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Running Game

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We will run for over 200 against CAL. Book it. And that is not with Ward running rough shod.
 
BigDikDaddyFromCincinnati said:
Yes oversimplified on my end, but not false.
I'm not sure who you're including as our two best backs, but Martinez tap dances at the LOS and Fletcher has no wiggle. If those are the two, I would point to the lack of lateral talent more than vision, but I'm nitpicking. If you're including Lyle, CJJ or Ajay, then the story changes a bit.

I totally agree with you on the effort side vs VT. It was a little perplexing, but in fairness, VT also had the best DL we have seen thus far and likely will see all season (until the playoffs).
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"best" back is subjective. Should haved used #1 and #2 on the depth chart, haha.

I do think Martinez is our most talented back. Hasn't played that way, but I like to watch film. Watched a lot of his Oregon State film. He hasn't been the same player and I don't think it's 100% on him. Mixture of scheme & effort.

Ajay is hard for me to have an opinion based on when and where he's been used.

I do think Lyle has been our "best" back based on what he's put on tape and when.
 
We are 5 games into the season, and after Cal we will be at the halfway point of the regular season. I am looking to see what Martinez has to be RB1, but at some point, you have to look at the production and the rushing stats if we are serious about winning games.

The Canes are a running back by committee, and that appears to be what they are because no RB has distinguished himself yet. If that is the Canes identity as a rushing team, then they will have to embrace it. However, championship teams can run the ball when they need to, and the championship teams have better balance. Look at the top of college football poll above us, and we have teams that can run the ball effectively when they need to. If the Canes don’t start running the ball more effectively, especially in the red zone, it will hurt us against the really good teams.
 
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ristwasdown said:
"best" back is subjective. Should haved used #1 and #2 on the depth chart, haha.

I do think Martinez is our most talented back. Hasn't played that way, but I like to watch film. Watched a lot of his Oregon State film. He hasn't been the same player and I don't think it's 100% on him. Mixture of scheme & effort.

Ajay is hard for me to have an opinion based on when and where he's been used.

I do think Lyle has been our "best" back based on what he's put on tape and when.
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The coaching staff puts such a high emphasis on pass protection for the RBs that I think it sometimes may blur their vision. Example - I think Ajay Allen could be an absolute stud here, but he doesn't sniff more than a small handful of carries each game. Why? Because he isn't good at pass protection. I get it from the coach's viewpoint to a point. I think Allen is a home run hitter and guys like that need to be on the field more than not. That's my opinion and I'm sure others disagree, but that's how I see it. Barry Sanders was a pretty good RB and I don't think he made the HOF based on pass pro.

A couple other thoughts on Martinez (that you didn't ask for but you're getting anyway!):
I did not watch him much at all at Oregon State. I watched some highlights on youtube and saw tha his OL seemed to open more holes for him that what has happened so far this year. I don't know if this has more to do with injuries to Rivers and Rodriguez, blocking schemes, talent of OL, etc or if his OL at OSU was just better. I also noticed that at times, OSU used a FB to help as a lead blocker. I'm not saying we should do that, but I am saying that it was a help for him. More than all that, I kind of just wonder how much of this is learning curve/comfort issues. I don't know and won't guess, but he does look off and I don't think he forgot how to play football over hte last 10 months. It's weird.

Lyle is going to be a complete stud.
 
My favorite RB is Lyle and my mention of Brashard is it seems running backs thrive on getting in a rhythm when they are featured and watching Brashard against fsu was mentioned simply because he got lots of chances and got better as the game progressed.
Our RB's are better then Brashard I simply want to see what they have when utilized more. I hate seeing them not get one of our RB's a chance to show what they've got when giving a workload. Maybe if we have a monsoon during a game we'll find out.
 
fraggle said:
My favorite RB is Lyle and my mention of Brashard is it seems running backs thrive on getting in a rhythm when they are featured and watching Brashard against fsu was mentioned simply because he got lots of chances and got better as the game progressed.
Our RB's are better then Brashard I simply want to see what they have when utilized more. I hate seeing them not get one of our RB's a chance to show what they've got when giving a workload. Maybe if we have a monsoon during a game we'll find out.
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Shut up
 
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ristwasdown said:
Predictable, tight splits, lack of vision are our three biggest issues.

Predictability/Scheme should fix most of our issues based on what I am seeing. I don't think it's a talent issue. The scheme isn't made for Martinez, but there is things we could do to make it easier on him and the offensive line.
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Is the "scheme isn't made for Martinez" code for our Oline is not built to run block ?
 
youre being dishonest. the issue isnt Mario doesn't run the ball or doesn't pass. its how we run. the scheme is trash
 
fraggle said:
My favorite RB is Lyle and my mention of Brashard is it seems running backs thrive on getting in a rhythm when they are featured and watching Brashard against fsu was mentioned simply because he got lots of chances and got better as the game progressed.
Our RB's are better then Brashard I simply want to see what they have when utilized more. I hate seeing them not get one of our RB's a chance to show what they've got when giving a workload. Maybe if we have a monsoon during a game we'll find out.
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I share your frustration that given our depth of talent at this position we are not seeing the results that we had all hoped to see. Obviously a multifactorial situation, but I also share your sense that prioritizing Martinez' carries over others may be one of the factors.
 
rsa coral gables said:
when we run is very predictable which allows the defense to have 8-9 defenders in the box. cam needs to be provided the ability to audible and get out of the run plays when the box is stacked.
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He does. Was it the ESPN article before Friday's game or during the broadcast that Cam has audibled out of plays 21+ times in the first 3 games. I wish I had the source material, but the context of the info was that Dawson has given Cam way more liberty with calls at the line than TVD ever had.
 
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Silentobserver said:
He does. Was it the ESPN article before Friday's game or during the broadcast that Cam has audibled out of plays 21+ times in the first 3 games. I wish I had the source material, but the context of the info was that Dawson has given Cam way more liberty with calls at the line than TVD ever had.
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i figured, but somehow he needs do it more often. on the other hand, you cant throw the ball 60 times a game.

/or maybe you can.
 
Our run game just isn't suited for Martinez and Fletcher. Both are big bodies who need 20+ carries a game because tackling them in the 1st Q and the 4th Q is where they win. I think both would fit more in a prostyle, under center, offense built around the run game. We are built around Cam Ward and the passing game which is our best trait so the running game will suffer a bit.

Better games are coming though if we can get healthy on the line.
 
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NPBCANE4 said:
I actually agree with Ajay needing more touches. I think his running style would really fit this offense. Not just 3-5 random carries. Give him 8-12 touches to get a rhythm going. Still think Martinez is the goods just has struggled to dominate in this particular offense.
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He might be our only RB who knows what a "cut back" run is, no less execute one.
 
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