Offensive Strategy

[Flash7]

At the beginning of last season, we saw a lot of the "Power Run" formation. It was successful, however, the power run formation was a dead giveaway that we were going to run the ball, which made it easy for the opposing defenses. It only worked with the right lineman.

 

Later, as the season progressed, (after injuries along the O-line), it became evident that the Power Run game did not work with our remaining linemen. We switched to a fast-paced air it out offense. This worked well until we got to the playoffs.

 

What do you think we will see this year? More Power Running or more of a spread attack? Both?

[TKnight24]

The Spread offense worked. But once the playoffs hit the inexperience showed & injuries caught up with us. Injuries were the downfall of the last season imo

 

But much respect to Pep for swallowing his pride and accepting that the offense needed to be changed. Pride will always lead to FAILURE. Thankfully he swallowed his. 

 

I look for a mixture of Spread & Power. We have too many weapons across this field to be one dimensional imo 

 

[Bluefire4]

I think we'll see both mixed in there because the spread was pretty effective. Getting Thomas back will be very helpful for the O line and if Trent can work on his decision making and decisiveness he'd be perfect with Ballard and Bradshaw.

[Flash7]

I agree that balance is the key. We should be an effective team passing the ball, when needed and an effective team running the ball, when needed. This is more of the Patriots style of offense, as apposed to the Broncos style--which is mostly on the shoulders of Manning.

 

I like the Patriots ability to place the game in Brady's hands when needed, or rely on their run game, all depending on their opponent's weakness. The Patriots seemed to change from week-to-week. We need to see more of that flexibility.

[Slick_Rick]

I think we will see a lot better gameplanning. There may be games where we just want to run the ball all day due to matchups. We may decide to pass it all day, too. I just expect Pep to be an evil genius with all these weapons.

[Smonroe]

As unpopular with the bloggers as it was, the philosophy "run the ball and stop the run" is really the way to win.  The Seahawks proved it.  The Patriots at least proved it against us.  Doesn't mean we aren't a passing team, it just means we can make defenses be concerned about the run which opens up the passing game even more.

 

Like Rick said, it all comes down to gameplanning.  You're going to take advantage of your advantages.

[SilentHill]

I don't mind the power running game, but as long as they let Luck air it out (obviously our greatest strength) I'm ok with it.

[wig]

I think Allen being back is going to make the power formations substantially better.  Not only is he a great blocker, but the play action off of it will be much more dangerous. 

[BOTT]

Having DA back makes the two TE sets much more viable

[lollygagger8]

I expect to see a lot more 2 tight end sets. The Allen/Fleener combo is going to be deadly. 

[NewEra]

I expect to see more balance for one and more variations out of the power run formations. Having Allen back is going to be huge. If we can keep guys off ir we are going to be a very dangerous and explosive offense.

[NewEra]

IMO that was the biggest difference between us and say teams like Seattle/Denver. Skill position players on ir. Mainly offense. I know Denver lost their LT and Seattle had some oline guys nicked up. But I think they kept all their wr's, te's and rb's intact. Could be wrong ;)

[NewColtsFan]

I think we'll see more of the return to try and power run,  and I think this for several reasons.

 

One.....   I believe our defense is not that good -- yet.    So, one of the things teams with an OK defense do is try and shorten the game.   That is done by running the ball and trying to let the clock run.   Keep the defense off the field.   A shorter game means less plays for both sides.

 

Two....   I believe we'll see more running because our interior blocking is poor which means Andrew Luck is at risk.   We run to slow up the pass rush.   A good running game means the DL and LB's can't pin their ears back and go after Luck.    We run to protect Andrew by making our offense multi-dimensional.    If we're passing the ball 40-50 times a game, we're easier to defend.   Defenses know what's coming.

 

Put those two issues together -- protecting Luck and protecting our defense -- and this makes committing to a power based running attack paramount!    We simply have to.

 

I know this view will not be popular.    It'll be extremely unpopular.   But it explains why we do what we do.  

 

Just some food for thought..... 

[BlueCollarColts]

So many weapons.... So many options for activities! 

[ProblChld32]

I dont ever recall the power running formation being successful or effecient at all, we ran the ball most effectively out of the singleback, Spread, and Shotgun formations. With Allen and Thomas coming back we should be able to run effectively out of power run formations atleast i hope we can. 

[CroatianColtsFan21]

I dont ever recall the power running formation being successful or effecient at all, we ran the ball most effectively out of the singleback, Spread, and Shotgun formations. With Allen and Thomas coming back we should be able to run effectively out of power run formations atleast i hope we can.

San francisco game, no?

[ProblChld32]

San francisco game, no?

 

I would have to go back and watch film from that game, that game was earlier and the season i vaguely remember it. Did they use alot of power run formations with a FB?

[CroatianColtsFan21]

I would have to go back and watch film from that game, that game was earlier and the season i vaguely remember it. Did they use alot of power run formations with a FB?

 

i think so..