With Sanders out, does this open the door for the Jags running game? (1 Viewer)

[PACKER 7]

Wanting to get others opinions about the Jags running game chances this weekend.

Now that Bob Sanders is down for 4-6 weeks I think this could mean big yards for the Jags this weekend.

Indy hasn't looked good at all against the run this year, and Sanders usually plays a big role in run support defense.

The Jags haven't run the ball well either, but they have played 2 tough defenses, Tennessee & Buffalo.

I read that Taylor was limited with some toe issue today in practice, but it seems not like a big deal.

This might be the cure the Jags need in the running game.

I could see Taylor 20 / 90 / 1 TD

and MJD 15 / 100 / 1 TD

Anyone else thinking this way or have other opinions?

 

[Cookiemonster]

Yes. I sold Taylor in one league this year, and MJD in another but this is the week you've been waiting for. Buffalo D has been very underrated so far, but not for much longer. Tennessee is also very, very good. A Bob-less Colts D is exactly what this team needs.

 

[Chaka]

It'll help but that Jags O-line is in serious reshuffling mode. Temper your enthusiasm.

I also doubt the Jags will be in position to run the ball 35 times, they are averaging only 22 attempts per game.

 

[bizkliz]

im hoping so.

benching Larry Johnson in favor of MJD.

i actually feel the substraction of bob sanders is HUGE for the indy def and how they want to play the run game. If Jax can manage some runs with positive yardage early on, the RB-tandem should be in for a decent day.

-biz-

 

[jwojdylo]

if with sanders, the colts run defense has been horrible this year

 

[JamesTheScot]

It'll help but that Jags O-line is in serious reshuffling mode. Temper your enthusiasm.I also doubt the Jags will be in position to run the ball 35 times, they are averaging only 22 attempts per game.

Exactly. Sanders hasn't been on either of the past two D's which have contained the Jags running game. Assuming he makes that big of a difference this week is giving him too much credit. Always start your analysis with the line matchups. That affects the running game more than anything. DB's, even DB's as good as Sanders, don't come into the equation until on down the list.

 

[hotdogcollars]

I think the Jags run game will be better, but you cant expect too much from what is essentially a group of backups at OL.

FWIW, in two different leagues i plan on starting Jamal Lewis and Run DMC over Fred T.

 

[The Kansas Comet]

Indy couldn't stop the Bears or the Vikings running games with Sanders, why think they would stop Jacksonville without him? I know the Jags have a bunch of backups in there, but it's not like Chicago has a top o-line, and Minnesota was missing McKinnie.

 

[encaitar]

Indy couldn't stop the Bears or the Vikings running games with Sanders, why think they would stop Jacksonville without him? I know the Jags have a bunch of backups in there, but it's not like Chicago has a top o-line, and Minnesota was missing McKinnie.

Yes, but both those lines are far better than the Jags line at this point. I think that the Jags will be able to run more effectively than they have up to this point, but I'm not expecting anything astronomical against Indy here. Their Oline is just getting beat too badly for Sander's absence to be all too important.

 

[Tanner9919]

Wanting to get others opinions about the Jags running game chances this weekend.Now that Bob Sanders is down for 4-6 weeks I think this could mean big yards for the Jags this weekend.Indy hasn't looked good at all against the run this year, and Sanders usually plays a big role in run support defense.The Jags haven't run the ball well either, but they have played 2 tough defenses, Tennessee & Buffalo.I read that Taylor was limited with some toe issue today in practice, but it seems not like a big deal.This might be the cure the Jags need in the running game.I could see Taylor 20 / 90 / 1 TDand MJD 15 / 100 / 1 TDAnyone else thinking this way or have other opinions?

it opens the door for the Jags running game,sure.but they need a good O-line to do that..they currently do not have a good o-line.I'd say your numbers are a bit of wishful thinking at this point//MJD might get 60 yards. F. Taylor might get the same..and throw Greg Jones in there, too..

 

[Bri]

I wonder how their replacement linemen are doing. I saw someone thought they were improving and maybe all's not lost for 08. Taylor and MJD are very good. I'd figure they only need to be decent. Those two don't have to have a dominant run line to run behind.

 

[Chunky Soup]

I wonder how their replacement linemen are doing. I saw someone thought they were improving and maybe all's not lost for 08. Taylor and MJD are very good. I'd figure they only need to be decent. Those two don't have to have a dominant run line to run behind.

