Matt Nagy on need to run the ball more: I'm not an idiot Published: Oct 21, 2019 at 07:37 AM Around the NFL Writer Matt Nagy hears the refrain emanating from the heart of Chicago, wondering why the struggle to run the ball. Sunday's to the was the latest Victor Martinez Jersey example of the coach eschewing the running game after it got off to a wonky start. Despite the game being close at halftime (12-10, New Orleans), the ran the ball just five times through two quarters. They ran it just twice more in the second half, including a fumble from on the first play of the third quarter. For the game: 7 rushes for 17 yards. The seven rushes are the fewest carries in a game in franchise history in the era, per NFL Research. "I know we need to run the ball more. I'm not an idiot," Nagy said Monday. "I realize that. ... I totally Jordan Zimmermann Jersey understand that. We need to (run the ball). I never go into a game saying I want to throw the ball 54 times. I would love to go into a game and say I want to run the ball 54 times, but ... that just hasn't happened, so this is what I have to answer to." With returning from a shoulder injury, it was particularly head-scratching to see Nagy call numerous pa s plays early in the close game. The coach said the ineffectivene s on the few running plays -- which included a pitch to receiver that ended in a fumble -- led to the lopsided play-calling. Blank Jersey "Now how do you, get it going a little bit," the coach said. "Let's maybe pa s to open up the run game. And so, before you know it we didn't have a whole lot of plays in the first half, there weren't a lot of runs, and then we get behind in the second half. But to have seven rushes and two fumbles that's not good either." The ' ineffectivene s in both the run and pa s has been troubling for Nagy through the team's first six games. His squad is the only offense in the 32-team league that has yet to generate a 300-yard performance this season. Whether it's the running game stymied behind a porous offensive line, backs coughing up the ball or Trubisky mi sing wide-open receivers, every phase of the offense has been a failure through the Travis Wood Jersey first six tilts. Nagy admitted Chicago is having an identity crisis on offense. "When you go through these struggles like we're going through identity-wise and having struggles Brandon Dixon Jersey running the football ... it's not where we want to be and it's unacceptable for all of us," he said. "We're definitely searching right now there is no doubt about it." Until he finds something that hits, the offense will continue to be painful on the eyes. This article has been reproduced in a new format and may be mi sing content or contain faulty links. Please use the Contact Us link in our site footer to report an i sue.
Click here Click here Click here