Falcons: McClure on running game - "More to it than five guys up front"

[The Don™]

Falcons center Todd McClure doesn’t want to hear about how Atlanta’s failure to convert short runs for first downs against the Saints yesterday paralleled their inability to do the same in the 2012 playoffs against the Giants.

The Falcons couldn’t convert a third-and-short run in the fourth quarter against the Saints and then opted to try three straight passes at the one-yard line with a chance to win the game. McClure bristled at the suggestion that there were similarities to the Giants game.

“That’s two totally different ballgames,” McClure said. “That’s what [ticks] me off more than anything is you guys are going to write about how bad we are up front and that we can’t get in the end zone. But there’s more to it than just blocking up front, and that’s all I’m going to say about that.

“I get really frustrated when I hear things and read things knowing there’s more to it than five guys up front but we take the brunt of the blame. I don’t want to talk about that anymore because I don’t want to say anything I regret.”

The Falcons managed 46 yards on just 18 carries against the Saints, who were the worst team in the league against the run entering the game. Atlanta running back Michael Turner, who was dropped for a loss of one yard on third down during the penultimate possession, gained just 15 yards on 13 carries.

McClure didn’t elaborate on the issues in the running game but said the struggles are about the offense overall not just the line.

“It is in every aspect of it,” he said. “But we get the ball on the one, we are expected to get it in. I just get frustrated sometimes the past couple years. There’s more to it than just lining up and blocking the guys wherever they line up. And that’s it. I can’t talk about it anymore.”

[The Don™]

Taking shots at Turner and run blocking scheme?

[ggp]

The replays show that the DL pushed our guys backwards. I don't know what else can be said.

[AUTiger7222]

Really? Everyone I've seen has blamed Turner more than the OL.

[RnB]

Yeah, he is basically saying what we all know; trying to point out that the scheme, playcalling, adjusting protections, down/distance, and running back all contribute to the lack of success. You also have to consider the tendencies and playcalling we have shown versus a particular team, or on game tape, and how their defensive playcalling is reacting to what they see.

You can't expect a veteran guy like McClure, especially on our team with how careful we are not to give the media or other teams anything to key on via interviews, to just say our run packages suck, our running backs suck, and we suck at controlling the LoS a lot of the time.

[The Falcon Jedi]

That was a pretty clear shot at Turner the Burner

I agree with McClure

[FullMetalFalcon23]

I would have thought the run blocking scheme would have changed when Hill and Koetter came in. With all the change we have had I doubt they kept a scheme from a guy who wasn't cutting it. And in truth it's only last year that the run blocking started to become an issue. And conveniently it was last year turner started to look really off when running.

I genuinely think MM has ran turner empty. Thing is. I don't think what we do want to run suits MT33. It looks more like a one back style scheme, for that run and cut.

I've been looking at backs who could feature in our O in that. I think we will see a new premier back in Atlanta that comes from the draft. I think Matt is playing well enough that this team can flourish without running the back insanely. But we need backs who when there number is called will get yardage. I like Bell from Michigan and Bernard too. We need those straight aggressive angry runners who can still be elusive. I think if we can clinch a play off spot for certain by the end of the next 3 games and our in division opponents have some losses. We need to take some time to try other options in the run game alongside our passing game.

[ggp]

If we had a top notch RG, Konz would be starting ahead of McClure. Mud Duck is a good man, a savvy veteran and a great leader in the locker room, BUT, he is not an asset in the run game. This is plain and simple.

[AUTiger7222]

(11-12-2012 08:44 PM)ggp Wrote:  If we had a top notch RG, Konz would be starting ahead of McClure. Mud Duck is a good man, a savvy veteran and a great leader in the locker room, BUT, he is not an asset in the run game. This is plain and simple.

Agreed. And this has been a problem for the last few years.

[Jesus]

The team can't lose their composure after one game and turn into the Jets and start pointing fingers. Take the next couple of days off get right in the head and bash the fuck out of the Cardinals.