Posted by Lisa on September 7, 2007, 9:31 pm I just don't see McHugh being successful blocking in the middle of the line from the motion. It gives the defense too much info on where the ball is going. So, whether Bradley is up or down, I think Martz is going to try to hit them up the middle a couple times with the power game. And when that apparently fails, he will go to the pass with Roy and Calvin getting a couple long balls targeted...and Furrey and Duckett being the underneath receivers. Bell, IMO, isn't as good a receiver as Duckett. Then, the draw up the middle was surprisingly successful early in the preseason...and then suspiciously abandoned after the first week... considering the draw hasn't worked in years and years...since Barry retired. Duckett again had good success with that draw play. I'm a little bit of homer here, I admit. I saw a lot of potential in Duckett coming out of MSU. Duckett was under utilized in Atlanta sharing time with Dunn ... and then never fit with Washington. But Martz LOVES speed, and I must say Bell's speed is tantalizing. And against defenses with less speed I can see Bell being successful. I just see Bell limiting the options Martz has in the long run...which will lead to him using Duckett more and more until KJ gets back. Nonetheless, with Denver, Bell was fairly successful against Oakland in the past, and if any OC can gameplan for a defense it is Martz. I know he has a reputation for just giving up on the run, but I think that's usually because of situations not inclination. If Martz truly believes this o-line can come through, and Jim Colleto is as great as he has been touting...then he's going to keep pounding the rock up the middle, even if it's for no gain, just to keep their defense honest. Ultimately, though, from what I've seen working in pre-season, the pass will be opening up the run in all likelihood rather than the power running game being successful by itself. And that's okay as long as they keep the defense off the field and the chains moving.
Against Oakland, I see too much speed on the edges to think that Bell is going to have a really good day ... unless he starts banging up the middle better than he did in the pre-season. I must admit that I missed the third game, correct me if I'm wrong. I saw them try repeatedly to get Bell behind a FB through the middle, but it didn't work. On the other hand, Duckett was far more effective up the middle and showed some surprising cuts ...he would be the guy I would try build the running game versus Oakland...along with Jon Bradley at FB, if his shoulder is good to go. If Bradley is a down, their best inside blocker IMO, is Duckett himself. Man, I miss KJ.
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