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Post by xandogeek on Sept 6, 2024 14:14:03 GMT -7
The regular season is finally upon us. It’s fair to say that preseason revealed almost nothing about our offense, so it’s going to be interesting to see what we do. While all eyes are understandably going to be on Murray and Harrison, I’m particularly interested to see what we do in our running game. Here are some of the specific things I will be watching:
1. How often will we see two-TE personnel packages on run downs? Our depth chart assumes 11 personnel (one RB, one TE, three WRs), but there has been a lot of speculation about the potential for 12 personnel (2 TEs) on run downs. With Tip Reiman’s reported ankle issue we may not see a lot of 12 personnel this Sunday, but my guess is that we will see more when Reiman is 100% and has gained a little experience.
2. How often will we see our WRs involved in our run game through jet sweeps, fake jet sweeps, or counter plays? Last year Rondale Moore had 28 carries for 179 yards (6.4 yards per carry) and it would be nice to see one of our current WRs provide that kind of production. But it isn’t just about WR rushing yards: involving WRs in our running game creates threats that would do a lot to enhance the opportunities for our RBs, especially when we are using 11 personnel.
3. Will we be enough to get Murray hit on read options or other designed runs? It’s one thing to design plays that will give Murray the opportunity to break containment and pick up yardage before stepping safely out of bounds. It’s another to risk him on read options or other designed runs that have the potential to get him hit. Fingers crossed.
4. Will we be enough to give Connor more than about a dozen carries? That may not sound like much, but 12 carries per game amounts to 204 carries over 17 games, and Connor has never had more than 215 carries or played more than 15 games in a season in his entire career. Realistically, we have a simple choice: we can run Connor into the ground and expect to lose him to injury (as we did last year, when he missed four entire games), or we can spread the load and have some reasonable chance that he will be able to stay healthy enough to contribute all year. Related to this issue:
4.a. Will we see Benson taking a significant part of the load in run-down situations? My guess is that we will see less of Benson in the first game or two than later in the season – even if Connor stays healthy – but it will be interesting to see where the distribution of playing time starts and what the substitution pattern is.
4.b. Will we see Demercado taking any significant part of the load on passing downs? He seems to have made a name for himself as a pass blocker – a critical if underappreciated consideration – and his 2023 numbers suggest that he is a decent receiver as well (21 receptions for 119 yards and an average of 5.7 yards, as compared to Connor’s 27 receptions for 165 yards and an average of 6.1 yards).
4.c. Or will we see a non-strategic substitution pattern in which Connor does everything, with with Benson spelling him occasionally in the do-everything RB role? If the latter, this may be an indication that the plan is simply to use Connor up and then replace him with Benson.
It will be interesting to see . . .
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Post by Dry Heat on Sept 6, 2024 14:22:07 GMT -7
I’m afraid this may be Conner’s last season as a Cardinal, unless he is willing to sign a very team friendly contract extension for 2 years. My gut tells me we will use Conner a lot early season and build Benson’s carries up throughout the season. He is our RB of the future.
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Post by xandogeek on Sept 6, 2024 15:13:36 GMT -7
I’m afraid this may be Conner’s last season as a Cardinal, unless he is willing to sign a very team friendly contract extension for 2 years. My gut tells me we will use Conner a lot early season and build Benson’s carries up throughout the season. He is our RB of the future. You are probably right about the plan. Benson has yet to prove he's up to the task and I think it would be smarter to try to keep Connor healthy than to plan to wear him out during the season, but I'm probably just howling at the moon. The substitution patterns will likely clarify this within the first few games. BTW, I didn't realize that we can't use the word that starts with stu and ends with pid. That word was supposed to be between "be" and "enough" in questions 3 and 4 above (to make it clear that I'm not unduly opinionated). *Sigh* |
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Post by belac44 on Sept 6, 2024 15:23:09 GMT -7
All good thoughts and questions. We will find out soon enough!!
