Willie Parker's Return Sends Mewelde Moore To The Sidelines In the Running Game
by Michael Bean on Nov 6, 2008 1:17 PM EST
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PrintIt's already Thursday so I don't want to spend too much time looking backwards at the Washington Redskins game, but I wanted to quickly write then open up the floor to y'all about the running game. Specifically, how we deploy our two primary ball carriers - Willie Parker and Mewelde Moore.
First, to their respective lines from Monday night:
After perusing the play-by-play from Monday night, my suspicion was confirmed that we all but abandoned the inside running game with Willie Parker back in there. Now, without rewatching the tape, it's impossible to say which of the runs listed as 'right guard' or 'left guard' should be classified as 'up the middle', but of the 21 carries Parker got, only two of them are listed as 'up the middle'. One was for four yards, the other for just 1 yard. Instead, Bruce Arians had Parker run outiside on the edges more frequently. And he had some nice success for his first game back. I thought his cuts looked fairly sharp and confident, and he seemed to have some of that early season 'pop' in his step that allows him to make the first guy miss then break to the edge. I thought Parker could have done a better job committing to an angle and squirting ahead for a few extra tough yards on several occassions, but that's about it in terms of critiques.
But I write this because I thought that we underutilized Mewelde Moore in the running game on Monday. What I've been most impressed about with Moore has been his ability to pick up tough yards up the gut. He's no Brandon Jacobs or anything. But he's shown a remarkable ability to find a little seam and avoid big hits up the middle. Ever noticed that even when he does get stood up in the middle, he never gets driven backwards on those types of plays that end up with 6 defenders jumping onto of the ball carrier? He's deceptively strong both with his hands and in his lower body.
Moving forward, regardless of who's playing QB for us, I think it might behoove us to commit to the running game a bit more. And that might mean attacking with the running game in ways that don't necessarily fit conventional wisdom. As in, utilizing your scat back in the power running game up the middle. On Moore's four carries Monday night, all were to the outside and all were snuffed out by a suspecting fast defense. What I'd like to see instead his a few more instances each game (4-6 rushes at least) where we put Moore back there on 1st and 2nd down and call his number. I think defenses won't be ready for it first of all, and secondly, I think it would take advantage of what I feel is one of Moore's unheralded qualities: his ability to pick up modest but tough yards in traffic up the middle. Against a Indianapolis team that is fairly soft against the run up the gut yet sufficiently fast in their LB crew, it might be even wiser to find ways to mix up the diversity of our rushing attack.
Thoughts?
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Moore's Vision
Is underrated. It’s why he’s such a good runner and it’s why this offense has to make him a threat more than twice a game.
agreed
And he’s just been remarkable protecting the football. Both in the running game and passing game. No fumbles plus no bobbled passes or anything. Just played as clean as can be all year.
I agree that we should run more
but I disagree with putting Mewelde in during 1st and 2nd downs. Willie Parker is the man (assuming he’s healthy) and while Mewelde is a terrific back he doesn’t inspire a commitment to the run the way Willie can.
Rather than trying to confuse Indy’s defense with Mewlede’s presence, I believe the Steelers would be better served with going to a traditional offense with a fullback and pounding the ball (with FWP) right up the gut. This would help to negate some of Dwight Freeney’s aggressiveness towards the QB and put the Colts defense on their heels rather than teeing off on the passer.
During Mewelde’s tenure as a starting runningback it seems as if the Steelers running game took a backseat to the passing game. Nothing agains Mewelde but Arians seems to want to toss the ball around more when he’s in there. I’m sorry, but that just isn’t successful Steeler football. I think they need to return to FWP and create a running mindset that doesn’t panick and revert to a passing attack after a run of 2 yards on first down. Stick with it and it will pay dividends in the 2nd half…not to mention it will open up the passing game.
interesting thoughts
I know lots of people would agree with you about deploying a FB more frequently.
I guess just because Arians didnt commit to the run as much with Moore in there doesnt lead me to believe that hes not capable of being a part of a committed running attack.
However, if Bruce can’t figure it out using Moore, then I’d agree with you. Lets do what it takes to be more committed to the run. I just think he’d be a valuable part of that commitment and plan.
Again I agree
but I think Mewelde’s pass catching ability makes him appeal to Arians as a bit of a novelty and thereby reduces his focus on the run. Much like Reggie Bush when he first played for the Saints. Players like that are phenomenal athletes but seem more like “tweeners” that never have a clear cut purpose. I just don’t think Arians is a run minded OC and when you add Mewelde’s skill set it just waters down the mentality even more.
I like your thoughts on running Moore up the middle
I like Steve’s idea of running FWP up the middle behind FB, too. Either way, we need to stay with the run and not get Ben killed. I just don’t think BA will do it. I finished watching the replay of our 2004 game against the Giants a couple of days ago, and it was amazing how much more committed we were to the run back then. Sure, Bettis is bigger and stronger (while still having a surprising agility) than any back on our roster today, but if we stick with it, we’ll be better off. I just don’t think Arians is willing change his gameplanning. He seemed willing to make changes when threatened with being replaced, but hasn’t he just gone back to the same old plans since then?
by WolfpackSteelersFan on Nov 6, 2008 2:36 PM EST reply actions
RUN THE BALL TO SET UP THE PASS!!
