I think a lot of people in this thread are missing a key point: Shonn Greene was totally gassed in the 4th quarter. That's why we got away from using him.
Unless Shonn Greene was dead on the sideline, he would have been the better option for a run. Even then...
The way the rotation works is terrible. It actually hinders both backs. Instead of riding the hot hand, and substituting for a breather, they are rotating just to rotate. Unless a back rips off a 50 yard run, he shouldn't be yanked to rotate. Schotty likes to over rotate to give the illusion of screening to LT. Instead of being so one dimensional, he should give Greene more screens. Greene's blocking has also gotten better this season. So, I don't understand the rotation system he uses, it doesn't make much sense.
I understand where you're coming from Cato, but Greene isn't the Energizer Bunny. He's a guy that ran into the teeth of one of the toughest defense in the league for the majority of the game. He needed relief; relief, unfortunately, LT could not adequately provide. I think if we kept sending Greene out there in the 4th, he would have either a) gotten injured b) fumbled the ball or c) been ineffective.
12 carries isn't really a majority of the game. Not that carries tell the whole story, but I would say LT got more snaps overall. Greene should have been given more carries while we were trying to slow the tempo of the game down. Instead, those snaps were given to LT, who was ineffective.
I mentioned this in another thread. Backs don't get better with time off, they need to be churning those legs. If your rotation system sucks, you're going to make your backs ineffective. Unless your injured, or completely gassed, you're playing. Conversely, rotations can be made to emphasize specific strengths (screens, blocking etc). However, our 2 backs are fairly equal at both at this stage in their careers.
I've actually been really impressed with Shonn Greene's play on passing downs this season. If he can pass-pro well enough, then I think it's about time we let Joe McKnight actually get some touches behind the starting OLine.
He's only had a few good games this year. Chicago is one of them. I think he prefers running on real grass. I'm glad he didn't have a fumbalitis. The Pass blocking looks good, Greene must be missing Faneca though. Our pulling guards suck.
Joe needs touches for sure. However, I think there is a greater possibility he moves to WR after this season. Just my opinion, but someone is going to be the odd man out, and I think it will be Brad Smith. If that happens, I can see McKnight taking over a lot of his job duties. He's extremely athletic, and I think he can fill a lot of Smith's responsibilities (not saying as good, just taking that role). However, that's probably a topic for the offseason!
Carries were 13 to 12 for LT today. That has to change given the last few weeks. I'd even like to see something like 20 carries and 10 for LT, and lessen Sanchize's workload a little bit.
Agreed. It's not even like LT is getting checkdown targets either. It should be Greene as the clear number 1.
If Smithis the only one out next season (or any of the WRs so long as we only lose one) then I don't think that necessitates a moving McKnight to WR. We'd still have Holmes, Braylon and Cotchery as the top 3 with Keller as a de-facto 4 (feel free to add and drop Smith for the other possible departure). He can do a lot of the things that Smith does split out by motioning out of the back field or flexed out in a 2-back set. Then again, if we used our HBs like that Leon would have been used as such and Woodhead might still be here. At this rate, any topic that isn't bitching about backing into the playoffs is valid as far as i'm concerned.
