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Sammy Morris looks to rev up Patriots’ running attack
By Shalise Manza Young, Projo.comOctober 17, 2008
FOXBORO — In the absence of the often dominating passing attack the New England Patriots had last year, the offense has had to return to more of a balanced output, where the run game sets up the passing and vice versa.
At least that’s likely the idea. It hasn’t always worked out like that.
In their two losses this season, the Pats have totaled just 184 rushing yards. Part of that is the fact that the team had to get away from the run once it got down against Miami and San Diego, but part of that was ineffectiveness.
On Monday against the Broncos, the ground game takes on even more importance. Denver’s offense can be one of the most explosive in the NFL, and sustaining long drives, which keeps the ball out Broncos’ quarterback Jay Cutler’s hands can only help New England.
But it doesn’t seem like Laurence Maroney (shoulder) will be playing this week, and LaMont Jordan (calf) is a no-go as well.
Thankfully for the Patriots, they began the season with four healthy running backs.
With the preseason expectations for Maroney after his end-of-year burst last year and Jordan’s signing early in training camp, Sammy Morris sort of got lost in the mix. But the ninth-year back will need to play a big role if New England is to be successful against Denver.
The Broncos are near the bottom of the league in run defense, something New England will be trying to take advantage of; more than likely, it will be Morris toting the ball.
Asked if he felt this could be a chance for him to have a big week, the Texas native demurred.
“Not any more different than it was last week,” he said. “I think our running back group in general is focused on team goals, and so regardless of who’s hurt I think we always approach each game wanting to carry the team and carry the offense.”
Morris has a team-high 53 carries for 169 yards, an average of 3.2 yards per carry. But that number is dragged down by his zero-yard result (on eight carries) against New York in Week Two,, and since he is often the back called on in short-yardage situations.
This week, coach Bill Belichick cautioned that yards per carry can be misleading.
“In the Jets, San Francisco and a little bit in the Kansas City games, running the ball at the end of the game, those weren’t high yards-per-carry situations, but they were important yards and important carries to keep the clock going, get some first downs,” Belichick said. “I think the bottom line is you want to maximize and be efficient on every run, so if it is a normal down and distance situation, you are looking for four yards or more. If it’s a short-yardage situation, then you’re looking for the yardage. A one-yard run on third-and-one is a good run.”
For his part, Morris didn’t think establishing the run was any bigger deal for this week’s game than in others, but he acknowledged that New England has to do better offensively.
“The overall key is that we have to play better when we have the ball, whether that’s throwing deep passes to open it up for the run or being able to pound the ball from the beginning,” he said. “The overall key is maintaining possession.”
Morris did have a nice 28-yard catch on a hitch route against the Chargers, plowing over Chargers corner Antonio Cromartie and pulling a spin move. The only problem is he was down at the one-yard line and New England couldn’t get into the end zone, the turning point in the game.
“I tried to do my Randy Moss impression,” he quipped of the spin. “I wanted to make sure I had the ball held, and was able to duck down and lower my shoulder. I wish I would have scored, though.”
At least that’s likely the idea. It hasn’t always worked out like that.
In their two losses this season, the Pats have totaled just 184 rushing yards. Part of that is the fact that the team had to get away from the run once it got down against Miami and San Diego, but part of that was ineffectiveness.
On Monday against the Broncos, the ground game takes on even more importance. Denver’s offense can be one of the most explosive in the NFL, and sustaining long drives, which keeps the ball out Broncos’ quarterback Jay Cutler’s hands can only help New England.
But it doesn’t seem like Laurence Maroney (shoulder) will be playing this week, and LaMont Jordan (calf) is a no-go as well.
Thankfully for the Patriots, they began the season with four healthy running backs.
With the preseason expectations for Maroney after his end-of-year burst last year and Jordan’s signing early in training camp, Sammy Morris sort of got lost in the mix. But the ninth-year back will need to play a big role if New England is to be successful against Denver.
The Broncos are near the bottom of the league in run defense, something New England will be trying to take advantage of; more than likely, it will be Morris toting the ball.
Asked if he felt this could be a chance for him to have a big week, the Texas native demurred.
“Not any more different than it was last week,” he said. “I think our running back group in general is focused on team goals, and so regardless of who’s hurt I think we always approach each game wanting to carry the team and carry the offense.”
Morris has a team-high 53 carries for 169 yards, an average of 3.2 yards per carry. But that number is dragged down by his zero-yard result (on eight carries) against New York in Week Two,, and since he is often the back called on in short-yardage situations.
This week, coach Bill Belichick cautioned that yards per carry can be misleading.
“In the Jets, San Francisco and a little bit in the Kansas City games, running the ball at the end of the game, those weren’t high yards-per-carry situations, but they were important yards and important carries to keep the clock going, get some first downs,” Belichick said. “I think the bottom line is you want to maximize and be efficient on every run, so if it is a normal down and distance situation, you are looking for four yards or more. If it’s a short-yardage situation, then you’re looking for the yardage. A one-yard run on third-and-one is a good run.”
For his part, Morris didn’t think establishing the run was any bigger deal for this week’s game than in others, but he acknowledged that New England has to do better offensively.
“The overall key is that we have to play better when we have the ball, whether that’s throwing deep passes to open it up for the run or being able to pound the ball from the beginning,” he said. “The overall key is maintaining possession.”
Morris did have a nice 28-yard catch on a hitch route against the Chargers, plowing over Chargers corner Antonio Cromartie and pulling a spin move. The only problem is he was down at the one-yard line and New England couldn’t get into the end zone, the turning point in the game.
“I tried to do my Randy Moss impression,” he quipped of the spin. “I wanted to make sure I had the ball held, and was able to duck down and lower my shoulder. I wish I would have scored, though.”