 

[SeniorVBDStudent]

The door was already wide open before Sanders went out.

At its best, Tampa 2 disrupts the passing game and suffocates the rushing game with speed.

With young and green personnel, Tampa 2 is highly susceptible to the rushing attack.

Indy's health and Jags health is a wash in this game.

Sadly, as always, it will come down to the Jags lack of excellence in the receiving corps.

 

[packersfan]

Sanders hasn't been on either of the past two D's which have contained the Jags running game.

Are you sure? I was watching ESPN last night and they said the last time Sanders was out against the Jags was the 2006 game when Jacksonville went off for 375 yards rushing. I think both MJD and Taylor are looking great this week. As others have stated, the Colts' run defense was abysmal with Sanders. It's scary to think how bad it will be without him. For reference's sake, the last time he missed significant time was in 2006 when Indy ranked dead last in the league in rushing defense.I'd start MJD as a RB2 and Taylor as a RB3 with confidence this week. The Jags have to get back to their identity and that's being a running team. Everything is set up for that to happen this week. The game should be close and Sanders is out. They couldn't ask for a better scenario given their current situation.

 

[packersfan]

To confirm - the last time Sanders missed a game against Jacksonville was the 2006 game I referenced above:

Link

 

[Dragon1952]

Interesting read..

http://www.profootballweekly.com/PFW/NFL/A.../sohn091808.htm

 

[djcolts]

To confirm - the last time Sanders missed a game against Jacksonville was the 2006 game I referenced above:

Link

Gilbert Gardner is no longer the SAM LB. That was a large part of the 2006 rushing woes of the Colts D - he was AWFUL. Any astute Colts fan would tell you the same thing. I think the other problem with the 2006 regular season D was that they were scrambling to get 2 healthy safeties at all most weeks - it wasn't just that Sanders was injured, but that the backups were injured from week to week. Marlin Jackson had to play a lot of safety that year - and he's a better corner than safety.At least this season - Melvin Bullitt has practiced with the 1st team some this season, even before this latest Sanders injury - and Bullitt made a couple of big plays in the 4th quarter last week. I think he'll be a decent backup for the Colts D. I don't expect a disaster on the Colts D in the short term - the OL is the real issue with the Colts right now.

 

[packersfan]

To confirm - the last time Sanders missed a game against Jacksonville was the 2006 game I referenced above:

Link

Gilbert Gardner is no longer the SAM LB. That was a large part of the 2006 rushing woes of the Colts D - he was AWFUL. Any astute Colts fan would tell you the same thing. I think the other problem with the 2006 regular season D was that they were scrambling to get 2 healthy safeties at all most weeks - it wasn't just that Sanders was injured, but that the backups were injured from week to week. Marlin Jackson had to play a lot of safety that year - and he's a better corner than safety.At least this season - Melvin Bullitt has practiced with the 1st team some this season, even before this latest Sanders injury - and Bullitt made a couple of big plays in the 4th quarter last week. I think he'll be a decent backup for the Colts D. I don't expect a disaster on the Colts D in the short term - the OL is the real issue with the Colts right now.

Perhaps. But the Colts' run defense with Sanders was terrible. It's difficult to believe it will be better without him. I think this game is set up for the Jags to do very well on the ground. I would start MJD as a RB2 and Taylor as a RB3 with confidence this week.

 

[Vikes Fan]

Aren't the Colts starting a very undersized nose guard after their big guy (can't remember his name) got cut after an incident? During the Viking broadcast, the announcers seemed to think this had a large impact on the Colts ability to stop the run, especially up the middle.

 

[FavreCo]

I do know this much: Don't count on Porter helping out. He's too busy counting his $ after cashing another game check for all his hard work.

The official team web site reports that Jaguars head coach Jack Del Rio told reporters Friday that WR Jerry Porter, who is recovering from a torn hamstring, is "not likely" to play at Indianapolis Sunday. "(He's) not quite ready to be used yet," Del Rio said.

 

[Yenrub]

How is MJD's ankle?

 

[Dragon1952]

Well the Jags have only managed about 130 yds rushing total through 2 games so far, and the longest rush has only been 13 yds. And with the OL problems and lack of a passing game I think Indy can manage. Garrard has 1 TD pass and 3 INT's and they've only had 1 passing play that has netted more than 15 yds. Plus he's been sacked 9 times. I don't see how anyone can expect for Jacksonville to do much offensively, regardless of who they are playing.