So what's wrong and how do we fix the running game?

[Mikefive]

You know who would be a crazy good fit in this offense... Duke Johnson. Why Cleveland doesn't use him more just baffles me. I know Chubb is kind of starting to break out, but damn. Johnson could be really good if they'd give him touches.

Johnson was drafted in 2015. Thus, he's a FA this offseason. Super interesting looking guy if he can do the short yardage thing.

[G08]

Forgive my ignorance, but why can't we switch to zone blocking on running plays in Nagy's scheme? Why does that inhibit Nagy's scheme - again, not asking in a condescending way, truly don't know. Even if we run RPO's, it seems like the run blocking scheme should be independent of that.

This has been bugging me for a while as well and I'm not quite sure what the answer is. It could be the offensive linemen splits, and I actually read that last year different players were using different techniques. In theory, if these linemen are bunched in closer together you're closing off gaps that otherwise could be easily exploited (think 3-techniques in 4-3 defenses, etc). The downside is that if you do attempt to run outside zone, your cutback lanes aren't going to develop as neatly as they would otherwise.

The LA Rams have been making me extremely jealous... outside zone left, outside zone right, play action. Simple shit and they're setting the world on fire.

[TheSting]

You know who would be a crazy good fit in this offense... Duke Johnson. Why Cleveland doesn't use him more just baffles me. I know Chubb is kind of starting to break out, but damn. Johnson could be really good if they'd give him touches.

Johnson was drafted in 2015. Thus, he's a FA this offseason. Super interesting looking guy if he can do the short yardage thing.

I'm a big DJ fan but wiki suggests he hasn't got the best contract anymore as far as trade choices go.. Browns extensions FTL

[HurricaneBear]

Is it possible part of the problem is we are still in the beginning stages of the offense? They've repeatedly said we are currently just scratching the surface of what this offense could be. I believe someone here said the oline started using some different blocking schemes when Howard broke a few longer runs recently. Perhaps thats the beginning of new concepts in the offense that will help improve the run game?

I personally don't think Howard is going anywhere until at least the end of his rookie contract. If by some chance we did replace him with Duke though, I wouldn't be upset. One of my alltime favorite Canes

[Bears Whiskey Nut]

Is it possible part of the problem is we are still in the beginning stages of the offense? They've repeatedly said we are currently just scratching the surface of what this offense could be. I believe someone here said the oline started using some different blocking schemes when Howard broke a few longer runs recently. Perhaps thats the beginning of new concepts in the offense that will help improve the run game?

I personally don't think Howard is going anywhere until at least the end of his rookie contract. If by some chance we did replace him with Duke though, I wouldn't be upset. One of my alltime favorite Canes

Yeah. I said that they were using zone concepts at the beginning of the Lions game, and Howard was eating up 4-6 yards per carry. They they stuck another guy in the box, nagy went to the passing game, and never came back to the zone concepts (that I am aware of).

You bring up a valid point. We are not in the middle of the Nagy regime. This is the VERY beginning. It's possible that Nagy is going to take the offseason to try and figure out how to incorporate Howard better. Because you're right. You're not going to trade a talent like Howard on a rookie deal.

[Funkster]

Question: What’s wrong with the running game? Answer: Jordan Howard isn’t rushing for 100 yards per game.

That doesn’t mean the teams isn’t getting the job done, it’s now by committee. The bears are averaging 115 yards per game and have 10 rushing TD’s. As long as the team is moving the changes, controlling the TOP and scoring 29 PPG. Is there really a problem?

I’m a huge Howard fan, he’s my favorite offensive player but unfortunately I don’t see Nagy valuing his skill set. I don’t see him as a long term bear and that makes me sad.

[The Marshall Plan]

Question: What’s wrong with the running game? Answer: Jordan Howard isn’t rushing for 100 yards per game.

That doesn’t mean the teams isn’t getting the job done, it’s now by committee. The bears are averaging 115 yards per game and have 10 rushing TD’s. As long as the team is moving the changes, controlling the TOP and scoring 29 PPG. Is there really a problem?

I’m a huge Howard fan, he’s my favorite offensive player but unfortunately I don’t see Nagy valuing his skill set. I don’t see him as a long term bear and that makes me sad.

What you've typed is absolutely correct.

I think the concern is that we had this superstar RB these past two seasons and for some reason the production isn't there from him this year. We know that Howard can play. We know that Nagy's offense is awesome. Why aren't the two clicking? I thought that we'd have at least one "Jordan Howard Game" this year where he just goes off because defenses would be so freaked out over the passing game.

