimmage than I expect on a number of positive plays like these screens and he seems to be decent at making a block or two downfield as well. I've always thought that one of Solder's advantage is because both he was formerly a TE and he doesn't have as much weight on his frame, he had some extra quickness that allowed him to make some of these plays. (A quick lookup reveals Solder's 40 was 5.05 compared to Matt Light's 5.29)

 

[Shelterdog]

 
Really? I think Solder does an excellent job at this. I've noticed him a lot farther away from the line of scrimmage than I expect on a number of positive plays like these screens and he seems to be decent at making a block or two downfield as well. I've always thought that one of Solder's advantage is because both he was formerly a TE and he doesn't have as much weight on his frame, he had some extra quickness that allowed him to make some of these plays. (A quick lookup reveals Solder's 40 was 5.05 compared to Matt Light's 5.29)

 
I also think Solder is superb at this: he might be the most mobile left tackle in the league.  And it's not just getting down field, it's stretching to hit an outside linebacker/wide 9 DE or getting over and plastering a DB on a bubble screen. 

 

[bakahump]

I've Been beating the "You can make some hay with a Run Heavy Offense in todays league because every defense is built to stop the pass" (like Buffalo and their line designed to Sack the QB)  Drum for a couple years now.  To be honest....I didnt think the Pats would be a test team considering they had Brady...
 
But I am enjoying the hell out of this team.....and yeah....If they go deep in the Playoffs it will be running the ball alot, occasional play action and screens and crossing routes to get third downs. 200-250 yard passing games will be more common then 300-350.

 

[mauf]

I've Been beating the "You can make some hay with a Run Heavy Offense in todays league because every defense is built to stop the pass" (like Buffalo and their line designed to Sack the QB) Drum for a couple years now. To be honest....I didnt think the Pats would be a test team considering they had Brady...

But I am enjoying the hell out of this team.....and yeah....If they go deep in the Playoffs it will be running the ball alot, occasional play action and screens and crossing routes to get third downs. 200-250 yard passing games will be more common then 300-350.


You were ahead of the curve on that prediction. Chip Kelly's offense will be the most mimicked scheme in the league (Denver's success is onviously due to personnel), and when you get right down to it, the Eagles are running a power rushing attack.

 

[Royal Reader]

  To be honest....I didnt think the Pats would be a test team considering they had Brady...
 
 

 
Seems to me that being a team with a really good QB where you have to devote serious resources to the pass or get torched by him is the perfect scenario to go run-heavy (well, the perfect scenario short of having Adrian Peterson).

 

[Stitch01]

I've Been beating the "You can make some hay with a Run Heavy Offense in todays league because every defense is built to stop the pass" (like Buffalo and their line designed to Sack the QB)  Drum for a couple years now.  To be honest....I didnt think the Pats would be a test team considering they had Brady...
 
But I am enjoying the hell out of this team.....and yeah....If they go deep in the Playoffs it will be running the ball alot, occasional play action and screens and crossing routes to get third downs. 200-250 yard passing games will be more common then 300-350.

Meh, I still think its pretty clear NFL teams run the ball too much on average.   I basically buy the FO mantra that running the ball is important because it helps you close out games and run clock when you have a lead.  I expect, if conditions arent terrible, the Pats will throw the ball a lot against their most likely opponents. 
 
EDIT: I think having McCoy is a huge part of what makes the Eagles offense successful, so there's some personnel help there too.

 

[Kenny F'ing Powers]

 
Really? I think Solder does an excellent job at this. I've noticed him a lot farther away from the line of scrimmage than I expect on a number of positive plays like these screens and he seems to be decent at making a block or two downfield as well. I've always thought that one of Solder's advantage is because both he was formerly a TE and he doesn't have as much weight on his frame, he had some extra quickness that allowed him to make some of these plays. (A quick lookup reveals Solder's 40 was 5.05 compared to Matt Light's 5.29)

 
 

 
I also think Solder is superb at this: he might be the most mobile left tackle in the league.  And it's not just getting down field, it's stretching to hit an outside linebacker/wide 9 DE or getting over and plastering a DB on a bubble screen. 

 
I think you're both spot on, but I was more referencing the traditional RB screen. I know that Vereen was hurt for a large part of the year, but the team has relied less on RB screens then I remember from 3-4 years back. A large portion of Vereen's yards seem to come in routes or as outlets opposed to as a designed screen. The times we've seen the designed screens, I don't recall them having the same level of success (of course this is subjective and simply based on memory).
 
