A Return of the Running Game?

But how do you have a great passing attack? By having to keep the defense honest with a great running attach and using play action. We have seen Shanny make diamonds out of thin air when it comes to running backs. If we can stay healthy, IF, on the offensive line I think we will have a serious ground threat that will definitely help the passing game with our new competent QB and WR's.

So do I think we will run more? Yes. But it will be to help the passing game as well. Do I think Shanny Jr. wants to run more? No. He seems like a pass happy kind of dude. But we aren't Houston. We don't have Andre Johnson. Find the balance. Win the game.

The way Mike Shanahan and Kyle Shanahan calls plays, it's not far fetched to think that they will keep the defense honest by having RG3 do a lot of rollouts and bootlegs much like Gibbs used to have Joe Theismann and Jay Schroeder do. The Redskins have the wide receivers to not only go deep, but also to get open anywhere on the field. It's my opinion, but I can see Garcon emerging as a respected NFL WR in this offense. He, Hankerson, Moss, and Morgan will be the primary targets in the passing game all year. Figure Chris Cooley, Niles Paul, and Fred Davis into that passing game also. The running game will take care of itself. Both Helu and Royster are hungry for success after getting a taste of the NFL as rookies last season. Add Tim Hightower to that mix also. The Redskins are overdue for a 1,000 yard rusher. One of these three will be it.

...The running game will take care of itself...So you think Kyle will change his philosophy/play calling tendencies?
If so why?

I'm hoping we run more also.
But like you said Kyle is a pass happy OC.
He'll have more weapons in the passing game then ever before since he's been in DC. (Griff, Garcon, Hankerson, Morgan, Paul)


If Kyle is a pass happy OC (like he's shown himself to be) then I'm not sure what would compell him to run the ball more.

I agree. This is especially true since he now has a strong-armed QB toy to play with.

I just can't see us running the ball more with Griffin than we did with Wrecks/Beck.

I'm hoping we run more also.
But like you said Kyle is a pass happy OC.
He'll have more weapons in the passing game then ever before since he's been in DC. (Griff, Garcon, Hankerson, Morgan, Paul)


If Kyle is a pass happy OC (like he's shown himself to be) then I'm not sure what would compel him to run the ball more.

Answer: Shanny Sr. I think Big Mike Shanahan likes to run the ball in that ZBS of his. We have seen the fruits of his labor in the past. I think Shanny Sr. will have some say so over Jr. in the "we need to run the ball some more" department. I agree with the idea that bootlegs and rollouts may be a staple in the run attack to keep defenses honest but I think we can be a threat with just our running backs (provided the Oline can stay healthy). That is a big asterisk right there...

So you think Kyle will change his philosophy/play calling tendencies?
If so why?

Namely because he has a new quarterback who is capable of making dynamic plays inside the pocket and on the run. Wouldn't that change the way that you call your offensive game plan?

Namely because he has a new quarterback who is capable of making dynamic plays inside the pocket and on the run. Wouldn't that change the way that you call your offensive game plan?

Yes, it would make me change my game plan. I would call more pass plays than before and hand it off to a running back less.

Which, to go back to the title of the thread, would hardly be a return of the running game.

Answer: Shanny Sr. I think Big Mike Shanahan likes to run the ball in that ZBS of his. We have seen the fruits of his labor in the past. I think Shanny Sr. will have some say so over Jr. in the "we need to run the ball some more" department. I agree with the idea that bootlegs and rollouts may be a staple in the run attack to keep defenses honest but I think we can be a threat with just our running backs (provided the Oline can stay healthy). That is a big asterisk right there...

I'm not sure if we will run more but I certainly do expect the run to be more effective because of RG3. All the the play action rollouts will keep the back side defenders in place since one of the fast guys will be the QB and all the roll outs can quickly turn into qb keepers.

Kyle should take notes from the Vick-Dunn-Duckett years.

Wouldn't that change the way that you call your offensive game plan?We're not talking about some generalized or ambiguous "change".
We're talking specifically about whether or not the offense will/should become more balanced in the playcalling philosophy.
If Kyle's philosophy/playcalling were to become more balanced he would need to run the ball more.

So to answer your question directly: Certainly, having Griff as opposed to Rex/Beck would make change my offensive game plan.
But, having a dynamic QB, one of the best QB prospect in recent memory as opposed to Rex/Beck (near league worst QBs) wouldn't make me pass less.
It would make me maintain my pass first focus if not increase my pass first tendencies.

I have a direct question for you: Would having a QB who is capable of making dynamics plays in the passing game and running the ball cause you to pass less?

Answer: Shanny Sr. I think Big Mike Shanahan likes to run the ball in that ZBS of his. We have seen the fruits of his labor in the past. I think Shanny Sr. will have some say so over Jr. in the "we need to run the ball some more" department....Well we know Mike Shanahan likes to a balanced offense as evidenced by his career pass/run ratio which is almost exactly 50/50 pass/run. <--heck that ratio now is probably considered run heavy.

But, I don't think Mike dictates the philosophy or gameplan to Kyle or any of his previous OCs.
Surely, if Mike was the OC last year we would have run the ball more often and more effectively much sooner in the year and maintained it all through the season.
Kyle threw the ball 591 times with Rex/Beck as his QBs, despite having a QB situation thatt warranted leaning on the running game if not at a minimum a more balanced attack.

I agree with the idea that bootlegs and rollouts may be a staple in the run attack to keep defenses honest but I think we can be a threat with just our running backs (provided the Oline can stay healthy). That is a big asterisk right thereWell the boot action (bootlegs, nakeds, 'rollouts') and the zone stretch run go hand-in-hand they're complementary plays.
The success of the stretch run is made possible because the boot-action limits the backside pursuit, which creates cutback lanes.