I'm pretty sure Howard isn't the problem. I'm thinking the offensive line has issues with run blocking, but I don't know enough about that to be sure.

Another part of it could be that we really only run this offense for 2.5 quarters because as soon as we get a big lead, we start trying to manage the clock. The defense knows this and adjusts to the run. Maybe that's part of the problem? IDK.

[Otis Day]

Lets not forget, of those 115 yds per game rushing, nearly 40 are coming from Trubisky. Not sure if you want that from your QB. So taking his stats away, your RBs are averaging between 75-80 yds per game.

[KhalilSackDaddy]

Lets not forget, of those 115 yds per game rushing, nearly 40 are coming from Trubisky. Not sure if you want that from your QB. So taking his stats away, your RBs are averaging between 75-80 yds per game.

I think it's part of what they expect for certain. But this is a pass first O now, not sure they are really worried about 100+ yards or x amount of runs per game.

Ried, since his days in Philly, used the short pass to supliment the run game, and you are seeing that here now. NE/GB haven't had consistently great run game for a long while, Nagy seems to be following these molds.

As long as Trubs is willing to look to pass first, 2nd and however long it takes before the OL breaks down I'm 100% okay w/him running.

[Boris13c]

Lets not forget, of those 115 yds per game rushing, nearly 40 are coming from Trubisky. Not sure if you want that from your QB. So taking his stats away, your RBs are averaging between 75-80 yds per game.

yes and no

he is running smartly and generally gets down or out of bounds without contact

every now and then he pushes it, and those results can be negative, as shown by the results of the cheap shot from the Viking dipshit

if/when Nagy wants to address all of this, he will ... he may have an entire offensive scheme they practice and just haven't used in game yet because it hasn't been needed

I think the main problem is perception ... we are not used to seeing a Bears team utilizing a multi-faceted offense so the fact we aren't seeing them pound it on the ground tells us visually there is a problem ... the reality is it is simply a change in offensive philosophy that is successful and we simply need to get accustomed to

[wab]

Before Nagy, Jordan Howard WAS the offense. Now the Bears actually have more than just Jordan Howard.

We can't have our cake and have Howard run for 115 yards a game too.

[southdakbearfan]

Before Nagy, Jordan Howard WAS the offense. Now the Bears actually have more than just Jordan Howard.

We can't have our cake and have Howard run for 115 yards a game too.

Definitely. But it would be nice to see a little more consistent running game to burn clock with big leads.

[KhalilSackDaddy]

Before Nagy, Jordan Howard WAS the offense. Now the Bears actually have more than just Jordan Howard.

We can't have our cake and have Howard run for 115 yards a game too.

1000% agree with this. But really he went from 18 apg last year to 16 earlier this year to around 14-15 as of now. So it's not like he shouldn't have better rushing yards then he actually does.

All the same, I'll take the the 10ppg increase over the last few years where they struggled to score 20.

[Mikefive]

Before Nagy, Jordan Howard WAS the offense. Now the Bears actually have more than just Jordan Howard.

We can't have our cake and have Howard run for 115 yards a game too.

OK. But I don't think it's too much to ask to have our cake and have Howard run for 4+ per carry for 15 touches a game.

[Otis Day]

What are you supposed to do when you have cake? Look at it? No offense to anyone, but always hated that saying.

I use, you can't have cake and ice cream too. Makes more sense to me.

[Boris13c]

What are you supposed to do when you have cake? Look at it?

if you go by the saying, yes .... when you have it, you are looking at it

when you eat it, then there is no more cake unless you're counting stomach contents ... once eaten, you no longer have it

No offense to anyone, but always hated that saying.

agreed ... my guess is it originated somewhere in England at a time long ago when they still thought wearing powdered wigs was a key fashion accessory ... and probably was uttered by a member of their inbred royalty

I use, you can't have cake and ice cream too. Makes more sense to me.

oh yeah? well what about ice cream cake?

[G08]

Question: What’s wrong with the running game? Answer: Jordan Howard isn’t rushing for 100 yards per game.

That doesn’t mean the teams isn’t getting the job done, it’s now by committee. The bears are averaging 115 yards per game and have 10 rushing TD’s. As long as the team is moving the changes, controlling the TOP and scoring 29 PPG. Is there really a problem?

I’m a huge Howard fan, he’s my favorite offensive player but unfortunately I don’t see Nagy valuing his skill set. I don’t see him as a long term bear and that makes me sad.

To me, I greatly value the ability to run the ball when you want to (i.e. bleed clock, etc). Our RBs are averaging 3.6 yards per carry... that's terrible. Jordan Howard himself is at 3.3. It's a huge concern in my book.