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Post by FLCardinalFan on Sept 6, 2024 17:36:35 GMT -7
BTW, I didn't realize that we can't use the word that starts with stu and ends with pid. That word was supposed to be between "be" and "enough" in questions 3 and 4 above (to make it clear that I'm not unduly opinionated).*Sigh; That censoring came about because of a few forum members constantly calling each other names mostly during game day threads. It got out of hand, We tried to reason and even circumventing some words to get a negative point across can get a warning. |
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Post by MT Diesel on Sept 6, 2024 18:27:42 GMT -7
All good thoughts and questions. We will find out soon enough!! I like the new look |
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Post by MT Diesel on Sept 6, 2024 18:44:09 GMT -7
The regular season is finally upon us. It’s fair to say that preseason revealed almost nothing about our offense, so it’s going to be interesting to see what we do. While all eyes are understandably going to be on Murray and Harrison, I’m particularly interested to see what we do in our running game. Here are some of the specific things I will be watching: 1. How often will we see two-TE personnel packages on run downs? Our depth chart assumes 11 personnel (one RB, one TE, three WRs), but there has been a lot of speculation about the potential for 12 personnel (2 TEs) on run downs. With Tip Reiman’s reported ankle issue we may not see a lot of 12 personnel this Sunday, but my guess is that we will see more when Reiman is 100% and has gained a little experience. 2. How often will we see our WRs involved in our run game through jet sweeps, fake jet sweeps, or counter plays? Last year Rondale Moore had 28 carries for 179 yards (6.4 yards per carry) and it would be nice to see one of our current WRs provide that kind of production. But it isn’t just about WR rushing yards: involving WRs in our running game creates threats that would do a lot to enhance the opportunities for our RBs, especially when we are using 11 personnel. 3. Will we be enough to get Murray hit on read options or other designed runs? It’s one thing to design plays that will give Murray the opportunity to break containment and pick up yardage before stepping safely out of bounds. It’s another to risk him on read options or other designed runs that have the potential to get him hit. Fingers crossed. 4. Will we be enough to give Connor more than about a dozen carries? That may not sound like much, but 12 carries per game amounts to 204 carries over 17 games, and Connor has never had more than 215 carries or played more than 15 games in a season in his entire career. Realistically, we have a simple choice: we can run Connor into the ground and expect to lose him to injury (as we did last year, when he missed four entire games), or we can spread the load and have some reasonable chance that he will be able to stay healthy enough to contribute all year. Related to this issue: 4.a. Will we see Benson taking a significant part of the load in run-down situations? My guess is that we will see less of Benson in the first game or two than later in the season – even if Connor stays healthy – but it will be interesting to see where the distribution of playing time starts and what the substitution pattern is. 4.b. Will we see Demercado taking any significant part of the load on passing downs? He seems to have made a name for himself as a pass blocker – a critical if underappreciated consideration – and his 2023 numbers suggest that he is a decent receiver as well (21 receptions for 119 yards and an average of 5.7 yards, as compared to Connor’s 27 receptions for 165 yards and an average of 6.1 yards). 4.c. Or will we see a non-strategic substitution pattern in which Connor does everything, with with Benson spelling him occasionally in the do-everything RB role? If the latter, this may be an indication that the plan is simply to use Connor up and then replace him with Benson. It will be interesting to see . . . Thanks for the thoughts and the thread. I was skimming through some K1 stats. The Cards with K1 ran play action about 18% of the snaps, He had a bit better throwing percentage at shotgun and I liked that when the team was behind with 4 minutes or less he had his highest throwing percentage at about 71% completion. The Cards in 2023 with K1 only had about 8% of the snaps that were RPO and K1 was over 71%completion rate. The 2023 second half of the season was laying K1's foundation and the staff and K1 have the information to lean on what he does better. McBride, Wilson and MHJ are much better than the top three WR or receiving options in 2023. The OL is upgraded despite some members failing to acknowledge it and add Tipp and Benson. There will be 50/50% between run and pass and with MHJ the play action can only get better as well as causing hesitation with the opposing LBs. It is a good thing there are some safety changes to force us to use better English. I can be snarky even with the limitations and I enjoy humor over the negative verbiage. Thanks again for the content. |
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Post by belac44 on Sept 6, 2024 21:25:05 GMT -7
All good thoughts and questions. We will find out soon enough!! I like the new look Can thank FLCF for that!! |
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Post by devongent on Sept 7, 2024 0:56:32 GMT -7
Can thank FLCF for that!! I'll join the trend belac (Agent 44). Agent 36,.... calling in. |
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Post by devongent on Sept 7, 2024 1:14:30 GMT -7
It will be interesting to see . . . Good piece xandogeek I am hoping the load is shared around and James Conner's usage is managed. If so, there is no reason why he cannot extend his career here. He is a big influence on the whole team and we need player's of his desire and character in that locker room. 1. How often will we see two-TE personnel packages on run downs? Our depth chart assumes 11 personnel (one RB, one TE, three WRs), but there has been a lot of speculation about the potential for 12 personnel (2 TEs) on run downs. With Tip Reiman’s reported ankle issue we may not see a lot of 12 personnel this Sunday, but my guess is that we will see more when Reiman is 100% and has gained a little experience. Don't sleep on Travis Vokolek. He's a little lighter than Reiman, but a little taller. - I think they are both on the roster for a reason, to compete with and complement each other. |
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Post by End Zone on Sept 7, 2024 6:59:35 GMT -7
Can thank FLCF for that!! I'll join the trend belac (Agent 44). Agent 36,.... calling in. Love the avatar rotation. This one is a classic! |
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Post by End Zone on Sept 7, 2024 7:02:20 GMT -7
I would like to see what RB Benson can do now rather than wait, wait, and wait.
I remember when relatively unknown 3rd Round pick RB David Johnson from the Northern Iowa Panthers took some handoffs in his rookie games. Maybe it was that Cardinals game in Chicago that opened everyone's eyes. He had a KO return for a TD. WOW. We have a Pro Bowl RB!
Benson is a smaller version of Johnson. I am hopeful Benson can measure up this year.
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Post by devongent on Sept 7, 2024 8:29:16 GMT -7
Love the avatar rotation. This one is a classic!and,....FLCF is the creator! |
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Post by devongent on Sept 7, 2024 8:31:00 GMT -7
I would like to see what RB Benson can do now rather than wait, wait, and wait. Agreed, put him out of the field and let's see how he goes. |
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Post by xandogeek on Sept 7, 2024 10:29:31 GMT -7
BTW, I didn't realize that we can't use the word that starts with stu and ends with pid. That word was supposed to be between "be" and "enough" in questions 3 and 4 above (to make it clear that I'm not unduly opinionated).*Sigh; That censoring came about because of a few forum members constantly calling each other names mostly during game day threads. It got out of hand, We tried to reason and even circumventing some words to get a negative point across can get a warning. No worries, and no criticism implied. I just wanted to explain the two broken sentences in the OP. |
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