How will Saunders affect our running game?

I'm totally done with Jacobs. In my eyes, he's officially hit "bust" status.

Taylor Jacobs is dead to me.

Taylor Jacobs is dead to me.

No doubt!

Guys, stick the WR talk in the passing game thread. Unless of course he moves Jacobs to running back! :)

My thoughts:

As far as the running game goes, it depends who we have at #2 WR next year. If we can open the passing game up enough to stop the keying on Moss and Portis, then we end up blocking 8 on 7 in the box more often. That gives us more potential for long runs. Even if POrtis grinds out another 1500+ yards, we need big plays to improve this offense.

Likewise, as I said in the passing thread, we need to improve the OL. We need pass protection as good as our run blocking, and we need both to be excellent. If the passing game can keep 4 back in coverage, we end up with better blocking all round. But we need a guard who can pull and lay the wood virtually every time we run a coutner etc. Dockery is OK, and we'll be fine with Thomas if he's back 100%, but we need someone that can blow people off the ball from the guard spot. If we can push the DL 4 yards downfield on 90% of runs between the tackles, sooner or later Portis will break big runs to the outside or bust a tackle and bomb straight down the middle.

An upgrade at TE will also help.

I would just like to point out that after seeing what Portis did to Kansas City while he was on the Broncos, Saunders is probably licking his chops at the chance to use his newest young stud RB. Portis, by the way, is younger than LJ.

I think it will be a huge positive for our running game. You know that Saunders won't abandon the running game.

I think the main upgrade Saunders brings is in playcalling. I think this hire marks the end of the days where we get a 14 point lead on Tampa Bay and then just get conservative and sit on it. I think he's going to keep attacking. I don't think Gibbs had anyone on his staff this past season that he trusted to make gutsy calls, so he opted to stay conservative instead of attacking. Now Gibbs has someone he really trusts to make the playcalls. I'll bet he turns all playcalling over to Saunders.

As for the running game, I think Saunders will examine the strengths of the line and play to their strengths. With R Thomas back, we'll still see him pulling into space to clear the road for Portis. The big wrinkle I think we'll see is RB screens to Portis, getting Rabach and Thomas out in front of CP. Saunders loved to run those to Priest.

Saunders is an adaptable coach. When Priest was healthy, he would get him on the edge a lot. Then when LJ took over, he was just slamming him right up the middle. I think he'll mix it up. The advantage of our line is athleticism. Our line is not super powerful, we can't just push the DL back by bulldozing straight ahead. Our line is very swift, so we'll probably find ways to get the line into open space in front of Portis.

I think we're talking screens, tosses, and sweeps.

The Saunders hiring sticks out to me as one in which Gibbs needed a second eye looking at defenses and help perfect his offense. You aren't going to see anything radical but you'll quite a number of wrinkles and maybe better spacing for running plays. I also see the hiring as a way to setup the Skins for the future. In all likelihood Gibbs will leave after next season and players will have continuity after he leaves.

remember, KC has had arguably the best o-line as a whole for the last several years. im sure that his playcalling has attributed to some of the running success, but the offensive line they have is much better than we have here. i am very pleasaed with this aquisition though, i just dont know enough about his running calls

How much better is KC's O-line?

How much better is KC's O-line?

Willie Roaf and Will Shields with combined better 21 pro bowls better.