Kyle Shanahan Unleashes Zone Blocking System In Atlanta (Long Read)

[FalconFanSince1970]

This is not a media post. It is not click bait. This is real talk. If you don't wanna talk, please click the Talk About The Falcons button now. Thanks in advance. I keep hearing we can plug in any running back and run over most NFL teams. I've also heard any Dimi Olineman will excel in the shiny new Shanny ZBS system. Any Olineman folks. Puddin, King Konz, Sackmaker, you name it. Just with the push of One ZBS Button. Can't wait.

I've seen every ZBS system ever run in the National Football League. All of em. Even the Falcon ZBS systems. Not a fan, but will gladly ride one to a Lombardi. Much rather have a power running game though. We had one from 2008-2010, but abandoned it for explosives. Should have stayed the course. Would have been way ahead of the current curve. Most teams are trying to move back in that direction now. Even the Aints. We have fallen behind.

And now, how bout a quick look at Kyle Shanahan's vaunted ZBS rush rankings as an offensive coordinator in his last seven seasons:

2008 - HOU - 13th total rush yards - 12th rush yards per carry

2009 - HOU - 30th total rush yards - 30th rush yards per carry

2010 - WAS - 30th total rush yards - 16th rush yards per carry

2011 - WAS - 25th total rush yards - 25th rush yards per carry

2012 - WAS - 1st total rush yards - 2nd rush yards per carry

2013 - WAS - 5th total rush yards - 3rd rush yards per carry

2014 - CLE - 17th total rush yards - 28th rush yards per carry

Notice his only two good rushing years were when RG3 averaged 650 yards in 2012 and 2013. Matt Ryan will not rush for 650 yards folks. Trust me. And now that we've announced to the league we're running a ZBS, defenses will be ready. Face it folks. Kyle aint his daddy. He better be ready to handle a Dimi squadron. I really hope Dimi can find a way to give him the Gurley Man and a platform he can use to carve out his own name.

[FalconFanSince1969]

In his two best years his RB's were a 6th rounder and a UDFA. Great argument.

[Mr.11]

If this is now considered a long read, I'm really concerned about my generation and the new millenials.

[Doobs]

Go for o-line in 2nd or 3rd then draft rb in later rounds

[Dirtybird56]

We don't need to be top 5, just have a year like 2008 HOU

[Return of the Gaucho]

LOL @ long read and real talk. Congrats on being able to navigate stat pages. Excuse me if I don't bow to your infinite wisdom and proclivity for junior high style nicknames.

Shanahan never had a top tier QB before now; you know, one who can move a defense? Maybe that will help?

I will wait til week 1 to throw stones. I'd expect someone from biblical times, such as yourself, to understand the danger of picking up a rock too early.

[citsalp]

God lord...I respect your posts, but it's common knowledge Shanny has always has a run game.

[FalconFanSince1970]

God lord...I respect your posts, but it's common knowledge Shanny has always has a run game.

With all due respect sir, not without a QB rushing for 650 yards.

2008 - HOU - 13th total rush yards - 12th rush yards per carry

2009 - HOU - 30th total rush yards - 30th rush yards per carry

2010 - WAS - 30th total rush yards - 16th rush yards per carry

2011 - WAS - 25th total rush yards - 25th rush yards per carry

2012 - WAS - 1st total rush yards - 2nd rush yards per carry

2013 - WAS - 5th total rush yards - 3rd rush yards per carry

2014 - CLE - 17th total rush yards - 28th rush yards per carry

[HEIST]

the saints run a zbs though :l

[atlvicktim08]

This is what happens when you present half truths: look at the passing stats for each year and his offenses aside from his first year in Washington and last year in Cleveland (with two quarterbacks and missing his best offensive weapon for most of the year), his passing offenses ranked in the top 10. Attention everyone, we dont need to be a top 5 or top 10 running team. We are a primarily passing team, like most teams in the NFL, nothing wrong with that, we can win that, but we have to be better than the bottom-tier in the NFL in running the ball. Mid level running game, somewhere in the teens ranked would be perfect with an elite passing game. It's all about balance

[atljbo]

Its not about having a top 5 run game ... You have Matt Ryan and Julio Jones and Roddy white and it looks like we are adding a TE ... With Weapons like that its just stupid to run the ball all game .... To me its about being more balance so Matt can have that play action fake back in his bag of tricks and for our running game to get the most out of it .

