Thread: Great article by Dan Pompei: Pass on Passing, Get Running Back

Going to lose a few qb's too; oh too late.....

Thought this part of the article was the most telling:


Many NFL coaches measure the ground game with a series of statistics called run efficiency. And the Bears' run efficiency numbers are not as discouraging as their rush per carry.

There are three categories in run efficiency: first down (a run of four yards or more is considered efficient), second down (a run of at least half of the distance required for a first down is considered efficient) and third and fourth down (a first down conversion is efficient).

How have the Bears stacked up?

On first down, the most important running down, they have been very good. They have been efficient on 45.5 percent of their first down runs. Only 11 teams in the league have been more efficient.

The Bears have run the ball on 44.3 percent of their first downs. Only four teams in the league have a lower percentage of runs on first downs. They clearly need to run more on first down.

On second down, the Bears have been efficient 58 percent of the time. Not bad.

Where the Bears have been terribly inefficient is on third and fourth downs. Most of this is the result of their incompetence in short yardage. On eight third- or fourth-and-one chances, the Bears have converted only twice.

This is a reflection of the offensive line's inability to get movement off the snap. When the defense knows the run is coming, they just overpower the Bears' blockers. There isn't much that can be done about that, other than trickery.

In addition to muscle, the Bears offensive line appears to lack confidence. It's difficult for offensive linemen to feel good about themselves when they are shuffling backward most of the time. Running the ball breeds confidence. Confidence should breed more efficient runs.

The reason we cant run has nothing to do with confidence.. and everything to do with the fact that the O line is just BAD!!! Olin gets pushed back every run play now.. the man cant do it anymore..

I say we get the fatest SOB on the team and give him the ball and let him run.

Originally Posted by Jimmors

Yep...you know when the OL is at fault because when we DO run and the RB gets tackled before they can even get back to the LoS, then yeah...thats on the OLine.

I agree with ya here... its too early IMO for the more Traylor vs Forte in carries too because regardless of who is getting the handoff as soon as they look up and they see the opposite team's jersey and not a hole in the line opening up for them. Our biggest run this year has to be either a reverse with DH or Traylor/Forte breaking from the play and running the oppoiste way.... heck even a scramble from cutler.

I'd like to see us run but we practice MORE pass blocking than run blocking. Considering we basically abandon the run we don't get many in game run reps either. No matter who was our RB we are going to be putrid running the ball. I do agree there is a different mentality toward's running the ball that a passing team lacks.