The Running Revival

[SkinsKY]

Lost in all the (deserved) praise of Campbell, Horton, Zorn and others, one of the things that stood out to me the most were the running plays. Now, I didn't get to see the Cardinals game, so I don't know if it was true then, but that was not Gibbs' running game. I saw zone running. Portis/Betts got the ball in different ways. Sometimes it was a handoff, sometimes delayed, sometimes a pump fake first, sometimes a short pitch. We ran at all angles to all angles of the field instead of just between the tackles.

The result is an average well over 5ypc and probably the easiest 121 yards Clinton has gained in years. I know he boosted the average with that 31 yard run, but I can't remember the last time I saw him break one that long. I credit the coaching staff with making changes in that department as well to get our ground game going. A change like this was vital in slowing down the pass rush and the blitzing because the defense could rarely pin their ears back.

This is just another outstanding coaching change by our staff.

[RoanokeSkin]

I have to agree here. That was a good look to see us attacking the edges as well as between the tackles. Between that and throwing to all levels of the secondary, this offense is balanced and could be scary good.

[hail2skins]

Yes indeed. The pump fake handoff has been used several times this year. Zorn actually mentioned in his after game press conference that he went to Portis and told him he had to work him a little bit. He said those guys (Portis and oline) live for that stuff.

You're right though, it is nice to see the zone blocking in the running scheme.

[shally]

Lost in all the (deserved) praise of Campbell, Horton, Zorn and others, one of the things that stood out to me the most were the running plays. Now, I didn't get to see the Cardinals game, so I don't know if it was true then, but that was not Gibbs' running game. I saw zone running. Portis/Betts got the ball in different ways. Sometimes it was a handoff, sometimes delayed, sometimes a pump fake first, sometimes a short pitch. We ran at all angles to all angles of the field instead of just between the tackles.

The result is an average well over 5ypc and probably the easiest 121 yards Clinton has gained in years. I know he boosted the average with that 31 yard run, but I can't remember the last time I saw him break one that long. I credit the coaching staff with making changes in that department as well to get our ground game going. A change like this was vital in slowing down the pass rush and the blitzing because the defense could rarely pin their ears back.

This is just another outstanding coaching change by our staff.

had something to do with jansen.. portis could run right for the first time all year..

[Biggie]

This is an entirely modern offense. Finally.

[Redskinmayhem]

This is an entirely modern offense. Finally.

agreed but it seemed like the cowpukes were picking up on the pump fakes and draws towards the end of the game. I like the new running game and more modern O...but...I do miss some of the smash mouth ball...

that said, if we win, I don't care what kind of running game it is.

[skinsfan36]

the running game is changing for the benefit of portis i like what im seeing

[Redskinmayhem]

the running game is changing for the benefit of portis i like what im seeing

I think so....and I do hope so. Portis is right, the yards he gets here are the toughest yards any RB has to get. Of course, some of that is a function of playing in the NFC East, and not playing the Chiefs/Raiders 4 times per year.

[saviour]

Yes indeed. The pump fake handoff has been used several times this year. Zorn actually mentioned in his after game press conference that he went to Portis and told him he had to work him a little bit. He said those guys (Portis and oline) live for that stuff.

You're right though, it is nice to see the zone blocking in the running scheme.


The pump fake hand off was used several times last season as well. The running game appears to be exactly the same from last year with the exception of a few less defenders in the box. ;)
There was even a counter trey called yesterday with kendal and thomas pulling albeit it was stuffed in the backfield.

The mere fact that we are attacking other teams secondary makes the running game that much harder to stop. It just appears that people are now starting to respect our ability to go downfield in a hurry and they are keeping those safeties back to watch Moss. The last few seasons it was obvious that we would not thrown more than 10 yds so why not play with the extra defender in the box.

[Biggie]

The pump fake hand off was used several times last season as well. The running game appears to be exactly the same from last year with the exception of a few less defenders in the box. ;)
There was even a counter trey called yesterday with kendal and thomas pulling albeit it was stuffed in the backfield.