It's more than possible to be an elite scoring offense and have your feature back average 4.0 YPC.

In this same offense, Kareem Hunt is averaging 4.6 yards per carry.

Here's the rest of the top 5 scoring offenses in the NFL:

Alvin Kamara is at 4.7

Mark Ingram is at 4.9

Todd Gurley is at 5.0.

Marlon Mack is at 5.1

Jordan Howard is at 3.3


One of these things is not like the others, bros

[Boris13c]

Question: What’s wrong with the running game? Answer: Jordan Howard isn’t rushing for 100 yards per game.

That doesn’t mean the teams isn’t getting the job done, it’s now by committee. The bears are averaging 115 yards per game and have 10 rushing TD’s. As long as the team is moving the changes, controlling the TOP and scoring 29 PPG. Is there really a problem?

I’m a huge Howard fan, he’s my favorite offensive player but unfortunately I don’t see Nagy valuing his skill set. I don’t see him as a long term bear and that makes me sad.

To me, I greatly value the ability to run the ball when you want to (i.e. bleed clock, etc). Our RBs are averaging 3.6 yards per carry... that's terrible. Jordan Howard himself is at 3.3. It's a huge concern in my book.

It's more than possible to be an elite scoring offense and have your feature back average 4.0 YPC.

In this same offense, Kareem Hunt is averaging 4.6 yards per carry.

Here's the rest of the top 5 scoring offenses in the NFL:

Alvin Kamara is at 4.7

Mark Ingram is at 4.9

Todd Gurley is at 5.0.

Marlon Mack is at 5.1

Jordan Howard is at 3.3


One of these things is not like the others, bros

valid observations and taken by themselves paint a potentially troubling picture

but

perhaps this is simply by design? maybe the offense is geared so that it can be successful with the running game as an afterthought?

that sucks for Howard, because I think in a more conventional scheme he would likely be one of the top RB's in the league

Nagy is not big on being conventional ... but he does seem to be big on success ... and it is obvious the entire team is buying into what he is selling them ... and success is the result

all that said, I am guessing Nagy is also smart enough to have his cold weather package at the ready ... something with perhaps a bit more of a brute force in your face style rather than the finesse currently in vogue

bottom line is, I'm not worried ... I am happy to simply sit back and enjoy a level of comfortable success I have rarely known as a Bears fan, confident that the details required to continue it will get their due attention

[G08]

I think regardless of offensive scheme or however many points are being put up, you need to be able to run the ball, so I don't think this is by design. Truthfully, any time Nagy is asked about the run game in his pressers you can hear the sigh and frustration in his voice.

I'll say this... if we can figure out how to get Jordan Howard going, our offense is going to become THAT much more explosive. We are doing all this without the threat of the play action... imagine what Cohen/Gabriel etc can do with 8 men in the box trying to stop our run game.

[Pagan]

Save for the Bears last game... The Bears have been toward the tops in the league in time of possession.

It's not tradional or what we're used to, but but Nagy has taken the teams current weakness & made it all work out nicely.

[G08]

Save for the Bears last game... The Bears have been toward the tops in the league in time of possession.

It's not tradional or what we're used to, but but Nagy has taken the teams current weakness & made it all work out nicely.

For sure, and that's a huge testament to him as a play-caller. My worry is what if we have a playoff home game and it's a blizzard? We can't be running all these motions and complex routes to rely on our offense.

Not trying to be negative, but I just think if we had a run game our offense would be almost unstoppable.

[The Marshall Plan]

Save for the Bears last game... The Bears have been toward the tops in the league in time of possession.

It's not tradional or what we're used to, but but Nagy has taken the teams current weakness & made it all work out nicely.

For sure, and that's a huge testament to him as a play-caller. My worry is what if we have a playoff home game and it's a blizzard? We can't be running all these motions and complex routes to rely on our offense.

Not trying to be negative, but I just think if we had a run game our offense would be almost unstoppable.

I don't disagree with anything you typed. Just asking a couple questions. Keep in mind I really like Jordan Howard.

What's more disruptive? Changing the blocking scheme and potentially personnel to get Howard more productive? Or trading Howard and drafting / signing / trading for an RB that's a more natural fit?

I say we either trade Howard or let him leave during FA and get a replacement.

wab mentioned Duke Johnson and a guy like that is perfect for this offense.

[G08]

Save for the Bears last game... The Bears have been toward the tops in the league in time of possession.

It's not tradional or what we're used to, but but Nagy has taken the teams current weakness & made it all work out nicely.

