Still slow. I come across interesting vids of football trends, macros and coaching points which illuminate the modern NFL.

This vid dives into whether the cliche ‘run the damn ball’ actually still works

Spoiler alert – running the ball still works, but not maybe as expected. The days of 200 rushing games are much more rare now [though it seems Swift/Monagai racked up a couple last season]. What’s more important is that once the threat of it IS established, it backs off the safeties. It perhaps makes DCs go less exotic and more basic – and the bootleg becomes a REAL danger.

Most big plays now are off PA and most come in 30-40 yd chunks. Gone are the days of the 5-7 step chuck it up to Randy Moss for 70 yds.

DCs are just too smart. Secondaries too fast. DE s like Garrett too dominant. Need to fool the Ds.

This also tracks with the 9ers just pouncing the Bears. They established the run. Got the LBs and Safeties biting on everything. Then Purdy hit guys wide open on PA. Rinse wash repeat. The D was running like a chicken with its head cut off.

Focusing on the run also enhances the value of the center. So it’s no wonder Linderbaum got PAID or why Bears attacked the C position so vigorously once Dalman retired. The O may literally run through it.