The mere fact that we are attacking other teams secondary makes the running game that much harder to stop. It just appears that people are now starting to respect our ability to go downfield in a hurry and they are keeping those safeties back to watch Moss. The last few seasons it was obvious that we would not thrown more than 10 yds so why not play with the extra defender in the box.
That tends to happen when you have the second most prolific receiver in the game this season.

[Battle Cat]

had something to do with jansen.. portis could run right for the first time all year..
100% Correct. The ability to run to the right side as well as the left side played a major role in the success of the ground game. Haven't been able to do that since week 1 last year.

[saviour]

That tends to happen when you have the second most prolific receiver in the game this season.

Agreed. It really helps that we are using him as a threat as well. Moss ran deep into the secondary a few times in the 2nd half and the ball went to other people as he took a few defenders with him.

He has become a legitimate deep threat again and thats more than you can ask for. Even if he doesn't get the ball he is keeping those safeties out of the box. I fully expect Portis to start getting big gains if this keeps up. Cooley will also start to get more balls underneath to bring the safeties back down as well which will free Moss up once they cheat to stop Cooley.

Its so nice to have a dynamic offense once again.

[walton40]

Without trying to sound picky or unhappy, CP had a great game, but on his long run of 31yds do some of you think he looked a little slowish? I kind of expected him to take off & go all the way, & duke that defender, but that didn't happen.

I haven't seen it again since yesterday, so maybe i'm being unfair to CP.

[VegasSkinsFan]

This is an entirely modern offense. Finally.

It is nice to see. The exciting thing is that JC is just now getting a rhythm and getting comfortable. If the oline stays strong , and the rookies get up to speed, this will be a devastasting offense for teams to stop. We should have scored 30 the past 3 weeks , once everything falls into place, i think even 30 points will be a lowball estimation. GO SKINS !!!!!

[Death_Venom]

Without trying to sound picky or unhappy, CP had a great game, but on his long run of 31yds do some of you think he looked a little slowish? I kind of expected him to take off & go all the way, & duke that defender, but that didn't happen.

I haven't seen it again since yesterday, so maybe i'm being unfair to CP.

Did not look slow to me.......

[hogskins]

Without trying to sound picky or unhappy, CP had a great game, but on his long run of 31yds do some of you think he looked a little slowish? I kind of expected him to take off & go all the way, & duke that defender, but that didn't happen.

I haven't seen it again since yesterday, so maybe i'm being unfair to CP.

I agree, although many won't.

He seemed confused to be so far out in the open field after so many years. He didn't really shift into a higher gear, and looked like he was ready to be hit.

[hail2skins]

I agree, although many won't.

He seemed confused to be so far out in the open field after so many years. He didn't really shift into a higher gear, and looked like he was ready to be hit.Can you explain how he looked confused. He ran a straight line and if Devin holds his block longer, he might have went all the way. But I need more from you on that looked confused to be so far out in the open. I don't get that at all.

[SkinsKY]

I agree, although many won't.

He seemed confused to be so far out in the open field after so many years. He didn't really shift into a higher gear, and looked like he was ready to be hit.

I don't think he was slow. He still had defenders to beat. Most RBs don't turn on the jets until they're past the last guy. I doubt he was at full speed. Didn't he just run laron to a dead heat in camp? And all of a sudden he's slow? I don't buy it.

[Death_Venom]

I don't think he was slow. He still had defenders to beat. Most RBs don't turn on the jets until they're past the last guy. I doubt he was at full speed. Didn't he just run laron to a dead heat in camp? And all of a sudden he's slow? I don't buy it.

Each good points.......

[jaylen]

The game was so physical that Portis might have been alittle winded, I thought he could have juked the guy who tripped him up but i just thought he looked winded more than anything on that play.

He was blocking like a mad man all game long and running physically.

You gotta give Jansen alot of credit he uses much better leverage run blocking and it enabled us to have the element of surpise with play action passing.

I sorta feel like Zorn is like Gibbs was the 1st go around we seem innovative offensively, the reverse action of ARE on running plays, the pump fake handoff, plays the wr in motion deke's by Thrash, we seem cutting edge instead of old school.

[walton40]

Well i've just watched the play again, & i think i was kinda unfair to CP. The defender had a good angle coming across & CP didn't look as slow as i initially thought. I must've been over excited yesterday!

