Why are we passing so much with Warner gone?

[DoTheDew]

After 2 weeks we have 74 pass attempts, 34 rushing attempts. Now I know in week 2 we got behind early and that didn't help. But week 1 we had 41 passes to 21 runs.

I don't understand why when you have a QB who doesn't have good chemistry with his WRs yet, an OLine that is filled with run blockers who can't pass block, and 3 effective rushers (when Beanie comes back).

There was a thread about the 49ers being an example for us? No the example for us should be Pittsburg. They are 2-0 with scrubs at QB. They won last week with Charlie freakin Batch. Against a good team and without too much effort. Yes I know their D is better, but if Whiz wants to win with this team IMO, he's going to have to take the pressure of DA early in the season by running A LOT. There is absolutely no reason this team should be passing 68.5% of the time with DA at QB. Especially not this early in the year before he's had time to gel and before Fitz is 100%.

If we could just establish the run, DA might actually, I don't know, have some time to throw. He's done horrible against the blitz and teams know we're going to pass 2/3rds of the time. Our defense might actually not be on the field after 3 and outs most of the time and consequently might actually look solid.

Anyone have an explanation from Whiz or otherwise as to why we aren't running the ball?

 

[DieHardCardFan]

My guess would be two fold. One we have been playing from behind and/or Whis is trying to get DA in synch with this Offense and the WR's.

 

[Duckjake]

Good question.

Against the Rams in the opening series of the season the Cards threw on 3 of the first 4 plays.

The second series was a 3 and out; all passes.

Against the Rams?

 

[joeshmo]

Its simple. We want to run the ball more but it is exactly that very run game that is making us pass more often then we probably want. Highly ineffective runs on 1st down or penalties pushing us into 2nd and 3rd and longs forcing us to pass.

This is just the first game of horrible 1st down run plays that forced us to throw on 2nd and 3rd.

1-10-STL 38 (12:52) 34-T.Hightower left guard to SL 36 for 2 yards (55-J.Laurinaitis).

1-10-STL 24 (11:41) (Shotgun) 34-T.Hightower right tackle to SL 22 for 2 yards (31-J.King).

1-10-STL 39 (6:27) 34-T.Hightower up the middle to SL 40 for -1 yards (53-N.Diggs).

1-10-ARI 40 (2:55) 3-D.Anderson pass short middle to 34-T.Hightower to ARZ 43 for 3 yards (53-N.Diggs).

1-10-STL 11 (15:00) 34-T.Hightower right tackle to SL 8 for 3 yards (59-L.Grant).

1-10-ARI 14 (1:47) (Shotgun) 34-T.Hightower up the middle to ARZ 12 for -2 yards (98-F.Robbins).

1-10-ARI 22 (12:57) 36-L.Stephens-Howling right guard to ARZ 23 for 1 yard (59-L.Grant).

1-10-ARI 20 (6:16) 34-T.Hightower right end to ARZ 20 for no gain. PENALTY on ARZ-76-D.Lutui, Offensive Holding, 10 yards, enforced at ARZ 20 - No Play.

1-10-ARI 36 (4:35) 36-L.Stephens-Howling left tackle to ARZ 35 for -1 yards (53-N.Diggs).

1-10-STL 13 (15:00) 36-L.Stephens-Howling up the middle to SL 14 for -1 yards (96-J.Hall).

1-10-ARI 45 (9:08) 3-D.Anderson pass incomplete deep right to 14-S.Williams. PENALTY on ARZ-72-B.Keith, Illegal Formation, 5 yards, enforced at ARZ 45 - No Play.

1-10-STL 11 (6:53) 36-L.Stephens-Howling left end to SL 6 for 5 yards (43-C.Dahl). PENALTY on ARZ-83-S.Spach, Offensive Holding, 10 yards, enforced at SL 11 - No Play.

Absolutely horrible.

 

[Linderbee]

I'm going with, "because they're stupid".

It's simple, direct, probably fairly accurate.

 

[cardsfanmd]

Duh, because Anderson is awesome!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Pariah]

Because Anderson could use all the practice he can get?

 

[82CardsGrad]

Its simple. We want to run the ball more but it is exactly that very run game that is making us pass more often then we probably want. Highly ineffective runs on 1st down or penalties pushing us into 2nd and 3rd and longs forcing us to pass.

This is just the first game of horrible 1st down run plays that forced us to throw on 2nd and 3rd.

1-10-STL 38 (12:52) 34-T.Hightower left guard to SL 36 for 2 yards (55-J.Laurinaitis).

1-10-STL 24 (11:41) (Shotgun) 34-T.Hightower right tackle to SL 22 for 2 yards (31-J.King).

1-10-STL 39 (6:27) 34-T.Hightower up the middle to SL 40 for -1 yards (53-N.Diggs).

1-10-ARI 40 (2:55) 3-D.Anderson pass short middle to 34-T.Hightower to ARZ 43 for 3 yards (53-N.Diggs).