Look at the Pats ... They were so deadly because there Offense was so unpredictable ... There opponents said they had no idea what the pats approach was before the game .... Brady might pick you apart or they might run the ball down your throat ..... The Pats run game was ranked 18th

Le'Veon Bell was probably the best RB in the league last year..... The steelers had the 16th ranked running game.

I dont think anyone said we need to be a run first team...... We need to be a more balance team

[SyCo]

What about total yards? Just curious. seems like there wouldn't be a huge gap between 1st and 15th if you're looking at ypc.

[vel]

Funny how you only named Holmes, Konz and Baker. What about Matthews, Hawley, Asamoah and Schraeder?

[Jigglypuff]

If this is now considered a long read, I'm really concerned about my generation and the new millenials.

[vel]

Its not about having a top 5 run game ... You have Matt Ryan and Julio Jones and Roddy white and it looks like we are adding a TE ... With Weapons like that its just stupid to run the ball all game .... To me its about being more balance so Matt can have that play action fake back in his bag of tricks and for our running game to get the most out of it .

Look at the Pats ... They were so deadly because there Offense was so unpredictable ... There opponents said they had no idea what the pats approach was before the game .... Brady might pick you apart or they might run the ball down your throat ..... The Pats run game was ranked 18th

Le'Veon Bell was probably the best RB in the league last year..... The steelers had the 16th ranked running game.

I dont think anyone said we need to be a run first team...... We need to be a more balance team

Shlt the Pats switched their rushing attack mid game in the Super Bowl. Always fun to watch a coach who can stay a step ahead. Hopefully we have those now.

[FalconFanSince1970]

Its not about having a top 5 run game ... You have Matt Ryan and Julio Jones and Roddy white and it looks like we are adding a TE ... With Weapons like that its just stupid to run the ball all game .... To me its about being more balance so Matt can have that play action fake back in his bag of tricks and for our running game to get the most out of it .

Look at the Pats ... They were so deadly because there Offense was so unpredictable ... There opponents said they had no idea what the pats approach was before the game .... Brady might pick you apart or they might run the ball down your throat ..... The Pats run game was ranked 18th

Le'Veon Bell was probably the best RB in the league last year..... The steelers had the 16th ranked running game.

I dont think anyone said we need to be a run first team...... We need to be a more balance team

This thread is more about the automatic ZBS system fixing our run game.

You know. Plug in Shanny, start up yet another Dimi OG merrygoround, give Free 20 snaps and watch our run game flourish.

That seems to be the TATF prescription.

What you think Jbo?

I think our run game still has major talent and philosophy flaws.

[bigbabygrady]

if your team leads the league in rushing, most likely the passing game is not prolific or efficient. Our strength will still be in the passing game, with Ryan, Julio and Roddy and our o-line is also better at pass blocking than run blocking. Passing will remain the core offensive strategy. A ZBS running game that can be good enough to help move the ball between the 20s and balance the offense so that Ryan doesn't have to throw on 3rd and 2 will be good enough for our offense to be top 10

[FalconFanSince1970]

Funny how you only named Holmes, Konz and Baker. What about Matthews, Hawley, Asamoah and Schraeder?

Konz and Baker are the front runners for our new LG zone blocker bro.

Are you really happy with that?

If so, send Dimi a nice Tweet or Instagram.

[FalconFanSince1970]

if your team leads the league in rushing, most likely the passing game is not prolific or efficient. Our strength will still be in the passing game, with Ryan, Julio and Roddy and our o-line is also better at pass blocking than run blocking. Passing will remain the core offensive strategy. A ZBS running game that can be good enough to help move the ball between the 20s and balance the offense so that Ryan doesn't have to throw on 3rd and 2 will be good enough for our offense to be top 10

We've had a top seven passing offense the last two years. That got us a clean 10-22. Happy? Pass happy? We need a run game bro. You know. Running backs. Run blockers. What's the plan?

[vel]

Konz and Baker are the front runners for our new LG zone blocker bro.

Are you really happy with that?

If so, send Dimi a nice Tweet or Instagram.

That's one spot on the line. Don't leave out the other 4 starters who are actually decent or better.

[freebird310]

FF, these dumb fks think Freeman is the second coming of Jim Brown once you plug in magic Mans Shannys Irish Whiskey ZBS, PLUG AND PLAY !!! .....,you wont tell these boyz jack chit until they start choking on their own ignorance.......

