Sign of forward progress
The Patriots’ running game probably wouldn’t be described as smash-mouth by many. Efficient might sum it up best.
That efficiency is reflected in the following statistic:
The Patriots' running game has produced just 16 negative rushing plays all season (excluding kneeldowns), which is the lowest total – and lowest percentage (16 of 361, 4.6 percent) of negative runs -- in the NFL. Further impressive is that eight of the 16 rushes for negative yardage came in the first two games of the season.
The Browns (19, 6.2 percent), Chargers (19, 6.7 percent) and Redskins (21, 6.1 percent) round out the top four teams this season with the fewest negative runs.
A look at Patriots runners and their negative plays, and their percentage of negative runs:
Sammy Morris (8 in 103 rushing attempts, 7.7 percent)
-1, Chiefs
-4, Chiefs
-3, Jets
-2, Jets
-2, Jets
-1, Dolphins
-1, 49ers
-1, Broncos
Laurence Maroney (3 in 28 rushing attempts, 10.7 percent)
-3, Chiefs
-1, Jets
-1, Jets
BenJarvus Green-Ellis (2 in 74 attempts, 2.7 percent)
-2, Broncos
-3, Bills
Kevin Faulk (1 in 76 attempts, 1.3 percent)
-1, Jets
Heath Evans (1 in 10 attempts, 10 percent)
-2, Jets
Randy Moss (1 in 2 attempts, 50 percent)
-2, Bills
LaMont Jordan (0 in 28 attempts, 0 percent)
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Wow, is LaMont Jordan a downhill runner or what? What a steal, hope he's healthy enough for the stretch.
Mike, loving the great analysis, Very insightful as to the state of the franchise. please keep it coming
Wow.....That Moss character is awful running the ball......Better cut him from the team quick....... ;)
"Mike, loving the great analysis, Very insightful as to the state of the franchise. please keep it coming" ---Agreed!
Kevin Faulk is a beast too, 1 in 76!
Does Maroney's being on IR have any bearing on these stats? Due to his style of running and his injuries he seemed to be tackled for losses more than the other backs.
i think we really really need to get a RB next draft... Maroney i shaving way too many problems and our "starter" RBs are mostly journeymen- good but not great. any good ones out there in the upcoming draft that is within our range?
You should include runs for zero yards in this, they are just as bad.
A tribute to BB/SP's strategy to create a stable of quality, versatile RBs.
They may have miscalculated the DB situation, but they were spot-on with the RB component of 2008's team-building.
Appears that the time of "feature back" reliance in the NFL is over. Even Tomlinson seems in serious decline and I hear Denver has sent 4 (5?) RBs to IR this season.
Westbrook is the only one I can think of who's carrying the load pretty much by himself throughout the year.
Another example of Pats adapting philosophy to meet the changing NFL.
Mike,this is great stuff.Keep it coming.
I would like to see it broken down by which down the negative cam on, and what was the situation of the game at that time.
Maroney has 18.75% of the total here (3 out of 16), 37.5% of the first eight (3 out of 8), and a season total--such as it is--of 10.7% (3 out of 28). Ya think he's the guy BB refers to when he says that some RBs try to break a big one every play rather than taking what the defense gives them? Note to Pioli and BB: Trade Maroney now while he still has some value, whatever that may be.
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