[AvengerRam]

There are lies, damned lies, and statistics.

Barry's analysis is far too selective, and really proves nothing.

The fact that running the ball eats clock is undeniable. After most running plays (unless the runner goes out of bounds) the clock runs. Passing plays, on the other hand, often stop the clock (incompletions, sideline patterns). Duh.

If you want to see how clear this issue is, here's a simple, and much better analysis:

These are the Rams statistics since 1999 showing percentage of running plays to points scored:

% Rushing Attempts/Points

1999: 44.8%/32.9 ppg.
2000: 41.8%/33.8 ppg.
2001: 42.l7%/ 31.4 ppg.
2002: 35.1%/19.8 ppg.
2003: 40.7%/27.9 ppg.
2004: 34.5%/19.7 ppg.

So, as you can see, there is almost a direct correlation of % running plays to points scored, and every year that the Rams went below 40% on running plays, their scoring average dropped significantly.

Those are the facts, folks.