FOXBORO — The Patriots know how you can repair their run recreation in principle. But now they need to show they’ve the items in place to really do it in follow.
A energy of the group in 2022, the Patriots’ floor recreation averaged 4.3 yards per keep it up the again of beginning working again Rhamondre Stevenson’s 210-carry, 1,040-yard, five-touchdown season. Two video games into the 2023 season, the Patriots are averaging simply 3.5 yards per carry. Stevenson has simply 75 yards on 27 carries with a landing, and his backfield-mate, Ezekiel Elliott, has solely been barely extra environment friendly with 42 yards on 12 carries with a fumble.
Stevenson lessened his workload this summer time and was coping with an sickness in Week 1, however he must be the identical again he was in 2022. Elliott has slowed down now late into an NFL profession for a working again, however he too must be extra environment friendly than what he’s placed on tape by way of two weeks.
So, what’s the issue?
“We’ve just got to win the line of scrimmage,” Elliott mentioned after Wednesday’s Patriots follow. “We’ve got to come off good on our double teams and just — no other way to put it — just win the line of scrimmage.”
Stevenson seconded that notion and expounded on it.
“Yeah, I agree with that,” Stevenson mentioned. “And just for us in the backfield, we have to run hard, not miss any holes and know where the run play is going to hit before the ball is even snapped.”
The Patriots’ offensive line has been a carousel of calamities since July. Left sort out Trent Brown handled an harm early in coaching camp and missed Week 2 with a concussion. Left guard Cole Strange missed many of the summer time and Week 1 with a knee harm. Center David Andrews has handled some minor illnesses however in any other case has been the one regular presence. Right guard Mike Onwenu underwent offseason ankle surgical procedure, missed all of OTAs and minicamp, many of the summer time and Week 1. The Patriots’ unique potential beginning proper sort out, Riley Reiff, is on injured reserve with a knee ailment. Swing sort out Calvin Anderson has began every of the primary two weeks of the season however spent almost all the summer time on the non-football sickness record. Rookie fourth-round decide Sidy Sow additionally missed Week 2 with a concussion after beginning Week 1 at proper guard.
Andrews is aware of the Patriots have their work minimize out for themselves dealing with the Jets.
“You have to take care of the down guys first before you get to the linebackers, if that makes sense,” Andrews mentioned. “I believe that’s an enormous factor. If we will handle the down linemen, transfer the road and get into the road of scrimmage, should you’re not on the backer completely, then that’s nonetheless a optimistic play. But it’s onerous for the working again to get hit by a D-lineman who’s at or behind or on the line of scrimmage. Working collectively up entrance, becoming collectively good with good double groups and ultimately getting some motion on the road is the largest factor you are able to do. And you then’ve received to be good.
“They’ll take their chances running though — (C.J.) Mosley and (Quincy) Williams — they do a good job of that. Having your eyes up, understanding looks, what can happen, whether it’s movement, pressure. It all ties together. There’s a lot to it of getting up there and running the ball, being physical. Seeing the picture for what it is, understanding who you’re working with, how you need to fit on the double teams, where the linebackers are. That’s a big thing, fitting together and working together like that.”
It could be huge for Brown to return in Week 3. That could be the primary time Brown, Strange, Andrews and Onwenu would have performed collectively this season.
But the backs should be higher, as properly. Out of 56 certified working backs, Stevenson and Elliott rank 53rd and fiftieth, respectively in yards after contact per try.
Overall, the Patriots rank seventeenth in anticipated factors added (EPA) per run play and seventh in rush success charge. So, it hasn’t been an outright catastrophe in comparison with the remainder of the NFL. But they’ve additionally been strong in short-yardage conditions. Neither Stevenson nor Elliott has a single carry of 15 yards or extra.
Source: www.bostonherald.com