I think Solder is fantastic at getting off the line, but that doesn't necessarily mean he's great at blocking on the run. The bubble screens generally happen quicker than a traditional screen, so it really just relies on the linemen getting a head of steam and throwing a block to cream whoever is in coverage. The running back screen often time develops as a delay, so the linemen have to be able to run into position, form a wall, and block on the move. They're different techniques, and while I like Solder, there wasn't many tackles better at those techniques than Light.

 

[Reverend]

I've Been beating the "You can make some hay with a Run Heavy Offense in todays league because every defense is built to stop the pass" (like Buffalo and their line designed to Sack the QB)  Drum for a couple years now.  To be honest....I didnt think the Pats would be a test team considering they had Brady...
 
But I am enjoying the hell out of this team.....and yeah....If they go deep in the Playoffs it will be running the ball alot, occasional play action and screens and crossing routes to get third downs. 200-250 yard passing games will be more common then 300-350.

 
Tell Denver.

 

[bakahump]

See and thats the argument that everyone shouts me down with.
"well the Pats/Denver/Colts are awesome....so obviously its a passing league!"  Yea when you have a HOF QB. There are a dozen teams in No mans land who also try to win in this league.  They dont care if its a passing, running or special teams league....they simply want to compete.
 
My theory isnt that you CANT succeed with a pass first/heavy offense.  When you have TB or Manning or Rodgers or Brees you very well SHOULD be passing alot...and devoting a boat load of resources, personnel and monetarily, to do so.
 
The problem is that 26 other teams are all trying to be the Pats/Denver/Colts with QBs who are not nearly as talented.  Because 30 ish teams are all throwing the ball a boat ton defenses adapted. 
 
Teams started saying "hey we need to stop Peyton, Brady, Big Ben, Flacco if we want to succeed in the playoffs. So we need Fast light linemen who can get after the QB.   We need fast Tampa 2 LBers who can cover guys out of the Backfield.  We need light fast CBs and Safeties who can cover alot of ground.  We need to stop the pass!!"  Offenses around the league fell into the trap of saying "well if they can do it so can we" at exactly the same time that defenses where adapting to stop the philosophy they where trying to implement.
 
Players like Spikes and Wilfork (to give 2 hometown examples) became the exception.  Safeties like Lott or Rodney or Atwater became the exception/Unwanted because they wouldnt be able to cover the 4 reciever sets with a RB coming out of the back field.  Instead you had the Spikes and Wilforks as specialty players who played 10 snaps a game. With teams building their defenses to stop the pass by allocating more talent and money to that task they left themselves vulnerable to being able to stop the run by not having enough of the talent to do so.
 
So your an Offense, going against one of these defenses. If you have Tom Brady or Peyton Manning you say bring it, our best is better then your best.  If your a Jacksonville or Cleveland your best is gonna get smoked trying to pass. You simply dont have the personnel to do so.
 
Why wouldnt you want to try to pound the run against the lighter defenses of todays league? Try to push those little DLs around the field. Try to get into those little, fast, contact averse second levels. Remember the Pats of 03 and 04 destroying Mathis, Freeney, Brackett and Sanders?  Every defense is built the way the colts were now.
 
Again I never dreamed that the Pats or Colts or Packers or Denver would be doing this....but with a QB who can bail out 3 and longs more often then others it might make some sense.
 
I am excited to see how something like Chip Kellys offense grows and if it succeeds the way I suspect it could, after he has had a year to teach and acquire more talent specific to that philosphy.
 
Finally I suspect that people think I am saying our defense should be big and slow to stop the run.  Not true....I want a Defense designed to stop the current climate of the NFL....which right now is the Pass. Which is how Every other current defense is designed.  That same reasoning is exactly why I think an OFFENSE designed to Run (and not the triple option or full house....simply an offense with resources dedicated to the run.  Bigger OL. Bigger blocking TEs. WRs adept at Blocking. Talented Backs. A FB. etc etc) would be successful.  They would be the exception to the current climate. Because the NFL is cyclical someone will try this and get ahead of that curve.  If it succeeded then offenses would copy it while Defenses would adapt to be bigger to stop the growing number of Run Offenses.   Until then a "Run Heavy Offense" could be very interesting as it leads into the next "cycle of NFL Offenses".