For sure, and that's a huge testament to him as a play-caller. My worry is what if we have a playoff home game and it's a blizzard? We can't be running all these motions and complex routes to rely on our offense.

Not trying to be negative, but I just think if we had a run game our offense would be almost unstoppable.

I don't disagree with anything you typed. Just asking a couple questions. Keep in mind I really like Jordan Howard.

What's more disruptive? Changing the blocking scheme and potentially personnel to get Howard more productive? Or trading Howard and drafting / signing / trading for an RB that's a more natural fit?

I say we either trade Howard or let him leave during FA and get a replacement.

wab mentioned Duke Johnson and a guy like that is perfect for this offense.

Once there was smoke out there that Jordan Howard wasn't a fit for this offense, I was of the opinion the writing was on the wall. I think we'll keep him around for depth, but I'm anticipating that we will look for a RB either in FA or the draft.

If he asked us to release him, and we did it out of decency, he'd cost us something like 63K

[BR0D1E86]

Save for the Bears last game... The Bears have been toward the tops in the league in time of possession.

It's not tradional or what we're used to, but but Nagy has taken the teams current weakness & made it all work out nicely.

For sure, and that's a huge testament to him as a play-caller. My worry is what if we have a playoff home game and it's a blizzard? We can't be running all these motions and complex routes to rely on our offense.

Not trying to be negative, but I just think if we had a run game our offense would be almost unstoppable.

I don't disagree with anything you typed. Just asking a couple questions. Keep in mind I really like Jordan Howard.

What's more disruptive? Changing the blocking scheme and potentially personnel to get Howard more productive? Or trading Howard and drafting / signing / trading for an RB that's a more natural fit?

I say we either trade Howard or let him leave during FA and get a replacement.

wab mentioned Duke Johnson and a guy like that is perfect for this offense.

Once there was smoke out there that Jordan Howard wasn't a fit for this offense, I was of the opinion the writing was on the wall. I think we'll keep him around for depth, but I'm anticipating that we will look for a RB either in FA or the draft.

If he asked us to release him, and we did it out of decency, he'd cost us something like 63K

I’d say there is a 0.0% chance we release him. At a minimum we can get a mid round pick out of him.

[Bears Whiskey Nut]

At the very least, Howard is saying all of the right things. And it's true. He ran out on the field for the Jackson TD celebration. Maybe the "disgruntled Jordan Howard" is a media creation?

What the old saying about winning...?

Howard - "We're winning, I'm happy."

[Sugashane]

Save for the Bears last game... The Bears have been toward the tops in the league in time of possession.

It's not tradional or what we're used to, but but Nagy has taken the teams current weakness & made it all work out nicely.

For sure, and that's a huge testament to him as a play-caller. My worry is what if we have a playoff home game and it's a blizzard? We can't be running all these motions and complex routes to rely on our offense.

Not trying to be negative, but I just think if we had a run game our offense would be almost unstoppable.

You're not being negative, you're just being correct.

If they had a more successful run game, it would be easier on Trubisky. If we had 2017's run production from Howard, then we are facing heavier fronts, a slightly lower percentage of nickel defenders (both leading to bigger windows and better potential mismatches) OR gnashing them and setting up Trubisky with a lot more 3rd and 1 or 3rd and 2 situations. That makes the playcalling much easier for Nagy as well. These situations being better also means Trubisky is scrambling less - IE being put in danger of a Smith-like cheapshot again.

Nagy has schemed REALLY well overall after a rough start to the season, but we also can't forget we have the best and most productive defense in the NFL as a crutch too. Offensive alone we are not a top 5 offense IMO, largely because our running game is barely mediocre. I'm not sure why Nagy or HH isn't utilizing more zone looks, you do not need to be exclusive with them. We don't have the same horsepower in the OL as we did when we had Kreutz and Co., but overall we are far more athletic now than we were then. Using Leno as an example, he has improved dramatically, but he isn't folding any DL or pushing them 5 yards deep. But he is mobile enough to stick to almost any DE for a few seconds to potentially open a lane or quick enough to crash down and hit a DT before he can burst through the gap. Why try to force a scheme that doesn't fit? The run game scheme preference doesn't have to cause issues with the passing game, if anything having a solid zone stretch play to rely on only increase RPO and playaction off that play.

[G08]

I'm not sure why Nagy or HH isn't utilizing more zone looks, you do not need to be exclusive with them.

