FOXBORO — All indicators pointed towards the Patriots going run-heavy of their season opener towards the Raiders, so it was shocking to see Josh McDaniels’ offense run the ball simply 18 instances within the 20-13 loss.
Much more stunning, the Patriots ran the ball simply 3 times within the second half, and neither Rhamondre Stevenson nor TreVeyon Henderson acquired a single carry after the second quarter.
Head coach Mike Vrabel stated the Patriots bought away from the run as a result of it was inefficient within the first half.
“Yeah, it simply wasn’t considered one of our higher performs,” Vrabel stated. “Once more, we simply need to reap the benefits of the performs that we do name and hit it when now we have guys open, and simply having the ability to begin the second half, having the ability to go down there and proceed that drive, sadly not flip it over and be capable to create some momentum in that scenario.”
General, the Patriots averaged simply 3.3 yards per carry within the recreation. Henderson had two runs known as again by holding penalties. Stevenson and the Patriots’ offensive line, which options 4 new starters this 12 months, did not convert on two third-and-1 conditions.
“I feel to have a profitable offensive play, it takes actually all people,” Vrabel stated. “It takes the play caller, proper? Getting the play in effectively. It takes us having the ability to establish the gamers that we have to block, those that we’re not going to have the ability to block and those that after we block them and we’re together, that now we have to maneuver them. After which the backs need to run the place they’re not. And we are saying that. So once more, it’s not simply the gamers that now we have that we’re handing the ball to, it’s all people. Once more, now we have lots of confidence within the operating backs, but in addition, now we have to have the ability to have an incredible execution in any scheme. … The underside line is now we have to run the ball higher and now we have to run it extra effectively as a result of then I feel that every one opens up some extra of the stuff that we’re doing, can do and need to have the ability to accomplish that that it’s not only a drop-back passing recreation.”
Henderson led the Patriots with 27 dashing yards whereas averaging 5.4 yards per clip. Stevenson averaged simply 2.1 yards on seven carries.
