A Closer Look at Willie Parker's 23rd 100-Yard Rushing Game

by Michael Bean on Sep 17, 2008 1:03 AM EDT

vs CLE / 9.14.08	Rushing				Receiving
	Rush	Yards	Avg	TD	Rec	Yards	Avg	TD
Willie Parker	28	105	3.8	0	0	0	0	0

Let's take a look at where those 28 carries were directed along our offensive line.

Very interesting. Mr. Kendall Simmons appears to be the player Bruce Arrians was most comfortable running behind this week. That likely had something to do with the Browns front 4, and picking and choosing who to avoid. But it also, I think, speaks to the better physical condition that Simmons is in. I sure hope we see more of the same from him moving forward.

And in case you were wondering, most of those yards weren't picked up in a few bunches. Willie Parker's 14 carries behind the right guard were by far the most of any direction along the line. The next closest direction was right tackle, where Parker carried it 7 times. This might also be a result of Parker's tendencies and strong suits as a runner. But I hope that doesn't account for everything. I hope it's because Simmons and RT Willie Colon are doing a much better job than they were a year ago.

Thoughts?

PS Sorry for the spotty writing lately. Internet connectivity issues. To be resolved Thursday at the latest. It sure is an exciting time of year, especially to be a Steelers fan. Don't get the wrong impression.

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willie parker's 23rd 100 yd gm

how many of those right side runs did the left guard pulled right? I rememeber some, not all of them. you might want to take a closer look to o-line play before providing your insight

by mortal on Sep 17, 2008 3:56 AM EDT reply actions

Kendall Simmons the weak link

Now that Mahan is gone, Kendall is the weak link on this o-line. I’m suprised Colon didnt move to gaurd and Starks to right tackle after his poor play last season. Kemo is pulling to that side so it may appear to some that we are running behind Kendall but its Kemo who is clearing the way.

by thesameazu on Sep 17, 2008 1:10 PM EDT up reply actions

3-4

Blitz…the Browns run a 3-4….that being said I they ran at the weakness of the front 3 and the weakest linebackers. They were Corey Williams (DL), Willie McGinest (OLB) & Andra Davis (ILB). Take a look at the Dallas game. 75% of Dallas’ runs were right guard or tackle and they were successful. They were running at a weakness of the Browns. Also most teams are right handed. They run more to the right (a notable exception would be the 2005 Seahawks). Also Willie still doesn’t change arms with the ball much (he keeps it in his right arm). Being a coach it makes me cringe. I believe it’s a combination of seeing the weak side of the Browns defense and playing to our own strength. It COULD just be going to the well until it runs dry.

"The team that scores the most points wins."
John Madden
(Master of the obvious)

by PixburghArn on Sep 17, 2008 7:10 AM EDT reply actions

What's sad is

Robaire Smith was gone in the 3rd quarter and they still went after Corey Williams. I really don’t blame them running away from Robaire Smith. He was the better of the two.

"The team that scores the most points wins."
John Madden
(Master of the obvious)

by PixburghArn on Sep 17, 2008 7:23 AM EDT up reply actions

Kemo

I will have to re watch the game but I believe many of those right side runs were led by a pulling, pissed off, long haired and bearded dump truck!

I wasn't hired for my disposition!

by Burgernazi on Sep 17, 2008 7:33 AM EDT reply actions

LOL

You’re right. You’re going to see a lot of them.

"The team that scores the most points wins."
John Madden
(Master of the obvious)

by PixburghArn on Sep 17, 2008 8:13 AM EDT up reply actions

But does Kemo really pull on an inside run? Perhaps they were doubling Rogers with Kemo and Hartwig, trying to push him to the right side, clearing an inside hole for Simmons to get to the next level? I am probably not going to re-watch the game to see if that’s borne out by the data, but its a thought anyway.

Guns don't kill people. Lamar Woodley kills people.

by BostonWahoo on Sep 17, 2008 9:30 AM EDT up reply actions

Kemo & Heath

pulled to the right side alot, with Willie Colon sealing the edge or pinning the edge down, and Parker running inside the tackle and guard or outside the tackle behind a blocker, respectively on alot of those plays.

by TheMostViolentTeam on Sep 17, 2008 10:52 AM EDT up reply actions

Simmons

did play a good game for the most part, however, he needs to learn how to double-team block. A couple times Hartwig was expecting double-team help and Simmons simply tapped Rogers on the shoulder on his (Simmons’s) way to the second level. The play was blown up in the backfield because Hartwig didn’t have the proper angle to block Rogers one on one, as he was expecting more than a tap from Simmons, he was supposed to give Rogers a good shove (like Kemo gave early in the game when Hartwig had him engaged and Kemo knocked down both Rogers & Hartwig!).

by TheMostViolentTeam on Sep 17, 2008 10:54 AM EDT up reply actions

Kemo pulled some

but they’re running primarily a zone blocking scheme now, so less pulling. There were some notable exceptions, though.

charity standing orders

by BadMaafala on Sep 17, 2008 11:42 AM EDT up reply actions

according

to JJ over at Fanhouse, we ran behind a pulling guard on 13 of our 29 running plays.

by TheMostViolentTeam on Sep 17, 2008 2:35 PM EDT up reply actions

Kendall is the weak link

The dude fell down with no one around and missed his block on the LB on a play that FWP could have broken for 60 yards. I constantly see him in the backfield being pushed easily. His diabetes is killing his game. I can’t believe we’re paying him that type of money.

I tape everygame and watch in slow motion (fast fwd commercials of course) the day after to see the real deal. Everygame you can count the missed blocks by Kendall.

Plus Kemo was puling his way with Kendall double teaming with Jeff H.

So go back and watch some film.

by 72Steeler on Sep 17, 2008 7:21 PM EDT reply actions