The division of labor at RB

I think our biggest problem at RB is how to divide the snaps, and who to keep.

Time will tell if the OC, DC, and position coaches are any good but it is pretty certain they will be better than their predecessors.

 

Historical results of our top 2 RBs seem very consistent when you dig down into it. Both of them seem to produce remarkably similar outcomes (when looking at production in a season anyway...I haven't looked at more granular break downs re: down and distance). So they should be pretty interchangeable.

My guess is that Dowdle will get more work in short yardage and Warren will get more work in passing situations.

I hope we're close to 50/50 with these guys.

Personally, I hope usage is more game to game based on matchups. And that we're open to leaning on the "hot hand" game to game.

Go with the guy that is doing better at the time / against that opponent. Don't get locked into "roles" for each guy.

But my guess is that MM will favor Dowdle something like 55-60% over Warren based on the previous relationship and the fact that we actively went out to get him. I don't think it will become a J Smith type thing because I think Dowdle is a good back. Personally, I like Warren better. But that could certainly be endowment bias.

I think it's hard to tell what will happen results wise on offense. If you look back at rankings in the last 4 seasons or so, I think most people would be shocked to see how the Steelers have finished relative to the Rams.

I think this shock will be especially high for people who think coaches are more important (or as important) as execution.

But it's not like we've had especially good players on offense either.

 

"Winning First Downs"

It's about the 'schedule.'
The schedule is to get into 2nd and manageable which you like to get 5 or 6 yards on first down.
Now you have the defense guessing: Run or Pass? because the playbook is wide open. You can afford to take a shot.
Mike McCarthy does like that first 15 play script also.

As far as RB's, Mike does like the change of pace guys.
Still, I think he is most comfortable when he can run the "Riggo Drill" the most. That is why he went and got Dowdle.
Warren just isn't a every down back. I love the guy's play and he is dangerous but he is at his best in a rotation.
Dowdle, unless he flops, will probably be the bell cow with Warren in the role he had when Harris was here.
I doubt it gets that simple. If we go up against a team that can't the pass, you're probably going to get a ton of Warren and the passing game.

All guesses on my part.
A memory from my heydays on the sideline with Washington.

Green Bay with McCarthy at the helm came to Washington for a game and me being very honest on my evaluations, expected a royal beatdown. Washington just wasn't any good at the time.
By the end of the 1st half, Washington had harassed Rogers mercilessly and even had a pick 6 enroute to Half-Time lead. It looked like a world class upset in the making.
Something happened to Rogers during that half-time.
He literally put that team on his back and killed every ounce of hope Washington had.
He called those quick snaps every time Washington substituted, he caught them a lot of times.
He hit the short passes until Washington moved up, then hit those deep ones.
He audibled into the correct play so many times and Washington's defense was so frustrated that D. Hall started screaming at the coaches....
At the end of the day, the stadium was nearly empty and Rogers had put on quite a show for a big win.
The take-a-way was that the team was well defined, they adjusted and executed plan B without flaw. I don't even think there was a 2nd half flag against GB.
That's what I am hoping for here.

 

Ideally
A good offense should not need
an every down back.

 

Or
Trying to find the
C.L.I.T. Organization