You don't have to be exclusive with the zone looks, true, but the 'bang for your buck' is much greater when you are. The key with zone blocking is that you make everything look the same to the defense whether it's a run or pass. Watch the Rams on offense, it's fucking beautiful. Ditto the old-school (ugh, I have to call the 90's Broncos old school now) Broncos with Elway and Davis.

We don't have the same horsepower in the OL as we did when we had Kreutz and Co., but overall we are far more athletic now than we were then. Using Leno as an example, he has improved dramatically, but he isn't folding any DL or pushing them 5 yards deep. But he is mobile enough to stick to almost any DE for a few seconds to potentially open a lane or quick enough to crash down and hit a DT before he can burst through the gap. Why try to force a scheme that doesn't fit? The run game scheme preference doesn't have to cause issues with the passing game, if anything having a solid zone stretch play to rely on only increase RPO and playaction off that play.

There has to be a reason why Nagy and Heistand want to stick with this scheme. It's a different approach and technique for the players. I don't know enough about OL play/blocking scheme continuity and it's fit in an offense's run and pass, especially when considering tipping off plays pre-snap.

Nagy said he's going to use our mini-bye to find ways to make the run game work. I hope he's right!

[wab]

I'm not sure why Nagy or HH isn't utilizing more zone looks, you do not need to be exclusive with them.

You don't have to be exclusive with the zone looks, true, but the 'bang for your buck' is much greater when you are. The key with zone blocking is that you make everything look the same to the defense whether it's a run or pass. Watch the Rams on offense, it's fucking beautiful. Ditto the old-school (ugh, I have to call the 90's Broncos old school now) Broncos with Elway and Davis.

We don't have the same horsepower in the OL as we did when we had Kreutz and Co., but overall we are far more athletic now than we were then. Using Leno as an example, he has improved dramatically, but he isn't folding any DL or pushing them 5 yards deep. But he is mobile enough to stick to almost any DE for a few seconds to potentially open a lane or quick enough to crash down and hit a DT before he can burst through the gap. Why try to force a scheme that doesn't fit? The run game scheme preference doesn't have to cause issues with the passing game, if anything having a solid zone stretch play to rely on only increase RPO and playaction off that play.

There has to be a reason why Nagy and Heistand want to stick with this scheme. It's a different approach and technique for the players. I don't know enough about OL play/blocking scheme continuity and it's fit in an offense's run and pass, especially when considering tipping off plays pre-snap.

Nagy said he's going to use our mini-bye to find ways to make the run game work. I hope he's right!

I don't think Howard is struggling with the blocking scheme. I think he's struggling with the RPO part. He just doesn't seem comfortable with it, so he's hesitating, and that's why the lanes are closing in.

[G08]

I'm not sure why Nagy or HH isn't utilizing more zone looks, you do not need to be exclusive with them.

You don't have to be exclusive with the zone looks, true, but the 'bang for your buck' is much greater when you are. The key with zone blocking is that you make everything look the same to the defense whether it's a run or pass. Watch the Rams on offense, it's fucking beautiful. Ditto the old-school (ugh, I have to call the 90's Broncos old school now) Broncos with Elway and Davis.

We don't have the same horsepower in the OL as we did when we had Kreutz and Co., but overall we are far more athletic now than we were then. Using Leno as an example, he has improved dramatically, but he isn't folding any DL or pushing them 5 yards deep. But he is mobile enough to stick to almost any DE for a few seconds to potentially open a lane or quick enough to crash down and hit a DT before he can burst through the gap. Why try to force a scheme that doesn't fit? The run game scheme preference doesn't have to cause issues with the passing game, if anything having a solid zone stretch play to rely on only increase RPO and playaction off that play.

There has to be a reason why Nagy and Heistand want to stick with this scheme. It's a different approach and technique for the players. I don't know enough about OL play/blocking scheme continuity and it's fit in an offense's run and pass, especially when considering tipping off plays pre-snap.

Nagy said he's going to use our mini-bye to find ways to make the run game work. I hope he's right!

I don't think Howard is struggling with the blocking scheme. I think he's struggling with the RPO part. He just doesn't seem comfortable with it, so he's hesitating, and that's why the lanes are closing in.

He's struggled on straight handoffs too though. The holes he sees either aren't there or they close up extremely quickly. I personally hate that we are sacrificing his -- what I consider to be elite -- vision in a zone blocking scheme. Maybe we'll clean it up, I'll definitely be keeping more of an eye on it moving forward.

[G08]

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Three factors stand out to me as the biggest culprits for the #Bears’ run-game struggles. Two can’t be fixed this year — but does it really matter? Film Study:

Uh... UOK? I know what I want for Christmas