[skinsfan36]

the running game needs to stay like last week because philly is stopping the run very well

[LuvSkins17]

This is surely NOT the running game from our past. I think they threw that out there in the preseason. We have a lot of the same plays and sets but its really not the same. I think the game against the Giants and the preseason running game was from the old playbook... I think they did that initally to give the offense less to actually learn so they could grasp the new passing game. Some of these plays we are seeing now probably have been worked into the fold over the past month.

We look good and we are still learning.... Thats the GOOD PART!!!!

[SkinsKY]

I want to bring this thread back up just to continue to praise Zorn for turning our running game from a clock-eater into a weapon. Even with our game, the Eagles are only allowing 80 or so rushing yards per game and we put over 200 yards on them. In doing so, we forced the Eagles out of some blitzes and wore their defense down.

Again Clinton had a couple runs when I thought he could take it to the house, and he was at 5ypc again this week. It's great to see a ground game return to DC.

[greatest2]

they never said the run game would be completly different.

they saisd they would keep the same terminology in the run game, and most of the plays and ADD some wrinkles. we have certainly seen those wrinkles.


The main difference i believe guys is very simple. JC and Moss are killing kids. Early in the year CP ran hard but there weren't many holes cause of guys in the box. What happens, moss over 100 yards and dominating because of that.

They back up on moss, more room for portis and cooley. zorn see's it and goes with it. This is what a offense does. a NFL defense will take away what is working for you. here in DC it has been the run, now it was the pass and we ran great because of it.


ALSO, our OLINE is healthy. that can't be underestimated. jansen is a beast in the run game, thomas is slowly but surely coming back to form, and chris is being chris. kendall on pulls is just scary but he don't hit anyone. just gets in front which is definitely enough. mike is hitting people and not missing reads.





about CP against dallas. i rewatched the game and stuff and he did NOT look slow. he was cruising. the safety had deep coverage on the other side, took a good angle (on the inside shoulder not the outside. meaning cutting back would be next to impossible). CP clipped a alittle and couldn't cut back, not that it would have mattered. thomas didn't hold his block otherwise cp just out runs the guy to the left side of the endzone. if he tried that thomas's guy tackles him. He had only two options, try to cut back, or bull ahead. he tried the cut back, nearly got it as well.


cp got plenty of speed, quickness left. im not worried. i am excited for him to get some "easier" yards because of the execution of moss, cooley and campbell.

[greatest2]

the Eagles are only allowing 80 or so rushing yards per game and we put over 200 yards on them. In doing so, we forced the Eagles out of some blitzes and wore their defense down.

Again Clinton had a couple runs when I thought he could take it to the house, and he was at 5ypc again this week. It's great to see a ground game return to DC.

they only allow 56 yards i think, and a 2.8 ypc average before this game.

i didn't see any time CP could break a long run. Just because he gets in the secondary doesn't mean he has a possibility to take it to the house. the way the CB's and Safeties take angles is important, not to mention he got alot of his yards after first contact. meaning he was slowed for a second allowing pursuit to get him as he got into the secondary.

we will just get better with time, and i expect to see alot of long runs in the second half of the season because of that.

[SkinsKY]

they only allow 56 yards i think, and a 2.8 ypc average before this game.

i didn't see any time CP could break a long run. Just because he gets in the secondary doesn't mean he has a possibility to take it to the house. the way the CB's and Safeties take angles is important, not to mention he got alot of his yards after first contact. meaning he was slowed for a second allowing pursuit to get him as he got into the secondary.

we will just get better with time, and i expect to see alot of long runs in the second half of the season because of that.

Any time you get 10-15 yards downfield and you only have CBs or safeties, you have a chance. He might not out-run them, but one more broken tackle and he's gone.

Also, the run game philosophy is a ton different than Gibbs. They might use the same terminology (and maybe even some of the same plays), but the timing and the blocking schemes are entirely different. We're a zone running team now and it's paying off. Gibbs tried it a little, but never committed to it. Now we're seeing it and it's paying off. It will also pay off in December (and hopefully January) as he's taking fewer hits from Def. lineman, and taking more glancing tackles as well.

