Give the ball to Alf and get back to .500

[PAPDOG67]

One thing I am hoping for this Sunday with the return of RGIII is that we start leaning on Morris a little bit more than we have and get back to grinding it out on offense. Much like we did two years ago, and what Dallas is doing now, when we made our run of 7 in a row after starting 3-6, most of that can be attributed to pounding the rock consistently with Alf. It keeps our defense off the field and rested. Gruden has been very inconsistent with his use of Morris as far as I'm concerned. Its time to get back to traditional NFC east football. Throw the occasional bomb to DJax, but concentrate on moving the chains. The first drive of the second half Monday night was awesome. With Minny and TB the next two games, there is no reason we can't get back to .500. Once we get there, the schedule gets a little dicey, but get back to .500 first, and anything can happen.

Two guys that might keep us from doing that are our RG and RT. I don't know how everyone else feels, but I think its time to put Chester out to pasture. He's ready for the glue factory as far as I'm concerned. I see him getting beat time and time again in the passing and the running game. Lets hope our rookie Long or young vet Leribus can bump him to the bench after the bye week. Compton I don't have much of an opinion on. He seemed to pass block ok, but also seemed to get no push on running plays, much like Polumbus. Maybe its time for Moses? Although he looked shaky when in there. We need to start getting some positive running plays when we run right. It seems we can only run to the left right now. This needs to be fixed. Sometimes rookies take a little while to adjust to the speed and schemes of the NFL. Hopefully our rookies are "coached up" enough to possibly make a change after the bye.

[riggofan]

One thing I am hoping for this Sunday with the return of RGIII is that we start leaning on Morris a little bit more than we have and get back to grinding it out on offense.

Me too, man! The running game has been by far the most disappointing part of this season to me. The secondary struggles weren't really unexpected, but coming into the season I really thought the ground game would be one of the team strengths. I'm really hoping the Robert's return opens things up more for Morris.

[Hooligan]

It's hard to make the run game a staple of your offense when your O-line can't block. Alf is fighting off defenders at the line of scrimmage.

I think we're looking pass-happy because all of our receivers, including Reed, are healthy and productive and it's the only thing working consistently. I don't like steering away from the run either, but when you struggle to get over 3 yards a carry, there's no point in continuing to bash your head against the wall "because we're a running offense." At that point, running is just to keep the defense honest and hopefully catch them off guard.

I do hope we draft a couple of road graders and can get our identity back. Morris is being wasted behind these guys.

[riggofan]

It's hard to make the run game a staple of your offense when your O-line can't block. Alf is fighting off defenders at the line of scrimmage.

I'm sure that's true, but Morris ran well the past two years. You think the o-line is worse than it was last year? I don't.

[SkinsJock]

The players are the same but the yards gained rushing are not there - it's not Morris

I hope they get better productivity out of Morris with Griffin at QB but the key is to keep giving Morris the ball and not get greedy

It's going to be hard not to throw the ball down the field with these great WRs - this week all we need to do is just run the damn ball

[Skins Fan in Indy]

Defenses know that Cousins and McCoy are not real threats running the ball but just the thought of RGIII under center changes the whole dynamics. Alf will run rough shot going forward. My prediction for Alf against the Vikings 125 yards and 2 TD's.

[EA7649]

It'll help my fantasy points lmao. On a team note it would obviously help the offense tremendously. I just hope he is healthy enough to be elite and the oline can create the wholes. I saw a stat that says his running avg is much higher with Robert compared to anyone else

[SkinsJock]

It'll help my fantasy points lmao. On a team note it would obviously help the offense tremendously. I just hope he is healthy enough to be elite and the oline can create the wholes. I saw a stat that says his running avg is much higher with Robert compared to anyone else

Griffin is NOT playing unless he's mentally AND physically healthy - NOT elite healthy, just healthy

Griffin's health status may not be "elite" at this time but that is not the level he needs to be at to play and play well

Griffin's health level does not need to be much above 'healthy enough' to be head and shoulders above McCoy and Cousins play


GRIFFIN WOULD NOT BE PLAYING THIS SUNDAY IF HE WERE NOT HEALTHY ENOUGH

[riggofan]

Defenses know that Cousins and McCoy are not real threats running the ball but just the thought of RGIII under center changes the whole dynamics. Alf will run rough shot going forward. My prediction for Alf against the Vikings 125 yards and 2 TD's.

