09-16-2023, 09:53 PM
(09-16-2023, 12:10 PM)KillerGoose Wrote: The running game doesn't need to be established. It either works or it doesn't. The idea behind "establishing the run" is typically something like "run to soften up the defense" but that's not how it works. Each down is a resource, and if you use those resources trying to "establish" your run game when you're getting meager returns, then you're just wasting your downs and making the game harder on yourself. If the run game is working, then continue using it. Last week would have been a good opportunity to continue running the ball, especially given the weather conditions.
However, if Cincinnati comes out and really struggles to run the ball, continuing to run for the sake of "establishing" it is going to only make the game harder than it should be. We saw plenty of examples of this early on last season. The running game sucked, but they kept sticking to it and it resulted in early season struggles.
Well said!