[Return of the Gaucho]

FF, these dumb fks think Freeman is the second coming of Jim Brown once you plug in magic Mans Shannys Irish Whiskey ZBS, PLUG AND PLAY !!! .....,you wont tell these boyz jack chit until they start choking on their own ignorance.......

Mmmmkay, is it really so far fetched to think that Shanahan can take advantage of a superior cast of skill players and adapt his scheme? Is approaching it glass half full until proven otherwise really such a bad way to go through the offseason? I mean, if you have to rely on hyperbole to knock the opinions of other posters, it exposes your position much more so than theirs.

[freebird310]

Mmmmkay, is it really so far fetched to think that Shanahan can take advantage of a superior cast of skill players and adapt his scheme? Is approaching it glass half full until proven otherwise really such a bad way to go through the offseason? I mean, if you have to rely on hyperbole to knock the opinions of other posters, it exposes your position much more so than theirs.

I aint buying till I see it ....but TATF has already crowned him so he must be a god ........

[thamill]

With all due respect sir, not without a QB rushing for 650 yards.

2008 - HOU - 13th total rush yards - 12th rush yards per carry

2009 - HOU - 30th total rush yards - 30th rush yards per carry

2010 - WAS - 30th total rush yards - 16th rush yards per carry

2011 - WAS - 25th total rush yards - 25th rush yards per carry

2012 - WAS - 1st total rush yards - 2nd rush yards per carry

2013 - WAS - 5th total rush yards - 3rd rush yards per carry

2014 - CLE - 17th total rush yards - 28th rush yards per carry

Let's look deeper at Shanahan's numbers:

2008: Steve Slaton with the Texans rushed 268 times for 1282 yards and a 4.8 ypc

2009: Steve Slaton starts 10 games and hits a wall (injury maybe) rushes 131 times for 437 with a 3.3 ypc. Arian Foster started 1 game, plays in 6 and has 54 rushes for 257 yards with a 4.8 ypc

2010: Clinton Portis (the starter) starts 5 games before getting injured and rushes 54 times for 227 yards with a 4.2 ypc

2011: Roy Helu starts 5 games with 151 attempts for 640 yards and 4.2 ypc. The other two RBs are Ryan Torain and Tim Hightower...SCRUBS

2012: Alfred Morris with 335 attempts for 1613 yards and 4.8 ypc

2013: Alfred Morris with 276 attempts for 1275 yards and 4.2 ypc

2014: RBBC Terrance West had 171 attempts for 673 and 3.9 ypc, Isaiah Crowell had 148 attempts for 607 and 4.1 ypc.

The only anomaly seems to be Steve Slaton's second year. Almost every other back in his ZBS averages close to or well above 4 ypc. Can't ask for much more than that. There is more to overall rushing numbers than just your NFL rank. If your whole team sucks and you are constantly playing from behind than the running game is generally abandoned meaning attempts go down ultimately bringing the overall numbers down.

Now let's look at the Falcons recent history of rushing numbers:

2008: Turner 376 attempts for 1699 yds and 4.5 ypc

2009: Turner 178 attempts for 871 yds and 4.9 ypc

2010: Turner 334 attempts for 1371 yds and 4.1 ypc

2011: Turner 301 attempts for 1340 yds and 4.5 ypc

2012: Turner 222 attempts for 800 yds and 3.6 ypc

2013: SJax 157 attempts for 543 yds and 3.5 ypc

2014: Sjax 190 attempts for 707 yds and 3.7 ypc

Evaluating the TRUE numbers, it's easy to see that Shanny can routinely get 4 yards per carry or more regardless of the level of QB play. That is SIGNIFICANTLY more than what Dirk Koetter gave us.

[Return of the Gaucho]

I aint buying till I see it ....but TATF has already crowned him so he must be a god ........

Again, hyperbole...

You can wait and see all you want, but Shanny is coming into a situation with a better QB, a better WR group and an O-line I would say is comparable. Considering what he has done with other overlooked RB's, I don't think it is too far fetched to expect improvement in the offense.

There is also context that so many fail to ignore. Yes, the Falcons had a top ranked passing attack during the last 2 years. How much of that is due to playing from behind? How much of that is due to having a defense as soft as Charmin? If you want to say a passing attack got us nowhere I won't argue, but I would say the stale play calling in the run game, lack of talent in the same, and a terrible defense were far bigger factors. The coaches brought in this year directly address those problems (hopefully, we will see). I would say this team improved this off season, but your opinion may vary.