Bengals won't abandon the running game

by Josh Kirkendall on Sep 9, 2008 1:36 PM EDT

Bengals offensive coordinator, Bob Bratkowski reiterated this week that the Bengals offense won't give up on the run. That's well and good, but it's awfully difficult to sustain success by forcing the run into difficult long-yard situations on third down. Considering our passing game is so stale right now; a product of defenses knocking our receivers around at the line of scrimmage; opposing teams are starting to press the offense more by blitzing on passing downs, and closing the gap on rushing downs.

Since 2001, Bratkowski has been the team's offensive coordinator. The following is an account of rush attempts and yardage, year-by-year since 2001.

2008 - 368 (1,040)*
2007 - 416 (1,556)
2006 - 435 (1,629)
2005 - 459 (1,910)
2004 - 437 (1,839)
2003 - 481 (1,987)
2002 - 426 (1,730)
2001 - 441 (1,712)

* projected

There's nothing to suggest the Bengals are going to have their worst rushing season to date with Bratkowski. When you can't run, you throw. It's also been a major criticism of Bratkowski that when the running game doesn't work early, that he abandons quickly (and early). On the other hand, with exploding questions about the offensive line, what should be done? Granted, we shouldn't forecast our team, nor our offense, after one game, against a Ravens defense that came to play. At the same time, I don't have the confidence in our coaching staff to change anything around.

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In Hobson’s story I got the impression that Brat expected the Ravens to use a bunch of exotic schemes, and that he assumed that it would be difficult for the offensive to match up with them.

Why didn’t he think up some creative schemes to put the Ravens defense on their heels? This is the first time in a few years that we have had 2 skilled TEs and a running back that can catch the ball down the field. It seems like there is the possibility to create match-ups that favor us. Also, the Ravens seemed set on stopping 85 and TJ. I don’t remember either of them going in motion, or lining up in unexpected positions to make it more difficult for the Ravens to focus their defense.

Why didn’t Brat have a good game plan, when he had all summer to develop one? Unfortunately I know the answer, as does anyone else who has been watching the Bengals the last 2 years.

by R.F. Mehl on Sep 9, 2008 4:13 PM EDT reply actions

can we exchange bratkowski

for former Falcon QB, Steve Bartkowski? It’s only one letter.

It’s all well and good to wish for a power running game. A power running game is a prerequisite for success in the AFC North. A power running game takes pressure off of the quarterback, opens up the passing game, and eats clock while sitting on a lead. But, as they say, if wishes were horses, beggars would ride.

I think we can all agree that our game last year revealed a blatant lack of a power running game. While our offensive line did a bang-up job of protecting the franchise(17 sacks all year), they were incapable of besting a girl scout troop at the point of attack. Defenses lay back in coverage, Carson is forced to make ill-advised throws, and we may as well trot out Kyle Larson on third down for all that extra play did for us. So, okay, improving the rushing game, dedicating ourselves to it, is the correct course of action. Let’s do it.

Okay, what did we do? You know, between the last game of the ought seven season to now? Improve the O-Line? Um, well, we drafted a talented pass blocker from a spread offense school(Collins/KU). We gave Stacy a starting job and cut Big Willie. We cut Rudi. We added a healthy speed back. And we added a receiving tight end. Okay, which one of those things should make us optimistic about our ’08 ground game? None of the above.

They did fuck all about it, pardon my French, and yet kept chanting the mantra, “must be power running team,” like that alone could make it happen, beggars waiting for the damn horse just to drop in their lap.

Inexcusable. For Brown. For Lewis. For Bratkowski.

by IgnatiusJReilly on Sep 9, 2008 7:03 PM EDT reply actions

I think that the lack of a power running game goes back to 05, as much as we look at that season as being ideal. We put up a lot of yards that year, but that was when teams didn’t know what to do with our 3WR sets and Rudi was in his prime, gouging nickel and dime packages. I remember a lot of short yardage situations where Steinbach and Braham got blown up.

As mentioned above, I think we need to stop drafting tackles like Collins, and get some one who has shown that he can play in the trenches. Tall guys like Whitworh, and Andrews can use their size to prevent people from going around them at tackle, but they are at a disadvantage against ‘bowling ball’ types like Ngata, Hampton, and Rodgers on the inside.

I think we should consider moving Williams to center. I’ve been optimistic about Ghuichec because he fits the mold of good centers from the past, but playing so many games with big guys lining up right over center, the agile center doesn’t cut it, as we saw last week, and probably will see this week against Mr. Haynesworth.

by R.F. Mehl on Sep 9, 2008 11:04 PM EDT reply actions