How come we all have this figured out, but Arians doesn’t get it?
Look at the Titans…..
Running on first and second downs (the majority of the time, but not all the time) will usually set up a 3rd and manageable for Ben or Byron. Which would allow them to work from under center more often than sit back in shot gun and get teed off on. This would also drain the clock (win the time of possession) and allow the defense to get a little break for a change. This is what the Steelers offensive line was built for, not to pass protect!
by bradyquinnsclipboard on Nov 6, 2008 2:45 PM EST reply actions
And should I change my name to derekandersonsclipboard?
by bradyquinnsclipboard on Nov 6, 2008 2:46 PM EST reply actions
Agreed on the article
Bottom line is Arians is a retard who has no idea when/how to run the ball.
A couple of our best runs had Carey Davis lead blocking with a TE also.
Those runs work because they look designed. Lately, it just seems like he calls a run where its like this;
“Give ball to parker”
“Good luck FWP”
And Arians forgets WHEN to run. He gets in passing ruts as I call em where its 4-6 in a row.
But yes Parker and Moore need to run in the ways that best suits their style. I think FWP has always been great off the left tackle, especially with Maximillion out there. And MM does awesome in the interior.
Sad that us minimum wage workers can figure this shit out better than a millionaire.
He gets no help and has to scrounge up 4 yards on his own.
modified west coast?
I know everyone here loves tradition, but I also see so many people essentially expressing interest in a modified west coast game. I like the idea of no huddle, quick throws and checkdowns. let guys like miller and ward get some yards after catch. stop the defense from blitzing or stacking the box. then rush to the outside or go deep. this makes everything efficient. it also CONTROLS THE CLOCK. Arians doesn’t give a damn about clock control.
we don’t have a 260lb cannonball running inside. we don’t have a sub-par qb. we DO have ways to spark our offense that we don’t utilize.
what seems better to you? willie having 20 rushes for 100 yards, or 25 rushes for 100 yards, ben going 1-4 on deep passes or 1-1 on deep passes?
west coast
Jim Zorn is considered a ‘west coast offense’ guy. But he really commits to the running game. So did the Seahawks during the Alexander years.
Running back Situation
“while Mewelde is a terrific back he doesn’t inspire a commitment to the run the way Willie can”
I post that quote as a launching point for discussion and not a critique of the commentor.
Wasn’t it just a short while back that we were all waving our towels, shouting huzzah, huzzah we’ve got MM standing in and doing a great job … ?
From my perspective, and I think it is posted in here somewhere, I thought that we should be getting MM to the edges more [and perhaps he needed to get there on his own]. FWP shows that it is necessary to spread the defense against the run by being a wide threat. Did we do that with MM against the Skins or did we just bring him in to “hey diddle diddle, MM up the middle” against a tough defense? We certainly can’t be transmitting a preference by using certain backs in certain situations only.
I also think that it is true that running backs need to be in frequently to get into a rhythm.
i think steve's point was
That Arians seems to think that hes just a 3rd down toy, not a viable long-term 1st and 2nd down tough yards type option at RB.
I personally think he is. I’d like to see him get a bunch of the carries that are up the middle for a few games until defenses adjust.
Agreed about the rhythm point you made, particularly running outside where I think it may take a few carries to see how the defense is pursuing.
from the post-gazette on thursday
…“Willie Parker did not practice for the second day in a row because of a shoulder injury and might not play against the Indianapolis Colts.”
If MM is put into 1st string again, maybe we’ll see up-the-middle running again this week.
Not Enough Either way
Cant honestly say that I think we have been running the ball anywhere enough this season. We should be between 35-45 carries a game every game at least and most games right now we are only hitting about 20-25. I would love to see both FWP and MM with 15-20 touches a piece at the end of the game and utilized on 1st, 2nd and 3rd downs for both of them. Anything to give that Defensive Coordinator fits! :)
Hope not.
We have had 0 success running vs. Baltimore since Bettis retired.
Tennessee/Pittsburgh will be the most physical football game in the last 10 years.
interesting behind the scenes from nfl from the sidelines
"There’s some growing disgust in the locker room about the lack of running the team is doing. Ask a question about the running game – or lack thereof – and you’ll get the company answer. But with it is an accompanying eye roll and smile that tells you all you need to know. "
And similarly, a story he wrote regarding the situation. Good read:
http://www.observer-reporter.com/OR/Story/11-7-Steelers-not-running-ball
willie's gone again
Now that Parker is hurt AGAIN. I’m starting to think that he’s one of those people that will wind up with a short career. Maybe one or two more years and then he’s done. His body just seems to be breaking instead of bending.
Hopefully Mendenhall will come back bigger and better and be able to be a great back for many years. I hope Fast Willie gets another ring soon!!! He may not be around too much longer!
On average
a running back can go until he about 30. With being hit constintally Rb’s dont last long and the age that they leave the NFL is getting younger and younger. Parker has ran a lot in the past few seasons and might be hitting the end of the road. Isnt he like 27?
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