Commanders Post at The Warpath - View Single Post - How will Saunders affect our running game?

Schneed10 · 01-19-2006, 03:55 PM

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.

01-19-2006, 03:55 PM	#17
Schneed10 A Dude Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Newtown Square, PA Age: 46 Posts: 12,458	Re: How will Saunders affect our 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.