Are we making a mistake with this offense?

[slanidrac16]

I know that we need to run the ball to have an effective offense but could it prove costly to "waste" valuable downs TRYING to run the ball especially early in the game?
Let me explain. We all agree that our running game is work in progress. And we all agree we need to run the ball. However, attempting to run the ball early and NOT having success only puts us in 2nd and long or 3rd and long which is exactly the situation we don't want Warner in.
Might we be better off to come out firing while mixing in a few runs with the thought of jumping on teams and getting an early lead?
I remember a Ram game when the Rams came out and threw the ball for the first 18 plays of the game. The announcers were joking about how, "This is the play they will finally run the ball." When the dust settled the Rams were up 14-0 and coasted to an easy victory.
My point is lets not try to establish the run early in the game at the cost of punting and falling behind. This team will be SO much better playing with a lead rather than trying to come from behind. Why not use our most lethal weapons (our wr's and passing game) to jump on our opponents ESPECIALLY early in the game? Hit them before they hit us. Then settle into a little more conservative game plan. At that point opposing defenses will be on their heels and the run game should be a little more effective,
It's not important for us to become the best running team in the NFC. The most important thing in WINS.
Playoff teams MUST be able to run the ball, especially away and especially in the bad weather and cold. Well, lets get to the playoffs doing what we do best and maybe our " work in progress" running game will develop by that time.

 

[RON_IN_OC]

Throw to score...Run to win!

 

[JeffGollin]

It all depends on (a) our offensive philosophy and (b) the proverbial "take what the defense gives us" philosophy. And then there's (c) varying definitions of what does or does not constitute a running play.

Although Dennis is more vertically inclined, he comes out of the Bill Walsh west coast tradition. The concept relies a lot on short, 3-step stuff with the pass hitting the receiver in full-stride so that he can maximize yardage after the catch. The RB catching passes out of the backfield is, in fact, therefore could be said to be executing a running play.

I'm in favor of a balanced attack that makes it difficult for defenses to load up either the run or the pass without risking getting burnt.

My only concern with Cardinal play calling is that when we throw an incomplete pass on 1st down, it seems as if there's a high likelihood Rowan will run a draw on 2nd down.

Conversely, if we run for little yardage on 1st down, it's highly unlikely Rowan will dial up another running play.

It seems as though we're too predictable.

Sometimes I wish Rowan would just pull slips of paper out of a hat and call the plays at random in order to keep us less predictable. If that means running a draw play from our one yard line on 3rd and 30, so be it. (Other teams have done stuff like that against us and, sometimes, it's worked).

 

[Redheart]

Too often has it worked.

 

[Renz]

That's what the Colts are doing today against JAX. They aren't even trying to run.

 

[DevonCardsFan]

It does seem that the Cards are forcing the run and not mixing anything up at all, if us guys on a message boardknow the Cards are running before they snap the ball, I'm damn sure the defense and there Coordinator know as well

 

[joeshmo]

I dont think it is a mistake. But I do think it is unimaginative and predictable.

Where I think we are making the mistakes is in the passing game. Not more passing but better executed passing. For example the WR's need to recognize the blitz more often and break off their routes or break out into hot reads. The same goes for Warner he needs to do that same a recognize the WR's that are giving him the hot reads and actually throw to them. Also the play calling has seemed to gone away from the slants, WR screens, and lining up Boldin in the backfield to go into routes, which is our WR's bread a butter plays. We need to go back to more 3 step drops instead of the multiple 5 and 7 step drops we seemed to do last week.

 

[AZ Shocker]

If we are a passing team...then come out gun slinging and get a couple td's to start the game. Then start the ball control game by calling some running plays later on.

The first game of the season on our first possesion...we handed off to Edge. He gained nothing! First off...that was a completly scripted play that everybody (including the 49er's) knew was coming, and secondly...were we trying to show that we are a running team? C'mon Denny...know what you are working with and play to your strengths. Geez!

 

[Harry]

The old truisms die hard in the NFL. Once you had to establish the run to open up the passing game. Several recent teams have proven that not to be the case. You can pass to open up the running game, if you do so in a ball control way. The Cards are hampered by a poor line and no reliable tight ends. They seem to be trying to force the run and then, even when they need 4 yards for a first down, they try to throw it 15. That's a bad combination.