Playoffs are about running and stopping the run

Pack93z
Select Member Topic Starter

14 years ago

I would love to discuss this, but I will abstain.

Enjoy.

Colts Caldwell says playoffs are about running and stopping the run
Posted by Michael David Smith on January 4, 2011, 12:48 PM EST
jimcaldwell

The Indianapolis Colts became the first team since 1998 to make the playoffs without a 500-yard rusher, and theyve struggled this year at stopping the run as well. So the comments from Colts coach Jim Caldwell about the importance of the ground game in the playoffs are particularly noteworthy.

I think its very important because one of the things you find out, particularly once you get to this stage, is there are going to be very few teams that dont have a real strong running game and very few teams that dont have the ability to stop the run, Caldwell said. Thats what playoff teams look like.

If thats what playoff teams look like, then the Colts didnt look like a playoff team for most of this season. The Colts offense was 29th in the NFL with 1,483 rushing yards, and their defense was 25th in the NFL with 2,032 rushing yards allowed.

And yet there are reasons for optimism in how the Colts have played lately. The Indianapolis Star notes that during their current four-game winning streak, the Colts have averaged 4.5 yards a carry and 133.5 rushing yards a game while allowing 3.5 yards a carry and 79.8 yards a game. Thats reminiscent of the way the Colts turned their run defense around in the playoffs and relied more on their run offense in winning Super Bowl XLI.

So were the real Colts the ones who struggled so much in the ground game during the first 12 games of the season, or the ones who turned things around over the last four games? The Jets will put that to the test on Saturday night.

"The oranges are dry; the apples are mealy; and the papayas... I don't know what's going on with the papayas!"

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Zero2Cool
Elite Member

14 years ago

In 2006 the Colts had the 18th ranked rushing offense and the 32nd ranked run defense. They won the Super Bowl that year.

Pack93z
Select Member Topic Starter

14 years ago

In 2006 the Colts had the 18th ranked rushing offense and the 32nd ranked run defense. They won the Super Bowl that year.

"Zero2Cool" wrote:

But go and look at what they did in the playoffs.. that defense played extremely well during that run and they ran the crap out of the ball.

Indy Offense Rushing

190 yards vs KC
100 Yards vs Bal
125 Yards vs Pats
191 Yards vs Bears in the SB

Indy Defense Vs Run... Bob Sanders coming out party was the playoffs.

44 yards vs KC
83 Yards vs Bal
93 Yards vs Pats
111 Yards vs Bears

Pretty cool eh.

"The oranges are dry; the apples are mealy; and the papayas... I don't know what's going on with the papayas!"

Zero2Cool
Elite Member

14 years ago

In 2006 the Colts had the 18th ranked rushing offense and the 32nd ranked run defense. They won the Super Bowl that year.

"Pack93z" wrote:

"Zero2Cool" wrote:

I remember this because it stuck out to me, that's why I posted the information. They were awful running during the regular season and showed up strong in the playoffs. I also mentioned it because this year we are not so hot running the ball or defending the run ... but perhaps we can flip the switch like the Colts did.

Only problem with that is ... we don't have a Bob Sanders coming back to start the playoffs for us ... Cullen Jenkins, anyone?

Pack93z
Select Member Topic Starter

14 years ago

I didn't harp on the running game all season for my health.. albeit some don't belief in that principle.. Balance.

"The oranges are dry; the apples are mealy; and the papayas... I don't know what's going on with the papayas!"

Zero2Cool
Elite Member

14 years ago

I didn't harp on the running game all season for my health.. albeit some don't belief in that principle.. Balance.

"Pack93z" wrote:

Remember my thread about the Packers winning when Grant > 20 carries or something like that? lol

I think running the ball helps the OL and keeps the defense on its toes, even if it's a failed run, meaning for no gain or a yard or two.

Pass blocking, the defense gets to do more hitting.
Run blocking, the offense does the hitting.

I've said it before and I'll say it again ... I'd rather hit than get hit.

Pack93z
Select Member Topic Starter

14 years ago

Sort of like this one.. where the only reason that happens is that we gave garbage carries out late in the game.. even though when mapping it out the skew is like 3 to 4 carries a game. ;)

http://www.packershome.com/ForumsPro/viewtopic/t=11259.html

"The oranges are dry; the apples are mealy; and the papayas... I don't know what's going on with the papayas!"

Packers_Finland
Registered

14 years ago

lol the Saints and Colts had great running games last year right? And the Cardinals and Steelers before that? Giants (exception to the rule) and Patriots?

Bunch of bull. It's a passing league. Rushing helps a lot, but it's just as important in the postseason as it is in the regular season.

This is a placeholder

Pack93z
Select Member Topic Starter

14 years ago

Again.. for the 100th time.. yes you can win with passing alone.

However balance does nothing but assist you along the way.... it helps all phases of the offense.

I didn't post this to open up round 5 to 100 of the debate.. just the team that everyone points to, the coach of that team stressing the importance of the running game.

Why.. because some say that teams don't pay attention to it.

"The oranges are dry; the apples are mealy; and the papayas... I don't know what's going on with the papayas!"

Greg C.
Registered

14 years ago

#10

Why would the running game be more important in the playoffs than during the regular season? There aren't THAT many playoff games played in bad weather, are there?

The '06 Colts are an interesting case, but mostly I think this is coachspeak from Caldwell. Coaches love to talk about the running game, but they don't necessarily follow their own advice.

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