Originally posted by BSofSF:
Originally posted by CatchMaster80:
It seems like many of CMCs big gains come on the opening drive. After that the runs are shorter and shorter. I know they script those first few plays but is that the difference? Are teams just adapting quickly or is Kyle not as imaginative after that opening drive.
I would speculate that CMCs early success in games has something to do with the opposition adapting to his quickness. He is so damn quick and elusive it probably takes a series or two to acclimate as a defense, analogous to facing a dominating pitcher where you have to see his stuff a time or two before you adapt. That's my theory and I'm going with it. Also, he is overused. Changing out to Mason more frequently would keep the defense on their toes, alternating between speed and power. I think the same effect could be achieved alternating Mason and Mitchell, even if Mitchell is a drop-off from CMC.
Refer back to my response to that post on the previous page. Its all speculation with no truth. The downside of the eye test is recency bias. He didn't need to do much in the 2nd half of the Cowboys game as it was a blowout and our starters were pulled late in the 3rd quarter. He got injured early in the 3rd quarter of the browns game. Every other game, he has had several 10+ yard runs including a 45 yarder and 51 yarder that happened after the opening drive.
CMC had that 45 yard TD run in the 3rd quarter of the PIT game. He had a 51 yard run on the 2nd drive of the rams game. He had a 17 yard run on the 3rd drive against the giants. Had an 18 yard TD run on the 2nd drive of the ARI game. Also a 16 yard run in the 3rd quarter of the ARI game. He has also had several 10-13 yard runs throughout the season that occured in the 2nd half of games. These past two weeks must have your eye tester off.