1-10-STL 11 (15:00) 34-T.Hightower right tackle to SL 8 for 3 yards (59-L.Grant).

1-10-ARI 14 (1:47) (Shotgun) 34-T.Hightower up the middle to ARZ 12 for -2 yards (98-F.Robbins).

1-10-ARI 22 (12:57) 36-L.Stephens-Howling right guard to ARZ 23 for 1 yard (59-L.Grant).

1-10-ARI 20 (6:16) 34-T.Hightower right end to ARZ 20 for no gain. PENALTY on ARZ-76-D.Lutui, Offensive Holding, 10 yards, enforced at ARZ 20 - No Play.

1-10-ARI 36 (4:35) 36-L.Stephens-Howling left tackle to ARZ 35 for -1 yards (53-N.Diggs).

1-10-STL 13 (15:00) 36-L.Stephens-Howling up the middle to SL 14 for -1 yards (96-J.Hall).

1-10-ARI 45 (9:08) 3-D.Anderson pass incomplete deep right to 14-S.Williams. PENALTY on ARZ-72-B.Keith, Illegal Formation, 5 yards, enforced at ARZ 45 - No Play.

1-10-STL 11 (6:53) 36-L.Stephens-Howling left end to SL 6 for 5 yards (43-C.Dahl). PENALTY on ARZ-83-S.Spach, Offensive Holding, 10 yards, enforced at SL 11 - No Play.

Absolutely horrible.

Exactly... don't know what the league averages are, but I believe most teams run on first down the majority of the time. For us, all this means is that we gain squat on first down, then throw for an incompletion on second down, which leaves us with 3rd and long - leading to yet another pass...
UGLY!!

 

[Cardiac]

Whiz has stated that teams are blitzing us and that this also clogs the running lanes.

I would think that there are some run plays that could be effective against the blitzes the Rams were throwing at us. Well actually the TD drive that only took 5 plays and was all runs was a counter punch by Whiz. Rams made adjustments to take that away.

Screens also help against the blitz but the Cards typically suck at this and DA doesn't have the touch to complete these.

 

[conraddobler]

Whiz has stated that teams are blitzing us and that this also clogs the running lanes.

I would think that there are some run plays that could be effective against the blitzes the Rams were throwing at us. Well actually the TD drive that only took 5 plays and was all runs was a counter punch by Whiz. Rams made adjustments to take that away.

Screens also help against the blitz but the Cards typically suck at this and DA doesn't have the touch to complete these.

Before I die, I'd like to see us get good at screen passes, this isn't realistic though, but still.

 

[Duckjake]

Exactly... don't know what the league averages are, but I believe most teams run on first down the majority of the time. For us, all this means is that we gain squat on first down, then throw for an incompletion on second down, which leaves us with 3rd and long - leading to yet another pass...
UGLY!!

Does that mean the Cards knew their run game wasn't going to work because they threw the ball on their first 1st and 10 and their 2nd? 5 times out of 9 on first down in the first quarter. They threw 14 times total compared to 7 runs in the first quarter as well.

Seems strange to me.

 

[DoTheDew]

Its simple. We want to run the ball more but it is exactly that very run game that is making us pass more often then we probably want. Highly ineffective runs on 1st down or penalties pushing us into 2nd and 3rd and longs forcing us to pass.

This is just the first game of horrible 1st down run plays that forced us to throw on 2nd and 3rd.

1-10-STL 38 (12:52) 34-T.Hightower left guard to SL 36 for 2 yards (55-J.Laurinaitis).

1-10-STL 24 (11:41) (Shotgun) 34-T.Hightower right tackle to SL 22 for 2 yards (31-J.King).

1-10-STL 39 (6:27) 34-T.Hightower up the middle to SL 40 for -1 yards (53-N.Diggs).

1-10-ARI 40 (2:55) 3-D.Anderson pass short middle to 34-T.Hightower to ARZ 43 for 3 yards (53-N.Diggs).

1-10-STL 11 (15:00) 34-T.Hightower right tackle to SL 8 for 3 yards (59-L.Grant).

1-10-ARI 14 (1:47) (Shotgun) 34-T.Hightower up the middle to ARZ 12 for -2 yards (98-F.Robbins).

1-10-ARI 22 (12:57) 36-L.Stephens-Howling right guard to ARZ 23 for 1 yard (59-L.Grant).

1-10-ARI 20 (6:16) 34-T.Hightower right end to ARZ 20 for no gain. PENALTY on ARZ-76-D.Lutui, Offensive Holding, 10 yards, enforced at ARZ 20 - No Play.

1-10-ARI 36 (4:35) 36-L.Stephens-Howling left tackle to ARZ 35 for -1 yards (53-N.Diggs).

1-10-STL 13 (15:00) 36-L.Stephens-Howling up the middle to SL 14 for -1 yards (96-J.Hall).

