#1 ranked rushing team

[Skkorpion]

For the 2003 preseason, the Cards are the #1 ranked rushing team in football, both in total yardage and YPRush.

That hints at all kinds of things, including improved oline blocking. Could it be our new oline coach is making a huge difference?


Rushing Offense
Team G Att Att/G Yds Avg Yds/G TDs FDs 20+
Arizona 3 102 34.0 503 4.9 167.7 3 15 0
Oakland 3 91 30.3 439 4.8 146.3 2 20 0
Carolina 3 105 35.0 415 4.0 138.3 3 22 0
Tampa Bay 4 121 30.2 524 4.3 131.0 4 28 0
Minnesota 3 98 32.7 383 3.9 127.7 3 21 0
Seattle 3 90 30.0 380 4.2 126.7 5 22 0
Denver 3 89 29.7 356 4.0 118.7 2 24 0
Pittsburgh 3 83 27.7 354 4.3 118.0 3 17 0
Detroit 3 79 26.3 343 4.3 114.3 3 25 0
New England 4 135 33.8 456 3.4 114.0 3 27 0
Miami 3 88 29.3 329 3.7 109.7 2 18 0
Washington 3 84 28.0 319 3.8 106.3 3 22 0
Chicago 4 94 23.5 424 4.5 106.0 1 26 0
Houston 3 90 30.0 318 3.5 106.0 0 16 0
Buffalo 3 66 22.0 313 4.7 104.3 4 16 0
San Francisco 3 86 28.7 312 3.6 104.0 3 20 0
Cincinnati 3 92 30.7 311 3.4 103.7 1 15 0
Indianapolis 3 77 25.7 287 3.7 95.7 1 13 0
Green Bay 4 99 24.8 376 3.8 94.0 6 27 0
San Diego 3 64 21.3 281 4.4 93.7 0 14 0
Kansas City 4 100 25.0 372 3.7 93.0 0 15 0
St. Louis 3 89 29.7 278 3.1 92.7 2 19 0
Tennessee 3 92 30.7 269 2.9 89.7 2 16 0
New Orleans 3 77 25.7 267 3.5 89.0 1 16 0
Dallas 3 73 24.3 249 3.4 83.0 2 16 0
New York (N) 3 73 24.3 242 3.3 80.7 0 14 0
Jacksonville 3 75 25.0 232 3.1 77.3 2 13 0
Cleveland 3 66 22.0 224 3.4 74.7 0 9 0
New York (A) 4 112 28.0 284 2.5 71.0 5 16 0
Baltimore 3 71 23.7 190 2.7 63.3 2 9 0
Philadelphia 3 63 21.0 184 2.9 61.3 1 13 0
Atlanta 3 50 16.7 147 2.9 49.0 1 9 0

 

[kerouac9]

I think you're right. This team has an excellent run-blocking unit, from top to bottom, including TEs and FBs. What I'm worried about is their ability to pass-protect, especially considering that the starting unit had exactly 0 snaps together in preseason games, and the alleged pass-happiness of Sullivan's offense.

It's definitely (sorry) possible that the Cards can be the 2003 version of the 2002 Vikings, who, while allegedly loving to huck the ball, ever-so-quietly rushed for more yards than anyone else in the NFL, behind a three-headed moster of running backs.

Can Smith-Shipp-Anderson come close to the production of Bennett-Chapman-Williams? I sure hope so, and I imagine that Jeff Blake does, as well.

 

[Jttsaz]

Very impressive stat's indeed...while the preseason games and stats don't count...they do mean something...

 

[Northern Card]

Sorry to be dink to some, but after reading dozens upon dozens of posts with the word / phrase "definately" this or that... I'd like to say, that the emphasis being brought would be more credible if the word was spelled - "Definitely".

And while I'm on this jag - Its "ATHLETE" not ATHALETE...

 

[earthsci]

It's definately positive that our ATHALETEs are looking this good.

 

[Pariah]

Looks like those stats are after 3 preseason games, not 4? It's tough to read without a table, but I think that's what it says.

 

[CardAvenger]

Just add the 217 yards on 31 attempts(7.0 average). Even better.

 

[Chaz]

I remember being impressed last night when on 2nd and 16 Shipp runs for 17 yards.

Looking forward to some good production from the run game this season.

 

[AZCB34]

Originally posted by Pariah
Looks like those stats are after 3 preseason games, not 4? It's tough to read without a table, but I think that's what it says.

Yeah looks like it was done after Wednesday's NE v CHI game so it didn't even take into account last night.

Unlike alot of people I place value in preseason...both stats and wins/losses. I truly believe this rushing information will be indicative of what the Cards faithful can expect this upcoming season. I will say the blocking last night early on left alot to be disured but they will work out the kinks I hope.

The Cards are lucky to have a 3 headed beast at RB. It offers several things. First, it offers to allow the Cards coaches to rotate and keep the horses fresh. That can only be a good thing in the 4th quarter. Second, it allows for tremendous flexibilty. I hope/think the Cards have sets we haven't seen with Smith and Shipp or Anderson in the same backfield.

Third, it offers a safety net in case of injury. I don't think the dropoff is wildly dramatic like some teams and God forbid someone gets hurt, they can keep chugging along.

Finally, with the success running the ball I predict, this will make the job of our young WRs and Blake much easier. That can only produce good things.

Wow, this kool-aid is tasty.

 

[JD Robertson]

Dont' forget, Big will now get into the game. I can just see him and Hodgins just killing people then Emmitt and Marcel will run over the dbacks. No more having to throw the ball late in games because of error-free play from the qb means more rushing attempts late in games when the defense is getting tired of having their butts handed to them all day long by the bruisers up front. Big yards at the end will help us win alot of games.

JD