Intangible improvements on offense

There have been many astute recent observations on this board about the improvements to both the starters and depth on the offense line, along with our excitement in potentially adding Hedgewellhung to the fullback slot.

While i will be surprised if martz actually runs much more, i do think that these changes will make us a much improved team in two key areas. Goal line offense and short yardage, two areas that i dont think we have been great on recently.

ramming speed to all,

general counsel

[Ferter]

Originally Posted by general counsel

along with our excitement in potentially adding Hedgewellhung to the fullback slot.

Whoa, hold on there big guy, excitement in adding hedgewellhung, um....nevermind....LOL

Gee Dez, how are you gonna fix the editor if this guy makes the roster?


:redface:

Originally Posted by general counsel

While i will be surprised if martz actually runs much more, i do think that these changes will make us a much improved team in two key areas. Goal line offense and short yardage, two areas that i dont think we have been great on recently.

I agree with you GC that goal line and short yardage situations have been lacking in recent times. I think a powerful lead blocker would definately alleviate some problems in those areas. It will be interesting to see if Martz runs the ball more than he currently does......should he?......will he?....stay tuned, but for those of you who are clamoring for Martz to call more runs, I wouldn't get my hopes up if I were you.




:ramlogo:

[sbramfan]

Steven Jackson is just a decoy. No real intention to use him when you can throw the ball down the field alot quicker than those boring little 5 yard runs.

....although I'm kidding, what's scary is that MM probably wouldn't disagree!!

[r8rh8rmike]

Originally Posted by Ferter

It will be interesting to see if Martz runs the ball more than he currently does......should he?......will he?....stay tuned, but for those of you who are clamoring for Martz to call more runs, I wouldn't get my hopes up if I were you.

Some interesting numbers:

99 - 431 Rushing Attempts, 13-3 Record
00 - 383 Rushing Attempts, 10-6 Record
01 - 416 Rushing Attempts, 14-2 Record
02 - 343 Rushing Attempts, 7-9 Record
03 - 411 Rushing Attempts, 12-4 Record
04 - 381 Rushing Attempts, 8-8 Record

The names and faces have changed over time, but will we be in a position to run more this year? Those records in years where we ran over 400 times sure look good.

[Ferter]

Interesting numbers indeed, Mike. But let's do the math.

Averaging out to rushing attempts per game and rounding off:

99 - 27 Rushing Attempts per game, 13-3 Record
00 - 24 Rushing Attempts per game, 10-6 Record
01 - 26 Rushing Attempts per game, 14-2 Record
02 - 21 Rushing Attempts per game, 7-9 Record
03 - 26 Rushing Attempts per game, 12-4 Record
04 - 24 Rushing Attempts per game, 8-8 Record

With the high being 27 and the low being 21 that gives us a six year average of of roughly 25 rushing attempts per game.

Now correlating that to the high in wins, being 14, and the low, being 8, it doesn't seem to add up that 1 more rushing attempt per game, above the six year average, will get you 14 wins, whereas, 1 less rushing attempt per game, under the six year average, will only get you 8 wins.

Bad math?

Or can we just use stats to perpetuate any given myth?

[RamWraith]

disagree with about everything GC. I think Martz sees the writing on the wall and realizes teams have figured out his scheme and he needs to change things up. Martz, I believe, will going to the running game early and passing later. He will look to soften the defenses. The last couple of years defenses were not afraid of our running game and played pass only. I believe Martz sees the value of the running game and will make adjustments. Things will be a lot of fun this year I think.

Originally Posted by general counsel

There have been many astute recent observations on this board about the improvements to both the starters and depth on the offense line, along with our excitement in potentially adding Hedgewellhung to the fullback slot.

While i will be surprised if martz actually runs much more, i do think that these changes will make us a much improved team in two key areas. Goal line offense and short yardage, two areas that i dont think we have been great on recently.

ramming speed to all,

general counsel

Thats what makes horse racing ram wraith, love the different views on the board!

ramming speed to all

general counsel

[r8rh8rmike]

Originally Posted by Ferter

Interesting numbers indeed, Mike. But let's do the math.

Averaging out to rushing attempts per game and rounding off:

99 - 27 Rushing Attempts per game, 13-3 Record
00 - 24 Rushing Attempts per game, 10-6 Record
01 - 26 Rushing Attempts per game, 14-2 Record
02 - 21 Rushing Attempts per game, 7-9 Record
03 - 26 Rushing Attempts per game, 12-4 Record
04 - 24 Rushing Attempts per game, 8-8 Record

With the high being 27 and the low being 21 that gives us a six year average of of roughly 25 rushing attempts per game.

Now correlating that to the high in wins, being 14, and the low, being 8, it doesn't seem to add up that 1 more rushing attempt per game, above the six year average, will get you 14 wins, whereas, 1 less rushing attempt per game, under the six year average, will only get you 8 wins.

Bad math?

Or can we just use stats to perpetuate any given myth?

