[bbm233]

One thing I have noticed in the last few games is that our running backs are no longer getting caught in the backfield by a backside free runner who has come through the gap created by a pulling olineman. I also have noticed that Chryst often takes a snap under center and immediately turns and pitches to the tailback directly behind him for a run between the tackles, which seemed strange to me. Pitching the ball typically means a run to the edge.

I think Shawgren have made a critical change to the blocking scheme, which is to use Chryst to seal off the backside. He's as big as a fullback and just needs to get in the way. Using a pitch instead of a handoff puts him in position to be this extra blocker. This gives McCaffrey and Love the time to be patient on the frontside to find the right hole, and has resulted in a much more effective running game, with way fewer TFLs. I wonder how we would fare now against those teams that were able to put us behind the chains earlier in the year.

[bbm233]

One thing I have noticed in the last few games is that our running backs are no longer getting caught in the backfield by a backside free runner who has come through the gap created by a pulling olineman. I also have noticed that Chryst often takes a snap under center and immediately turns and pitches to the tailback directly behind him for a run between the tackles, which seemed strange to me. Pitching the ball typically means a run to the edge.

I think Shawgren have made a critical change to the blocking scheme, which is to use Chryst to seal off the backside. He's as big as a fullback and just needs to get in the way. Using a pitch instead of a handoff puts him in position to be this extra blocker. This gives McCaffrey and Love the time to be patient on the frontside to find the right hole, and has resulted in a much more effective running game, with way fewer TFLs. I wonder how we would fare now against those teams that were able to put us behind the chains earlier in the year.

[Hulk01]

Nice observation. 

[Hulk01]

Nice observation. 

[RedShift]

Yes, an interesting observation and a good explanation. The pitch was particularly noticeable to me in the case of Love.

[RedShift]

Yes, an interesting observation and a good explanation. The pitch was particularly noticeable to me in the case of Love.

[French Rage]

Yeah a few people in my section noticed the preference for pitches.  Not complaining, mind you, but it was noticeable, so that's a very good explanation.

[French Rage]

Yeah a few people in my section noticed the preference for pitches.  Not complaining, mind you, but it was noticeable, so that's a very good explanation.

[fullmetal]

Interesting wrinkle.  Pitches to the RB aren't super conventional, so the improvement in blocking certainly warrants this change.  I'll have to keep an eye out for it :)

[fullmetal]

Interesting wrinkle.  Pitches to the RB aren't super conventional, so the improvement in blocking certainly warrants this change.  I'll have to keep an eye out for it :)