[guess88]

Any time you get 10-15 yards downfield and you only have CBs or safeties, you have a chance. He might not out-run them, but one more broken tackle and he's gone.

Also, the run game philosophy is a ton different than Gibbs. They might use the same terminology (and maybe even some of the same plays), but the timing and the blocking schemes are entirely different. We're a zone running team now and it's paying off. Gibbs tried it a little, but never committed to it. Now we're seeing it and it's paying off. It will also pay off in December (and hopefully January) as he's taking fewer hits from Def. lineman, and taking more glancing tackles as well.

Don't forget to credit making teams respect the pass. How many seasons did Portis have to go through with just about everyone in the box daring him to run? Zorn and JC has the defense backing off a bit, giving Portis a lot more room as well.

[shally]

Lost in all the (deserved) praise of Campbell, Horton, Zorn and others, one of the things that stood out to me the most were the running plays. Now, I didn't get to see the Cardinals game, so I don't know if it was true then, but that was not Gibbs' running game. I saw zone running. Portis/Betts got the ball in different ways. Sometimes it was a handoff, sometimes delayed, sometimes a pump fake first, sometimes a short pitch. We ran at all angles to all angles of the field instead of just between the tackles.

The result is an average well over 5ypc and probably the easiest 121 yards Clinton has gained in years. I know he boosted the average with that 31 yard run, but I can't remember the last time I saw him break one that long. I credit the coaching staff with making changes in that department as well to get our ground game going. A change like this was vital in slowing down the pass rush and the blitzing because the defense could rarely pin their ears back.

This is just another outstanding coaching change by our staff.

also, let's be honest about this.. we are running RIGHT almost as well as we are running left.. that is all about jansen.. credit jon with playing great football

[SkinsKY]

also, let's be honest about this.. we are running RIGHT almost as well as we are running left.. that is all about jansen.. credit jon with playing great football

I did forget Big Jon. He's been great, and honestly, I'd keep going with him, even after Heyer is healthy. I'm high on Heyer for the long term, but I'm going with Jansen for now.

[SkinsKY]

6.2ypc, 121 yards and two TDs. Another great day for Portis and the Offensive Line on the ground (I'm including Caveman in there too). I know we're all somewhere in the range of of bummed - **CBDJ** off, but I do know one thing. The most successful teams down the homestretch and playoffs can run the ball.

No doubt today was a crapfest of mental errors, but we're still a good team and as long as we consitently get efforts like this, it'll keep us balanced going forward.

Hip-Hooray for the run game.

[Biggie]

6.2ypc, 121 yards and two TDs. Another great day for Portis and the Offensive Line on the ground (I'm including Caveman in there too). I know we're all somewhere in the range of of bummed - **CBDJ** off, but I do know one thing. The most successful teams down the homestretch and playoffs can run the ball.

No doubt today was a crapfest of mental errors, but we're still a good team and as long as we consitently get efforts like this, it'll keep us balanced going forward.

Hip-Hooray for the run game.
Portis is today's bright spot by far.

[shally]

Portis is today's bright spot by far.

running right very well.. lots of strength

[jaylen]

can't even feel good about Portis's performance in the loss. He's been tremendous he's oh so close to breaking one for 50-60 yards. he keeps getting pushed to the sidelines.

he may get the rushing title this year.

[Biggie]

can't even feel good about Portis's performance in the loss. He's been tremendous he's oh so close to breaking one for 50-60 yards. he keeps getting pushed to the sidelines.

he may get the rushing title this year.
He's the league's leading rusher as of now.

[jaylen]

He's the league's leading rusher as of now.

didn;t know that. would be a nice feather in the cap.

I hope he can stay healthy with all the pounding he's doing, he's running extremely hard

[SkinsKY]

didn;t know that. would be a nice feather in the cap.

I hope he can stay healthy with all the pounding he's doing, he's running extremely hard

That's the thing. He's getting all these yards, but not taking nearly the pounding he has in years past. He should still be good for the stretch run.

[shally]

That's the thing. He's getting all these yards, but not taking nearly the pounding he has in years past. He should still be good for the stretch run.

hope so.. we are going to need him