Good points Ferter. Your right that stats can skew just about anything. I do think it's interesting that the more we run, despite being only marginally incremental, we seem to do better. Cause and effect? I don't know, but I think Martz should call at least 400 rushing plays just to be safe!

[Ferter]

Originally Posted by r8rh8rmike

Good points Ferter. Your right that stats can skew just about anything. I do think it's interesting that the more we run, despite being only marginally incremental, we seem to do better. Cause and effect? I don't know, but I think Martz should call at least 400 rushing plays just to be safe!

Yeah at first glance you would think - better to be safe than sorry....LOL


It is more related to yards per carry and the scoreboard.


If the running game isn't working Martz will tend to give up on it rather quickly. If he thinks going into a game that he can run on a defense he makes the effort, but he won't stick with the run if it is not producing yards.

Another thing to consider, as tx has pointed out numerous times, is the scoreboard. When the Rams are behind Martz tends to completely abandon the run. You have to look back on those seasons with the lower win totals and see how many of those games the Rams were behind on the scoreboard. Taking that into account, I'd venture to guess, you'd find your missing rushing attempts.

Whether we like it or not, Martz' philosophy is pass first.




:ramlogo:

[UtterBlitz]

Originally Posted by r8rh8rmike

Some interesting numbers:

99 - 431 Rushing Attempts, 13-3 Record
00 - 383 Rushing Attempts, 10-6 Record
01 - 416 Rushing Attempts, 14-2 Record
02 - 343 Rushing Attempts, 7-9 Record
03 - 411 Rushing Attempts, 12-4 Record
04 - 381 Rushing Attempts, 8-8 Record

Personally you gotta love the on one year, off the next year pattern that has developed. It would seem that the Rams are primed for an on year this year. :redface:

:ramlogo: Go Rams!!!! :ramlogo:

[MauiRam]

Originally Posted by RamWraith

disagree with about everything GC. I think Martz sees the writing on the wall and realizes teams have figured out his scheme and he needs to change things up. Martz, I believe, will going to the running game early and passing later. He will look to soften the defenses. The last couple of years defenses were not afraid of our running game and played pass only. I believe Martz sees the value of the running game and will make adjustments. Things will be a lot of fun this year I think.

Man RW, how I hope you are right! It certainly seems the possibility exists given the pickup of Roland Williams and Rex Tucker in free agency coupled with three O-Linemen and one "Hammertime" in the draft...

[r8rh8rmike]

Originally Posted by Ferter

Whether we like it or not, Martz' philosophy is pass first.

Without a doubt Ferter, and I wouldn't have it any other way. I guess the bottom line here is that when Martz has the luxury of calling more runs, we're scoring a lot of points and dictating the terms of a game, in control with a nice lead. I'm hoping to see more rushing attempts this year as a result of the Martz machine running on all cylinders, pushing opposing defenses around, affording those run opportunities. I'm confident it will happen.

[HUbison]

Ferter, as you yourself pointed out, Martz tends to learn by what works against him. Opposing teams beat us with the run. Yea, they passed on us too, but they really broke our back with the run. Maybe that was what it took to see the value of not just a finesse running game, but a between the tackle power running game, just to supplement his brand of aerial dramatics. As has been pointed out, he knows that opposing defenses have had 5 years to catch up to him and they have done exactly that. The threat of a smash-mouth follow-your-nose running game may be what it takes to get opposing DC's off their gameplan.

[Ferter]

Originally Posted by HUbison

Ferter, as you yourself pointed out, Martz tends to learn by what works against him.

Um....I said something similar, but it was related to the defensive side of the ball. Also, just so there is no misunderstanding, what I wrote was pure speculation. I honestly do not know what goes on inside the mind of Mike Martz. Facts are facts and hard to argue against. Personally, I find speculation to be the most interesting form of interaction among ClanRam members. So, I often throw it out there, food for thought, if you will.

Originally Posted by HUbison

As has been pointed out, he knows that opposing defenses have had 5 years to catch up to him and they have done exactly that.

Personally, I do not believe that defenses have caught up to Martz' scheme. I think that losing some key players over the years has done the most to stymie the attack. I think it is more about having the right talent in place to execute the scheme on a consistent basis. Also, I do not think that Mike Martz believes in the so-called "blueprint for success".

Originally Posted by HUbison

Maybe that was what it took to see the value of not just a finesse running game, but a between the tackle power running game, just to supplement his brand of aerial dramatics.The threat of a smash-mouth follow-your-nose running game may be what it takes to get opposing DC's off their gameplan.

Does it really matter if the running style is of the so-called finesse type or the smash-mouth type? I'm not so sure it does. I think production matters most.

I still feel that that Martz will continue to use the rushing game in relation to yards per carry and the scoreboard. If we look at the facts over a six year period, the average number of rush attempts is around 25 per game. I really doubt that will change much, if any.




:ramlogo:

[HUbison]

Does it really matter if the running style is of the so-called finesse type or the smash-mouth type?

Well, ultimately the only real matter is the difference on the scoreboard. The question here is which lends itself better to being on the good side of that difference.