The Running game

[orangepassion]

I haven't seen much talk about this, but IMO this been our biggest problem this season. You take away our QB runs and a few nice runs by Fredericks, we have done little on the ground, particularly on short yardage plays when we need a yard or two. Not only does that put more pressure on Dungey, it tires the heck out of our Defense, which runs out of steam in the 2nd half. I would argue that Shafer's biggest failure these last 2 years was not bringing in an experienced O-line Coach. You take Dungey and these skillplayers with a decent OL, we should be very good on Offense. Can't get a big yard when we need it. Pitt was getting it all night.

 

[SWC75]

It's the biggest reason we only got off 54 plays. We averaged 6.5 yards per play for 5.8 for Pitt but they got off 74 more plays because they made 8 more first downs, (16-24). It's disappointing because the O-line is the one veteran part of the team. it will be the biggest concern next season, as well.

 

[RoatanCuse]

See Doug Marrone...

 

[Deuga]

Here's a different perspective: we have two RBs who weight over 200 pounds on the entire team. As it happens, they are the two freshman RBs and sure enough, one of them is starting. All of the upper class RBs weight less than 200 pounds. Dungey is oddly enough one of the largest ball carriers on the team. We might have the smallest RB crew in the ACC. I view it as a credit to Lester's system that we're scoring as well as we have this season.

I think we're missing that 230 back who is built to pound it up the middle. He does not exist on this roster.

 

[Millhouse]

Hicks will have them at 230 by spring break

 

[Crusty]

See Doug Marrone...

You mean the offensive line coach?

 

[Crusty]

It's the biggest reason we only got off 54 plays. We averaged 6.5 yards per play for 5.8 for Pitt but they got off 74 more plays because they made 8 more first downs, (16-24). It's disappointing because the O-line is the one veteran part of the team. it will be the biggest concern next season, as well.

Two Dungey interceptions on the first and fourth plays of the possession had something to go with it as well. They probably cost us the game.

 

[LAOrange]

McFarland and Morris are disappointments for me this season. I thought Morris was good for 60 a game this year.

 

[orangepassion]

See Doug Marrone...

I think we miss him most for his OL coaching, but there are other OL coaches out there w/ proven track records.

 

[TheCusian]

Oline has been about average according to advanced stats. FWIW

 

[PAcuse]

You also have to factor in the Defense not being able to get off the field in the 2nd half. We also started the 2nd half with a 3 and out, INT, and INT. Can't run the plays when crap like that happens.

 

[OrangeDW]

McFarland and Morris are disappointments for me this season. I thought Morris was good for 60 a game this year.

Remember when people wanted Jerome Smith to leave early so that we could unleash Morris, who was supposedly the best back in the program already?

So ridiculous.

 

[SWC75]

Oline has been about average according to advanced stats. FWIW

As our most veteran group, they should have been above average.

 

[orangepassion]

Oline has been about average according to advanced stats. FWIW

I don't know about the advanced stats, all I know is when we need a yard or two, the staff has such little confidence we can get it, they resort to the Wildcat (Does anyone do that anymore?). This is with a Senior laden line. I think the run blocking has been the biggest disappointment of the year, though the pass blocking has been okay.

 

[JeremyCuse]

How about converting one of the 7 back up TE's into a full back so we actually have a lead blocker for a change.

 

[upperdeck]

you cant get to the next level as an offense if you cant run when you need too or you dont have a go to WR. Boyd didnt take over the game yesterday but we sure had to key on him all day long. we have no one who scares anyone on the D so they force every play to perfect to work. we are 7 games into the season and would our best WR/Rb be starting at any place other than RI? and still we have hung in every game with just avg oline play, that means scheme and QB play are over coming issues.