I suspect it's easier for running backs to come back without significant reps than a position such as wide receiver or quarterback or in the trenches. I think if he's healthy enough, we'll see a pretty good sample size of what he can do.
GM Schneider has learned not to trust having one bell cow running back, preferring a committee approach. Rawls, Penny, Carson, etc., were really good RB1s when available, but the Hawks had real trouble when they weren't there. Schneider has had too many misses over the years. Backs like Marshawn and especially like Shawn Alexander are too rare to maintain a consistent offense year after year. I believe K9 went to KC because he wanted to be a bell cow RB on a playoff-level team. Frankly, I don't remember any of the running backs that played with the Patriots during the Belichick-Brady years. I understand Schneider's reasoning, and I agree with it.
I have been miserable over the years when so many hopeful running backs couldn't last, most not even long enough to make a dent. (I lived in San Diego when LaDainian Tomlinson was there and got spoiled.)
If we kept K9 or even if Charbs was healthy, I believe we'd be 6-0 now. So far, we've lost three games by a total of 8 points.
Both MM and Fleury spoke in their press conferences about focusing on what's been working on offense so far this season and leaning into it more going forward. I think they will try to table some of the more complicated blocking schemes for now and focus on executing the plays the O-line and Sam/RBs/TEs are more comfortable with. I'm guessing this will eliminate some of the misdirection designed to confuse opposing defenses, but it will also eliminate a lot of the mistakes and miscommunication we're seeing on offense. As the season progresses, and assuming offensive performance is more consistent, Fleury can reintroduce some of the more complicated misdirection elements.
Regarding Drew replacing Sam this week, he’s been on the injury report consistently with a right elbow injury. Hopefully that comes to an end today so that won’t be a problem if Sam does get hurt again.
A healthy Zach Charbonnet is the best thing that can happen to Sam Darnold and any receiver not named JSN. Defenses simply don’t fear Wilson and Holani and are free to commit to defending the passing game. This isn’t to excuse the interceptions, just to say that the lack of starting talent at RB is the greatest structural problem facing the offense.
I suspect it's easier for running backs to come back without significant reps than a position such as wide receiver or quarterback or in the trenches. I think if he's healthy enough, we'll see a pretty good sample size of what he can do.
GM Schneider has learned not to trust having one bell cow running back, preferring a committee approach. Rawls, Penny, Carson, etc., were really good RB1s when available, but the Hawks had real trouble when they weren't there. Schneider has had too many misses over the years. Backs like Marshawn and especially like Shawn Alexander are too rare to maintain a consistent offense year after year. I believe K9 went to KC because he wanted to be a bell cow RB on a playoff-level team. Frankly, I don't remember any of the running backs that played with the Patriots during the Belichick-Brady years. I understand Schneider's reasoning, and I agree with it.
I have been miserable over the years when so many hopeful running backs couldn't last, most not even long enough to make a dent. (I lived in San Diego when LaDainian Tomlinson was there and got spoiled.)
If we kept K9 or even if Charbs was healthy, I believe we'd be 6-0 now. So far, we've lost three games by a total of 8 points.
Both MM and Fleury spoke in their press conferences about focusing on what's been working on offense so far this season and leaning into it more going forward. I think they will try to table some of the more complicated blocking schemes for now and focus on executing the plays the O-line and Sam/RBs/TEs are more comfortable with. I'm guessing this will eliminate some of the misdirection designed to confuse opposing defenses, but it will also eliminate a lot of the mistakes and miscommunication we're seeing on offense. As the season progresses, and assuming offensive performance is more consistent, Fleury can reintroduce some of the more complicated misdirection elements.
Regarding Drew replacing Sam this week, he’s been on the injury report consistently with a right elbow injury. Hopefully that comes to an end today so that won’t be a problem if Sam does get hurt again.
I'm still hopeful this is the week the Offense will make the turn. Why do I do this to myself?
A healthy Zach Charbonnet is the best thing that can happen to Sam Darnold and any receiver not named JSN. Defenses simply don’t fear Wilson and Holani and are free to commit to defending the passing game. This isn’t to excuse the interceptions, just to say that the lack of starting talent at RB is the greatest structural problem facing the offense.
There did seem to be some miscommunication between the RB's and Lucas and RG over the past few weeks.