Nice. I will say one thing I liked about Colt v. the Cowboys was that he used his legs more like RGIII does. He had that awesome TD scramble, and he also extended some plays rolling out of the pocket. Thought he was much more dangerous than Cousins with that ability.

[riggofan]

Griffin is NOT playing unless he's mentally AND physically healthy - NOT elite healthy, just healthy

How many players going into week nine do people imagine are 100% healthy? Its ridiculous. If the ankle isn't bothering him, RGIII is probably healthier and feeling better than half the players in the league.

[yupchagee]

It'll help my fantasy points lmao. On a team note it would obviously help the offense tremendously. I just hope he is healthy enough to be elite and the oline can create the wholes. I saw a stat that says his running avg is much higher with Robert compared to anyone else

No surprise as:
1) RGIII is a threat to run.
2) He is a better ball handler.

[SkinsJock]

Griffin is NOT playing unless he's mentally AND physically healthy - NOT elite healthy, just healthy

How many players going into week nine do people imagine are 100% healthy? Its ridiculous.
If the ankle isn't bothering him, RGIII is probably healthier and feeling better than half the players in the league.

EXACTLY - no matter what level of health Griffin is at, he's a better QB than McCoy or Cousins

Griffins health level is NOT important - ALL THAT MATTERS is that the medical guys are saying he's healthy enough

enjoy the game

[EA7649]

It'll help my fantasy points lmao. On a team note it would obviously help the offense tremendously. I just hope he is healthy enough to be elite and the oline can create the wholes. I saw a stat that says his running avg is much higher with Robert compared to anyone else

Griffin is NOT playing unless he's mentally AND physically healthy - NOT elite healthy, just healthy

Griffin's health status may not be "elite" at this time but that is not the level he needs to be at to play and play well

Griffin's health level does not need to be much above 'healthy enough' to be head and shoulders above McCoy and Cousins play


GRIFFIN WOULD NOT BE PLAYING THIS SUNDAY IF HE WERE NOT HEALTHY ENOUGH

I was speaking about Alfred Morris, hence the topic of the thread. The only time I was including Robert is that Alred's running stats are higher when he with Robert.

And Robert is projected to play unless any setbacks. And I agree he is not going to play elite. The "elite" part of my comment is with Morris, since he got banged up earlier in the season and broadcasters were speculating is he health the reason why he isn't playing so great this year.

[SkinsJock]

Morris and the running game are not doing well - Griffin's return will help NOT because Griffin will be a threat to run but more so because he's a better QB and will make the offense better by his presence - yes, he will most likely run some but, even though he'll be a little rusty, as the game goes along he'll start to take better advantage of all his weapons and his speed

[EA7649]

Morris and the running game are not doing well - Griffin's return will help NOT because Griffin will be a threat to run but more so because he's a better QB and will make the offense better by his presence - yes, he will most likely run some but, even though he'll be a little rusty, as the game goes along he'll start to take better advantage of all his weapons and his speed

That too and its the threat of his running ability. I think Alfred's running game would improve if Robert only ran once or twice.

[Skins Fan in Indy]

I am going with Alf to have a 125 yards and 2 TD's Sunday.

[EA7649]

@Skinsjock John Klein describes how Alfred Morris benefits with Robert at the QB position. http://espn.go.com/video/clip?id=118001 ... api_public

And I hope the team isn't too loose and confident and get beat up tomorrow.

[SkinsJock]

^^^ thanks for the video

This is a HUGE opportunity - this franchise has an opportunity to show everyone that despite their BIG concern about the O line and their issues with the secondary and not being able to pressure the QB without blitzing, they are a group that can find a way to win

If they can find a way to win this game, I'm sure there will be many who will look at this team differently the next 2 weeks

NOT ME

this team will still have a BIG concern with the O line
it will still need to address the secondary
it will still need to find a way to pressure the QB without blitzing

win or lose we are NOT a consistently good team until we can address these issues

HOPEFULLY next season - that seems to be our mantra

[EA7649]

NP

Sometimes its good to just want see progress and bring that positive energy to next season. And I agree with your points about the problems of the team. If in the slim chance there was a playoff run, I don't think they could be serious contenders until their problems are addressed. NO way with constantly facing good and great teams.

BTW, maybe you were being nice but the special teams is just as bad in comparison.

[SkinsJock]

Special Teams play has improved the past 4 games - Forbath's kickoffs have improved & the coverage units seem to be doing much better

[EA7649]

That is true, I'd still give cautious concerns for the kickoff. I am really impressed with the rookie punter though!