1-10-ARI 45 (9:08) 3-D.Anderson pass incomplete deep right to 14-S.Williams. PENALTY on ARZ-72-B.Keith, Illegal Formation, 5 yards, enforced at ARZ 45 - No Play.

1-10-STL 11 (6:53) 36-L.Stephens-Howling left end to SL 6 for 5 yards (43-C.Dahl). PENALTY on ARZ-83-S.Spach, Offensive Holding, 10 yards, enforced at SL 11 - No Play.

Absolutely horrible.

That's nice, but how is that worse than incompletions/sacks on first down that we've been getting. The penalties hurt us, but I'll take the 2 yard carries over incompletions. I wouldn't be opposed to running on 2nd and 8 either. Get 2-3 more yards and you have a much more manageable passing down. Pass on 2nd and 8 and get sacked/incomplete and you've just taken the quick out routes that are so effective in the NFL out of the playbook.

I don't know the statistics, but my experience watching games has shown me that generally run games tend to get better the more times you run. In other words, most teams first 10 carries have a lot of these 0-2 yard runs, but if you stick to it, the D will be worn out and you can often march right down the field on them.

Second of all, it seems most RBs are feast and famine to begin with. The ones with high averages seem to have multiple 20+yard carries, but still get stuffed for 0-2 yards multiple times in a game as well.

Finally, if we continue passing this much, DA will not only lose the little bit of confidence he has, but will not make it through the season. He might not even make it through next week with the way he's getting hit. I'd rather get 1-2 yards on first down running it, than an incompletion/sack and a banged up QB.

One other note. That Stl game we had J. Johnson at fullback, with all of a week on the team. I thought Mauia looked much better in run support. That Hightower 80 yard run was just a textbook smash mouth style running attack. None of these stupid shot-gun draws on first down. None of this Singleback run with no lead blocker non-sense. This was putting more blockers in the path of the RB than the defense had tacklers.

 

[82CardsGrad]

Does that mean the Cards knew their run game wasn't going to work because they threw the ball on their first 1st and 10 and their 2nd? 5 times out of 9 on first down in the first quarter. They threw 14 times total compared to 7 runs in the first quarter as well.

Seems strange to me.

I think the inability to run combined with the run-stuffing A-Gap blitzes Atlanta was running caused the calls to lean toward Pass more than Run...

 

[Catfish]

Good Question DTD-----maybe a better one would be, With Hitower rushing for an average of 7 yards per carry, why aren't we running more than we are?????

 

[cardpa]

I think the inability to run combined with the run-stuffing A-Gap blitzes Atlanta was running caused the calls to lean toward Pass more than Run...

If they're running so many A gap blitzes maybe run some pitches wide or wide receiver screens and seal off the blitzers so we have an advantage running wide. Maybe make them pay for running all those blitzes inside?

 

[Duckjake]

If they're running so many A gap blitzes maybe run some pitches wide or wide receiver screens and seal off the blitzers so we have an advantage running wide. Maybe make them pay for running all those blitzes inside?

They were doing that running LSH outside in the Rams game with some real success. I didn't see it much in the Falcons game though.

 

[joeshmo]

That's nice, but how is that worse than incompletions/sacks on first down that we've been getting.

Who said otherwise. Of course an average of one yard is better then a incomplete or sack. Never even suggested that we should pass on first down. Only that running the ball more effectively would give us the ability to have a much wider range of play selections on 3rd and 3 rather then 3rd and 7.

 

[joeshmo]

They were doing that running LSH outside in the Rams game with some real success. I didn't see it much in the Falcons game though.

The run blitz will continue to happen until DA proves he can make them pay for it.

 

[Duckjake]

The run blitz will continue to happen until DA proves he can make them pay for it.

Can we get Anquan back from Baltimore?

 

[Bobcat]

Because Anderson could use all the practice he can get?

Well it looks like all the practice DA gets really does not make PERFECT. He really is pathetic... and so is Whiz...!!!

BOBCAT

 

[D-Dogg]

If they're running so many A gap blitzes maybe run some pitches wide or wide receiver screens and seal off the blitzers so we have an advantage running wide. Maybe make them pay for running all those blitzes inside?

Or quick hit drag routes in the space the LBs just left?

 

[IAWarnerFan]

Because our 1st round draft pick at RB has been injured?

 

[Cheesebeef]

Well it looks like all the practice DA gets really does not make PERFECT. He really is pathetic... and so is Whiz...!!!

really?

 

[CaptTurbo]

Before I die, I'd like to see us get good at screen passes, this isn't realistic though, but still.

Cant throw screens with a QB that throws straight bullets 200 mph from 20 feet away.

BTW only Dallas has a worse pass/run ratio.

 

[cardpa]

Cant throw screens with a QB that throws straight bullets 200 mph from 20 feet away.

BTW only Dallas has a worse pass/run ratio.

Good point, our WRs would look like the guy in the Geico commercial with Randy Johnson and the snowball fight.