Just curious what makes you think we're converting from a pass happy offense to a run mauling offense. In looking at Fox's last 3 years in Denver, his offenses threw it a ton.
2012: 583 attempts, 4659 yards, 37 TDs
2013: 675, 5444, 55
2014: 607, 4661, 40
I believe the reason we passed less last year was because Gase was tasked with throttling the turnover machine in #6 and it worked. The play calling was dumbed down with runs in obvious passing situations and an incessant number of WR screens. The throttling, I believe, is what ultimately earned Gase his HC job because he's now expected to do the same with Tannehill.
I don't believe it is accurate to say Fox prefers a mauling run game over a prolific passing game. FoxPace invested a very high pick in White and is dedicating around $14-16million per year to Alshon meaning much focus is still on the passing game.
I think it's obvious that Fox likes to build hard nosed running teams based on his history. I think it's foolish to look at Denver's stats when they had Manning. Also, remember Fox ended up leaving due to philosophy differences. Plus, Fox has pretty much said he wants to run the ball.
Bringing in Massie to play RT and moving Long back to RG should be a clue. Massie's best quality is run blocking, although, I think people underestimate his pass blocking.
Fox also brought in his massive C from Denver as well in Ramirez who is a run blocker. I pretty sure Slauson became expendable cuz Fox thinks he can get a better run blocker in ther.
As good as Forte was, running between the T's was not his strength. That played a part in not retaining him, imo. It's not a coincidence that we basically replaced him with a RB in Howard that is basically know for being a tough between the T's type of runner.
The fact that the TE spot hasn't been a top priority tells me that Fox will plug in run blocking TE's to replace him, with Miller replacing the pass catches.
Lastly, the best thing for Cutler's game would be to run a balanced run first offense and let him pass off of a more play action and strike down field with our two over the top WR's. Cutler doesn't need to be dropping 7 steps back every down like Trestman and Martz liked.
Also, the attention at becoming a shutdown defense shows that Fox values stopping opposing teams and controlling the clock rather than trying to out score teams in a high scoring game.
It aazes me that people are so down on the offense after last year. Half our OL was injured and we lost our #1, #2, and #3 WR's for most of the year. Personally, I think the offense is going to be much better than last year.
