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re: Does the running game open up the passing game or vice versa?
Posted on 9/28/14 at 2:16 am to bhtigerfan
Posted on 9/28/14 at 2:16 am to bhtigerfan
Both, it's a good example of the economic concept of the law of diminishing marginal returns. As you use more and more of one option (run or pass) then the marginal value of that option (yards per carry or yards per attempt) declines, and therefore the marginal value of the other option (pass or run) increases relative to the first.
In context of football it has to do with how the defense reacts to your gameplan. If you run the ball a lot, the defense stacks the box with 8-9 defenders. If you then pass the ball then you're often able to get 1-on-1 matchups on the outside, which significantly favor the offense and lead to greater yards per passing attempt (more completions for larger gains). The defense then has the hard choice of pulling out of the box (and leaving itself vulnerable to your running attack) or staying in (and doing the same to your passing attack).
On the flip side, if you're succeeding in the passing game and the defense tries to bring in additional defensive backs to cover your receivers, they leave fewer defenders in the box to stop your running game. If you then switch to running, then you catch them in the same dilemma.
To be successful, an offense has to do two things:
1. Control the line of scrimmage: If you can't control the line of scrimmage, then the defense can key in on your strength however they want. If you're losing the battle at the LOS, the defense can keep 6-7 in the box and still stop the run reliably. Your team falls behind and you find you can't pass on them either. Conversely, if you can run reliably without using more than six blockers (and ideally just your five linemen), you can bring in more skill position players and create better spacing.
2. Figure out what it does best and start with that: Whatever it is that your team is better at, start with that so you force the defense to adjust to it.
LSU has struggled this year because we routinely fail at #1 and doesn't yet know what #2 is. I think we're starting to figure out #2, and that will be the key. LSU is at its best when we have Brandon Harris in the game and we're able to throw and pass out of relatively "spread"-ish looks. (Not necessarily "the spread offense" but using 3 WRs to create spacing.) Harris's arm and the spacing created by the skill position players do a lot to take pressure off the offensive line and allow us to win battles at the LOS.
In context of football it has to do with how the defense reacts to your gameplan. If you run the ball a lot, the defense stacks the box with 8-9 defenders. If you then pass the ball then you're often able to get 1-on-1 matchups on the outside, which significantly favor the offense and lead to greater yards per passing attempt (more completions for larger gains). The defense then has the hard choice of pulling out of the box (and leaving itself vulnerable to your running attack) or staying in (and doing the same to your passing attack).
On the flip side, if you're succeeding in the passing game and the defense tries to bring in additional defensive backs to cover your receivers, they leave fewer defenders in the box to stop your running game. If you then switch to running, then you catch them in the same dilemma.
To be successful, an offense has to do two things:
1. Control the line of scrimmage: If you can't control the line of scrimmage, then the defense can key in on your strength however they want. If you're losing the battle at the LOS, the defense can keep 6-7 in the box and still stop the run reliably. Your team falls behind and you find you can't pass on them either. Conversely, if you can run reliably without using more than six blockers (and ideally just your five linemen), you can bring in more skill position players and create better spacing.
2. Figure out what it does best and start with that: Whatever it is that your team is better at, start with that so you force the defense to adjust to it.
LSU has struggled this year because we routinely fail at #1 and doesn't yet know what #2 is. I think we're starting to figure out #2, and that will be the key. LSU is at its best when we have Brandon Harris in the game and we're able to throw and pass out of relatively "spread"-ish looks. (Not necessarily "the spread offense" but using 3 WRs to create spacing.) Harris's arm and the spacing created by the skill position players do a lot to take pressure off the offensive line and allow us to win battles at the LOS.
Posted on 9/28/14 at 2:22 am to lsutothetop
I sure do like the three wide set for us! It opens up running lanes, yet allows a lot of passing options too!
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