Creativity in the Running Game

The Eagles under Andy Reid have long had one of the league's most creative passing attacks.  It's more than just the bombs-away trickery; it's also the bread-and-butter stuff, like the way he gets favorable match-ups for Westbrook or the dizzying array of plays he had to spring Terrell Owens back when he was the offensive focal point.  Or even the way he uses guys like Greg Lewis (who may be the league's best fourth wide receiver, seriously) as a change-of-pace for the rest of the offense. 

One thing I've never understood, however, was why that same creativity never carried over into the rushing attack.  The Eagles' running game has always seemed hopelessly simplistic to me.  They switch a few things up, but for the most part it seemed like we just ran a steady mix of zone right, zone left and figured we would take what we could get from it. 

I ran across a possible explanation for this last week, in a column by SI's Dr. Z about the resurgence of the fullback dive in the pro game.  For some reason, that piece led me to a story Z had written earlier in the season about how teams truly establish consistent running games.  Somehow I had missed it back in September. 

At any rate, one thing he wrote stuck with me:

You don't find the precision running games anymore, probably because in the free-agency era, offensive lines aren't together year after year like they used to be. I loved the intricate timing of the Giants' great power toss that carried them to their first Super Bowl victory in the 1986 season.

Joe Morris carrying behind the vicious down-blocks of Mark Bavaro, with Chris Godfrey pulling and Maurice Carthon leading. Man, it was beautiful. Then one day it was gone. I asked Bill Parcells about it.

"Yeah, I hated to lose it, too," he said. "But you can't coach it anymore. It takes up too much of your practice time."

Does that explain the Eagles' approach to the running game?  Is it partially a matter of practice time?  Do all the bells 'n' whistles in the passing game mean that the Eagles just have not committed to developing a really creative rushing attack?

Unfortunately, because Coach Reid still doesn't return my phone calls, we'll have to leave that issue at the status of unresolved.  But it's an interesting theory.

Here's the thing, though.  The Eagles are suddenly losing some of the vanilla in their running game. 

Take yesterday's game as an example.  When was the last time you saw that kind of variety in the backfield?  We had fake handoffs, fake pitches and fake end arounds.  They had a nifty little left-side trap on a quick hitter that went for a big gain.  They even had Runyan pulling around to the left-side from his right tackle position, burying the first guy in the hole and then continuing on to blow up the linebacker.

Where is this coming from?  Is it Marty?  Is it just Reid finally putting more emphasis on it?  Is it a recognition that we need to rely more on the run because we don't have McNabb?  Is some of it the better athletes on our offensive line?  Or is it even that maybe Garcia is a bit better ball handler and the coaches are now putting things in that he's done before in previous stops?   

Whatever the reason, it's a welcome development.  It gives other teams more to prepare for, and it increases the variety of ways Westbrook (and Buckhalter) can challenge opponents.

Now hopefully they have even more tricks up their sleeves for Monday night.   

Comments

[bake]

I just posted below, but as I added it you added a new blog, so I'm gonna add it here also, so no one missses my important comment....lol

I must say, I was truly impressed with this game plan. Offensively and defensively. They ran the ball!!!!!! OMG OMG OMG They dominated. And big gigantic kudos to Jim Johnson.
Now it's time for me to take some credit. I asked in an earlier blog, what happened to when the Eagles used to do the fake end around that they used to do alot that kept the defense off-balance. I guess Andy must read your blogs cause they were doing it yesterday and they were doing it well.
This is the most powerful offensive line in the league. They haven't had much practice run blocking because the Eagles would pass 40-50 times a game, even when they had a fucking lead, but damn I think they will even get better. Scary thought huh? If Marty has finally got that through to Andy then this team is going places, not just this year, but for the future to come. Young, strong, powerful offensive line. Granted Runyan is up there in age, but he's been playing great!!! I love our center, shawn andrews is an absolute monster and they are so young.
Who knows, with andy's change of heart maybe we'll see a nice bigger back next year to compliment these guys. WOOO HOOO
Guess what everybody? Garcia's a tough motherfucker, makes great decisions, takes hits and keeps on going, save for the dumb penalty that he admitted was out of character for him, but when Mcnabb does come back next year and they keep this mentality of running the ball, tweak the defense, then look the fuck out. I love 5 and don't anybody get any illusions there's any kind of QB controversy, 5 is the man.
If Andy Reid is the happiest chubbiest guy in Philadelphia then I'm the happiest medium sized guy.
And let's be happy that Garcia finally threw his interception, got that out of the way(I hope), and it didn't cost us the game. Garcia's the toast of the town right now. I'm getting my pink Garcia jersey if they have them. LMAO Just kidding, his g/f is a knockout and I could only dream of getting someone that hot. lol
BRING ON THE COWFUCKS!!!!!!!!!!
p.s. Eagles wear your face shields over your helmets and make sure they have window wipers on them.
Sorry I was out of town last week in Massachussets, so I know everyone has missed my comments. LOL
And by the way, I just got a big screen TV with high def, and surround sound system, and it's unfuckingbelievable. OMG OMG OMG I could see inside Garcia's hand when they were showing the close-up. Their midnight green helmets look awesome in high def.
Everyone is invited to my house for the next game. LOL
MERRY CHRISTMAS EAGLES FANS!!!!!!!!!!
I may as well add more so I don't post over and over. How about Gaither? We got a real nice player there that's only gonna get better. Darwin Walker showed up, Dawkins was an absolute monster, I love him, he's an Eagle all-timer. He's a sure fire Hall of Famer when it's all said and done.

[bake]

I just want to add this to you, derek, I wrote my comment before I read your new blog, lol.
I just need to take credit for what I said earlier, and there's proof I wrote it. Check one of my earlier comments, I forget where, after one of our losses, and you'll see what I asked about what happened to those fake end arounds that they used to run with the wide receivers and backs. I need some credit, I'm in no way claiming to be an expert, hell even a broken clock is right twice a day. LOL

[Me]

You did indeed, Bake, you did indeed:

http://www.igglesblog.com/iggles_blog/2006/11/10_suggestions_.html

[bake]

Actually now that I look back at it, I was just expanded on a very nice point you made in that blog. So kudos to you also.

[BGNJason]

Certainly an explanation for this could be the fact that the core of Eagles offensive line has been together for a good amount of time and they are one of if not the only team in the NFL to have the same 5 guys starting on the line every game this year.