Quote (Terps @ Apr 9 2019 10:27pm)
We'll be a run-heavy offense still, and Jackson will most definitely have designed run plays, but the Bengals game (his first career start in which he ran 26 times, which might include kneels) was an aberration as far as rushing attempts goes. I think something like 10 times per game would be more reasonable. I mean the guy's a phenomenal athlete, and he knows how to brace for contact, so it's not like they should be afraid to use him.
I'm actually not sure what to expect with Greg Roman as OC. He used to run a very effective hybrid man/gap blocking scheme, but it's been rumored he might be transitioning to a zone stretch scheme to fit Jackson's running talents. I hope this is a false rumor though, since I wouldn't want to get away from what's worked. Our personnel along the OL fits a man/gap scheme, especially with Yanda and Omar Brown Jr.
Yea after going back and looking at his stats, only two of those games he went for 20+ rushes and like you said, probably include some kneel downs as well.
I agree you can't go away from his ability to run, considering his legs are one of his best weapons, but they don't want to run him into the ground either. 200 carries over 16 games would be 12.5 carries per game. I could see that being around the sweet spot (give or take 8-10 designed runs per and then you'll obviously have some broken scramble plays as well), but it's still a lot of extra pounding for a QB to take.
How they decide to shape the Offense around him will be interesting though. I get it that they might want to go in more of the direction of zone, because you don't want to show your hand. If they run a more power based offense for the majority, but only run zone stretch stuff when it's a designed run with Jackson, it's going to be very telling and opposing DCs are going to pick up on that really fast.
Were most of his rushes from a zone stretch read last season, or were a lot of them just straight catch and go rushes, like as if you guys were running the Wildcat of years past? Mostly in shotgun formation when he ran, or did they mix it up with him rushing from under center quite a bit as well?