Sullivan: Gailey takes a pass on power runs

[Thurman#1]

"Our guards and center are 300 +", you say? You do know that that's small for NFL guards and centers these days, right? Our two best players, Wood and Levitre are small but very athletic.

We do have a good young line, but it's fair to say they aren't built for power running, particularly until we actually start successfully converting third and short with power runs consistently.

that's your opinion. They pass block fine and run block just fine on every other down. Our line is this teams strength. The coach is the problem. When was the last time you seen 2 or 3 te in a game with a big back in front of Fred on 3rd and short? I refuse to believe this team can't do it. Of course they will get stuffed at times. Even our ****ty D stops other teams on 3rd and short at times.

It's my opinion that guards who are 305 (Levitre) and centers who are 311 (Wood) are small these days? Well, yeah, but it's based on facts. You just compare. Factually, they are small these days.

The line is a strength, I agree, but a lot of the reason for that is that Gailey is using a system to capitalize on the fact that our guys are athletic even though they're not power guys.

And that we're not a good power running team isn't pure opinion. On analysis, Football Outsiders has us ranked #31 in the league in "Power Success Rank." Let me quote them to explain that stat: "Power Success: Percentage of runs on third or fourth down, two yards or less to go, that achieved a first down or touchdown. Also includes runs on first-and-goal or second-and-goal from the two-yard line or closer."

http://www.footballoutsiders.com/stats/ol

We've succeeded 43% of the time in those situations. Only Atlanta is worse, with 38%. Here's where the genuinely depressing stuff starts. How many teams would you think were under 50%? Only four. We're at 43%, and only four teams are under 50%. Heck, only 13 teams are under SIXTY percent. We're awful at power running. Awful.

[Thurman#1]

Not being stringent, and its not semantics. Power backs are guys like Peyton Hillis, Isaac Redman, Brandon Jacobs, Jerome Bettis, the Seattle Marshawn Lynch, Adrian Peterson. Guys that hit the line and make bigger stronger men move out of there way.

Fred Jackson is a cutback runner. He hits a hole and moves through it. He doesnt make his own holes. Fred is elusive and has great balance which makes him very hard to bring down. Can he move a pile? Sure, but not the way he used to. Fred is at his best when he is in space, and can make guys miss. He is perfect in the redzone. On short yardage, not so much. I think thats why they drafted Johnny White, but he busted out. It happens.

Regardless of your definition or mine of what a power run game is, it still doesnt change the fact that the Bills dont have one, and probably wont as long as Gailey is the coach. Im fine with that. Id like to see them pick up first downs on 2nd down, and not have to face the 3rd and short... But you need a much more dynamic passing game for that.

Is Freddy a Lynch or a Hillis? No.

But can he move a pile? Can he crack open tiny cracks and burst through with power? Yeah. He's not a pure power back but he's hard to bring down and he can push the pile.

I agree with you, though, that the Bills just don't have a power run game right now.

[imgodshand]

We have a huge physical offensive line. We should be a power run team even more so than the 49ers or Texans. We also have two of the best RBs in all the NFL.

We also have corey mcintyre at fullback and Scott Chandler at te, what else could you need for a power run package?

[Scott7975]

We also have corey mcintyre at fullback and Scott Chandler at te, what else could you need for a power run package?

A huge physical offensive line for starters. Sure, some poster can say we have one... that doesnt make it true though. As for Chandler... his knock has always been his poor blocking. He is not a blocking TE, he is a recieving TE.

[Thurman#1]

A huge physical offensive line for starters. Sure, some poster can say we have one... that doesnt make it true though. As for Chandler... his knock has always been his poor blocking. He is not a blocking TE, he is a recieving TE.

Took the words out of my mouth. An offensive line that's good at power blocking.

[pete]

It's my opinion that guards who are 305 (Levitre) and centers who are 311 (Wood) are small these days? Well, yeah, but it's based on facts. You just compare. Factually, they are small these days.

The line is a strength, I agree, but a lot of the reason for that is that Gailey is using a system to capitalize on the fact that our guys are athletic even though they're not power guys.

And that we're not a good power running team isn't pure opinion. On analysis, Football Outsiders has us ranked #31 in the league in "Power Success Rank." Let me quote them to explain that stat: "Power Success: Percentage of runs on third or fourth down, two yards or less to go, that achieved a first down or touchdown. Also includes runs on first-and-goal or second-and-goal from the two-yard line or closer."

http://www.footballoutsiders.com/stats/ol

We've succeeded 43% of the time in those situations. Only Atlanta is worse, with 38%. Here's where the genuinely depressing stuff starts. How many teams would you think were under 50%? Only four. We're at 43%, and only four teams are under 50%. Heck, only 13 teams are under SIXTY percent. We're awful at power running. Awful.

Oh now I see where you are coming from. You are one of those people who think a guy who is bigger is stronger. I have spent a lot of time in a gym, like my whole life. And I do physical labor for a living. FYI the biggest guys are not always the strongest.

Also I am not arguing the stats, not trying to say the Bills do it. I believe they could if they worked at it. thats why I said how many times have you seen two TE in the game? A 3rd tackle come in with a fullback in front of fred? never would be a good guess. besides I can't believe I am trying to defend the bills. Personally I think they suck and gaily is a horrible coach. he will be gone soon so I will sit on my couch and laugh when they line up in the spread with no rb on 3rd and short with a ****ty QB and your 2 rb the 2 best players o your team on the bench.

[Buddo]

We also have corey mcintyre at fullback and Scott Chandler at te, what else could you need for a power run package?

A line that mostly gets a good initial push. We don't have that. With Glenn and Hairston at tackle, we could see better results in that respect, as they are big guys, but it still requires the interior line to get a good push, and they aren't too hot at that tbh.
Don't get me wrong here, I believe we have the makings of a very good O-Line, but I simply don't see them as a power unit, particularly not currently. It is what it is.

[pete]

If this line cannot get a push, especially the interior then it is time to start looking for replacements for them. Picking up 3rd & 2 is basic football that goes back to its roots. "3 yds. And a cloud of dust".